Altmer are a race of elves. Some people also call them High Elves. So when somebody tells you about High Elves you should know that he means Altmer.
They belong to The Aldmeri Dominion so if you chose Altmer your allies will be Bosmer and Khajiit. Their home is Summerset Isles.
Altmer are probably the tallest among other races. They have prominently pointed ears like other elves and almond-shaped eyes. They are smaller built than humans and do not have a very strong body. So melee combat is not for them. Their physical disadvantages are compensated by intelligent and magical abilities. Altmer are known for their outstanding magical skills. They are probably the best mages of Tamriel.
Racial bonuses and penalties
Their magical skill also makes them susceptible to magical attacks; however, they have strong resistance to disease.
History of Altmer
The Altmer came to Tamriel from island of Aldmeris. Nobody exactly knows why they had to leave their original home, but it is rumored that they were faced with some kind of threat and had to search for new territories. Finally they found Summerset Isle and decided to stay. The island was not free and they had to fight with Sload of Thras and other creatures to take the territory under full control.
Relations between different Elven tribes were not good, so a lot of them left Summerset Isle in order to find a better place to live. They say this migration lead to the great diversification of the Elven races. It is known that Bosmer, Orsimer, Chimer and Ayleids are close relatives of the Aldmeri race. Dwemer and Falmer history is unknown but they think that these races are also related to Altmer. It is difficult to believe that so many races have the same ancestors but it is true. The difference in their appearance and culture can be explained by differences in their worship of deities.
The Altmer of Summerset were separated from the main continent and this isolation helped them to escape many problems. Regardless their isolated position their life was not peaceful. They had their own enemies and suffered from invasions of Sload and Maormer. The Altmer had to create a union with the Bosmer and Khajiit to protect their lands from invaders. This union was called the Aldmeri Dominion.