Slavery Slavery is a cultural and economic system in which people are treated as property . Slaves are sold , traded , and forced to work for their owners . It is unknown how long slavery has been practiced on Nirn , but the oldest mention dates back to the time of the Ayleid s , who enslaved the Nedic humans in the early First Era . Among them was Saint Alessia , liberator of the slaves . After the Ayleids fled Cyrodiil and integrated with the Bosmer cultures in Valenwood , slavery did not re - emerge until much later , where beastfolk such as Argonian s and Khajiit were enslaved by elves and men alike . In the Fourth Era , slavery has become a rare practice , having been outlawed in Morrowind . History . Alessian Era . The Ayleid s kept human slaves , when their empire ruled the Cyrodilic province . Generally , the Ayleids worshipped the Altmer i divines , but also dealt frequently with Daedric Princes for assistance in keeping their slaves in line . The Nord s of Skyrim worshiped a distinct group of divines , who were much more sympathetic to humanity than mer folk . Alessia began to pray to these divines for assistance in freeing her people , in particular Kynareth , whom the Nords called Kyne . Kynareth sent her son , the Nordic demi - god hero Morihaus , to advise and aid Alessia . During this period , Morihaus is usually identified as Alessia ' s lover , though the " Song of Pelinal " claims he was embarrassed at his appearance because of her . He helped her to rally the other slaves to her cause . From that moment she was known as the Slave - queen . Kynareth also sent Alessia visions that would aid her fight against her masters . The third of these visions was of another legendary figure of the First Era , the infamous Pelinal Whitestrake , who was sent to Alessia to become the leader of her army . Pelinal was a demi - god like Morihaus , possibly the son of Lorkhan . Regional slavery . Morrowind . Dunmer have traditionally permitted enslavement of Imperial s , Nord s , Orcs , Khajiit , and most importantly Argonian s . They do not recognize the mistreatment of slaves of these races as a serious crime , other than as a crime against property . By the terms of the Treaty of the Armistice , Morrowind may define its own laws and customs , and slavery remains legal . For ages the Dunmer , particularly House Dres , have raided Black Marsh for slaves ; though the Empire has made this illegal , the practice persists , and Dunmer and Argonians have a long - standing and bitter hatred for one another . Slavery is uncommon in Redoran and Hlaalu districts , but common in Telvanni Districts . The slavery finally ended in conflict and the Arnesian War started , although the war didn ' t help freeing the slaves . Slavery is protected by law in Morrowind . Slavery is illegal throughout the Empire , and considered barbaric . Slavery had disappeared in the Summerset Isles and Valenwood long before their incorporation into the Empire . Most Imperial citizens assume the practice will die out as Morrowind adopts Imperial ways , and the subject excites little passion except among Argonian and Khajiit abolitionists , outraged that the Empire does little to suppress persistent illegal cross border slave raiding in southern Morrowind . House Dres is actively against Imperial activity in Morrowind , largely due to the Imperial policies against slavery . It is said that in 2E 582 , slavery is still legal within the borders of Morrowind because of its belief and economic structure . However , due to the Ebonheart Pact , all Argonian slaves must be liberated . The main slave race was then Khajiit . By 3E 433 , it is mentioned that Helseth Hlaalu , the king of Morrowind , has outlawed slavery . Cyrodiil . The Ayleids were well known for their cruel tradition of keeping many slaves . They were said to herd men from all across Nibenay , such as the Kothringi , Nede s , al - gemha , men - of - ' kreath , men - of - ket Keptu , men - of - ge , and al - hared . The Alessian Slave Rebellion put an end to this , and city - states that allied with Alessia , like Nenalata , were also forced to transition to a slaveless economy . While not a common practice among Imperials , Tiber Septim sold captive Breton s into slavery after defeating them in the Battle of Sancre Tor . Summerset Isles . The Altmer have often kept Goblin s as slaves , though this practice is usually on the main Isle of Summerset . Some Dunmer were also enslaved during the late Second Era , with the most famous being Ulvul Llaren , a slave who betrayed his masters by revealing the secret of forging Elven Armor . After being annexed into the Third Empire , slavery was discontinued . It is unknown if the Third Aldmeri Dominion brought back the practice of slavery . Black Marsh . Argonian s have not traditionally kept slaves , as they despise the enslavement of their kind by the Dunmer . However , under the effects of the Mad Hist , the Xit - Xaht tribe enslaved many of their own species to rebuild the Ruins of Mazzatun . Argonian mothers would sometimes sell their own children into slavery . In Thorn , a city in Black Marsh heavily influenced by Morrowind due to being on the province ' s border , the Archein clan kept many slaves in and around the city . They were generally despised by their own kind , whom considered them traitors . Skyrim . Following the Nordic - Falmer War , most Snow Elves sought refuge with the Dwemer , but in exchange for protection they had to eat toxic fungus that would blind and eventually degenerate them , while being servants to the Dwemer . Those who agreed became the savage Falmer , soon becoming slaves to the Dwemer , while most whom declined the deal perished . While Nords did not keep slaves , a colony of Falmer enslaved a number of people in Blackreach . Hammerfell . An Argonian slave known as Walks - Softly was brought from Black Marsh to Hew ' s Bane and kept as a slave , before running away and being replaced by Pimsy . Due to the region not being under the control of Forebear High King Fahara ' jad , it is unknown what the rest of Hammerfell ' s views on slavery is . Abolitionist Movements . Twin Lamps . Despite slavery ' s acceptance in Morrowind , there are still factions who assist in the freeing of slaves , the most famous being Twin Lamps . While the group existed long before Imperial involvement , they are assisted by outside sources , includes some within the Thieves Guild when it comes to freeing and smuggling slaves out of Morrowind .