Merethic Era The Merethic Era ( Meaning " Era of Elves " in Nordic and also possibly spelt Merithic ) , also known as the Mythic Era , was the period of time immediately following the Dawn Era . The Merethic Era was reckoned by early Nord scholars as a series of years numbered in reverse chronological order ( Beginning with ME2500 and counting down with each passing year ) from the " beginning of time " — the founding of the Camoran Dynasty in the Bosmer , or Wood Elf , homeland of Valenwood which was recorded as Year Zero of the First Era . Early Merethic Era . During the early Merethic Era , aboriginal Betmer , or beast - peoples , of Tamriel — progenitors of the Khajiit , Argonians , Sload , Dreugh , and possibly orcs , lived in preliterate communities throughout Tamriel . Sometime during this Era , or possibly the previous Dawn Era , Cyrodiil ' s Runestones were built . Several groups of aldmer left the Summerset Isles to settle across the coastlands of Tamriel , founding several tower settlements across the continent . The Ayleids also moved inland and established themselves in what would become known as Cyrodiil . It is during this time period that the Crystal Tower and White - Gold Tower were built , by the Altmer and the Ayleids respectively , and the Adamantine Tower was rediscovered by the Direnni clan of Aldmer . Over many years , the mer of Tamriel , or Aldmer , began to split along cultural lines according to their new environments and on how best to spread creation and their parts in it . At first the dividing was only temperamentally but then they became physically very distinct races separate from one another . The Aldmer would thus become the various merish races : the Altmer , Ayleids , Bosmer , Chimer , Dwemer , Falmer , Maormer , and Orsimer . In addition to merish migrations from Summerset , the early Merethic Era also saw steady migrations of men from the northern continent of Atmora , as well as more aggressive invasions . On Atmora itself , the Dragon Cult was likely formed during this time . Middle & Late Merethic Era . Following their initial colonies , the Aldmer would become further splintered , with Veloth ' s exodus with the Chimer , successfully establishing themselves in what would later be known as Resdayn in the late Merethic Era . Their schism also led to the creation of the orcs , following Trinimac ' s attempt to stop them leaving the Summerset Isles , resulting in his consumption by Boethiah . Following their transformation , the orcs fled to Skyrim , settling near Saarthal for a time . Velothi culture rose and fell during the Middle and Late Merethic Era . The remaining Chimer declined into a tribal culture for the remainder of the era . The first permanent settlements of men in Skyrim were founded at this time by Ysgramor and his family fleeing a civil war in Atmora , and bringing the Dragon Cult with them . Their initial clashes with the orcs at this time have become part of Nordic legend , but their initial settlement of Saarthal was destroyed by the Falmer , in an event known in Nordic history as the Night of Tears , which only Ysgramor and two of his sons are said to have survived . Some years later , Ysgramor and his Five Hundred Companions returned to Tamriel , and retook Saarthal . This would mark the beginning of the first Nordic empire , but the Nords would not retake the entirety of Skyrim until the early First Era . During this time period attempts were also made by the Atmorans to expand into High Rock , but they did not remain part of the emerging empire , and instead were absorbed into the local Nedic peoples of the region , which were already seemingly already the Breton race . The Dragon Cult also likely was wiped out on Tamriel during this time period , although the precise timing of the Dragon War is unclear . It is during this time that Pelinal Whitestrake makes his first recorded appearance as an intermittent warlord across Tamriel . However , very little is known about his precise deeds , allegiances or location during this time . End of the Era . The Merethic Era came to an end with the founding of the Camoran Dynasty by Eplear , which is seen as the first year of the First Era . This is also seen as the " beginning of time " even by Nordic historians .