#aedra worship

[devout-of-the-elder-scrolls]

Kynareth Quick Start Guide

A guide for beginning with Kynareth, intended to help you begin your practice, but not to serve as the only information you use.

Keep in mind most of this post is UPG versus just based on the fictional canon, based on my personal experiences with this entity. It may directly contrast fictional canon and the experiences of others.

KYNARETH

kin-ah-reth aka. Kyne ◦ Kaan ◦ Kin ◦ Khenarthi ◦ Tava kigh-nn ◦ kah-nn ◦ kin ◦ kay-narr-thee ◦ tah-vah prns. she domain. The Holy Roost date. May 23rd

Kynareth is mostly known as the Goddess of the Elements and Nature. Though, She is also the patron of travelers, of sailors, and of so many more people. 

She can function as the Chief Goddess of the Nine Divines, albeit She is not equal to Akatosh. She is simply very, very important, especially to the Nords. 

Within Nordic tradition, as Kyne (or Kaan within Dovahzul) She is depicted as the Sister Hawk, is the widow of Shor, the Blessed Warrior-Wife, and a favored god of warriors. She’s one of the Hearth Gods, and considered the Chief Deity of the Nordic pantheon. Kyne is known as the Mother of Men and Beasts, as Nords believe the sky exhaled onto the land at the Throat of the World to form them; and as the Kiss at the End, as it’s believed She leads their dead to Sovngarde.

Within Khajiiti tradition, Khenarthi is the most powerful of the Sky Spirits. It’s Khenarthi who guides their soul to Azurah for judgment, or to Llew���er, the Sands Behind The Stars. It will be Her clarion call that will summon the eternal united spirit of all Khajiit to defend creation at the end of time. She’s most often depicted as a great hawk.

Within Redguard tradition, Tava has dominion over the elements of the sun and storm, except for the stars who belong to Ruptga. She led the Yokudans, early Redguards, to the isle of Herne after the destruction of their homeland. The redtail hawk is sacred to Tava, as is the goshawk.

🜚 terms of respect . . .

Term – Goddess Prefix – Lady • Queen Titles – Lady of Nature • Queen of the Elements • Patron of the Travelers • Mother of Men and Beasts • Kiss at the End • Sister Hawk • God of Winds • Gatherer of Waters • the Elder Spirit of the Heavens • Widow of Shor • Mother of Nords

🜲 rulerships . . . the sky and heavens • the winds • the elements • the unseen spirits of the air • rain, storms, and other weather • the sea • good fortune • sailors • travelers • the verbal craft • sun • warriors . . . HELPS WITH . . . ptsd and trauma • watching over and guiding warriors

🝰 commandments . . .

Use Nature’s gifts wisely. Respect her power, and fear her fury.

⛯ main tarot cards & other signs and associations . . .

Tarot Cards — 

II the High Priestess • III the Empress • VII the Chariot • IX the Hermit • X Wheel of Fortune • XII the Hanged Man • XIV Temperance • XXI the World

II of Cups • IV of Cups • VI of Cups • X of Cups

II of Swords • IV of Swords • VI of Swords • King of Swords

VI of Pentacles • VII of Pentacles • IX of Pentacles

III of Wands • Page of Wands

Other Signs & Associations — 

large, tall trees • natural materials • friendly animals, esp if they’re wild or feral

birds

❂ devotional acts . . .

go exist in nature for a little bit. it doesn’t have to be grand, sometimes it’s just your backyard! 

keep and tend to bird feeders, bird baths, etc. squirrel feeders too

cloud gaze, perform divination with the clouds

wear Her amulet

take a bath or shower

understand how nature is within everything, and utilize nature in everything

cook with fresh food

doodle a little birdie

meditate in nature

sit out in the rain (be safe!)

drink sterilized rain water

talk to Her while out in nature

bird-watch

collect feathers (check for mites and etc!)

make a pendulum with a rock / gemstone or use a pendulum with a rock / gemstone

protect nature

donate to nature preservation efforts

donate to zoos

visit a zoo and learn as much as you can about the animals there

pick an animal and study it

watch nature documentaries

devote travel time to Her

. . . offerings ❦

↘ natural ; 

rainwater or stormwater

leaves from plants

naturally felled branches

bird feathers

birds of paradise flowers

opal

↘ foodstuff ; 

freshly cooked meals

any fruits and/or vegetables

beef

oranges

apples

Note: Not a big fan of sweets or sours.

↘ items ; 

bird iconography

windchimes

fake feathers

ornate cups

those little… bird water things?

↘ music ; 

melodic music

things with bird sounds in it

↘ etc ; 

anything collected from nature

the sound of falling rain

sky blue candle

🜾 altar building . . .

This is all suggestions. Please build it however you can, if a physical altar is even possible.

As always, you can use offering items to build an altar.

near a window. open it often for Her

a windchime. make sure it’s hanging and the wind can push it

fake pine garland

a bird statue of some form

a small bowl / cup to hold rainwater / stormwater

🝊 identity . . .

Kynareth is a gentle but commanding force. She shows kindness and sweetness, though has great power and rage that She will show if properly provoked. She is much like nature itself, having a very multifaceted identity, representing all ways that nature can be. 

She can be nurturing and protective, She can be destructive and cruel, She has great power and has earned a certain amount of healthy, respecting fear.

Kynareth usually presents Herself as a tall woman, with long brown hair with bright, grassy green eyes. She dresses in either long, flowy dresses which move like water; or in clothes more befitting for a hike or travel through woodlands.

Kynareth has a middle-pitch feminine voice, and She speaks very strongly and with powerful, grand cadence and tone. She speaks with authority, properly encouraging all to listen to Her and abide by Her.

☘ aspects . . .

. . . Kyne / Nordic ] Kyne is the Chief Goddess of the Nords, especially said to control the storms – rain and wind – even when it brings misery. She leads the dead to Sovngarde, the Warriors afterlife. She also has the power of thu’um, the storm voice – having either taught it to the Nords herself, sent her “daughters” to do so, or sent Paarthurnax to do so. Totemically, She is the Great Hawk. Nords refer to themselves as the “sons and daughters of Kyne”.  Some Nords see Kynareth as a “pale shadow” of Kyne, whereas others do believe Kyne and Kynareth are one and the same.  They also see Mara as Kyne’s handmaiden.

. . . Khenarthi / Khajiiti ] This aspect is specific to the Khajiit people. Born to the first litter of Anhurr and Fadomai, alongside Alkosh, Mara, Magrus, and S’rendarr.  She is responsible for finding the pieces of Alkosh in the event of a dragon break, piecing Him back together. Khenarthi is also seen as a hawk.

. . . Tava / Redguard ] Not much is known, other than this aspect is especially related to sailors and protecting them.

☉ domain . . .

The Holy Roost is Kynareth’s domain, being full of trees and a broad expanse of sky. 

It is welcome and open to all who wish to visit.

⛮ working with . . .

Kynareth is often treated like a “lord” above you, sometimes as a teacher and sometimes even as an Empress, depending on who is worshiping Her.

She is not very keen on being pampered, preferring to more be a casual part of your life. 

Working with Kynareth often involves and includes the honoring of nature and living well alongside nature.

She doesn’t actually request that much being given Her way, as long us followers are still devout to Her and provide nature its proper reverence. While you are still called to give some, it’s nowhere near as much as the others.

The benefits of working with Kyne are that She will guide your hand lovingly and with great respect towards you and for you. She is a very giving woman, who believes that natures bounty should be shared by all. 

However, should one happen to earn Kaan’s ire, which isn’t that easy of a task, She is a blaze of fury. Khenarthi will stop at nothing to deliver a just punishment upon the follower, and will only settle once a lesson has been learned.

Things that slight Kynareth:

disobeying Her commandments

disrespecting nature and animals

using your words for harm on purpose

⚜ holidays & festivals . . .

May 23rd is Kynareth’s day.

My preferred ritual is to greet the morning at dawn by sitting outside with Her. I spend most of the day with our windows open if the weather allows for it, welcoming Her and nature into my day.

♡ prayers . . .

⛤ 01 . . . O Kynareth, blessed be, You of nature and of the Thu’um. I welcome You and Your voice into me and my life, to guide me and nurture me.

⛤ 02 . . . Great Kynareth, great Kyne and Khenarthi and Tava, Goddess of the Storm and of the Rain, of the Thu’um and of the sky, I call upon You now, to join me in this moment, (for Your aid on xyz).

⛤ 03 . . . Blessed Kynareth! Great Kynareth!  I profess now my love and my adoration for You! You, wonderful Kynareth, lady Kynareth!

⛤ 04 . . . Lady of Nature, Queen of the Elements, powerful Kynareth. I ask of You now, humbly and sweetly, for (xyz).

⛤ 05 . . . O Kynareth, please bless my journey. I have need of Your kindness and of Your love for me.

⚿ evoking, invoking, summoning . . .

EVOKATION &&° 

wear loose clothing that the wind can move

leaf patterns

feather jewelry (note: be respectful of Native Cultures in doing so)

— ☆ — 

Things in [] are for making it a summoning.

WHY AND WHEN &&° 

when you’re about to travel a long distance

when you’re wanting to connect more with nature

INGREDIENTS AND OTHER TOOLS &&° 

blue candle, [with a bird carved into it. the v shaped birds count]

bird feathers (fake count)

[opal]

[apple]

IDEALS &&° 

Time – anytime

Location – near a window

STEPS &&° 

[Carve the bird into the candle.]

Dress the area around your candle with the feathers [and opal].

Light the candle.

Say the following while offering the apple: Lady Kynareth, Great Kyne, Khenarthi, and Tava, I call upon You here and now, to join me in this moment. I welcome You into my home and into my space.

Say or do whatever it is you have to do.

Blow out the candle.

NOTES &&° 

Kynareth comes pretty quickly once She notices you even lighting the candle.

𝌁 other vettable information . . .

When meditating on Her presence and name, Kynareth brings:

visions of: birds • falling feathers

smells of: freshly cooked food

sounds of: flapping wings

feelings of: intense wind

❡ notes . . .

Kynareth is best revered outside, by an open window, or by something from nature such as houseplants.

[the-college-of-whispers]

I was wondering if you had any ideas for how one could approach worshipping the Aedra. Since we don't have as much information on them in the lore as the Daedric Princes + they're canonically nerfed because of cosmology stuff, I seem to be having trouble connecting with them despite wanting to incorporate them into my practice.

Do you have any tips or ideas?

First thing's first, *slides my Aedra tag over to you*. Secondly... Man, I dunno. We may not get as much lore on them as we do with the Daedric Princes, but they're worshiped more than the Daedric Princes in-universe. They play key roles in the creation of Nirn/Mundus depending on the religion, and there's so much freaking lore to these guys.

If in-universe research and worship don't appeal to you, perhaps you could look at similar deities in our world's religions? For instance, Mara is a goddess of agriculture, fertility, and love. While a lot of people would look at that last one and take a cue from Aphrodite's worship, I would personally look at Demeter instead. Julianos, meanwhile, might draw from the worship of Athena and Apollo for a base. (I am using Greek gods as an example because my primary background is in the Greek pantheons.) It all depends on how much effort you wanna put in on the ground floor and how willing you are to change on the go.

I don't know how much you usually feel the presence of deities, but I'm a person who struggles with that sort of thing. So instead, I just kind of...trust that the deities I call out to are there. Gotta have a little faith and belief in my beliefs, ya know?

Anyway, I hope this gives you a place to start, anon!

~Jasper

[morihaus]

seeing people on teslore trying to figure out the tsaesci gods obliquely mentioned in ESO and who they're supposed to be is so funny. bc yes at least two are shoe-ins but then they're like. well um. this one's a girl so maybe mara or dibella idk

[da3drat]

Surprised there aren't more holidays dedicated to the imperial cult gods considering how popular they are ? There is one regional one dedicated to Mara and but the rest are dedicated to daedra or gods that are no longer worshiped.

Anyway I'm probably gonna make some up.

[mint-in-the-moonlight]

ideas for the worship of Julianos

Julianos is the Aedric god of Wisdom, Logic and Magic. He is associated with the realms of literature, law, history, education and contradiction. He is one of the Divines worshipped by the Empire.

In the Nord pantheon, he was known as Jhunal, who presided over many of the same realms as Julianos. According to some stories, he fell out with the Nord pantheon and left it to become Julianos. For this post I will be using elements from both deities as they cold be considered one and the same, however you may also choose to intepret them as two different deities.

Julianos is often portrayed as an old man with long hair and a beard. His shrines also take the form of a pyramid and his temples often serve as places of education. In the Ten Commands he says: "Know the truth. Observe the law. When in doubt, seek wisdom from the wise." (UESP, link)

symbols and themes associates with Julianos

a triangle, most often an isosceles triangle with a wide base (see below)

an owl (from Jhunal)

geometric shapes

education, learning

both STEM fields and humanities but specifically mathematics, history, law, literature and language

magick users and magick, alchemy and enchanting

green, blue and yellow/gold seem to often be the colours used when depicting Julianos

Julianos could be invoked for

help in your studies

legal situations

any magick that you may be doing, and enchanting specifically (see here for ideas on how to enchant in our world)

help with researching or reading

problem solving and coming up with solutions

offering ideas

feathers and objects with owl imagery

handwritten notes

items that relate to geometric shapes, for example marbles or pyramid shaped crystals

items related to studying and/or research such as pens, finished worksheets, notes that you're not using anymore etc...

wine (based on Julianos Firebelly wine)

Sources:

Julianos by The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages

Jhunal by The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages

Divines by The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages

[vexwerewolf]

I always figured the Imperials were the good guys.

Nnnnnngh… no. Imperials are the better of two bad options, and it's really muddied because Bethesda lost its good writers years before Skyrim came out. I can feel a hyperfixation coming on, so a quick TL;DR: the Empire is an Empire so it's still bad, the Stormcloaks are just racist saboteurs led by a Manchurian agent and Tiber Septim is a gigantic piece of shit who ruined everything.

Okay, so the Empire functionally lost its equivalent of the Mandate of Heaven when Martin Septim died heirless at the end of Oblivion. His sacrifice forged a new compact to end the Daedric incursions, but by that point Imperial infrastructure throughout Tamriel had been so badly damaged that it could no longer maintain order. By the time the Mede dynasty got its feet under it, several provinces had either risen in revolt against the Empire or and were busy violently settling bitter generational rivalries with each other.

Most notably, this included the Thalmor, who are openly and proudly an Altmer supremacist movement. Their primary goal is to end the dominion of Men on Tamriel and institute a second Merethic Era dominated by them. This is the most obvious reason for why they want to ban Talos worship - the idea that a Man could become Divine is grossly incompatible with their worldview. (I must note that there's also a much-discussed fan theory stating that they intend to unmake creation in its current form and destroying Talos worship is part of that, but it's partially based on sources whose canonicity is in doubt, so I'm not going to discuss it further at this time.) The Thalmor are pretty much explicitly Elf Nazis, right down to invading foreign countries and rounding up their religious minorities.

It should be considered, however, that Tiber Septim was an UNBELIEVABLY MASSIVE PIECE OF SHIT. There's credible evidence that during his mortal life he assassinated the Cyrodillian monarch to whom he had sworn fealty and then seized his throne. He had a dalliance with Berenziah that ended up getting her pregnant, then forcibly abducted her and had the child aborted without her consent. After gaining Numidium from a treaty with the Tribunal of Morrowind, he discovered that they hadn't given them its power source (Lorkhan's Heart - understandable, since it was the source of their false divinity), and so he created a new one, the Mantella, by tearing the souls out of Ysmir and Zurin Arctus, two of his most loyal companions. He used Numidium to brutally conquer the rest of Tamriel and then turned it on all the noble families in Cyrodil who hadn't supported him. His empire - as all empires are - was built entirely on murder, pillage and rape. And - as all emperors do - he rewrote his own history because nobody dared openly oppose it. If the Aedra truly did award him a seat amongst them after this (and the fact that his bloody armor counts as "the blood of a divine" in Oblivion suggests that they did), it's questionable whether any of them are worthy of worship.

Nonetheless, worship of Talos was of extreme cultural importance to the Nords, because he was considered by history to have been a Nord, and indeed born in Atmora, the mythic first homeland of the Nords (although, again, it's likely he was just fucking lying - heterodox historical accounts suggest he was born in High Rock and never saw Atmora in his life). The White-Gold Concordat was formulated specifically to provoke division between the remaining provinces of the Empire - the Thalmor correctly predicted that the Nords would never tolerate being stripped of their right to worship Talos, and would rise in revolt against an Empire that mandated it.

The specific cause of the Stormcloak Rebellion is also… dubious. During the war with the Thalmor, the Imperial Legion had all but pulled out of Skyrim. This allowed an uprising by the Reachmen, an ethnic minority within southwestern Skyrim who, notably, had been brutally disenfranchised and stripped of their land by… Tiber Septim! Thanks, Talos, you continue to be a gigantic piece of shit! Anyway, they seized control of Markarth and held it for two years, during which by most accounts they ruled it as an independent kingdom that was making overtures towards being recognised by the Empire. After the signing of the White-Gold Concordat, Ulfric Stormcloak raised an army to retake it, and was promised by the Jarl of the Reach (and, allegedly, the Empire itself) that worship of Talos would be freely allowed in Markarth. Ulfric Stormcloak then proceeded to lay siege to the city and butcher it, ethnically cleansing the city of every last Reachman down to the women and children, slaughtering any Nord who had collaborated with them and allegedly even killing those citizens of Markarth who hadn't answered his call to arms.

Inevitably, the Thalmor found out about the Talos worship anyway and the Jarl was forced to sell out Ulfric and his men. This is generally considered to be the betrayal that sparked the civil war, but at this point we must examine who Ulfric is.

Ulfric was trained in the Thu'um from an early age by the Greybeards, but abandoned his tutelage to fight in the Great War. We know little of his performance other than that he was captured by the Thalmor, tortured extensively, and falsely made to believe that the information he had given under torture was instrumental in the fall of the Imperial City. His father, the Jarl of Windhelm, died while he was in prison, and he was forced to deliver a eulogy via a letter that he had smuggled out of the prison. He claims he escaped from captivity, while Thalmor records claim that they let him go intentionally; neither source is particularly reliable.

From a sociopolitical standpoint, Ulfric is a staunch Nordic traditionalist who openly states that he doesn't believe Skyrim has had a "true" High King for centuries, considering recent monarchs to simply be puppets installed by the Empire. He also seems to be deeply racist: in contrast to his father, he banned Argonians from entering Windhelm proper, confining them to the Assemblage on the docks, and he's allowed racist sentiments towards the Dunmer residents of the Grey Quarter to worsen. Even citizens of Windhelm who support the rebellion comment that isn't doing very much governing, since the civil war eats up most of his attention.

One point I will give to Ulfric is that establishing Skyrim as an independent kingdom that can actively resist the Thalmor isn't actually as far-fetched as it seems. After the White-Gold Concordat ceded half of Hammerfell to the Thalmor, Hammefell said "how about fuck you," broke from the Empire entirely, and smacked the Thalmor down so hard they had to sign the Second Treaty of Stros M'Kai and retreat from Hammerfell entirely. This rendered the nation a haven for those opposed to the Thalmor, and they're in such a strong position that the Alik'r can actively hunt Thalmor collaborators like Saadia in other nations. Hammerfell is in a better position than Skyrim, and it did it without any Imperial aid.

(A hilarious fact about the Hammerfell situation is that the Thalmor tried the exact same thing there - inciting a civil war between the Crowns and the Forebears, two factions that have hated one another for generations. Unfortunately, they fucked it up so badly that it actually managed to end the rivalry and unite both of them against the Thalmor.)

But this is where Bethesda's inability to actually capitalize on the good parts of their writing really gets to me.

The Empire in Skyrim… sucks. Like, from your perspective as a player, the first experience you have of the Empire is "okay, so you were at the border alongside this guy and we're executing him today so I guess you get to die too." The only decent Imperial you meet is Hadvar, who makes a lukewarm plea for your life but doesn't press the issue.

All of the Imperial Jarls except for Balgruuf and Idgrod Ravencrone are dogshit. Elisif is a naive, incompetent teenager. Siddgeir is an arrogant, incompetent ponce. Igmund is a spineless Thalmor toady reigning over stolen land, having broken a promise he made to Ulfric and thus being partially responsible for the civil war. The replacement Jarls you get if you side with the Empire and conquer territories the Stormcloaks hold at the start of the game fall into two categories: "who?" and "oh fuck not you." If I say the names Brina Merilis or Kraldar, I bet you won't even remember who I'm talking about. Brunwulf Free-Winter, the replacement for Ulfric Stormcloak, has ONE personality feature and it's "I'm slightly less racist than Ulfric." But when you capture Riften for the Empire, the new Jarl is MAVEN FUCKING BLACK-BRIAR, THE SECOND-WORST PERSON IN SKYRIM.

But the Stormcloaks suck worse. Laila-Law Giver is a puppet for the Black-Briar crime family. Skald the Elder is a grumpy, hidebound old man. Korir might as well not be ruling anything at all. If you side with them, you have to sell out Balgruuf when the matter of Whiterun comes up - a man who has never been anything but helpful, supportive, trusting and forthright with you. Oh, and let's not forget that if you take the Reach for the Stormcloaks, the new Jarl is THONGVOR SILVER-BLOOD, LITERAL SLAVEOWNER AND WORST PERSON IN SKYRIM.

(There is an absolutely cursed timeline wherein during the "territory trade" at the peace talks you can hold during the main quest if you haven't finished the civil war quest yet where Maven gets the Rift and Thongor gets the Reach, meaning you have just installed the two most powerful crime families in the country into positions of executive power.)

This isn't just a case of "of course both sides aren't perfect and have issues." This is just "both sides fucking suck." A better game would allow you to make some headway in resolving the massive issues that face Skyrim, but I've already written like nine billion words here so maybe I should go into that at a different time.

[elderscrollsconceptart]

Remember, TES religion isn't like reality.

There are very very real tangible dangers of pleasing aedra/daedra and there are very real *benefits* as well.

Essentially, this isn't a popularity poll! Please consider your answer honestly and carefully!

Winner of this poll will influence the next poll topic.

[mistressofduskanddawn]

Household Worship Of Azura

[IMG ID: A shrine of Azura from Raven Rock in the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Dragonborn DLC. The shrine is set upon stone, circular, with candles around an image dedicated to Azura. At the top of the image is a star, with a skull below it, then trailed streaks of black. Before the image are some offerings of gems, a coinpurse, fruits, and vegetation to Azura. It is simple, but beautiful.]

THE DAEDRA, IN SOME ASPECTS OF TESLORE, ARE SPOKEN OF BEING FOUND IN THE DANGEROUS WILDS OF NIRN. Daedra worship within itself is controversial in Tamriel, sometimes inconsistently so, for they are often considered more dangerous than the Aedra. In a way this is true, the Daedra are more present than the Aedra, but the Aedra still may cause harm. My dear Kyne, even if she is a kind mother, rules over the storms that destroy. Eventually, I will cover the cut content that shades the worship of the Aedra in favour of Daedra, instead of the usual anti-Daedric worship that the Aedra-loving lore often proclaims.

Household worship of the Daedra seems to depend on the culture: while there are shrines within some Dnemeri households, outside of the realm of traditional worship, many of the daedra appear to be kept from cities—especially in Skyrim, where nearly all the centres of worship for Daedra are outside the strong-walled holds. She out of all of the Daedra appears to be the closest to cities and the likes, but her temple still stands outside Winterhold in Skyrim. 

On Earth, however, we can hopefully worship our deities within our own homes. Azura integrates herself well into the home, providing all her bounty, especially in liminal protection from the dangers of the beyond. 

MODERN HERETICS ON AZURA

I was inspired by doing my scholarly research on Azura as usual, when I re-read a passage on Daedra worship in lore that provided a much more realistic perspective: that on Daedric cults and their actions, without the usual gore and harm that permeates the discussion of Daedra. A portion of the passage Modern Heretics inspired this post, with it focusing on Azura in the majority of the text: 

I personally have discovered one community worshipping theDaedra LordAzura, Queen of Dawn and Dusk. A researcher curious about Daedra worship might research in several ways: through a study of the literature, through exploration and discovery of ancient daedric shrines, through questioning local informants, and through questioning worshippers themselves. I used all these means to discover the shrine of Azura.

First I read books. References like this one may provide a helpful general background concerning Daedric shrines. For example, my researches led me to understand that, in Cyrodiil, Daedric shrines are generally represented by statues of Daedra Lords, are generally situated in wilderness locations far from settlements, that each shrine generally has associated with it a community of worshippers, often referred to as a ‘coven’, that shrines have associated with them a particular time — often a day of the week — when a Daedra lord might be solicited, that Daedra Lord often will not deign to respond unless they regard a petitioner of sufficient prowess or strength of character, that they will only respond if given the proper offering [the secret of which offering often known only to the community of worshippers], and that, in return for the completion of some task or service, the Daedra Lords will often undertake to offer an artifact of power to a successful quester. Then I questioned locals with an intimate knowledge of the wilderness. Two classes of informants I found especially useful — well-traveled hunters and adventurers [who might come across shrines in their travels], and scholars of the Mages Guild. In the case of the Shrine of Azura, both sources were profitable. I discovered aCheydinhal hunter who had chanced across a strange epic statue in his travels. The statue was of a woman with outstretched arms; in one hand she held a star; in the other hand, she held a crescent moon. He had shunned the statue out of superstitious fear, but had marked the location in memory –far north of Cheydinhal, northwest ofLake Arrius, high in theJerall Mountains. Then, proceeding to the local Mages Guild with a description of the statue, I was able to confirm from its description the identity of the Daedra Lord worshipped. Having discovered the location of the shrine, I visited it, and discovered there the community of worshippers. Because of the strength of opinion against Daedra worship, the worshippers were, at first, reluctant to admit their identity. But once I had won their trust, they were willing to divulge to me the secrets of the times when Azura would hear petitions [from dusk to dawn], and that the offering required by Azura wasglow dust, a substance obtained from thewill-o-the-wisp. I am, of course, nothing more than a chapelman and scholar, so it did not lie within my power to find a will-o-the-wisp to obtain glow dust; nor am I certain that Azura would have found me worthy to make such an offering, even had I proffered it. But I was assured that if I had been able to make such an offering, and if it had been accepted, Azura would have given me some sort of quest, which, if completed, might have earned me the reward of Azura’s Star, a Daedric artifact of legendary magical powers.

—Modern Herctics, Haderus of Gottlesfont in Oblivion and ESO.

Undoubtedly the outlawing of Daedra worship is what drew these worshippers into hiding, with the daedra often being seen as dangerous and taboo. I cannot help, as others have noted, that this sounds very much so like paganism. Hiding in covens deep within secret locations, petitioning beings outlawed by common society—the Daedra seem to be coded in such a manner, even if the traditional religions of Tamriel are all polytheistic. The usage of coven also draws my eye—almost relating it to this world’s traditional witchcraft circles, in which a figure, often the Witchfather, is petitioned and met with those seeking something. Often power, as those in these covens seem to commonly pursue. 

Living on Earth does afford the ability to not have to necessarily hide my Azura worship, even if it is something I naturally keep on the quieter side. Among other pagans it is acceptable, sometimes even adored, to be following a goddess from Nirn. While it would be fun to pursue a shrine in the woods to her, it is a comfort to invite the Lady of Dusk and Dawn into my home instead. 

HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP OF AZURA

Household worship has become a norm for pagans, as we are often separated by space and time, and often alone. Praying alone in the home is the standard for most of us, even if we can visit the woods and go deep into dredges to find our gods. The Aedra have handmade shrines designated for home usage within Skyrim, but of course, none for the Daedra without mods. While Wintersun provides a way to express devotion to Azura, it does not fulfil every aspect there is to being a worshipper of a deity in Tamriel. 

To worship Azura in the home, it is as easy as a prayer and some offerings. I do prefer to bring my offers outside before Dawn and Dusk, but prayer can be anywhere. Beyond the title however, once again drawing from my background in Mediterranean religion, I believe that there is more to Azura’s household power than simply placing her within the hearth shrine. 

Prayer to Azura For Home Protection 

Azura’s liminality lends well to a protective goddess. Liminal deities such as Hekate are often invoked to remove spirits as much as to bring them forth, and considering her star, Azura has some sway over souls. To keep spirits from the home, speak this prayer:

AZURA of the Crimson Gate, Rose-bound,  she who wards away spirits amore,  kismet in your designs. Let your silver starlight  grace the doors of my home and  let your dawn and dusk appraise the walls.  Ward the dwellings I as your people call home, As once you did before, and shall do, Again into your liminal passages evermore. 

Prayer to Azura To Banish A Malicious Being 

As a goddess who loves her followers dearly, Azura is more than happy to exercise her power over lesser beings from her world and beyond. To ward off entities who would harm your home, place a statue of Azura by the door and or place an image of her symbol to warn. If a malicious being manages to sneak past the wards and locks, speak this prayer to tell Azura of the spirit that evaded every protection placed. 

AZURA, she of OBLIVION beyond, There is a demon who haunts these halls, A trespasser, unwelcome, unfound, within This home of this worshipper yours.  Roses bloom for your love and command, And here comes this foul being to destroy  The buds containing your altar anew. So come, Azura, the warden of the home  Who blesses with silver and beauty untold Banish them with binds of silver and red, Rim of all holes, to the halls beyond the dead. 

Prayer to Azura To Ward Locks 

As the rim of all holes and possibly enemy of Nocturnal, I see no reason why Azura could not ward a lock against thieves and trespassers who would seek to steal and harm the home. Speak this prayer to her to ward locks against such intrusions, less they face her deserved wrath. 

The night invites holy Nocturnal’s surmise   devotee Thieves speech under her blessings, to come  And rid my locks of the silver we both endure.  Transition the path of stars and light, Banish thieves and tricksters from my home goodnight  Let fate be woven ever so, ward these locks untold  So that Nocturnal may dance in another hearth tonight, And we rest under your lilac Twilight delight. Rim of all holds, master of keys and lock-holes, Azura, ward my locks, let no lockpick be turned, Azura, Azura, the mistress of liminality foretold! 

I do wonder what those people in Tamriel would have thought, seeing as I can freely honour our goddess within my own home. She is a wonderful goddess, kind and caring with her love understanding. Foretold or not, she is a rose-hearted gift to any hearth who seeks her name. In order for our popculture religion to survive in this world, it must be met on the terms of our lives and heart, and household worship is the step before even considering the likes of temples or communal ritual.

References

Lore:Modern Heretics – The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP). (n.d.). https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Modern_Heretics

Parker, R. C. (2011). On Greek religion. Cornell University Press.

[the-mercurial-star-o-vesper]

Going on from Trinimac (He's my favorite god of the Elder Scrolls), the way his story goes is interesting.

So.

In story, we know he gets "consumed" by Boethiah and Boethiah takes his form, and talks to people about Truths, and afterwards, Trinimac is diminished into Malacath and Boethiah goes on to lead the Dunmer.

This? This is interesting for several reasons.

( Now for the sake of me not doing a bunch of research, pulling sources, and trying to parse the esoteric deep lore of TES and the manic writings of Kirkbride, I'm sticking with Morrowind's in-game books, such as "The Changed Ones" and "Variaties of Faith". I'll prolly get to more esoteric stuff at a later post? When the thought hits me. )

They know that its Boethiah Talking and not Trinimac.

Trinimac Worship is not picked up again after this, even though he was the strongest and more favored god.

There has been no attempt to turn Malacath back into Trinimac. As impossible as this sounds, I need to point out the power of belief in the Elder Scrolls and the idea of objects and rituals. If you can Break Akatosh, Time itself, you can reverse what happened to Trinimac (who was changed by considerably less strenuous means). If you can mantle the Dead God Lorkhan (Talos), then you can revive the God Knight. ... Nobody has done this, however.

Orismer are then paraih'd from the Aldmer / Altmer, with no attempts to reunite, renegotiate, or anything--just an immediate marking them as no better than Ogres and Goblins. Worse still, if you read "Pig Children", it seems that a lot of the sentience on Tamerial don't like orcs.

Trinimac's story, by his own former people, the Old / High Elves, is reduced to propoganda made against Dunmer worship. And this, is coming from the same peoples who want to return to pre-dawn and despise Lorkhan. You'd think that they'd keep Trinimac worship for that reason, if nothing else.

Boethiah is the deceiver of nations, they're one of the worst daedra to run into given their ruthless bloodthirsty nature, and they're attached to conspiracy and deceit.

... So if they knew it was Boethiah, why listen? Why trust it?

Especially if you know that this Daedric Prince, anathema of Auri-el and Aedra, is prancing around in your most favorite of gods? I'm pretty certain playing puppet with someone else's body is a violation worthy of raising alarm.

There's only one reasonable answer:

It wasn't Boethiah.

Something to note about the Aedra of the Elder Scrolls. They're bound to interpretation. The closest we're gonna get to pre-dawn et'Ada (What everyone was before the creation of Mundus and Nirn, so Before the "dawn") are certain Daedra.

To take example.

Kyne of the Nords, and Kynareth of the Imperials, are of the same "Oversoul" or rather, the same Aedra, but are not the same God. In fact, Kynareth was created / born from Cyrodiilic interpretations of Kyne. Kyne and Kynareth are fully capable of meeting each other as unique individuals, inspite technically being the same person, and potentially, even being against one another.

( Find any Auri-el vs Akatosh argument. Auriel doesn't like Nirn or mortality or probably humans, but Akatosh likes the place and doesn't like anyone fucking with it or the mortals. )

Collective belief will create Gods, provided there's an Aedra niche for them to come from.

( Probably the price of sacrificing bits of yourself to create things, plays into now only having power if someone can perceive you. )

( It also kinda brings in the idea that a Daedra can, in fact, become an Aedra if they are willing to sacrifice parts of themselves to expand the Mundus. Gotta remember that most of them are all Et'Ada, they are fully capable of performing those feats. Daedra and Aedra are just outdated perspectives by Aldmer. )

Anyway.

Why isn't it Boethiah.

Because, following how Aedra work? Boethiah was the Velothi Aspect of Trinimac. But because they were Aldmer undergoing a schism, it wasn't so cleanly defined as Kyne and Kynareth or Stuhn and Stendarr.

The God tore himself, under the schism of multiple interpretations.

And because each interpretation was, in of itself, a live God, and because most of those interpretations didn't fit with the greater popularity...

... Suddenly, your most Favorite God pops up into his Temple and talks about how He was Wrong. Speaks about what the Mundus is really meant to be, and how to work it.

And with that? Because that's a God talking, that's THE God talking, things he says must be true...

That's when you get the massive underlying cultural shift.

Trinimac is branded an oathbreaker, a liar, a hypocrite, and against his own aspect, by the very Aldmeri populace, and the result is that the gods schisms so badly that it divorces itself from the Mundus, and falls to pieces.

Those who still believed in him after this, were changed to Orcs, and were branded just as pariah as their god. And that's how you got Malacath, the only surviving piece and not even that good of one.

Those who believed his new truth, that part walked away as Boethiah, and lead Veloth, and the newly changed Chimer. And in fact, that's where the idea that Boethiah wore him came from, because that was the aspect that survived to keep speaking the new truths.

( There are other surviving fragments, but I'll get into them at a later time. Trinimac didn't completely succeeded in killing his Men-Counterpart )

And though Trinimac is still acknowledged as champion of Auriel, there are no more new worshipers. The truths he spoke were too terrible to return to his old worship. Because why worship what you know are lies?

Of course, as time rode on, Malacath and Boethiah were further and further estranged from their old roots. Boethiah doesn't lead peoples anymore, and Malacath sticks to his strongholds over reigning vengence against people (let alone the Altmer or Dunmer).

But its funny how a certain point of view can make the difference.

ADDENDUM:

And what of Veloth? Well, a dude can't just randomly get visions out of the ether and decide to leave home to go into the wilderness for no reason. Visions, here, are granted by gods.

This schism, it started somewhere. While it ended in the fragmentation of a god...

... It might just have been started by that very god.

There is no greater lie than the lies we tell ourselves, when we know we've done something horrible, to ourselves and to others.

That perhaps, under orders and belief, in a times of war and betrayal, a knight-general over armies killed the shieldbrother of the enemy king, and then tore the heart from that king.

[ down in front of his army and reached in with more than hands to take his Heart ]

Perhaps it was ordered by another king. Perhaps it was justice for lives now forever lost in creation as earth bones. Perhaps it was simply because so he could prove he Could.

[ As their aspects began to die off, many of the et'Ada vanished completely ]

[ shook his head at this, for he was akin to Tsun and did not care much for logic-talk as much as he did only for his own standing ]

And then he was left behind by the new king.

In such grief, its easy to ask... Why. He did everything right. He got Justice, he proved He could. He did everything right, so why?

[ Everything is spoiled, for now, and for all time, and the most we can do is teach the Elven Races to suffer nobly, with dignity, and chastise ourselves for our folly, and avenge ourselves upon Shezarr and his allies ]

Gods aren't meant to feel grief. Perhaps he went a-searching.

Perhaps he consorted with Daedra. Found the xarxes, and read direction. Looked upon Dawn and Dusk, and found beauty. Found the Web, saw the secrets.

( After all, it was murder, wasn't it? When you cut out the heart of a god and kill him perma-dead, leaving only his ghost, that is murder. That is consorting with Mephala. )

[ Know that battle is a blessing. Know that death is an eventuality. Know that you are dust in the eyes of-- ]

Found the Cycle, and he was apart of it. Revenge is always a Cycle. And when your first remembered act is murder, Death becomes your domain.

[ I am alive because that one is dead. I exist because I have the will to do so. And I shall remain as long as there are signs of my handwork, such as the blood dripping from this blade. ]

Perhaps he found himself, in the man he killed to find the now dead king. For after all, if death was his domain, surely he would know where souls go--

[ Died defending Shor from foreign gods ]

-- and merely found himself.

[ fell at sunrise and became replaced by mirrors ]

That perhaps One King over the Other was merely a perspective.

[ would hate the same-twin on the other end of the aurbrilical cord ]

[ I AM NOT ]

Death is merely finding the End, and at the end of it all, was a Tower, and he had the Key.

[ is the heart of the world, for one was made to satisfy the other ]

and you don't become sheild-thane god for another god for no one, and not for no reason.

[ the ashen-amalgamation of his sons that had survived ]

When your various dream selves are bound by interpretation, all this means is waiting for someone to tell the knowledge to. Someone who has just the right belief and understanding, that you can reach.

Especially you cannot reach the wandering, because you felled the self that could have talked to them.

[ and swore blood vengeance on the heirs of Auriel for all time ]

That perhaps this all started, because of the grief and guilt of the son who stole his fathers' lives.

[ then ascended to heaven in full observance of his followers so that they might learn the steps needed to escape the mortal plane ]

[ withdrew from the creation of the world at the last second, though it cost him dearly ]

[ dooming him to the underworld ]

[ He was undone ]

And for those who are trapped--

[ cast down their jailer king ]

--but have a chance to escape.

[ the rules of Psijic Endeavor ]

... And he just needed the right ear.

( Sorry for the trippiness. But I do so like writing something that looks like it could've walked right outta "V for Vendetta". Lots o quotes from lots o places. )

[tastesoftamriel]

The issue I see with the ESO Dark Heart of Skyrim depiction of Reachfolk is primarily the division between "ethnic/indigenous" stereotypes, e.g. living in "tribes" in the middle of buttfuck nowhere and being hostile to outsiders, and the "civilised" Reachfolk who are depicted as far smarter because they live within the relatively safe confines of Markarth with taverns and banking services and other city crap that are the benchmarks of modernity and Tamrielic civility.

There is no reason beyond blind ethnocentrism that this is a division that exists, either in real life or in fantasy (if we allow the latter to truly break the bonds of fiction into something *better*). So-called "primitive" peoples, be that the Azande or Trobrianders, have been subject to ridicule due to their indigenous knowledge, myths, and beliefs as unaligned with our post-enlightenment, postmodernist, scientific worldview. In the eyes of many writers, projecting what is deemed within their worldview to be "good" for their characters is really a detriment when it comes to original worldbuilding.

At the risk of sounding like yet another unhinged Marxist, my final comment concerns the structures of Reach society. The hierarchical structure of Reach clans is not something I'm super familiar with so I may come off as sounding like an idiot here, but bear with me. Why are Reachfolk, with supposedly primitive and unchangeable belief systems, upheld to the societal structures of mainstream Tamrielic groups? Why would they trade with gold, if they traded at all; and if they didn't, someone needs to do some research on the historical basis of global trade, which cough cough involves cooperation and amicable relations between disparate groups over huge distances and periods of time. Why are the Reachfolk exempt from this cycle of amicability? Is it more thrilling to write them as hostile savages, ready to attack anyone who supposedly threatens their way of life?

Yes, they would be thoroughly aware of the dangers of colonisation. But why have city Reachfolk been portrayed as sensible citizens of Tamriel while their brethren in the wilderness are presented as wild, IGNOBLE savages? Where is the justice in portraying indigenous peoples as they truly are and are capable of, rather than re-used Western tropes surrounding the division of self and savage Other?

Once again, this ties into the prominent Western tradition of Othering those who don't follow the tenets of a monotheistic, hegemonic, organised religion, or similarly prescribed worldview. By not including Aedra worship in Reachfolk culture, they are seen as savages and people who should be civilised and brought into the fold of the Divines. There is a pervasive undertone of violence linked to so-called "primitive" groups in TES, and this may just be to make convenient NPC bandits, but also perpetuates a stereotype that deeply harms real-life indigenous and culturally marginalised groups.

This is why careful worldbuilding is so so so important because we can project the world WE want, free from the socionormative biases that taint fantasy writing. Yes it's necessary to draw inspiration from real life, I do it all the time, but there's a point where you say "what if real life isn't that great of an idea to project here?"

I'd like to conclude by saying that I'd like to see this decolonisation of fantasy writing extended to other socially marginalised and misunderstood groups in TES, such as Bosmer, Argonians, giants, minotaurs, and the Bandaari (I could rant about them all day but I have other writing to attend to). We can do so much better not only with our ability to create some truly original fantasy worldbuilding, but also by showing others that by decolonising our own writing, we are becoming more sensitive to the worldview of others and incorporating that in an insightful and respectful manner.

[jasper-tarot-reader]

Neopets/Skyrim Tarot: XVII. The Star

The Star is a card that people don't often know what to do with. Sure, it's commonly associated with things like hope, renewal, and healing, but what does hope even mean here? What does it mean to hold onto hope after the Devil and the Tower? It's hope that things will get better again, hope that you can help others in ways that they helped you or should have helped you, hope that you'll make it another night so you can see the stars again.

Siyana is a Light Faerie known as the First to Rise. While injured, she saved an entire village of farmers from bandits, which is what eventually led to her becoming one of the twelve founders of Altador, the Light to the Darkest Faerie's Darkness yet not considered her true opposite (as that position is held for King Altador himself). Her statue is inscribed with the words "Faerie who drives darkness from the land. Sunlight and growth are hers to command." Currently, she's raised an Alabriss named Ally from birth to draw a chariot for racing.

Interestingly, Siyana represented the Sun during the 2013 Games Master Challenge, with Princess Lunara representing Team Moon.

I think this is a perfectly passable choice for the Star card, considering Mira the Space Faerie's later placement, and I can't think of anyone I'd replace Siyana with. She does a perfectly passable job, considering I like the choice for the Sun card in this deck too.

Azura is the Daedric Prince of Dawn and Dusk, the Queen of Twilight, the Mother of Roses, and - for those of you keeping up with the greater Jasper Blogging Universe - currently the only pop culture deity I worship. Prophecy, astronomy, beauty - all of these things are within her domain. As Azurah, she is the head of the Khajiiti pantheon and embodies the different phases of the moon.

But her most popular and well-known artifact, Azura's Star, is likely the reason she was assigned the Star card in this deck. Skyrim's Azura quest, The Black Star, is the first quest where we encounter the Black Star if we side with Nelacar over Azura and Aranea Ienith. Previously, the Morrowind iteration of Azura's Star could trap any soul on account of Morrowing lacking the white/black soul split, while the Oblivion iteration of Azura's Star is useful enough that the UESP article straight up recommends you don't give it to Martin for the main plotline.

When my friend and I were reworking the idea of a broader Elder Scrolls deck, we assigned Azura to the Moon because of her placement in the Khajiiti pantheon (since we are both biased in favor of that mythos) but we got sidetracked by other lore before we could continue talking about what deity - Daedra, Aedra, or otherwise - to put in the Star position. But now, I've got an idea. Meridia is literally called the Red Star and is one of the Magna Ge. Ithelia hadn't been released in ESO yet, but she could make an interesting modern one if you want to keep Meridia as the Sun (spoilers, I guess, Meridia is the Sun in the Skyrim Tarot) especially given Ithelia's status as the Prime Archon and canonical eldest. Or how about the other Magna Ge - Iana-Lor, Londa-Vera, Mnemo-Li, Sheza-Rana, Unala-Se, Valia-Sha, and Xero-Lyg.

But fine, I agree that Azura is a perfectly fine Star, since she is the Moon and Star. I know, I know, I don't have to pick fights over every choice for this deck, I just like offering alternative ideas.

[lillxart]

Rambling about Lorkir and Sotha Sil's relationship because I'm being self indulgent again.

If anyone actually cares Read 'The Tempting of Seht' which I will link for better context. I have another lore book in the works with Sotha Sil but its not finished yet, and also a little mini-fic with Lorkir and Sotha Sil also in the works lol.

This is just me talking so I don't forget how I view their relationship.

Lorkir is a lot of things to a lot of people, but at her core she is a catalyst for covetousness and temptation. Half the time her actions in swaying mortals is deliberate, other times her mere existence unravels the hearts of other people. She is Very Much Not Good to have around if you are a false God grappling with guilt, regret, obsession, and compassion that runs so deep into your bones you'd constantly chase an unattainable goal.

Which, in my eyes, is obviously Sotha Sil.

Sotha Sil, by his own words, claims not to be a God but a mirror. Someone in service to others. He has his own ambitions and goals, but when he takes his position of God he is 'what other's perceive him to be'. I find that absolutely fascinating. Does he refuse the title of Godhood because of his guilt? He never strived to be on in the first place, yet he is called one now. Instead of owning the mantle of God he merely allows others to call him as such, and permits their worship in order to more quickly peruse his agenda of the 'redemption of Tamriel' as he calls it.

Sotha Sil isn't heartless though, yes he's done bad things he's not a saint (the ESO dungeon raid if you know you know) but he clearly has compassion for mortals, and for his machines. He was the first person to speak to the Chimer after they changed into Dunmer, comforting them and claiming that this new change was to be celebrated. If you see his interactions with his machines in the Necrom expansion it's clear he has affection for them. Sotha Sil cares.

He believes machines to be perfect, yet he does not. In Necrom he says he 'hesitates' to completely dismiss mortality. Could this be confliction between his history as a mortal and his new power? Almalexia has cautioned against mortals becoming Gods, and I think Sotha Sil mourns the loss a mortal goes through just as much as Ayem cautions against it. Yet, I think that if he was given the chance to be a mortal again or perhaps undo his betrayal he wouldn't hesitate to say no. This is what he chose, and what he and the others planned. UGH! HE'S JUST SO LAYERED.

So, to me, Sotha Sil is someone focused, closed off, chasing after his goal of keeping mortals safe from the Daedra forever as fast as possible, because he knows he's going to die some day. His obsession born from his compassion, his guilt eating away at him constantly, perhaps its his regret that makes him understand the role he is in now, his 'godhood' is the role he must bear in order to atone. He made his bed, now he has to lie in it and continue one with his goals.

Someone like that interacting with a God who embodies temptation...the gears in my head were turning >:3c

I paired them together as a joke (as all things start) to feed my insatiable desire for yet another fictional elf in the elder scrolls series. But then as the joke went on for too long I ended up seriously considering if there was any literary merit to their interactions.

Let's start on Lorkir's side of things.

For one thing, they can relate to each other (though I don't think Sotha Sil would ever have a particular relationship to someone just because he relates to them--other than his fellow Gods of course). At first I thought Sotha Sil would ban Lorkir from ever entering the Clockwork City because where Lorkir goes, trouble follows close by. Still, the reason why Sotha Sil treats her different from the Daedra and Aedra is because like him, he believes she was a victim of circumstance. She was once mortal, a hero, now she's stuck with a role she both despises and loves. Something he understands.

But what's interesting is their interactions. It's hard for me to describe in words (why I'm trying to write it down lol). During 'the tempting of Seht' Lorkir knows what Sotha Sil did, she knows he murdered his friend, and believes him to be a false God. Because she has this predisposed opinion of him. She fully expects him to trick her at some point.

Because Lorkir expects him to trick her, that's exactly what Sotha Sil does. Why? Because he is a mirror, he is what others expect him to be. Does that mean he continuously tricks her because that's something he would do? Or does he trick her to fit into the role that she's put him in? It wouldn't be unlike him, and what Sotha Sil takes from Lorkir he uses for his Clockwork City, so its not as if there isn't a genuine goal of his.

While they build up a positive rapport with each other Sotha Sil accepts her affection and company, but he shows no particular enthusiasm for it. Does he not reciprocate because he wants nothing to do with her, or is he reacting that way because Lorkir believes he would want nothing to do with her? So possessed by his own goals and long ago giving up the idea of companionship? Or perhaps its something deeper in Lorkir that believes she is undeserving of love? Because she believes that, Sotha Sil is only responding to her set boundary.

In the scene where Lorkir becomes so possessed by her lust that she's about to--well I can't say it because its like a buzzword on here I'm sure--Sotha Sil makes no move to stop what she's doing, and instead poses a question. "Are you like your master?" It was enough to snap her out of it, making her realize she's doing something that Molag Bal would only do.

But why didn't Sotha Sil fight her? Surely he could've! He was fueled by the heart of Lorkahn! So why didn't he? Was he planning on letting it happen? Did he ask her that question to snap her out of it, make her remember that she is not bound by her past? That she isn't the same monster her former master was? Or were those notions Lorkir was grappling with already in her heart? And Sotha Sil simply parroted her thinking?

What makes Lorkir so upset isn't whether or not Sotha Sil cares about her, since Snow White's had numerous screwed up relationships and that's all she knows. What upsets her is she doesn't know if Sotha Sil is being genuine with her. She knows who she is, and she doesn't need a mirror to stare at herself. She wants Sotha Sil, for who he is. But she doesn't know if she can ever have that. As a God who embodies desire, it drives her to madness.

So now for Sotha Sil's side of things.

Oh what to do when you have the attention of the most troublemaking God next to Sheogorath? XD But for Sotha Sil it's not love that clouds his mind with her, its something worse than love. It's hope.

Hope that he can remember mortality. They have completely opposing views. She believes there is no replacement for mortal frailty, he believes (though clings onto the previous fact) that machines are the perfect versions of mortals. That mortal error is the folly of Tamriel. But, despite their opposing views she has ever so easily given him gift after gift to continue on with his goals. It's a direct contradiction that proves mortal folly, yet, she is a God and should be incapable of such a thing. It throws his ideas into question, and he knows if he were to ever engage in a conversation with her about it he'd only get s simple response, not an answer.

Sotha Sil never fails in his predictions, yet somehow Lorkir both does and does not behave in a way he predicts. Sotha Sil expects her to shy away from the opportunities he leaves open to her to act on her impulses, because she's ashamed of them. Lorkir is ashamed of how badly she wants him and what she would do to get him. Sotha Sil knows this, and like he predicts, she DOES shy away from the opportunities he gives her. Yet, what he does not understand is why there are moments of tenderness from her. She is a creature of dark desire, yet she tries to resist her impulses and instead treats him kindly? He doesn't understand, and he doesn't want to take the time to understand. In doing so, he would have to remember his mortality, remember mortal emotions and of course the weight that comes along with that.

Sotha Sil doesn't want to admit it to himself, but he knows that his actions are causing her turmoil. He wants things to be simple, to confirm or deny that he is acting of his own accord or if he is merely acting how she believes him to be. But, the reality, is Sotha Sil doesn't even know that himself. He has been a mirror for so long, and is so trapped in his role that he can only be the version of Sotha Sil that he has become. He would have to reconsile the potential fact, that he doesn't know himself anymore. And wondering whether or not he lost himself, is just purely irrelevant to his goals.

What's worse is that when he and Lorkir share in each other's company, Sotha Sil feels...like he can actually be himself. More, like, he FEELS himself again. And he CAN'T feel that way. Is it because he feels guilty? Is it because it threatens his Godhood to do so? Is it a distraction? He doesn't know, but what Sotha Sil does know is that when she laughs beside him, works with him in his lab, or simply enjoys his creations despite having different beliefs she represents a part of him that he misses, a part of him that wasn't the ruler of the Clockwork City, a part of him that wasn't Seht, a part of him that didn't feel so much agony for the fleeting world of Tamriel that he would drive himself to commit untold horrors to save it.

Lorkir, to him, represents hope that maybe being a God doesn't have to be suffering for your mistakes, maybe even a God can have happiness, can keep who they are and not drown in their regrets by doing so.

I don't think I'd say Sotha Sil loves Lorkir in the same way she loves him, but their dynamic I think is a reflection of each other. Maybe I'm still just not wording it correctly, but to me Sotha Sil views Lorkir as exactly what she is, temptation. Temptation to forget, to restore, temptation to remember himself, remember himself when there might not be anything left.

Lorkir wants Sotha Sil for who he is, and eagerly awaits for the mirror to crack so she can reach it, but what if there's nothing for her to find? That, scares Sotha Sil.

[unknownhomosapien]

finally got time to draw my ocs 🫣

short bio under cut

Eyheilig Sedalu

Got on the thief path very early, in an attempt to protect younger brother from difficult realities. It cost him their relationship as family, although he considered himself deceived and betrayed in the first place, which is why they stopped speak with each other until the Oblivion crisis. After the events, he changed his view on many things, and now holds a large load of guilt, regret, and deep hatred for most Aedra and Daedra, with the exception of I'ffre and Mephala.

Complex nature. Basically, Eyh prefer to live by his own rules that lead him straight into troubles, but has the ability to learn from mistakes and give preference to thinking, telling the truth and lying when needed, although he still an extremely careless and heavily stubborn person. But Elfmer was not afraid to be responsible for the actions he can commit in extreme cases. Somehow for long life malice and the ability to have fun was still with him, but it was the only thing that kept him from wanting to surrender to society.

Supports Green Pact, BUT is not a member of the Aldmeri Dominion. In addition to the Bosmer traditions, he also considers the worship of the saints of Morrowind as his own, as well as to the Tribunal. He continued to worship them as saints in 4E.

Fluent Danmeri, Bosmeri. Knows Nordic quite well.

Eystomand Sedalu

Patriotically served the Tribunal, nearly died from Mannimarco ritual and was in army against Mehrunes Dagon. He literally devoted his life to fighting the House of Troubles and Dagoth Ur, and did it well, but that didn't stop others from treating him like a dirty half-blood anyway.

Avoiding his double nature (which was reflected both in hermaphrodism, mental issues and mixed blood), he was distinguished by extreme conservatism and impatience, which was reflected in his poems as an Buyoant Armiger, in the form of unsentimental, but patriotic lines. That can be a reason why he in a fragile relationship with older brother.

For unknown reason he lost his memory and ends up in the prison of the Imperial City. According to rumors, he died during the Oblivion crisis, but other sources for some reason refer to the Daedric prince Sheogorath. At the time of 3E 433 he was 814 years old. Ironically, he repeated all he did before memory incident, but as new person called Tolin.

Fluent Dunmeri, learned Bosmeri on a bet, but speaks poorly. Also has some knowlege in Chimeris and Daedric.

[miraclemaya]

it's interesting how it feels like, at least the top of my head, a lot of the more "primitive" religions in the elder scrolls are like, about a higher level of divinity, or like something like that. like the imperial cult worships the aedra, and there's all sorts of daedra worship, but it's only like certain, smaller groups, usually less like structured, worship analogs for anu and padomay

[daedrabait]

I wanted to make a (serious this time) oc ask game of my own. feel free to ask me any of these on my oc blog if you'd like.

Skyrim OC Asks

What is their birthsign and does it have any large significance to who they are?

Do they worship any deities, be it aedra or daedra?

What factions are they a part of?

Do you consider them canonically dragonborn? If so, how are they faring at their prophetic duties? If not, what made you decide to do away with that part of the vanilla story?

What were they doing before their adventure officially began?

How old are they?

What non-combat skill do they excel at?

What is their combat style?

What skills that they fall short on?

What hold do they dislike the most?

From a story standpoint, what is the general opinion of your character amongst the people of Skyrim?

Who are they closest to?

What questline had the biggest impact on them?

What's their morality like?

Do they consort with Daedra?

Did they feel sympathy for any villains they came into contact with? If so, who and why?

Have they refused any jobs? If so, why?

What's their favorite armor?

Do they have any family?

Whats their least favorite hold?

What is their least favorite minor enemy to fight?

What creature are they most fond of?

Are they prone to boasting?

Who would they consider their biggest rival?

Who is their love interest?

Do they enjoy the cold Skyrim weather?

What kind of terrain do they enjoy the most?

Are they an "explore everything in the area" type of person, or do they go "straight there and back"?

What do they think of Skyrim politics? (Jarls, Thanes, empire, high kings, etc)

What is their favorite type of dungeon?

What is their preferred method of travel? (Ex: Walking, carriage, horse, etc)

Would you consider them to be merciful?

Do they have a specific color scheme?

What is their most preferred weapon type? (Ex: Glass dagger, dwarven bow, etc)

Could this character wield a two handed weapon successfully?

What is their opinion on draugr?

Did you make this character with a certain love interest in mind?

Is there a certain mod that is very important to this character's playthrough?

Has their character design changed?

Do they have any piercings or tattoos? If so, how many and what are they?

Do they wear war paint and if so, is it significant to them in any particular way?

[fangsandsoftgrass]

14, 16, and 3!! gimme the juicy lore >:D

OOOOO OKAYYYY

#14 is answered here <3

#16 Languages! How many do they speak? Are they literate?

Cirwedh speaks quite a few! Linguistics are one the easier things to pick up on for her since most of the learning is verbal. Although we know she wasn't literate as far as reading and writing goes until Greymoor, she's learned many languages over her lives. She speaks traditional Bosmeri ofc, she's learned in Valenwood Ayleidoon, Faun (faunish? Faun language fs), she's fluent in bear. She knows the Spriggan language as well!

#3 Which Aedra or Daedra do they worship/champion?

Y'ffre all the way baybe!!!! Cirwedh is a Warden of the Green, but more importantly she was a chosen of Y'ffre from birth. She was gifted an understanding of the Green few others have (Green lady/Silvenar/Wilderqueen/Ancient beings like Selene) and her Magicka has been enhanced by the Storyteller themselves. She can grow plants to heal and harm, summon wildlife to aid her in different ways, she can use the roots beneath her feet to travel distances otherwise difficult. She is deeply devoted to the Pact and the rest of the Bosmeri pantheon, but her faith and devotion to Y'ffre is unrivaled. She is as wild and Green as they come and it shows through every inch of her skin and every drop of blood. Yeah they had a bit of a breakup but every god needs a rabid princess and she's Y'ffre's LMAO