The elves established a system of feudal vassalage over the Nedes and took Nedic concubines. Some Nedic devotional idols from this period depict Mara as an elven woman in a lover's embrace with a man, suggesting Aldmeri culture may have been welcomed with relatively open arms. The Direnni conquered the Nedes of High Rock, but didn't enslave them as the Ayleids of Cyrodiil did instead, they ruled them as a noble caste. Before or soon after the start of the First Era, Aldmer of Clan Direnni came to High Rock from the Summerset Isles. Though who they were is not clear, modern Bretons still swear by the "ArchDruid", a possible remnant of this heritage. Īccording to legend, Bretons are descended from a group known as the Druids of Galen. Due to their mixed heritage, they are sometimes disparagingly termed a "mongrel race". Despite their politically fractious society, the Bretons are unified by language, bardic traditions, and heroic tales. Bretons, by and large, are pale-skinned and slight humans, less muscular than Nords and Redguards, and possess more defined features such as high cheekbones. Even the humblest of Bretons can boast a high resistance to destructive and dominating magical energies. Bretons are known for proficiency in abstract thinking and have a quick and perceptive grasp of spellcraft, enchantment, and alchemy.
Bretons make up the peasantry, soldiery, and magical elite of the feudal kingdoms competing for power within High Rock. They are united in culture and language, but divided politically, for High Rock is fractious. 6.2.5 Mara's Tear and Shandar's Sorrow/Stendarr's Sorrowīretons (from the Ehlnofex "beratu" meaning half, and once known as the Manmeri) are a human race of elven ancestry that inhabits High Rock.