Lore:Daedra

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Daedra of various shapes and sizes

Daedra (/ˈdeɪ.drə/ or /ˈdi:.drə/) are immortal beings that did not take part in the creation of the Mundus, and thus retain the full breadth of their power. They have a very real impact on the mortal realm; in one way or another, Daedric influence touches everyone on Tamriel.[1]

The word "Daedra" is of Aldmeri origin, and roughly means "not our ancestors", as opposed to Aedra—"ancestors".[2] Technically, only the plural is written "Daedra", but this word is frequently used in singular as well. The proper singular form is "Daedroth",[3] but that has come to refer to a specific species of Daedra.[4][5] Different cultures have their own myths and names for Daedra, as well. The study of Daedra is referred to as Daedrology. Likewise, those who study Daedra are called "Daedrologists."[6]

Daedra are sometimes referred to as demons, but this is misleading. All Daedra have a penchant for extremes and are therefore capable of tremendous acts of devastation, but their different spheres make them apply their power in different ways, and their infinite diversity makes speaking about them generally difficult.[3][4] Thus, it is often impossible to accurately label them as "good" or "evil"; the one thing that can be stated with certainty is the Daedra are beyond mortal comprehension (as mortals seem to be beyond Daedric comprehension).[4][7] Lyranth the Foolkiller once noted that even "the lowest Banekin has a more developed sense of the Aurbis's scale and nature than your most eminent scholars".[8]

Daedra come in many forms. Undoubtedly there are true Daedra (called Greater Daedra),[9] such as the Daedra Princes, Daedric Lords, and Demiprinces.[10] There are many lesser beings known to be in league with these greater powers, such as the highly intelligent Dremora.[7] but whether each type constitutes actual Daedra is unknown.[3] It is known, however, that Daedra such as Dremora see other lesser Daedra like Banekin and Clannfear as pests, similar to how mortals view rats on Nirn.[8] In addition to this, the Daedra operate in different ways. Some Daedra are shaped by their Prince's will, such as Aurorans or Crow Daedra, while others such as Atronachs may eschew all formal ties with the Princes. Most Daedra lie in between, such as declaring allegiances based on whoever has the greatest will.[8]

A Daedroth's physical form can be ruined, but it cannot be truly killed; the soul (more specifically known as the animus or vestige) of a slain Daedroth returns to the void of Oblivion until it manages to coalesce into a physical form again.[7][11] A slain Daedroth is often said to have been "banished" or "purged" instead of "killed" to reflect this.[11] It is not known what happens to a Daedra killed in Aetherius,[12] though it has been suggested that this may be the one way to permanently kill a Daedra.[13] Septima Tharn put this theory to the test when she lured the Vestige to the Far Shores in an attempt to permanently destroy the hero. While in Aetherius, the Vestige was separated from their soul, which was trapped in Coldharbour. Septima Tharn believed that if she managed to kill the Vestige in the Far Shores, the hero wouldn't have been able to resurrect themselves, effectively dooming them.[14] A way of permanently disposing of a Daedra or Daedra Lord does exist; this is done by binding a portion of their energy to an object such as a skull. This prevents their return, and they cannot reform unless the essence is freed from the object.[15]

Daedra are great imitators, and their creations are described as mimicking things found on Nirn in an outlandish or even corrupted way.[16] They are capable of creating seemingly indestructible and mighty Daedric armor and weaponry through dark rituals.[17][5] The Daedric Princes have also created several species of Daedra that resemble species found on Nirn. The Beetles, Scorpions, Wasps, and Spiders from Mephala's Spiral Skein, the Crows from Nocturnal's Evergloam and the Nightmare animals from Mehrunes Dagon's Deadlands are some of the more blatant examples of Daedric imitations of animals from Nirn.

Many species of Daedra speak a language known as Daedric, known as the language of Oblivion.[18][19] It is not to be confused with the Daedric alphabet. The tongue is incredibly old and has been theorized to have followed the language of Ebon Stadmont, which it bears a resemblance to.[18]

Daedric Princes[edit]

Molag Bal (ESO)

Daedric Princes (also known as Daedric Regents, Daedra Lords, Demon Lords of Misrule, Lords and Ladies of Oblivion, and the Second Litter to the Khajiit) are the most powerful of the Daedra, and thus most commonly worshipped as gods. Each has a particular sphere, which it is said to govern. Daedric Princes may assume a typically masculine or a typically feminine form, sometimes both. They are usually referred to as Princes regardless of what gender they appear most frequently as. In all, there are eighteen powerful Princes known to mortals: Azura, Boethiah, Clavicus Vile, Hermaeus Mora, Hircine, Ithelia, Jyggalag, Malacath, Mehrunes Dagon, Mephala, Meridia, Molag Bal, Namira, Nocturnal, Peryite, Sanguine, Sheogorath, and Vaermina.

Each Daedric Prince, with the exception of Jyggalag, is said to have their own plane of Oblivion, over which they have control. The realms of each Prince is said to be fundamentally shaped and curated by their will. The limits on their planes, powers, and influence are not readily understood, as there are over 37,000 other planes (such as the Soul Cairn and the Chimera of Desolation, as well as chaos realms and pocket realms) over which they exert little or no control. These smaller planes are said to "twist into hyperogonal paradoxes" to resist order and control. The term "pocket realm" is said to refer to any minor plane of Oblivion, whether it is autonomous from the rule of a Daedric Prince, semi-autonomously under the rule of a Prince-appointed "functionary", or fully incorporated by a Prince.

The Daedric Princes seem to view Men and Mer as little more than minor amusements, occasionally applauding the actions of mortals when they exceed their expectations. They do not know the mortal sense of "good" and "evil", and usually have extremist tendencies, which is why Men and Mer fear them greatly. However, several princes do seem to take genuine pleasure in tremendous acts of devastation, in particular Boethiah, Molag Bal, Vaermina, Mehrunes Dagon, and Peryite.

Although the beings are considered evil by most, they are widely worshipped in the realms of Tamriel. Elaborate shrines are created to honor the Daedra as gods. They often take a keen interest in their worshippers, and it is speculated that this is either because of the obvious ego-gratification of being somebody's god, or because the Daedra like to keep an eye on potential future subjects (assuming people of demonic disposition enter Oblivion after death, that is; there are as many afterlife theories as there are religions in the world). Mainstream religious authorities discourage Daedra worship, and often mount witch-hunting expeditions to drive out Daedra worshippers from the local area. During these encounters, they are often surprised at the marginal sanity that comes of worshipping the Daedric Princes. For the most part, however, dealing with the Daedra, one gets the distinct impression of being mused over as a person peering under an upturned rock may momentarily wonder at the lives of the bugs living ignorantly there. For more information, see main lore article.

Lesser Daedra[edit]

The Daedric Princes are only the most powerful of the Daedra, and many of them have many servants known generally as lesser Daedra (not to be confused with Daedroths, specific type sometimes refered to as simply "Lesser Daedra"). Even though many lesser Daedra are associated with a Daedric Prince in particular, in reality, any individual Daedroth can serve any Daedric Prince by taking part in an "Oath Bond" while others stay unaligned, though the specifics are characteristically unknown.[4][5][7] Some are in service to mortals.[5] For example, the Dunmer have been known to use Daedra as servants and instruments,[5][20] as have many other cultures,[21][22] and the Ayleids employed entire armies of Daedra in their wars against men.[23] Daedra are often summoned and used in the study of Magic; of course, the school of Conjuration deals specifically with connecting one's mind with a Daedroth and compelling its appearance in the mortal plane.[3][24] For information on mortals summoning such Daedra, see the book Darkest Darkness.

Bestiary[edit]

A Lurker (Dragonborn)

Gallery[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • According to Lyranth, the Foolkillers Clan once warred with a minor realm consisting of "laughing mirrors", and noted a realm of "talking daggers" could theoretically exist. This goes to show how many more Daedra may exist than mortals are aware of, as they are said to be "as numerous and distinct as the grains of sand in your Alik'r desert".[8] The realm of Attribution's Share is said to be inhabited by "nightmarish creatures" large enough to swallow travelers whole.[25]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: Arena Supermundus: The Tapestry of Heaven — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  2. ^ Aedra and Daedra
  3. ^ a b c d On Oblivion — Morian Zenas
  4. ^ a b c d Varieties of Daedra — Aranea Drethan
  5. ^ a b c d e Darkest Darkness
  6. ^ On the Xivkyn — Pelagius Habor, Council Daedrologist-in-Residence
  7. ^ a b c d Spirit of the Daedra
  8. ^ a b c d Loremaster's Archive - Mehrunes Dagon & Daedra in the Second Era — Lyranth
  9. ^ The Origins of Conjuration
  10. ^ Tutor Riparius's dialogue in ESO
  11. ^ a b The Book of Daedra
  12. ^ Journey to Aetherius quest
  13. ^ "Death" of Morphotypical Entities — Doctor Rhythandius
  14. ^ Septima Tharn's dialogue during To Walk on Far Shores in ESO
  15. ^ Sombren's dialogue during Weapons of Destruction in ESO
  16. ^ Wulf Wild-Blood's dialogue in Skyrim: Dragonborn
  17. ^ Crafting Motif 14: Daedric Style — Seif-ij Hidja
  18. ^ a b Grand Maestro Forte's Research — Grand Maestro Forte
  19. ^ Daedric skill in Daggerfall
  20. ^ The Anticipations — Anonymous
  21. ^ Modern Heretics — Haderus of Gottlesfont
  22. ^ Feyfolken — Waughin Jarth
  23. ^ The Amulet of Kings — Wenengrus Monhona
  24. ^ The Doors of Oblivion — Seif-ij Hidja
  25. ^ Skyrim - The Adventure Game
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