Despite their skill and intellect, however, the Dwemer suddenly disappeared in Year 700 of the First Era. Though there are theories that seek to explain this strange occurrence, nothing yet has been confirmed. That said, The Elder Scrolls 6 might be able to explain some unanswered questions.
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The Lost Race of The Elder Scrolls
The Dwemer of The Elder Scrolls are known by many names — the Deep Folk, the Dwarves, and, of course, the Lost Race. Before their disappearance, they were known to have quarreled with many other races. The first of which were the Chimer, who had traveled to the region of Morrowind while the Dwemer resided there. The Chimer race was devoted to the Daedra. This clashed with the Dwemer belief system, in which reason was valued more highly than faith. Thus, the two Elven people fought on the basis of resources and religion.
Their conflicts would come to an abrupt end upon the arrival of High King Vrage, the Gifted of Skyrim. The Nord King intended to expand his Empire to the land areas of High Rock and Morrowind. Thus, the Dwemer and Chimer banded together to push back the invading forces. Though the Nords of The Elder Scrolls took over most of the region at first, the Elven races finally drove them out after over a century and a half.
The Dwemer and Chimer then fortified their alliance by forming the First Council of their newly captured land, Resdayn (which is modern-day Morrowind). Not all Dwemer agreed with this move, however, so a number of Dwarven clans migrated to modern-day Skyrim and Hammerfell. This is why the Last Dragonborn stumbles across many Dwemer ruins in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Something similar could happen in its sequel, assuming that The Elder Scrolls 6 takes place in Hammerfell.
That aside, the peaceful relationship between the Dwemer and Chimer would come to an end when the latter learned of Numidium. Also referred to as the Brass God, Numidium was a hulking, humanoid structure created by Dwemeri Lord Kagrenac. Kagrenac intended to bring Numidium to life with the Heart of Lorkhan — a powerful magic stone believed to be the heart of the actual god. The Dwemer of The Elder Scrolls had unearthed the artifact, and Kagrenac intended to use it to retake Resdayn from the Chimer and then render his own race immortal.
When the Chimer learned of Kagrenac’s plans, the alliance fell apart, leading to the War of the First Council. Everything culminated in the Battle of Red Mountain, wherein the Chimer confronted Kagrenac in the chamber holding the Heart of Lorkhan. Something happened in that chamber that ultimately led to the disappearance of every Dwemer in the world — except one: Yagrum Bagarn, one of the most memorable NPCs of Morrowind.
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Clues in The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
Yagrum Bagarn is the last living Dwemer and can be interacted with in The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind. He explains that he was in an “Outer Realm” during the Dwemer disappearance, so he wasn’t affected by whatever had caused it. Worth noting, though, is the fact that he was a master crafter who worked under Kagrenac. Knowing Kagrenac personally, Yagrum theorizes that his colleague created powerful tools that would allow the Dwemer race to transcend mortality.
Other Dwemer objected to his ways though, stating that the potential side effects were too unpredictable. Clearly, Kagrenac didn’t listen, and his dealings with the special tools and the Heart of Lorkhan may have done one of two things. First, he could have succeeded in rendering the Dwemer immortal, but with unforeseen consequences — for example, “wholesale displacement to an Outer Realm.” Alternatively, he could have simply destroyed the entire Elder Scrolls race.
The Elder Scrolls 6 and the Dwemer
All that said, it seems unlikely that the Dwemer will return in The Elder Scrolls 6 — that is, unless a cataclysmic magical event takes place that somehow brings them back. Still, should the next Elder Scrolls title take place in Hammerfell, it presents an excellent opportunity for Bethesda to drop hints — and perhaps even answers — to the theories surrounding the Dwemer disappearance in The Elder Scrolls.
Calcelmo, a scholar in Markarth of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, writes in a short treatise on Dwarves that there is no irrefutable proof that the ancient race disappeared all at once. The disappearance was sudden and unforeseen, but none can say whether it took place over a course of hours, days, or even years. Calcelmo then goes on to explain that texts which seek to explain the disappearance cannot be trusted as the many accounts (both Dunmer and Nord) differ greatly. Moreover, as of the Fourth Era, a Dwemer account has yet to be unearthed.
This is what The Elder Scrolls 6 could provide — a Dwemer account. Assuming that Calcelmo is correct, and the Dwemer disappearances happened gradually, this allows the dwindling race to document the strange phenomenon. While this would not solve the mystery of the Dwemer forthright, it would answer plenty of questions about their disappearance. It would explain how they disappeared and reveal more specific details, such as how the process took place and what exactly the Dwemer of Hammerfell felt when it did. The game could also delve into the political climate at the time, giving players a look into what the Dwemer were dealing with in Hammerfell of the First Era.
Of course, this is only speculation, but the point still stands that The Elder Scrolls 6 should lean more into the Dwemer mystery. It’s a very intriguing piece of Elder Scrolls lore and should be given more focus, even though the next game shouldn’t completely spoil the mystery. Though until The Elder Scrolls 6 is released, fans will have to wait.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development.
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