The People of Tamriel
The first inhabitants of Tamriel were its natives commonly referred to as (Beastfolk,) most noteable of Tamriel's natives are the Argonians, native to Black Marsh and the Kajiit native to Elsweyr. But also included are the Goblins, the Rieklings found on the island of Solsthiem, the Giants of Skyrim and High Rock, the Hist, sentient trees of Black Marsh, the Nymphs, the Imga or (Great Apes) of Valenwood, the aquatic Dreugh, and the Lilmothiit. A foxlike race native to Black Marsh, thought to be extinct there are many other Beastfolk on Nirn like the Sload and the Tsaesci these are just the main native ones (since I can't cover them all.)
Aldmer
the first non-native species to arrive on Tamriel were the Aldmer, direct decedents of the Ehlnofey, who emigrated in masses from the continent of Aldmeris, which disappeared forever into the sea, likely located to the south of Tamriel. The Aldmer landed on the Summerset Isles and established a thriving kingdom. Most of the Aldmer would stay on Summerset and become Known as the Altmer, also known as (High Elves,) but not all of them. Some left to explore Tamriel, one such group traveled to Valenwood, and evolved into the Bosmer, or known as (Wood Elves.) Another group traveled to Niben River, settling on the islands of Lake Rumare, building the White-Gold Tower, and becoming the Ayleids. Another group went as far from Summerset as possible, sailing around to Morrowind, then settling there and becoming the Chimer. According to the Chimer the Dwemer, also called (Deep Elves) or dwarves, were already settled in Morrowind when they arrived, making the origins of the Dwemer a source of speculation.
The origins of the Falmer, otherwise known as the (Snow Elves,) who settled in Skyrim, is also lack historical context in Aldmer history. The Aldemer that left Summerset for Valenwood and those that went to Niben did so as an extension of the Aldermeri Empire, thereby expanding their territory. The Aldmer that set sail for Morrowind however, did so under the leadership of the prophet Veloth, and sought independence. Some of the Aldmer did not apricate this and didn't let them go without resistance. The group of Aldmer who set out to stop them was led by Trinimac, a lesser Aldmeri god, whose most notable role was as the champion of Auri-El and was the one who actually removed Lorkhan's heart. Trinimac and his fallowers attempted to stop Veloth and his flock from leaving but were unsuccessful when Trinimac confronted and subsequently eaten by Boethia, the Daedric Prince of deceit, corruption, and treachery. Trinimac's body and soul were irreparably corrupted. Upon being expunged, he emerged as Malacath, the Daedric Prince of curses and the betrayed. The curruption extended to his fallowers, who were transformed into the Orsimer, also known as the Orcs.
Orsimer
the early Orsimer lived independently, forming small, tight-knit villages and strongholds throughout Tamriel, mainly located within High Rock and Skyrim. Later on the city of Orsinium would be founded in the Wrothgarian Mountains of High Rock. As word spread across Tamriel about the new rising civilization of Orcs, many other Orcs throughout the continent would relocate to Orsinium, eventually developing into a powerful city state.This will be covered later on in the lore.
Humans
The first humans to arrive on Tamriel were the Nedes, who were not one unified race. They were multiple preliterate tribes who came independently in small groups from Atmora, to the north of Tamriel, settling throughout High Rock, Hammerfell, Cyrodiil, Skyrim and Morrowind. For the most part, initial relations between Nedes and Mer were peaceful. The first organized human settlement of Tamriel came much later and was a group of Atmorans who were fleeing a civil war. They settled in Skyrim, befriended the local Snow elves, and built the city of Saarthal. Feeling between the two races were good for a while, until the Snow Elves were intimidated by how quickly the Atmorans were reproducing. Seeing a future competition for the land of Skyrim and fearing that their culture would be overtaken, the Snow Elves struck first sacking Saarthal and slaughtering inhabitants, in an event later on known as (The Night of Tears.) all the Atmorans were killed except for one man, Ysgramor, and his two sons. The three of them returned to Atmora and found that the civil war there had ended. They told the story how the Elves ruthlessly betrayed them and mercilessly. In no time Ysgramor had an army, later referred to in legend as the 500 companions. Ysgramor reclaimed Sarrathal and made the snow elves scatter.
The disjointed Snow Elves were eventually enslaved by the Dwemer and forced to go underground, in time becoming the degenerate modern day Falmer. At this point the Snow Elves were all but Extinct. Fallowing their campaign, Ysgramor and the remains of his army ventured out and spread across the continent. Those who stayed in Skyrim interbred with the local Nedes and became the Ancestors of the Nords. Those who found thier way to High Rock also interbred with the nedes there, who in turn were assimilated into the Direnni Clan, the dominate Aldmeri culture in the area. this intermingling gave birth to the Brentons. The Atmorans who made their way south were captured and enslaved by the Aylieds, and interbred with the also enslaved Medes. Under the leadership of a slave queen Alessia, they would later overthrow the Aylieds and begin the line of ancestry of the modern-day Imperials.
The Nords quickly formed an empire in Skyrim and expanded into Morrowind, forcing the Chimer and Dwemer under their rule. The Chimer and Dwemer never seen eye to eye with each other and never friends with each other mainly due to their religious differences. However, the Nords were a common enemy, so while Skyrim was in the middle of an internal War of succession, a tenuous alliance between the Chimer and the Dwemer was formed. They struck hard and fast at the (Battle of Red Mountain,) and were victorious, forcing the Nords out of Morrowind. Fast Forwarding 300 years and the Dwemer while mining under Red Mountain discovered the (Heart of Lorkhan,) and plan to use it to build a new god. Seeing this as a mockery to the gods and an affront to their beliefs the Chimer go to war, despite the attempts of diplomacy by their king, Indoril Nerevar. The War of the First Council culminated at the second Battle of Red Mountain.
