First released in 2014,The Elder Scrolls Onlineinitially received mixed reviews despite the popularity of the previous entries in the series. AfterThe Elder Scrolls Online:Tamriel Unlimitedsignaled a refresh and rebrand of the game, player reactions became more positive. Since then, developers ZeniMax Online Studios and publisher Bethesda Softworks have worked to keep fans of the series on board, providing a plethora of Chapters and DLCs with new and expansive content for players to consume. Like most online games looking to maintain a solid playerbase, the developer has committed to releasing post-launch support with new areas, storylines, and other elements like items and aesthetics to make sureThe Elder Scrolls Onlineis an experience that keeps evolving.
One of the newest examples of this support is the upcoming release ofElder Scrolls Online: High Isle –a brand-new Chapter that will allow players to explore a never-before-seen area of the Systres Archipelago. Although the island chain is inhabited mainly by Bretons and the story is predominantly focused on the Legacy of the Bretons story arc, it has been confirmed that the Maormer (also known as Sea Elves) will feature in theHigh Isleexpansion. Sea Elves are not a new race to the world of Tamriel, but they have mostly been on the peripheries of previous entries in theElder Scrollsseries. However, with a more significant appearance promised in the next Chapter, players are wondering what the maritime Maormer are about and what lore surrounds them.
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The Maormer In The Series So Far
The Elder Scrolls, like many fantasy games, has a varied array of intriguing races and groups. Each has its own lore and area of origin, and sometimes a complex history of interactions with other races. Known by several names throughout the series, such as Tropical Elves, Fish Elves, or Pyandoneans, the Maormer are one of the many races ofMer that feature in theElder Scrollsgames. More elusive and mysterious than some of their mainland counterparts, the Sea Elves live on Pyandonea – an island continent located far south of the Summerset Isles at the southwest of Tamriel. This island chain and home of the largely reclusive elves is densely forested with a tropical clime and is often thought to be the mysterious southern continent inThe Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall.
Originally thought to be exiles from the Summerset Isles, it was revealed in translations of some tapestries in the Crystal Tower – an ancient structure located in the mountains of Eton Nir – that the Sea Elves were most likely originally from Aldmeris. Although not much is known about this region, it is believed to be the alleged homeland of elves but is considered by some to be merely a myth. Some unknown crisis is thought to have occurred that forced out either a large proportion or all of Aldermis' inhabitants, and soelves came to settle in Tamriel.
With pale, colorless skin and milky eyes, Sea Elves are unique in appearance. Just like Wood Elves, this sea-based race has chameleon-like physical qualities that allow them to adapt to their surroundings. They are ruled by the immortal wizard King Orgnum who mysteriously continues to grow younger and younger as the centuries pass. He led each of the Sea Elves' attacks against their enemies and according to myth was once an incredibly wealthy Aldmer nobleman. While Orgnum has been mentioned in multipleElder Scrollstitles, he has yet to appear in-game, but with theHigh Islechapter featuring Sea Elves more prominently,Orgnum could make an appearance inTheElder Scrolls Onlineduring 2022.
The Sea Elves of Pyandonea have a troubled history with their nearest neighbors the Altmer and waged war against theinhabitants of Summersetmany times, launching attacks all across the coastline. The various attempts of the Sea Elves to conquer Summerset were ultimately suppressed, and the last documented appearance of these sea-faring elves was the War of the Isle in 3E 110 which is said to have decimated the Maormer fleets, severely damaging their combat capabilities and effectively ending their antagonistic attempts against the Summerset Isles. Since then, the Sea Elves have become even more reclusive.
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Sea Elves In High Isle
Along with brand-new locations for players to explore like a coastal town and a jungle prison colony,High Islewill feature sea-themed elements like the House of Shipbuilders and Pirates. Along with this additional content, Loremaster Leamon Tuttle and Lead Writer Bill Slavicsek confirmed in an interview with Game Rant thatplayers will see more of the Maormer. Sea Elves have cropped up in theElder Scrollsseries a few times before in the form of storm mages, sailors, and other characters, but they’ve hardly been a dominant feature. As well as opening up theElder Scrollsmap and navigating previously unchartered waters for the game series, putting the spotlight on an under-explored race opens up some intriguing possibilities for players.
It hasn’t been confirmed if Sea Elves will be a playable race inHigh Isle, but former expansion packs likeMorrowindhave included new race options alongside other updates. Either way, players will be intrigued to learn more about this curious group of elves and their enigmatic leader. Exploring their use of powerful snake magic (as well as Orgnum’s rumored identity as theSerpent God Satakal) would provide an interesting element alongside the other new aspects. Not to mention the Sea Elves' control of sea serpents both as mounts and beasts of war, which could make either fun antagonists or exciting new modes of transport.
Along with theHigh IsleChapter, three new DLCs will be released in a year-long exploration of theLegacy of the Bretons storyline.Ascending Tide, the first to be released, is a dungeon DLC with new PvE activities for players to undertake. A post-reveal stream of theAscending TideDLC also showed Maormer Pirates in the Dreadsail Reef 12-person Trial, with hopefully more to come from the sea-faring elves. With the ability to harness the power of storms, wind, and waves, the Maormer could make impressive enemies and would prove an exciting challenge to tackle alongside the political intrigue at the center of theHigh Islestoryline.
Elder Scrolls Online: High Islereleases on May 30, 2025, for PC and Mac, and on Jun 01, 2025, for PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
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