Rising Threat , Vol . IV Series . Rising Threat , Vol . IV is the fourth volume in a four - part series : Content . The following is the account of Lathenil of Sunhold , an Altmer refugee from Summerset Isle who came to Cyrodiil in the early years of the Fourth Era . According to Lathenil , he did not flee the aftermath of the Oblivion Crisis in Summerset - rather he fled " the darkening shadow of the Thalmor upon my beloved homeland . " Lathenil had a very intese presence , to put it politely , and some of his accusations of Thalmor involvement border on madness . This may be why his fervent warnings and outspoken criticisms of the Thalmor and the Aldmeri Dominion went unheeded , but history has at least partially vindicated Lathenil ' s claims . - Praxis Erratuim , Imperial Historian While Morrowind and the Imperial forces in Black Marsh were still reeling from the consecutive catastrophes of the Oblivion Crisis and the destruction of Vvardenfell , the Thalmor incited the Argonian s to mount a massive uprising . Black Marsh and southern Morrowind were completely lost to the Argonians , but luckily the Thalmor too lost what influence they had over the reptilians . All the while , the Thalmor consolidated their hold over my beloved homeland . It took almost a decade before my own machinations put me into contact with Ocato . He seemed more interested than most in what I had to say about the Thalmor , maybe because he was himself an Altmer and recognized the threat they represented . It wasn ' t long before the Thalmor had Ocato assassinated . Potentate Ocato ' s murder began the Stormcrown Interregnum . The Elder Council fractured , leading into years of ruthless in - fighting , plots and backstabbing . Many tried to claim the Ruby Throne . Most were pretenders to the crown , a few had legitimate claims , others still were little more than brutal dullards who thought mere strengths of arms was all the entitlement they needed . Violent , unnatural storms lashed the Imperial City several times during this anarchy , always with the eye of the storm looking directly down upon White - Gold Tower , as if this was the judgment of the Nine Divines . With the Empire submerged in this mayhem , the Thalmor were quick to act . They overthrew the rightful Kings and Queens of the Altmer . I remember the revulsion and horror that took hold when word reached me - that this dementia had gripped my homeland . Once so proud and majestic , many of our great race actually embraced this insanity ! Then the first of many pogroms descended on Summerset Isle . They slaughtered any who were not " of the blood of the Aldmer " . A fine excuse to purge the dissidents , as well - the Thalmor have never been ones to waste such an opportunity . After seven long , bloody years the Stormcrown Interregnum was ended when a Colovian warlord by the name of Titus Mede seized the crown . Whether he had rightful claim or not is moot . Without Titus Mede , there would not be an Empire today . He proved a shrewd and capable leader , such that Skyrim endorsed him as Emperor . With the Empire stabilizing under the auspicious efforts of Emperor Titus Mede , I resumed my efforts to warn them of the Thalmor threat . Again , the Thalmor remained a step ahead . Before my efforts could come to fruition , the Thalmor struck : another coup , this time in Valenwood . The Empire was not prepared for the Thalmor ' s subterfuge and stratagem . There are those who claim the combined Altmer and Bosmer forces greatly out - matched the Empire , but this is a farce . This short , savage campaign was won by the Thalmor even before first blood was drawn . They waited and watched their enemy , they chose were and when they would attack . The Thalmor were able to bring the full fury of their small contingent of Altmer and Bosmer to any of the several Imperial strongholds . Contrary to the posturing of the Empire ' s generals , the Thalmor did not command greater numbers . They had better spies and greater mobility , and knew how best to use them . This is the menace that the Thalmor represent ! They are cruel and merciless , but they are no fools ! They are devious and subtle , and so very patient . In one fell stroke , the Thalmor took a strategic foothold on the mainland of Tamriel and prevented any significant attempt the Empire could have made to invade Summerset Isle and depose the tyranny of the Thalmor . At the same time , they took a better vantage to continue to watch the Empire and wait . In so doing , they also revived the Aldmeri Dominion with their alliance to the Bosmer of Valenwood ! Over the decades , the Thalmor have grown quiet - but this is not the end . It has only just begun . They merely consolidate their power and tighten their grip on the hearts and minds of the Altmer . The Empire may wish to forget the wounds its pride has suffered at the hands of the Thalmor , but they are still out there . Plotting . Watching . Waiting . While the Empire is content to secure inconsequential corners of its vast holdings , the threat of the Thalmor continues to rise . Not since Potentate Ocato has anyone in the Empire listened to me . I beseech any and all citizens of this renowned Empire to heed my words ! The Thalmor must be stopped , before it is too late . Soon after Lathenil of Sunhold commissioned to have these volumes printed and distributed far and wide in the Empire with his own coin , he himself met a violent end . In light of the events that followed his death , we must consider that he may very well have been murdered by Thalmor assassins . - Praxis Erratuim , Imperial Historian