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The '''Dwemer''' (pronounced /{{IPA|ˈdweɪ.məɹ}}/ or "Dway-mur") are a fictional race of [[Mer (Elder Scrolls)|elves]] from [[The Elder Scrolls]] video game universe.

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==History Etymology ==
While the translation of [[mer]] is generally a non-issue, the translation of 'Dwe' remains an extremely contentious part of ingame etymology. The [[Morrowind]] game book The Annotated Annuad translates Dwemer to mean 'the Deep Ones,'<ref name="Annuad">{{cite web|url=http://til.gamingsource.net/mwbooks/anuad.shtml |title=The Anuad Paraphrased |accessdate= |accessmonthday=August 21 |accessyear=2006 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> with supposed origin in the tongue of the [[Altmer]], Aldmeris. The TES Translation Dictionary notes that the term was corrupted sometime in before it became part of the [[Cyrodiil|Cyrodiilic]] lexicon, and thus Dwemer became "short folk."<ref name="Dictionary">{{cite web|url=http://til.gamingsource.net/translation/ |title=The Elder Scrolls Translation Dictionary A-E: "Dwe-" |accessdate= |accessmonthday=August 21 |accessyear=2006 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The Pocket Guide to the Empire, an [[Imperial (Elder Scrolls)|Imperial]] pamphlet that shipped with [[The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard|Redguard]], questions the reading of Dwe as "short", introducing the translation of Dwe as "smart."<ref name="PGHammerfell">{{cite web|url=http://til.gamingsource.net/pge/hammerfell.shtml |title=The Pocket Guide to the Empire: Hammerfell, Sidebar: The Dwarves |accessdate= |accessmonthday=August 21 |accessyear=2006 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> Former developer Michael Kirkbride made a post on the [[The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard|TESA: Redguard]] Forums relating to the term. In February 1999 , while [[Morrowind (province)|Morrowind]] was still in its earliest stages of development, Kirkbride stated that the proper pronunciation of Dwemer was to be "DWAY-mare," meaning Deep Folk.<ref name="Teasers">{{cite web|url=http://til.gamingsource.net/obscure_text/forum.shtml |title=Elder Scrolls Forum |accessdate= |accessmonthday=August 21 |accessyear=2006 |author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate=}}</ref> The generally accepted reading of the term is as "Deep Folk," with the Translation Dictionary rating the reliability of the term as "high," seeing all other readings as corrupted.<ref name="Dictionary"/>

== History ==
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Dwemer.jpg|frame|A developer sketch of two armour-clad Dwemer, found in "The Art of Morrowind" booklet, included with the GOTY edition of the game.]] -->
Dwemer, meaning "Deep Elves", are thought to be a reclusive, independent group of Mer (Elves), dedicated to the principles of science, alchemy, and engineering. Although they are commonly referred to as dwarves, evidence from their dwellings and armor indicates that they were of average height, similar to that of other mer. In the first Morrowind expansion, Tribunal, the ghost of the Dwemer mystic Radac Stungnthumz bears the closest resemblance to a living Dwemer. The name [[dwarf|Dwarves]] is due to an apocryphal tale in which the Dwe(contracted; show full)

There are many mysteries among the Dwemer creations left behind. Mages Guild investigators have discovered that if one of the centurion spiders is taken away from Vvardenfell, it gradually becomes more sluggish, eventually going into a state of torpor. Even more curious is that upon return, the spider re-activates back to normal aggressive levels, as if sensing the presence of the Dwemer ruins.

==
  Architecture  ==
Dwemer ruins are scattered across [[Tamriel]], and are characterized by two things; their beauty, generally consisting of great towers stretching into the sky, and their construction, made almost entirely of metal. Dwemer ruins, especially those in or around Red Mountain, are extremely hot, owing to their metal walls and, often, large vats of molten rock. Dwemer doors are usually circular, often with some sort of design or engraving on them. Dwemer buildings are generally filled with a larger concentration of great machines- most accessible areas of Dwemer cities have boilers in every other room. Many adventurers have created tunnels and/or found caves that lead to secret entrances deep into the Dwemer ruins.

Dwemer cities are designed around the principle of the Four Tests. The first test, the Test of Pattern, requires the person to observe the situation before acting, so as to understand that many patterns are subtle or hidden. The second, the Test of Disorder, requires the person to proceed systematically when they recognize the pattern. The third test, the Test of Evasion, requires the person to, if he is unable to get through the obstacle, find a way around it. The fourth, and final test, the Test of Confrontation, requires the person to finally take action.

==  Artifacts  ==
Dwemer [[Artifact (fantasy)|artifacts]] are highly prized throughout the Empire, although since they are technically the property of the Emperor under the charter of the Imperial Society of Architecture and Design as well as the Imperial Historical Society, the sale of them is illegal.  This does not seem to stop artifacts from falling off the backs of wagons or otherwise disappearing into various collections. Dwemer weapons and armour are especially valued, renowned for their excellent craftsmanship and sturdy design. However, acquisition of these artifacts is extremely dangerous, because of the remote location of the ruins, and the multitude of aged and no-longer reliable Dwemeri machinery within, including the Steam Centurion and other automata, as well as sophisticated traps of which the Dwemer were particularly fond.

==  Links and sources  ==
Information is sourced from in-game books and dialogues.
They may be found in game itself or The Imperial Library website.

* [http://til.gamingsource.net/ The Imperial Library]

{{TES-races}}

==References==  	 
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