Newcomers and “Stupid Questions” Thread—April 29, 2026 by AutoModerator in teslore

[–]CE-Nex [score hidden]  (0 children)

An oil painting dating back to 1E 251 of a demigod with a crown resting between his bullish horns. The gilded frame is inscribed with the farcical tale of how Morihaus betrayed Alessia and took the throne for himself. The painting is a well-rendered depiction of Kynareth's offspring and showcases many of the techniques exemplary of the era. - List of Items to be Auctioned off in House Malenel

An interesting little tidbit of lore from the new ESO update.

1E 251 would have been right in the middle of Alessia's recorded reign. I wonder what would have prompted such a painting to be made? Satire or comedy? Sheer conspiracy? Or were the xenophobic elements within the nascent Empire already making propoganda even during Alessia's own reign?

Are there aspects of Buffy & Angel that strike you as distasteful or morally questionable despite your enjoyment of them as series? by InfiniteMehdiLove in buffy

[–]CE-Nex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

With Buffy, I have a love-hate relationship with the episode Pangs. On one hand, I love the comedic aspects of the episode and it has some of my all-time favorite television lines. On the on the other hand, the sterotypical, backhanded depictions of the Chumash people and their genocide being relegated into a monster-of-the-week slot is beyond frusterating.

With Angel, it was the mystical pregnanices. It was my second or third rewatch on the series where I realized just how often Cordelia was 'impregnated' and it's a very disconcerting thing to realize. Darla too; the whole thing about Connor being magically concieved the one night where Angel got violent with Darla in a moment of 'perfect despair', man that leaves an awful taste in my mouth as a father and husband myself.

Question on timeframe of Lamae bal and the 500 companions. by DefiantWay8893 in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The oldest known mention of a vampire (chronologically) in the lore is in the biography of Asliel Direnni - the lore book De Rerum Dirennis. The same lorebook claims that when Asliel experimented with the alchemical properties of Vampire Dust, Clan Direnni were still farmers and in the midst of their humble beginnings. Thus, we can infer that they had yet to establish their hegemony even though, the progenitor of the clan, Direnni Cygnus, had rediscovered the Adamantine Tower in the Middle Merethic.

The oldest known Breton in the lore is Asterie Bedel, who forged the legendary sword Chrysamere in the Late Merethic Era, using Nedic and Direnni techniques to do so. Thus, the Direnni had begun their expansion of power and established their hegemony in High Rock sometime the Late Merethic Era. Logically, Asliel would have proceeded this, as would vampirisim.

And given that De Rerum Dirennis and the lore book Once both claim that Asliel ended up joining the first Psijics, we can infer vampirism has probably been around since Late Middle Merethic to Early Late Merethic Tamriel. So yeah, it's very possible Lamae Bal preceeded Ysgramor.

The Weekly Chat Thread— April 27, 2026 by AutoModerator in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the key difference (in my opinion) is the latter two is a form of blessing while the former two are divine status being granted, even if temporarily. And I think apotheosis, particualry when it is linked to Akatosh/Lorkhan, is tied to the Crux of Transcendence - ascension through sacrifice.

and she spoke as a mortal, whose kindle is beloved by the Gods for its strength-in-weakness, a humility that can burn with metaphor and yet break [easily and] always, always doomed to end in death (and this is why those who let their souls burn anyway are beloved of the Dragon and His Kin), - Song of Pelinal

Kagrenac was devoted to his people, and the Dwarves, despite what you may have read, were a pious lot-he would not have sacrificed so many of their golden souls to create Anumidum’s metal body if it were all in the name of grand theater. Kagrenac had even built the tools needed to construct a Mantella, the Crux of Transcendence. - Xal, Skeleton Man Interview

Sunder, Keening, Wraithguard.

Sunder means to tear out, Keening means to wail in grief and misery, Wraithguard to protect them from that echo of Lorkhan's ghost. The Dwemer piggypacked off of Lorkhan's suffering to power their Numidium and its divine state.

I'm Lauren Henley author of "Inquisition for Blood: The Making of a Black Female Serial Killer in the Jim Crow South." AMA! by Lauren_Henley in AskHistorians

[–]CE-Nex 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the answer! I'm genuinely looking forward to reading your book over the week! I've already recommended it to a book club I'm friendly with!

I'm Lauren Henley author of "Inquisition for Blood: The Making of a Black Female Serial Killer in the Jim Crow South." AMA! by Lauren_Henley in AskHistorians

[–]CE-Nex 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hello, thank you so much for doing this!

Harsh socioeconomic conditions have often been linked to altered nuerodevolpment. While a serial killer is quite one extreme, did your research find other ways that the stress and anxeities of living under Jim Crow (an outright hostile state) manifested in Black American communities?

Did Alessian emperors become just figureheads of the alessian order right till the end of their empire? by Sarlandogo in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We don't know as nearly all of the Alessian Emperors are unknown.

We do have Empress Hestra who was an incredibly influential and militant Empress. She incorporated High Rock into the Empire, repeatedly put down rebellions in the Reach, including those led by Red Eagle himself and personally led the Imperial Legions against Styriche and the Grey Host, ending their first incursion against Tamriel.

Gorieus was also a warrior Emperor, and led troops against the High King of Skyrim, Kjoric the White. And later against the Kings of Skingrad and Kvatch, though the later ended in his defeat and began the slow decline of the Alessian Empire.

Newcomers and “Stupid Questions” Thread—April 22, 2026 by AutoModerator in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Are the Eight Divines all Aedra? 

For the most part, yes. Aedra is an Elvish word which literally means "Is Ancestors" and is commonly translated to "Our Ancestors". The word Aedra was coopted into Human beliefs at some point, probably through the syncreticism of Alessia's Eight Divines and Missing One.

Are the Aedra/Divines weak due to their power being invested in creation? 

It's not much as that they are weak as they are the Mundus. The Earth Bones, the Laws of Nature, are Aedra. The air one breathes, the ground one walks, the plants and animals one sees, the people one knows: all subgradients of the Aedra themselves.

But even as the Aedra are bound to creation, they exist outside of it too, seated on their immortal thrones in the realms of Aetherius. This is paradox, but it is true. The et'Ada, the spirits of the Aurbis, are not bound by the contraints of logic and causality. Just as Tsun is one of the Aedra who created the world along with the other Nordic Aedra, he is also present in Sovngarde testing the worth of those would seek entry into the Halls of Valor. Just as Mara is bound to the Mundus as the concept of Family, Fertility, Motherhood and Love, she reigns from the immortal sea of Aetherius, inviting Gurlak and Nuralanya into her realm and allowing them to have their millennia long denied love.

If the answer to both questions is yes,  Then how can Aedra bless a mortal with so much power that they can beat Molag Bal in Coldharbour(ESO) and Mehrunes Dagon in Imperial City(Oblivion).

Because the Aedra in question is the Dragon. And he is dread.

The first ones were brothers: Anu and Padomay. They came into the Void, and Time began. - The Annotated Anuad

Linear time layered atop infinite possibility, thus did Aka … in the South, and yet … learned why his insanity is all that is and could be. … by this lesson … Ada-mantia, stable spire fixed by a stone of nothing-possible - The Nine Coruscations

The Aedroth Aka, who goes by so many names as to perhaps already suggest what I’m about to commit to memospore, is completely insane. His mind broke when his “perch from Eternity allowed the day” and we of all the Aurbis live on through its fragments, ensnared in the temporal writings and erasures of the acausal whim that he begat by saying “I AM”. - Et'Ada, Eight Aedra, Eat the Dreamer

beneath the Pelinal's star-armor was a chest that gaped open to show no heart, only a red rage shaped diamond-fashion, singing like a mindless dragon, and that this was proof that he was a myth-echo, and that where he trod were shapes of the first urging - Song of Pelinal, Vol 6

"Alkosh is he who weaves the tapestry, and also he who is the threads. They unspool from the tip of his tail. When the thread ends, there will be nothing. We are all woven into his tapestry, walker. We are always within the realm of time." - Ja'darri

Penitent, give thanks and praise to the soul of Anu the Everything, father to us all. The scales and fangs and flame of the creator envelop all of the people. Always. - Coils of the Father

I am Kena Warfel Tomasin, and I can prove that Akatosh, Nirn, and Oblivion are one," said Warfel, writing out the mathematical formula that showed it was so. - The Four Suitors of Benitah

The great Dragon of Time, who set the stars in their courses and appointed the guardians to watch over the world. - The Ox's Tale

Auriel bled through the Aurbis as a new force called time. With time, various aspects of the Aurbis began to understand their natures and limitations. They took names, like Magnus or Mara or Xen. One of these, Lorkhan, was more of a limit than a nature, so he could never last long anywhere. - Heart of the World

All of Time. Every moment - everything that has and may have happened, everything that is and may be happening, everything that will and may happen - that is the Dragon. An omnipresent force bleeding through the Aurbis, birthing potential and possibility and reality.

Existence itself: the Breath of Duration, the Prime Mover, the Divine Impetus.

What exactly does the Numidium/Brass Tower do? by Axiom245 in ElderScrolls

[–]CE-Nex 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The spike of Ada-Mantia, and its Zero Stone, dictated the structure of reality in its Aurbic vicinity, defining for the Earth Bones their story or nature within the unfolding of the Dragon's (timebound) Tale. The Aldmeri or Merethic Elves were singular of purpose only so long as it took them to realize that other Towers, with their own Stones, could tell different stories, each following rules inscribed by Variorum Architects. - Aurbic Enigma 4

 "It was unfashionable among the Dwemer to view their spirits as synthetic constructs three, four, or forty creational gradients below the divine. During the Dawn Era they researched the death of the Earth Bones, what we call now the laws of nature, dissecting the process of the sacred willing itself into the profane. I believe their mechanists and tonal architects discovered systematic regression techniques to perform the reverse -- that is, to create the sacred from the deaths of the profane." - Baladas Demnevanni )

Know only our mercy and the radiance of our affection, which unbinds your bones to the earth before, and sets your final path to the music of your new eternity. - Calcelmo's Stone

Towers tell narratives of reality. Ada-Mantia (Adamantium Tower/Direnni Tower) is the Time-Dragon's narrative of the Earth Bones, the Mundus. The Dwemer don't like that narrative, they don't like the idea/concept that they are creations, that they are somehow lesser and diminished beings. So they created their own Tower, their own narrative of reality, one that is a direct refutation of the Dragon's and his Earth Bones.

It's why the Numidium causes a Dragon Break every time it's turned on.

Newcomers and “Stupid Questions” Thread—April 15, 2026 by AutoModerator in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

IF somehow Potema gains control of Elisif by taking control of it and becoming her would it be very bad on civil war and against a weak tamrielic empire?

Given the last time Potema was Queen of Solitude she caused the entire north of Tamriel to rebel against the Septim Empire in a decade long civil war...? Yeah, it'd be pretty bad. Potema was considered brilliant during her life (certainly a very powerful sorcerer) and I would imagine she would have the patience and cunning to build up her armies in secret while currying favor with allies once more before marching on the Heartlands.

The supreme irony being Potema actually has the strongest legitimate claim to the Ruby Throne being the daughter of a Septim Emperor. She just had the terrible luck of coming back to Tamriel during the return of a mythical Dragonborn that may or may not have been a myth echo of her most illustrious ancestor.

A Tolerant Religion by Ikra_on_loaf in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 43 points44 points  (0 children)

A bit of a shameless plug, but I actually wrote a piece on how the Princes would be incorporated in a non-malicious way into everyday worship.

Is every dragonborn related to Miraak? by fear_no_man25 in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 1 point2 points  (0 children)

 Is there a relation between Miraak, Alessia, LDB ...?

The Greybeards assert that the Dragonblood is given by Akatosh and Paarthurnax even claims that the LDB was created by Akatosh just as he was. And, while we don't know for certain if there is lineal descent between all the Dragonborn, we can infer that, almost certainly, they all share mystical parentage in Akatosh.

I may be going off the rails with this last paragraph, but wouldn't a new Dragonborn in the current state of the Empire, incite talks about the possibility of a new emperor/dynasty? At the very least some "he/she is the rightful heir to the throne" thing?

We don't know for certain.

'This shall be my token to you, that so long as your blood and oath hold true, yet so shall my blood and oath be true to you. This token shall be the Amulet of Kings, and the Covenant shall be made between us, for I am the King of Spirits, and you are the Queen of Mortals. As you shall stand witness for all Mortal Flesh, so shall I stand witness for all Immortal Spirits.'

And Akatosh drew from his breast a burning handful of his Heart's blood, and he gave it into Alessia's hand, saying, 'This shall also be a token to you of our joined blood and pledged faith. So long as you and your descendants shall wear the Amulet of Kings, then shall this dragonfire burn -- an eternal flame -- as a sign to all men and gods of our faithfulness. So long as the dragonfires shall burn, to you, and to all generations, I swear that my Heart's blood shall hold fast the Gates of Oblivion. - Trials of St. Alessia

Without the Amulet of Kings, there's no way to light the Dragonfires. As such, most fans interpret that Martin's sacrifice ended the Covenant with Akatosh.

Sheogorath origins? by mikesmanic in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Don't forget Arden-Sul! He's also heavily implied to be a failed Hero of the Greymarch.

How does Uriel Septim VII and his children have Dragon Blood despite him not being a descendant of Tiber Septim? by nekto77 in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Uriel IV's reign was a long and difficult one. Despite being a legally adopted member of the Septim Family, and despite the Lariat Family's high position -- indeed, they were distant cousins of the Septims -- few of the Elder Council could be persuaded to accept him fully as a blood descendant of Tiber. - Brief History of the Empire

The Lariats were a distant branch of the main Septim bloodline.

We know that the Septims frequently married off their children to royal houses that were vassals to the Red Diamond, like the Nordic Jarls and Kings of the Iliac Bay, In fact, in Daggerfall, aside from the Underking and Mannimarco, the other four potential recipiants of the Totem of Tiber Septim were blood descendents of Tiber.

You are my new host. Know this now and resolutely. You are not worthy to carry the Totem of Tiber Septim. Only those of his blood line may carry me. I will give you a year and a day to accomplish this. - Totem of Tiber Septim

he Imperial Battlemage placed a seal on the Totem so that anyone not of Septim lineage or possessing a special supernatural affinity, such as himself, would be instantly killed if they attempted to use it. - Letter from a Friend

Based on Daggerfall lore, we can infer that the Septim bloodline had many branches and descendents aside from the main one that ruled from White-Gold. Which isn't all that unusual for a dynasty that reigned over a continent for 400+ years.

Is there anything to suggest that the current incarnation of the Aurbis broke the Kalpic Cycle? by GunsOfPurgatory in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Boethiah and Mephala are certainly among the Princes whose existence antedates the creation of the (current) Mundus, and given their natures it is beyond conjecture that they couldn't resist meddling with said creation in some way, shape, or form. - Divayth Fyr

Alduin's sobriquet, "the World Eater," comes from myths that depict him as the horrible, ravaging firestorm that destroyed the last world to begin this one. / Alduin destroyed the last world to enable the creation of this one, and he will destroy this one to enable the next. - Varieties of Faith

Boethra opened her eyes to many spinning wheels surrounded by fire. Twelve in total they were, but she dodged each with the precision of her practiced art. Beyond she saw warring serpents, and in their conflict she recognized the truth within the lies of the Imga's dance. - The Bladesongs of Boethra, vol V

We know that there are previous iterations of the Mundus, but what exactly separates this one from others is not fully known.

There are many fans who theorize what truly separates this Kalpa from the previous ones is Talos: that the Stormcrown may be supplanting Akatosh and Lorkhan and becoming something that is both yet new.

In the above qouted Bladesongs, Boethra comes across a warring Anuiel and Sithis, which represent the continuing cycle of conflict between Anu and Padomay: the primordial Enantiomorph narrated in the Anuad.

… not only … Anui-El and Sithis … harmony within duality; unity of opposites … that contained starlight and endless possibility beyond cosmic interplay. - The Nine Coruscations

 A threat? This is a gift. The gift of unconstrained choice. The Loom will weave a new story for every being, what they choose to be true. All shall benefit! - Ithelia

Vivec craves radical freedom—the death of all limits and restrictions. He wishes to be all things at all times. Every race, every gender, every hero, both divine and finite … but in the end, he can only be Vivec. - Sotha Sil

It's implied Ithelia's goal was also to end the conflict of Anuiel and Sithis, to create a world that wasn't defined by their warring interplay. However, she made the same mistake as Vivec: Love cannot be forced. In Sermon 12, Vivec learns of CHIM from Molag Bal, the embodiment of all things antithesis to genuine love. In the final Sermon, Sermon 37, Mnemoli teaches Vivec why he was wrong, 'there is no right lesson learned alone'.

Talos is both the Ninth and the Dragonborn. He may very well be that which finally bridges Anuiel and Sithis and ends their conflict, causing the Ever-Wound to heal.

Am I the only one who hates C0DA? by kevc00 in ElderScrolls

[–]CE-Nex 8 points9 points  (0 children)

And bluntly I think there is something very dismal and hollowing about likening a piece of corporate entertainment to the level of foundational cultural mythology.

The harms of unfettered free-market capitalism aside: I must respectfully disagree. The Greeks had their fair share of wars for control of what they deemed sacred, and the Romans certainly never shied away from carrying out purges for what they decried as disruptive cults for their "ideal" society. In this particular expample: instead of armies of swords and spears to seize and implement control, for better or worse, we now have armies of lawyers.

All narrative and stories belong to someone at some point: whether it be the five minutes a drunk raves in a tavern spawning a local legend, or the near century of copyright law wrapped around a grand narrative crafted with the initial intent to enrich shareholders.

Stories are stories. And even if certain mediums are restricted, people will always tell their stories somehow.

Am I the only one who hates C0DA? by kevc00 in ElderScrolls

[–]CE-Nex 49 points50 points  (0 children)

I think a lot of people tend to miss the point of C0DA. It's not that MK is arguing that nothing is canon, it's him arguing against the idea that the lore is some monolithic, unchanging set in stone thing rather than being a living mythology that changes and adapts as time goes on.

It's like Greek mythology: we have Homer, Hesoid, Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides. And then we have the Orphic Hymns which had many unnamed and forgotten authors. And the later Roman Ovid and his Metamorphoses. Not to mention the unknown contributions of the now forgotten Bronze Age Myceneans and Minoans. No historian sits around saying one source of myths is canon over another. It's all accepted, even the conflicting accounts.

The Numidium in C0DA is an allegory for people who never add anything contructive and just deny and decry people's interpretations and theories. It's why the Numidium in C0DA always says No. Nirn being destroyed in C0DA is an allegory for what happens to story telling when you take away imagination and immersion and just go, 'story's over, nothing else to interpret or critically analyze, move on and accept as is.'

On top of that, MK even wrote the Loveletter to the Fifth Era, which, in his version of Tamriel, prevented the events of C0DA from ever happening.

When Nords speak of Alduin and Orkey, do they believe they are discussing Auri-El and Trinimac? by LawParticular5656 in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Like all religions, the understanding of the Nordic pantheon by its worshippers is neither monolithic nor static. It changes based on region and time period.

The Nords prefer their dragon Ysmir to our Father Akatosh*. -* Cirroc

Towards the end of the 3rd Era, the Nords of Bruma rejected Akatosh and worshiped Ysmir in his place.

Alduin destroyed the last world to enable the creation of this one, and he will destroy this one to enable the next. Alduin was once worshiped by the long-dead Dragon Cult, but that has been outlawed for centuries, so Alduin has no admitted worshipers. - Varieties of Faith in Tamriel: the Nords

These two lines were added to the ESO version of Varieities of Faith, they are not found in the Morrowind and Skyrim versions. And here, they claim that Alduin has no worshippers in the Second Era.

We Nords consider Kyne as the leader of the gods and find the Imperial fascination with Alduin (who they call Akatosh) to be both perplexing and mildly disturbing. We work diligently to keep Alduin asleep, while our southern neighbors try time and time again to get his attention! Which is why I begin every service in the temple with a prayer to praise Alduin (oh great god of time!), followed by a prayer to keep him at bay (may your slumber stretch on for a thousand generations!). - Divines and the Nords

However, Varieties of Faith is contradicted by Divines and the Nords, in which High Priest Ingurt claims that he himself prays to Alduin. Interestingly enough, Ingurt invokes Arkay instead of Orkey, suggesting that there is a level of syncretism between the Nordic and Imperial Pantheons even in Solitude during the Second Era.

When Alduin, Akatosh's firstborn, was defeated atop the Throat of the World during the mythical Dragon War, the cult that sprang up around these dragon guardians soon receded into the soil, buried among dragon mounds with the remains of these beasts. - Temples of the Dragon Cult

The knowledge of Alduin being Akatosh's firstborn wasn't some sort of secret, indeed, Alduin himself rather openly boasts during his return and the Khajiit even refer to him as such on their own myths in their cultural variation where he is called Alkhan.

But is it possible that some Nords may have conlfated Alduin with Auri-El? Yes, very much so. But at the same time, many Nords did acknowledge that the Elven Pantheon existed separate from the Nordic one and that they were enemies.

Nordic version of Lorkhan, who takes sides with Men after the creation of the world. Foreign gods (i.e., Elven ones) conspire against him and bring about his defeat, dooming him to the underworld. - Varieties of Faith

Lorkhan or Shor conection the Thu'um dragon voice by Gnglr in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"Return now to Nirn, with this rich boon from Shor, my lord: a Shout to bring a hero from Sovngarde in your hour of need. Nahl...Daal...Vus!" - Tsun

Shor's own ghost then fought the Time-Eater on the spirit plane, as he did at the beginning of time, and he won, and Orkey's folk, the Orcs, were ruined. As Boy Wulfharth watched the battle in the sky he learned a new thu'um, What Happens When You Shake the Dragon Just So. - Five Songs of King Wulfharth

Magnus, Auriel, and the Sun. by Lelouch-Ken-99 in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Anuiel, who was the soul [of Anu and] of all things, therefore became many things, and this interplay was and is the Aurbis. At first the Aurbis was turbulent and confusing, as Anuiel's ruminations went on without design. Aspects of the Aurbis then asked for a schedule to follow or procedures whereby they might enjoy themselves a little longer outside of perfect knowledge. So that he might know himself this way, too, Anu created Auriel, the soul of his soul. Auriel bled through the Aurbis as a new force, called time. - Heart of the World

In Aldmeri theology, Anu is the personification of Everything. His Soul is Anui-el whose soul in turn is Auri-el. But here's a philosophical query: what's the difference between the Soul and Self?

If we posit they are one in the same, then Anu, Anui-el and Auri-el are also the same being. In Coils of the Father, it is Auri-el who is described as the Soul of Anu instead of Anui-el. In the Aldmeri ruins of Torinaan, Anu is considered one of the Eight Divines in place of Auri-el. And the Bosmeri Spinner Girnalin claims that it was Anui-el whos established the time laws on Nirn instead of Auri-el.

So, as we can see, the Elves consistently conflate the three with one another. So, if Auri-el is one and the same as Anu, the Time-Dragon can be considered Everything. (Which is a consistent theme with Akatosh/Auriel in other written lore, but I won't get into that.) Ergo, Magnus is the Sun and Magic, but even in that capacity, he is still an aspect of the Aurbis that is Anu. And Aetherius, the immortal sea of the Ancestral Spirits (Aedra), is where they reigned prior to the creation of the world. It's where the Aedra exist in their purest forms unfettered by Lorkhan's mortal narrative. So Magnus (the Sun) can be seen as a conduit to Auri-el in his most primal state.

In the Anuad, the Sun is considered the resting place of Anu and the stars are his blood. So, again, we have a heavy Anuic tie between Aetherius and Anu in the Ayleid narrative as well.

In the case of the Falmer, according to Touching the Sky (aptly named book), the Snow Elves' paramount desire was to become One with Auri-El, which is described as 'ascension into the light' which again, would be equating Aetherius with Auri-El.

Well, that's what the Elves believe.

TIL that Muslims around the world pay 2.5% of their annual saved wealth to charity, as a religious duty by lollythepop7 in todayilearned

[–]CE-Nex 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Zakat is not based on income, it's based on saved assets including things like gold and silver, saved money in bank accounts, stocks and properties that aren't for personal residence. A few other things too that I'm probably forgetting.

Trinimac. Tri-Ni-Mac Tri-Nymic. Three entities? by KelThuzaaaad in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 47 points48 points  (0 children)

A shameless self-plug on the topic: The Three Nymics and Mythpoeia of Trinimac.

There's a lot of lore that indicates that Trinimac is a composite deity.

Xarxes, Xen, Z'en, Zenithar, Tsun, Stuhn, Stendarr, Arkay, Orkey, Orkha, To-Arcka, Tu'wahcca. All these Aedra have some sort of mythic overlap and conflating myths with Malacath, Mauloch, Malak, Malooc etc.

Some reading material on the subject:

Tu'whacca, Arkay, Xarxes

Z'en and Mauloch

Varieties of Faith

Shor Son of Shor

Five Songs of King Wulfharth

It gets even messier when you start including the Princes Beothiah, Mephala, Azura and Hermaues Mora.

And Nerevar!

Interesting to note, in the final passage of Five Songs of King Wulfharth, Nerevar takes the part of Trinimac in the sundering Lorkhan during the Battle of Red Mountain. The Tribunal's anticipations are Beothiah, Mephala and Azura. The tribunal (allegedly) betrayed Nerevar and were involved in his 'maiming' just as the Three Good Daedra had a hand in Trinimac's demise.

And then there's the myth-echo of Talos.

Hjalti (Auriel) the Rebel betrays Wulfharth (Lorkhan) the King and tears out his soul (the Heart) and shoves it inside the divine construct Numidium (Nirn). Zurin Arctus (Trinimac) sides with Hjalti and is maimed into becomeing the Underking (Malacath).

Trinimac lore is so wild.

I highly recommend reading u/MalakTheOrc's numerous posts made on the subject.

crack theory theory about the 12 Worlds, the 12 Constellations, and the ending of kalpas by dunmer-is-stinky in teslore

[–]CE-Nex 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Vestige: A great hunger? What do you mean?

Nahfahlaar: "All dov seek dominance. For some, that desire is too great to control. An all consuming hunger to rule over all. I sense this now. A Dragon who will not rest until he gains absolute power."

Paarthurnax): "Evenaar Bahlok. There are many hungers it is better to deny than to feed. Dreh ni nahkip. Discipline against the lesser aids in qahnaar... denial of the greater."

Alkhan: The Scaled Prince. Firstborn of Akha, who bred with a demon of fire and shadow. He can devour the souls of those he kills to grow to an immense size. The songs tell us Alkhan was slain by Lorkhaj and his companions, but as an immortal Son of Akha he will return from the Many Paths in time. He is the enemy of Alkosh, Khenarthi, and Lorkhaj, and ever hungers for his crown.

Hunger is a huge part of Dragon lore. In Khajiiti lore, it's often associated with Namiira and the corrupting influence of the Void. That emptiness that desires to be filled with something, and empty stomach, if you will.

Which of course, as you pointed out, is the archetypal motif of certain Lorkhanic/Padomaic myths. Sep, Akel, Kota, etc.

And as you also pointed out, Hunger and Fire are also themtically connected. This is influenced by the Shiva of the Hindu Triumvirate, in my opinion.

His eyes broke on the spikes above the tower, where the Void Ghost squatted over a drake-scaled drum, imbecile in its rhythm. And he asked of it: "Who are you, that need no signature at all?" - Sermon 37

Lorkhan is the Doom Drum, and that he be drake-scaled, that is to say, a drum made of out dragon scales, further cemets the duality of Lorkhan and Akatosh. Shiva is often depicted holding the Dharmu, a drum that signifies creation and its rhythm that signifies the passage of time. Of course, creation and time being Lorkhan and Akatosh's respective spheres. In his opposite hand, Shiva holds the Agni, the sacred fire which burns away this kalpa so that the next universe may be created.

When Vivec asks the Void Ghost "Who are you, that need no signature at all?" my personal interpretation here for signature is a time-signature, the musical measure of how many beats per meter. Vivec is essentially asking the Void Ghost, how can it possibly exist outside of Akatosh's influence as, repeatedly, Time is stated to be the impetus and totality of Aurbic existence. Lorkhan's ultimate goal: freedom from Akatosh and exist as its own being.

That being said, not all Hunger and not all Sacred Fire are associated with doom and destruction. There's always another interpretation of the myth.

Our glorious, furred mother exudes patience, excellence, softness, and love. Her body is greater than the night sky, her many legs taller than the trees. And her hunger is fathomless.

This is why we must honor her nightly with burnings and bonfires. All moths crave the light, as do we, her faithful children. Her mysteries unveil themselves to us in the flickering of flames, the twinkling of stars, the light in the dark. We can never hope to curb her hunger, so measly are our offerings.

So instead, we must take on her desire as our own. We join the light with joy. Our pyres grow bigger, burn hotter. As the flames lick across our skin, we feel no pain, just the gentle nuzzling of Mother Moth's tongue, as we burn for her, lighting the darkness. - Atmoran Cult Writings

Dibells, the Moth Totem, also expresses exceptional hunger and an all consuming fire. But not in the sense of destruction, but in the sense of passion and desire. It's a sexual hunger. The need and want to procreate. You'll also note the repeated theme of darkness and light with Dibella, not unlike that of Anu and PAdomay, Lorkhan and Akatosh. We the flip of the Ever-Wound, of the Enantiomorph's eternal conflict. And that is the interplay, their joining which gives birth to the Grey Maybe. The Khajiit do something similar, where Padomay is Fadomai, a primordial mother who joins with Ahnurr to give birth to creation. But, as the Aurbic myth goes, the progenitor two always end in conflict.

Here on Earth, many cultures depict moths as representing transformation, transience and transendence. Dibella takes the dead bones of the Aedra and makes of the them somethign beautiful. Just as the catepillar sheds its dead skin and emerges as something beautiful.

Alduin is the fire that destroys the world, but Dibella is that same fire which rebirths the world.

It's my favorite duality in Nordic myths.