Through the Thalmor, their general presence, and the impact of the White-Gold Concordat, Altmer, or High Elves, were common enough to see in Skyrim. Come The Elder Scrolls 6, it’s worth questioning how rare they will be. It’s not likely to increase a lot unless The Elder Scrolls 6 is set in the Summerset Isles, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
The Starfield trailer contains what many believe to be a teaser for The Elder Scrolls 6. A little etching bears some similarities with that of Hammerfell and High Rock, adding support to the many rumors that at least one of them would be the primary setting. It seems likely that players will appear in both, and that’s certainly going to change how High Elves interact in the game.
High Elves in Hammerfell
To roleplay as a true High Elf, players must act superior, believe themselves to be great spellcasters, and know of the Great War they fought with the Empire. The impact of that war is still felt in Skyrim, but depending on how far after Skyrim TES6 is set, then it could still have some major impact. For example, the Empire essentially abandoned Hammerfell to its own devices at the end of the Great War, with the Redguard of Hammerfell fighting back the High Elves themselves.
As such, while High Elves are not generally welcome in many places of the Empire, they have never been treated as outcasts like the Khajiit or the Argnonians. Their typical passive disdain is likely to be replaced without right aggression in Hammerfell; the Redguards did fight a massive war on their own to keep it, of course. This begs the question of why the Aldmeri Dominion even wanted Hammerfell, with many believing it was just too fracture and/or put extra pressure on the Empire, and it certainly did that.
Creating a High Elf in The Elder Scrolls 6, on the assumption of it being set in Hammerfell and High Rock, means fans will need to overcome not just secretive pressure from those around them, but perhaps outright vile too.
High Elves in High Rock
High Rock has been a mystery throughout the Fourth Era; some elves are known to have been there and be there. Yet, the overall presence of High Elves or why they’d be there remains to be seen. The one thing that could likely bind roleplaying High Elf characters to High Rock is the Adamantine Tower, the first of its kind that inspired the many Elven towers constructed through the world.
It’s possible something happens with it, potentially even explaining the landmass differences between The Elder Scrolls’ standard map and the Starfield teaser. Nonetheless, though, if TES6 is set in High Rock and Hammerfell, players currently face a mysterious/pending reception from one and an unwelcoming one in the other. It’ll be interesting to see how High Elves play a role in the game, whenever it releases.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development.