Lore:Kireth Vanos Answers Your Questions

"Do you know the reasoning for the straight line down the middle of the facial mask on Dwemer helms? Was this merely an aesthetic design or does it serve some functional purpose as well?" – Solus Lighthawke, Dwemer Scholar-in-Training

Kireth Vanos says, "Bilateral, and even multilateral, symmetry is such a common element in Dwemer design that it's often hard to know when it's functional, when it's stylistic, or even both. In most cultures, dualism symbolizes the dual, Anuic/Padomaic nature of the aurbis, but as the Deep Elves were said to have rejected the Divines, that seems unlikely to be the explanation in their case. Of course, drawing a line down the middle of a mortal's face instantly makes that face more intimidating, so the explanation could be as simple as that."

"Is the Dwarven Ore we find on the surface in Tamriel not actually the metal used in creating Dwemer armor, but instead a 'fool's' Dwarven ore mistaken for the metal the Dwarves used to create their legendary un-rusting armor, weapons, and other assorted metal things?" ­– ICEbweaka9

Kireth Vanos says, "Common so-called 'Dwarven Ore' is, in fact, given that name because of its resemblance to the metal forged by the long-lost Dwemer. As a metallurgist I can tell you that while Dwarven Ore is a tough substance indeed, it's not nearly as durable as actual metal harvested from actual Dwemer devices. That's why forging in the Dwemer style requires actual Dwemer metal as material."

"Good Vanos, I wonder—what initially drove you to the study of Dwemer armor?" – Razum'dara, Wayward Khajiit Scholar

Kireth Vanos says, "Something about the simple, geometric elegance of Dwemer design spoke to my inner need for structure and organization. The Deep Elves might have been unholy heretics, but by the Eight, they understood the importance of doing a thing right."