Lore:Reincarnation
Reincarnation is a metaphysical concept that occurs when an individual is born with the soul of a prior individual or entity. Many religions in Tamriel profess belief in the concept.[1] Reincarnation can lead to apotheosis if one happens to be reborn as an individual who was some form of deity.[UOL 1] Some believe that reincarnation is not carried out at birth, but rather exists as an achievable spiritual state.[2][3]
Culture[edit]
Argonian[edit]
Argonian souls return to the Hist after death.[4] From here, the Argonian soul travels down the river called Rebirth.[5][6] In some cases, particularly old and wise souls can help lead other souls through the cycle.[7]
Breton[edit]
Druids believe in a natural cycle of death and rebirth,[8] for Y'ffre blesses the living with the same breath that flows across the world, and it is seen as a blessing for him to withdraw that breath. To die means that one once lived, and at the end there are always new beginnings.[8] Indeed, druids believe in reincarnation. Dovah-flies are such an example; they're believed to be their ancestors given new life.[9]
Dunmer[edit]
Reincarnation as a concept plays a fundamental role in Dunmer theology. It is taught that the Tribunal of living gods, Vivec, Almalexia, and Sotha Sil are reincarnations of their predecessors the Anticipations.[10]
Upon the death of Indoril Nerevar, the Chimer Hortator, sources claim that the Daedric Prince Azura vowed that Nerevar would come back to set things right.[11][12] This led to prophecies and cults forming over an individual known as the Nerevarine who would be Nerevar reborn and make good on Azura's word.[13] Many individuals claimed to be this figure of prophecy, but all turned out to be False Incarnates until one arose in 3E 427 meeting all the criteria. This figure would go on to defeat the feared enemy of the Dunmer, Dagoth Ur.[14]
The Dunmer assassin Dram, through means not fully known, was a thrice-born individual having two prior incarnations before his confrontation with Cyrus.[15]
Ice Tribes[edit]
Little is known about the beliefs of the Ice Tribes. The most powerful warriors among them are known as Thriceborn, and the tribes are also known to have utilized a powerful beast known as the Gehenoth Thriceborn.[16] However it is unknown if either of these examples are literal.
Imperial[edit]
The Saint of the Imperial Church Pelinal Whitestrake was strongly associated with the concept of reincarnation.[17][18] It is speculated that him being a thrice incarnated individual is possibly why he held the epithet Pelinal the Third.[17] He was best known under his common name Pelinal, along with other identities in Hans the Fox and Harrald Hairy Breeks.[19]
As he was dying from wounds received in battle with Umaril the Unfeathered, his nephew Morihaus predicted that Pelinal would come again.[20] This prognostication proved accurate, as the Hero of Kvatch eventually proved to be an embodiment of Pelinal Whitestrake, the Divine Crusader reborn.[21] The Hero of Kvatch would finish what Pelinal did not and destroy Umaril utterly.[22]
Khajiit[edit]
Khajiit tradition holds that there is only one Mane spiritual leader alive at any time, and that each Mane is simply one individual spirit reborn into different bodies.[23]
Reachfolk[edit]
One of the Reachfolk clans was known for their belief that messages from their ancestors were conveyed through Powderwhite Coneys. Certain sources even considered these animals to be these ancestral figures in their own right.[24] Cicada husks represent rebirth to the Crow-Eye Clan.[25][26]
Redguard[edit]
While numerous Tamrielic cultures hold beliefs in various forms of reincarnation, Redguard adherents of Satakal hold to the cyclical nature of the world, envisioning the reincarnation of the world itself.[1]
Skaal[edit]
The Skaal hold the belief that when a living being passes away, its spirit is reunited with the All-Maker, who subsequently reshapes it into a fresh entity and reintroduces it into the material realm to embark on a new existence in a different form. Consequently, the Skaal perceive death differently from other Nords. They regard all life as sacred and strive to coexist harmoniously with nature, minimizing their impact on the environment whenever feasible.[27][28]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Coil of Satakal antiquity codex entry
- ^ Decoded package — Glabrio Bellienus
- ^ Nibani Maesa's dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Tree-Minder Deyapa's dialogue during The Tree-Minder's Fate in ESO
- ^ Xukas' dialogue in ESO: Murkmire
- ^ Jaxsik-Orrn's dialogue in ESO: Murkmire
- ^ Sap-Speaker Kuzei's dialogue in ESO: Murkmire
- ^ a b Druid Funerals: A Piece of Y'ffre — Alleneth of Elden Root
- ^ Glimmergreen Dovah-Fly pet description in ESO
- ^ Songs of Vvardenfell
- ^ Nerevar at Red Mountain — the Tribunal Temple
- ^ The Battle of Red Mountain — Vivec
- ^ Nerevarine cult notes — Sharn gra-Muzgob
- ^ Events of The Citadels of the Sixth House in Morrowind
- ^ Dram Character Biography - Redguard.com
- ^ Thriceborn Warriors and the Gehenoth Thriceborn in Dawnstar
- ^ a b The Song of Pelinal, v 1
- ^ Captain Kaleen's dialogue in ESO: Ascending Tide
- ^ Before the Ages of Man — Aicantar of Shimerene
- ^ The Adabal-a — Morihaus
- ^ The Prophet's dialogue in Oblivion
- ^ Events of Umaril the Unfeathered in Oblivion: Knights of the Nine
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: The Elsweyr Confederacy — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ Powderwhite Coney's description in ESO
- ^ Shaman Ulvoch's dialogue in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Cicada Husk's description in ESO
- ^ Children of the All-Maker — Tharstan of Solitude
- ^ Lord of Souls — Greg Keyes
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.
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