The Bretons of The Elder Scrolls series are a human race distinguished by their deep roots and complex heritage, primarily residing in the province of High Rock. Known for their profound magical affinities and intricate political landscapes, Bretons offer a rich cultural tapestry that draws parallels with historical and mythical interpretations of medieval and Celtic societies.
Origins and Ancestry: The Manmer Legacy
Bretons come from a mixed heritage of Aldmeri (Elven) and Nedic (human) bloodlines, primarily through the intermingling with the Direnni, a noble Altmer family. This blend has bequeathed them not only a unique appearance but also an innate proficiency in magical disciplines. Known colloquially as "Manmeri" for their hybrid lineage, their ancestry provides them with both the robust hardiness of humans and the refined magical abilities of elves.
High Rock: The Cradle of Breton Civilization
High Rock, the native home of the Bretons, is a region marked by its rugged terrain and myriad of petty kingdoms. It is characterized by a landscape peppered with ancient castles and a plethora of small, walled cities, each governed by its own ruler. This fragmentation is a testament to the region's tumultuous political history, where allegiances and power dynamics shift as frequently as the coastal tides.
Physiology and Magical Prowess
Bretons are typically known for their slighter builds and sharper features, an echo of their Elven lineage. This physical distinction is complemented by their renowned magical abilities. Bretons have an inherent resistance to magic, a direct inheritance from their Elven forebears, which allows them greater defense against magical attacks and makes them adept at spellcraft.
History and Culture: A Tapestry of Feudalism and Magic
The history of Bretons is a saga of survival and ascension amidst a fractious political environment dominated by feudalism. Their society, inherited from Direnni hegemony, is deeply hierarchical, yet it allows for mobility based on merit, particularly through magical prowess or cunning diplomacy. This societal structure has cultivated a race that is intellectually agile and politically savvy, with a penchant for both scholarly pursuits and arcane practices.
Breton Religion: A Blend of Divines and Ancestral Worship
Religiously, Bretons practice a faith that blends the worship of the Nine Divines with veneration of select Elven deities and their unique god, Sheor. This synthesis of beliefs mirrors their mixed heritage and supports a culture that values both tradition and the mystic, further highlighting their role as a bridge between the human and the magical worlds of Tamriel.
Notable Bretons and Their Impact on Tamriel
Bretons have been pivotal in shaping the history of Tamriel. Figures like King Emeric, the unifier of High Rock through the Daggerfall Covenant, and the mysterious and powerful mage Delphine, showcase the strategic and arcane strengths of this race. Their influence is felt across borders, often acting as kingmakers or pivotal figures in larger continental sagas.
Unique Traits of Bretons Across Fantasy Universes
Bretons of The Elder Scrolls universe possess a distinct identity shaped by their dual heritage and affinity for magic, setting them apart not only within Tamriel but across various fantasy realms. This segment explores how the Bretons compare to subraces of humans in other notable fantasy series, including The Lord of the Rings, Malazan Book of the Fallen, A Song of Ice and Fire, and Wheel of Time.
Bretons vs. Numenoreans from The Lord of the Rings
Bretons share several similarities with the Numenoreans of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, particularly in their elevated status among humans due to their mixed lineage. Like the Bretons, Numenoreans are a human race enhanced by their association with a more powerful species; in their case, the Elves. Both races exhibit longer lifespans compared to their fully human counterparts, and both hold a deep-seated proficiency in certain arts — magic and warfare for Bretons, and seafaring and craftsmanship for Numenoreans.
However, where Numenoreans possess a manifest destiny to rule, driven by their imperial might and divine favor, Bretons are more fragmented, often embroiled in internal conflicts and political machinations within their province of High Rock. The imperial ambition of Numenoreans led to their downfall, while Bretons' political divisions have ironically ensured their survival and adaptability.
Bretons vs. The Letherii from Malazan Book of the Fallen
In Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen, the Letherii empire offers a contrast to the Bretons. While both peoples excel in intellectual pursuits and complex societal structures, the Letherii are defined by their extreme capitalism and expansionist policies, governed by a singularly powerful monarch and an entrenched nobility. Bretons, on the other hand, operate under a more decentralized feudal system that allows for greater individual mobility and political diversity.
Moreover, the Letherii lack the inherent magical abilities that characterize the Bretons. Instead, Letherii magic users are typically part of the elite, using their powers to consolidate wealth and influence, which contrasts with the widespread integration of magic among the Breton populace, regardless of social standing.
Bretons vs. The Andals from A Song of Ice and Fire
The Andals from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire are akin to the Bretons in their historical impact upon their respective worlds. Both races invaded and significantly shaped the cultures they came to dominate — the Andals in Westeros and the Nedes in High Rock. However, while the Andals eradicated and replaced the older cultures (like the First Men), the Bretons merged with the existing Elven populations to create a unique hybrid culture.
This difference highlights the Bretons' capacity for cultural assimilation and synthesis, contrasting with the Andals' more destructive form of cultural dominance. Additionally, the Bretons’ magical prowess gives them a nuanced role in their world's politics, unlike the Andals, whose influence is more straightforwardly martial and religious.
Bretons vs. Cairhienin from Wheel of Time
In Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, the Cairhienin are perhaps the most similar to the Bretons, particularly in their political cunning and love for intricate games of power, embodied in the game known as Daes Dae'mar. Both Bretons and Cairhienin are strategic, with a keen understanding of alliance and betrayal, maneuvering constantly to gain upper hands in political arenas.
However, the Cairhienin do not share the Bretons' magical abilities or their elven heritage. Their strengths lie more in the realm of human cunning and manipulation, rather than any supernatural prowess. This distinction underscores the Bretons' unique position in fantasy as a race that blends the political with the magical, human with the non-human.
In comparison with other fantasy universes, the Bretons of The Elder Scrolls are unique for their combination of human resilience, elven mysticism, and a deeply ingrained magical culture. This blend allows them to navigate their world in ways that are distinct from purely human races in other fantasies, endowed as they are with both the complexity of human politics and the enchantment of elven heritage. Whether through comparison with the Numenoreans' divine favor, the Letherii's capitalist empire, the Andals' cultural dominance, or the Cairhienin's political gamesmanship, the Bretons maintain a unique niche in the pantheon of fantasy races.
The below table displays all characters from this race that have been included in The Arena. Pride and Prophecy has more detailed information on other races across fantasy universes.
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