The Falmer were once the Snow Elves of Skyrim. Driven underground and enslaved by the Dwemer, they were blinded and twisted over thousands of years into the hostile, chaurus-breeding cave dwellers you meet today.
Where to find them
Dwemer ruins and dark caves – above all in Blackreach, the vast cavern beneath Skyrim that you cross during Elder Knowledge. They keep chaurus as guard animals.
Blind but not deaf
Falmer can’t see, but they hear very well. That makes stealth extra effective against them, as long as you don’t clank around in heavy armor.
Variants and souls
Falmer come as melee fighters, archers and shamans, and they scale with your level – from plain Falmer to Skulkers, Gloomlurkers, Nightprowlers and Shadowmasters, plus the Warmongers added by Dawnguard. Even though they are elves by origin, the game counts them as creatures, so they don’t give black souls; their souls range from common to grand depending on rank.
The Dawnguard questline adds more of their history in the Forgotten Vale: the Snow Elves were made to eat a fungus that took their sight, which led to their enslavement by the Dwemer.
Abilities & attacks
- Melee fighters with chitin swords and axes – every hit poisons you
- Archers with Falmer bows and poisoned arrows
- Shamans with frost and shock spells, wards, flesh spells and healing
- Blind, but with excellent hearing
How to beat it
Sneak and pick them off one at a time – sneak attacks with a bow or dagger are very effective. Muffle or light armor helps. Bring Cure Poison potions for the poisoned arrows.
Loot & harvestables
Falmer Ear
Falmer weapons, shields, helmets and armor
Chaurus Chitin
Leveled gold, gems, ore and ingredients
Damage Health poisons
Soul gems (shamans)
Lore & trivia
The Snow Elves were defeated by Ysgramor's Nords and fled to the Dwemer for shelter. The Dwemer's price was their sight and their freedom.
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