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The Elder Scrolls series, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is renowned for its rich, immersive world of Tamriel, a continent filled with diverse cultures, epic quests, and intricate lore. At the heart of this universe lies a creation story that is as complex and multifaceted as the games themselves. Unlike the grounded, satirical settings of games like Grand Theft Auto, The Elder Scrolls embraces a mythological cosmology that blends divine sacrifice, cosmic trickery, and cyclical time to craft a universe where gods, mortals, and the very fabric of reality are intertwined. This article delves into the creation myth of The Elder Scrolls, exploring its origins, key figures, and its enduring impact on the series’ narrative and world-building.

The Dawn of the Aurbis: Chaos and Creation

The Elder Scrolls universe begins in the Aurbis, the overarching “cosmic structure” that encompasses all existence. The Aurbis is born from the interplay of two primordial forces: Anu and Padomay. Anu represents stasis, order, and light, while Padomay embodies chaos, change, and darkness. These opposing forces are not gods in the traditional sense but fundamental principles that set the stage for creation. Their interaction gives rise to the first beings, including Anui-El (the soul of Anu, associated with order) and Sithis (the soul of Padomay, associated with chaos).

From Anui-El and Sithis emerge the et’Ada, the original spirits who will become the gods of the Elder Scrolls universe. These et’Ada exist in a timeless, formless state known as the Dawn Era, a period of pure potential where the boundaries between mortal and divine, time and eternity, are fluid. The Dawn Era is chaotic, with et’Ada shaping and reshaping reality in a swirl of divine experimentation. It is here that the seeds of the mortal world, Nirn, are sown through the actions of two pivotal figures: Lorkhan, the trickster god, and the other et’Ada who would become the Aedra and Daedra.

Lorkhan’s Plan: The Creation of Nirn

The creation of Nirn, the mortal plane where Tamriel resides, is the central event of The Elder Scrolls’ creation story, and it revolves around Lorkhan, a figure whose motives remain one of the most debated aspects of the lore. Known by many names—Shor to the Nords, Shezarr to the Imperials, and Lorkhaj to the Khajiit—Lorkhan is a Padomay-aligned et’Ada associated with change, creation, and the mortal condition. According to the in-game text The Monomyth, Lorkhan proposed a grand project to the et’Ada: to create a mortal world, a place of limitation and impermanence unlike the eternal, unchanging realms of the gods.

Lorkhan’s plan, however, was not without controversy. The et’Ada split into two groups based on their response to his idea:

• The Aedra (“our ancestors” in the Aldmeri tongue) agreed to participate in the creation of Nirn. These spirits, including Akatosh (the Dragon God of Time), Mara (the Goddess of Love), and Kynareth (the Goddess of Nature), sacrificed portions of their divine essence to form the world. This act bound them to Nirn, making them weaker and tying their fates to the mortal plane.

• The Daedra (“not our ancestors”) refused to participate, choosing to retain their full power and create their own realms in the void of Oblivion. Figures like Mehrunes Dagon, Molag Bal, and Azura became the Daedric Princes, powerful entities who interact with mortals but remain unbound by Nirn’s limitations.

The creation of Nirn was a monumental act of sacrifice for the Aedra. They poured their essence into the world, shaping its continents, skies, and seas. Nirn became a unique plane, defined by mortality, change, and the passage of time—a stark contrast to the eternal realms of the et’Ada. However, the cost was immense: the Aedra became diminished, their power fragmented, and they could no longer act as freely as the Daedra.

The Trickery of Lorkhan and the Divine Schism

Lorkhan’s role in the creation of Nirn is shrouded in ambiguity, and different cultures in Tamriel interpret his actions differently. To the Elves (Altmer, Dunmer, etc.), Lorkhan is a deceiver who tricked the Aedra into giving up their immortality, trapping them in a flawed, mortal world. The Altmer, in particular, view creation as a fall from divine grace, and their religion seeks to undo Lorkhan’s work and return to a state of divinity. In contrast, human cultures like the Nords and Imperials revere Lorkhan (as Shor or Shezarr) as a champion of mortality, who gave mortals the gift of freedom and the potential to transcend their limitations.

According to the lore, when the Aedra realized the extent of their sacrifice, they felt betrayed by Lorkhan. In retaliation, they convened at Ada-Mantia (the Adamantine Tower in High Rock, the first structure on Nirn) and judged him. Led by Akatosh and Trinimac (a warrior god), the Aedra tore out Lorkhan’s heart, casting it into the world. His body was split into two moons (Masser and Secunda), and his heart landed in what would become Red Mountain in Morrowind, a site of immense significance in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. This act ended the Dawn Era and ushered in the Merethic Era, marking the beginning of linear time and mortal history.

Lorkhan’s heart, known as the Heart of Lorkhan, became a powerful artifact, imbued with his divine essence. Its influence drives major events in the series, such as the rise of the Tribunal in Morrowind and the conflicts surrounding Red Mountain. Lorkhan’s legacy, therefore, is not just the creation of Nirn but also the ongoing tension between mortality and divinity, freedom and constraint.

The Kalpic Cycle: A Universe of Cycles

One of the most unique aspects of The Elder Scrolls’ creation story is the concept of the Kalpic cycle, a cosmological framework that suggests time is not linear but cyclical. A “Kalpa” is an epoch of existence, and at the end of each Kalpa, the world is destroyed and reborn, often through the actions of Alduin, the World-Eater and an aspect of Akatosh. In Skyrim, Alduin’s role as a destroyer is central to the main quest, where he attempts to fulfill his destiny by ending the current Kalpa.

The Kalpic cycle implies that the creation of Nirn is not a one-time event but part of a recurring pattern. Each Kalpa may feature different gods, events, or configurations of reality, with Lorkhan’s trickery and the Aedra’s sacrifice playing out in new ways. This cyclical nature adds a layer of philosophical depth to the lore, raising questions about fate, free will, and the nature of existence.

Cultural Perspectives on Creation

The creation story of The Elder Scrolls is not a singular narrative but a tapestry of myths that vary across Tamriel’s cultures. Each race interprets the same events through their own lens, reflecting their values and histories:

• Altmer (High Elves): The Altmer believe creation was a mistake, and their religion seeks to ascend back to a divine state, undoing Lorkhan’s work. Their myths, like The Heart of the World, portray Lorkhan as a malevolent trickster.

• Dunmer (Dark Elves): The Dunmer, descendants of the Chimer, have a complex view of Lorkhan. In Morrowind, their Tribunal gods (Vivec, Almalexia, Sotha Sil) draw power from the Heart of Lorkhan, blending reverence and pragmatism.

• Nords: The Nords worship Shor (Lorkhan) as a heroic figure who fought for mortals against the Elves. Their myths, found in texts like Songs of the Return, celebrate his sacrifice and the creation of the world.

• Khajiit: The Khajiit see Lorkhaj as a creator who gave them life but was corrupted by his own act of creation, becoming the “Moon Prince” associated with the moons.

These differing perspectives, detailed in in-game books like The Monomyth and Varieties of Faith, highlight the series’ commitment to cultural diversity and moral ambiguity. The creation story is not a definitive truth but a contested narrative, shaped by the biases of those who tell it.

The Creation Story’s Impact on The Elder Scrolls

The creation myth of The Elder Scrolls is more than a backstory—it’s a foundation that informs the series’ themes, conflicts, and gameplay. Here are some ways it shapes the games:

• Divine Conflict: The tension between Aedra, Daedra, and Lorkhan’s legacy drives many quests. For example, in Oblivion, the player confronts Mehrunes Dagon’s invasion, while in Skyrim, Daedric quests involve pleasing or defying the Princes.

• Mortal Agency: Lorkhan’s gift of mortality gives players (and NPCs) the ability to shape the world, reflected in the series’ open-ended gameplay and the protagonist’s role as a “Prisoner” who defies fate.

• Cosmic Stakes: The Kalpic cycle and the Heart of Lorkhan elevate the stakes of major events, making the player’s actions feel like they ripple across the cosmos.

• Lore Immersion: The creation story is woven into the world through books, dialogue, and environmental storytelling, rewarding players who explore the lore with a deeper understanding of Tamriel’s complexity.

Conclusion: A Myth for Mortals and Gods

The creation story of The Elder Scrolls is a masterful blend of mythology, philosophy, and world-building. From the cosmic interplay of Anu and Padomay to Lorkhan’s controversial creation of Nirn, the lore establishes a universe where sacrifice, betrayal, and the struggle for meaning define both gods and mortals. The cyclical nature of the Kalpic cycle and the diverse cultural interpretations of creation add layers of depth, making the story not just a backdrop but a living part of Tamriel’s identity.

For players, the creation myth enhances the sense of wonder and agency that defines The Elder Scrolls. Whether you’re battling Alduin in Skyrim, uncovering the secrets of the Heart of Lorkhan in Morrowind, or exploring the Aedra’s temples in Oblivion, the echoes of this ancient story resonate through every quest and corner of Tamriel. It’s a reminder that in The Elder Scrolls, the world is not just a stage for adventure—it’s a creation born of divine ambition, mortal struggle, and the eternal question of what it means to exist.