Depends on what time frame you're talking about Axius. The Thalmor have been all these things throughout their long history, which spans three eras. The formed initially in the second Era and have undergone peaks and wanes in their history. The council you are referring to is most definitely the role of the Thalmor during the first Dominion which was spearheaded by Queen Ayrenn. This is the mixed group you are talking about where it was all peace and harmony and AD awesomness where everybody works together. YAY! The thing is that they were established to preserve Altmeri culture. To safeguard it. This is beautifully ironic, you'll see.
Late in the second Era, just before Tiber Septim, the Thalmor were the governing body of Valenwood. They were dissolved when Septim showed up with the Numidium. It's more complicated than this, but that is the jist of it.
Now fast forward two Eras.
Fourth Era Thalmor began as almost a political party or a political movement that espoused radical ideas of Altmer supremacy. Does this sound familiar or what? You have to understand, Summerset went through the Numidium and subsequent Imperial rule. They were ignored but rose into prominence in the confusion after the Oblivion Crisis and gained more influence. By 22 4e, they were strong enough a political force to overthrow the Monarchy (there goes the preservation of Altmeri culture, eh?) and take over as the governing body of Summerset, renaming it Alinor. So very different ideas from the Thalmor organization. I'd think like Karver, the AD is a collection of states, but the role of the Thalmor has changed depending on the time frame.
Depends on what time frame you're talking about Axius. The Thalmor have been all these things throughout their long history, which spans three eras. The formed initially in the second Era and have undergone peaks and wanes in their history. The council you are referring to is most definitely the role of the Thalmor during the first Dominion which was spearheaded by Queen Ayrenn. This is the mixed group you are talking about where it was all peace and harmony and AD awesomness where everybody works together. YAY! The thing is that they were established to preserve Altmeri culture. To safeguard it. This is beautifully ironic, you'll see.
Late in the second Era, just before Tiber Septim, the Thalmor were the governing body of Valenwood. They were dissolved when Septim showed up with the Numidium. It's more complicated than this, but that is the jist of it.
Now fast forward two Eras.
Fourth Era Thalmor began as almost a political party or a political movement that espoused radical ideas of Altmer supremacy. Does this sound familiar or what? You have to understand, Summerset went through the Numidium and subsequent Imperial rule. They were ignored but rose into prominence in the confusion after the Oblivion Crisis and gained more influence. By 22 4e, they were strong enough a political force to overthrow the Monarchy (there goes the preservation of Altmeri culture, eh?) and take over as the governing body of Summerset, renaming it Alinor. So very different ideas from the Thalmor organization. I'd think like Karver, the AD is a collection of states, but the role of the Thalmor has changed depending on the time frame.
