Elder Scrolls Lore Book: The Amulet of Kings (Skyrim, Oblivion, Morrowind)

A Skyrim Lore Series (New episodes every other Friday)
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Don't forget to 'Like' and 'Share'! In between installments of the Elder Scrolls Lore Series we'll be reading actual in-game books from around Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim; trying our best to bring them to life. Today's Book is called "The Amulet of Kings", and it speaks of an ancient pact that leads to the events of the Oblivion Crisis.
"In the first years of the First Era, a powerful race of Elves called the Ayleids, or the Heartland High Elves, ruled central Tamriel with an iron hand. The high and haughty Ayleids relied on the patrons, the treacherous Daedra Lords, to provide armies of Daedra with dead spirits; with these fearless magical armies, the Ayleids preyed without mercy upon the young races of men, slaughtering or enslaving them at their whim.
On behalf of the suffering human races, St. Alessia, the first in the line of Cyrodiils, sought the aid of Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time, and the ruler of the noble Aedra. Akatosh, looking with pity upon the plight of men, drew precious blood from his own heart, and blessed St. Alessia with this blood of Dragons, and made a Covenant that so long as Alessia's generations were true to the dragon blood, Akatosh would endeavor to seal tight the Gates of Oblivion, and to deny the armies of Daedra and undead to their enemies, the Daedra-loving Ayleids.
In token of this Covenant, Akatosh gave to Alessia and her descendants the Amulet of Kings and the Eternal Dragonfires of the Imperial City. Thus does Alessia become the first gem in the Cyrodilic Amulet of Kings. The gem is the Red Diamond in the middles of the Amulet. This is the Symbol of the Empire and later taken as the symbol of the Septim line, It is surrounded by eight other gems. one for each of the divines.
So long as the Empire shall maintain its worship of Akatosh and his kin, and so long as Alessia's heirs shall bear the Amulet of Kings, Akatosh and his divine kin maintain a strong barrier between Tamriel and Oblivion, so that mortal man need never again fear the devastating summoned hosts of the Daedra Lords. But if the Empire should slacken in its dedication to the Nine Divines, or if the blood of Alessia's heirs should fail, then shall the barriers between Tamriel and the Daedra realms fall, and Daedra-worshippers might summon lesser Daedra and undead spirits to trouble the races of men."
- Wenengrus Monhona
Book | elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Th...
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[@klassicbadz8009]

If ever there were an Elder Scroll movie, I think this would make the best topic.

[@simiwulf-3091]

+Klassic Badz agreed

[@K33PER11]

+Klassic Badz It would be cool, but I think people who have never have gotten into the Elder Scrolls, would think it similar to the Lord of the Rings unfortunately.

[@klassicbadz8009]

iStoneCorps Productions Good point, I never even noticed that.

[@tartaruga2149]

+Klassic Badz YES! MAKE IT HAPPEN BETHESDA! DO IT!

[@veranya2074]

Klassic Badz too much epic than GOT series, they need big cheese for that

[@AmaraChanTV]

Everyone saying this contradicts itself should remember this: It's supposed to. History is never truly accurate to the source. Go back to the games and read the various history books by in-game authors. They all contradict each other due to author bias, bad information, and conflicting ideas.

[@akatsukiawsome13]

Hawkeye the Dovahkiin That's what makes this series so good... Glad someone is going around mentioning this... I thought it would be obvious lol.

[@akatsukiawsome13]

***** I forget sometimes... Likely because sometimes I go around slashing my sword like an idiot. Falling asleep to the soundtrack while reading/managing inventory upstairs in some mages guild library happens more often than that though... I suppose I'm a bit of a 'slow' player.

[@MCEnderbornGaming]

And that's y the Thalmor outlawed the worship of Talos

[@Eweyhen]

These documentaries are freaking awesome!! Quite honestly, I could care-less if they're "factual" or not. Anyone who is an actual fan should be able to know the general stuff. But the fact you took serious time to make these are AWESOME! People like you make the series SO much more fun and enjoyable!! Thank you!!

[@PCGamersAnonymous]

You're doing a wonderful service to so many TES fans, making these. I haven't been paying much attention to my subscription list, but I know to do so now. Thank you for this! I love it! It really brings TES lore to life; especially with the pictures, and the music. Kudos to you!

[@Zoom_1012]

I agree, I love these lore videos. I also love whoever is doing the artwork. I love the "watercolor/stained glass" style. Keep up the great work ShoddyCast!

[@richardjordan9245]

It's not just "Tamriel and Oblivion", but all of the Mundus and Oblivion. Tamriel is just one continent of a planet.

[@Ayra_Is_Cool_lol]

Dont forget aetherius

[@0SilentLeopard0]

+Nathan You just named the sub-sections of the realms already said. Sovengarde is within Aetherius. Gaiar Alata (Paradise) and Soul Cairn are both planes of Oblivion.

[@primordialbias8711]

+Nathan Maybe Not all realms of Oblivion are considered to be demonic, unholy and evil places. They reflect the personality of the prince that resides there, and some Daedric princes, such as Azura, aren't necessarily evil, and their realms, Moonshadow, in the case of Azura, reflect this. Paradise, however, can be considered evil, as Mankar Cameron's followers considered it a prison and a torture room of sorts.

[@chrisridge5504]

+Primordial Bias what planes of oblivion can you visit so far win the series?I can think of the Shivering Isles(Sheogorath), Apocrypha(Hermaeus Mora),and The Dead Lands(Mehrunes Dagon).Then there are the other realms/planes/demensions Sovngarde,Soul Carin(what ever that is.Never really got a good answer on that other than it's where soul trapped souls go),That place in oblivion where you travel into that one mages mind or dreams or whatever and solve puzzles to restore different parts of his mind.Can anyone name any other planes of oblivion or other realms you travel to in the series?

[@primordialbias8711]

ChrisRidge Calvicus Vile's realm-Redguard One of Sanguine's realms-Skyrim Evergloam, Nocturnal's realm-Battlespire and ESO Colored Rooms, Meridia's realm-ESO Hunting Grounds-ESO Coldharbour-ESO The Pit's Peryite's realm-Oblivion Quagmire, Vermina's realm-Oblivion, ESO Boethia's realm-Oblivion, ESO Those are all the realms from Oblivion that we go to that I could find. At least, the ones owned by Daedric princes, I think there's a few that aren't owned by any of them.

[@Victim5and5Villain]

So ... I've been playing Morowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim at the same time ... and it's been quite an adventure in Tamriel. Some of the in-game books I'd read if it really caught my interest and was written nicely. ... One of them was about Samaccus and Barenziah ... so, that's why I went back to playing Morrowind. ... I came upon this video series and it has me deeply intrigued. I don't really pay much attention to the religion of the game but .... after watching this -- and having it be simplified for me, it reminds me, heavily, of the Silmarillion and the Ainur. Really great stuff, actually! Thank you for this. I'll definitely be watching the rest.

[@thekjduke]

dude, i just opened this page and im freaking out with excitement! this series is what id been praying to Talos for!

[@brandonparrish333]

I am using this series to educate my wife to the history of ES so that she can stop asking me questions and maybe even get her to play with interest. Thank you for a job well done so far.

[@dowgshizz]

I am truly loving this series

[@Punchinrocksintheeye]

in my opinion the best channel on youtube! great commentary! 10/10

[@OptimumFear]

Best Series on KZbin, keep going!

[@ben10546]

Awesome stuff!

[@ddouglas420]

Could you imagine how awesome this series would be is it was narrated by Morgan Freeman

[@akatsukiawsome13]

David Douglas lol

[@bongorwhisperer]

these lore videos are amazing can not wait to see more!!

[@FedoraG4mer]

I find myself enjoying this series a lot more then I thought I would.

[@monsterpda]

Please keep doing the lore series =) The Elder Scrolls lore is so richt and it seems I missed a lot while playing the games

[@mattgates8865]

this is a great series very informative

[@inkthedink]

Not a huge lore nut but I have to say great job. I'll be back every week to hear more.

[@bobbyjoe1111]

This is amazing

[@gamingextreme87]

Awesome as usual :)

[@Ullenser]

love this!

[@ClaretAsh121]

Some Ayleids helped Aleyssia during her rebellion so could keep their lands and titles. The last recorded Ayleid kingdom was at Nenaleta in 1E 482 around 90 years after the rebellion. The rest of the Alyeids moved to Valenwood. Stormhold in the Black Marsh was another Ayleid Kingdom and although eventually abandoned was never affected by the rebellion in Cyrodiil. The last known Ayleid sage died in 2E 227 and it is unlikely they have survived past the third era.

[@Chaos4190]

I love your work.

[@jakenottage]

Keep it up guys ..Beta starts soon, you are getting me pumped!

[@Koendefarao]

Finally Waited the whole day for again an awesome lore :)

[@crazywolf5150]

I feel like a little kid who's parents are reading him a nice night time story whenever I watch one of these lore videos. Please do more and/or make them longer if you can.

[@BigDippas]

watching this shit high is fucking legit. if you like how the old history channel was when your fucked up this shit is ten times better.

[@blackfyre4578]

+BigDippas Haha, im doing the exact same

[@Paulyfr3sh]

Best 2 minutes of my life. +1. Your video's are epic dude, I want more lore video's. I'm too lazy to read the damn wiki on this whole game.

[@MrConorWB]

You guys deserve thousands of more views.

[@ralphy0103]

great series is great!

[@joryquisin6433]

I love this series

[@smallcure]

Notable Dragonborns: Miraak - Former Dragon Priest dating back to the Merethic Era and purportedly the first Dragonborn individual. Alessia - Slave queen of Cyrodiil in the First Era who made a covenant with Akatosh. Reman Cyrodiil - Famed ruler of Cyrodiil who thwarted the Akaviri Invasion during the First Era. Tiber Septim - Legendary ruler who united Tamriel under his banner in the Second Era. Septim Bloodline - The lineage of Tiber Septim's successors. Last Dragonborn - The Hero of Skyrim.

[@ShoddyCast]

Lol, I know. It's tough. Just so you all know, the Elder Scrolls Lore Chapter installments (the long lore vids) take hours and hours to complete. Since KZbin ain't my full time job it is impossible for me to release one of those every week, but instead of leaving you all hanging with a bi-weekly show I choose to do these "lore book" installments to tide everyone over. Maybe one day these videos will attract enough attention to where I can put them out more regularly! I can only hope. - Josh

[@Akilroth234]

Yep, the Septim bloodline ended right there with the death and sacrifice of Martin. I was kinda disappointed that they didn't elaborate a little more on the empty Dragonfires, but I suppose that Akatosh touching down on Nirn sealed them permanently or something similar like that.

[@DracoHakaima]

@ Ariana10100 who asked about the piano tune. If I`m not mistaken I think it`s called Auriels Ascension

[@KalleOmfg]

Love the lore vids.

[@michaelmalone3110]

as many people don't believe, just because talos used to be mortal doesn't mean he can't still be a god, even the elves think he is a god, they banned him as a divine because thalmor are fucking assholes (I am sorry for the harsh words) but when Tiber septim found the amulet of Kings and became emperor, he became a divine, don't let everything that skyrim has taught you cloud your judgement

[@michaelmalone3110]

and if he isn't a divine, why do I get a blessing when I prey on his shrine?

[@almyska467]

I think you mean "pray at". Predators "prey on" things. Religious believers "pray at" holy sites.

[@michaelmalone3110]

K

[@michaelmalone3110]

It really doesn't matter

[@geoffreyprecht2410]

+Michael Malone I theorize that the divine abilities of Talos are simply an aspect of Akatosh, who first gave his blood to Alyssia to make her the first Dragonborn. That's why you get Shout buffs with an Amulet of Talos.

[@DrArku]

Very true, imo detail is what makes Bethesda games so great. And the fact that they manage to do it on such a scale is just amazing.

[@rogelionavarro188]

wow I´ve got about 11 answers from this question, and not a single one with insults due to my lack of knowledge, but actual well written answers, this proving that the elder scrolls community kick ass. Thanks, this made my day

[@kenosarawa]

Yup! Pretty much! It really adds to the gravity of the situation in Skyrim. You've got an illegitimate Imperial Throne simply holding onto the rule of Tamriel for two centuries because it can, the dead high king of Skyrim (also an Imperial puppet) killed in a duel but claimed as "murdered", his wife trying to take his place, Ulfric Stormcloak's rebellion fighting not only for the throne but to secede Skyrim from the Empire, and the Aldmeri Dominion pulling all the strings. Then... dragons. FML

[@remixic17]

you rock dude

[@Firevice1]

YES! a talos faithful! I heard how you said "faith in the nine devines". TALO FCK YEAH!!!

[@SuicidelG]

I really respect and enjoy what your doing here. So when I say this don't take it the wrong way. I'm curious as to what takes so long to make the lore book videos? They're awesome but it just seems like you're reading one of the books with the background of a few pictures. Keep up the good work! Maybe ESO will start paying you for these! hehe

[@XxUndeadXTacoXx]

These are amazing and the art is awesome i'm going to be watching all of these as they come out to help prepare for ESO so i'm not that fool who goes to general chat like whats a Tamriel??? (I knew that before I watched these but you understand) I dont normally read the books atm in Oblivion or Skyrim either I just liked to kill things but I'm going to work on reading them as well.

[@SkyrimRules838]

Yeah... I just love these sooooo much lol....

[@Morokiin]

Atmosphere 06, I love this song. I wish it had been on the 360 version.

[@jaketill8583]

I agree. The Lusty Argonian Maid comes in at a close second.

[@ayleidking5251]

Shoddycast should do a lore book on the Snow Prince of Solstheim.

[@adriwalkgames5537]

I have a question, if the amulet was broken there shouldn't be pieces? If there are, I doubt that they have simply thrown them away, so what happened to them?

[@ZOIDGARTH]

I was sure I read he was Imperial somewhere. Tiber Septim was a general in the Cyrodilic Empire of King Cuhlecain at some point after leaving Skyrim. Some sources say he was born in Atmora, which is unlikely, and another source says he was born on the island of Alcaire which is between High Rock and Hammerfell. His actual race is never identified, but he was born with the name Hjalti Early-Beard which suggests Nord, or even perhaps mixed race.

[@SankyEON]

Not really, because the Oblivion Crisis was caused by the Dragon Fires beign unlit, Mehrunes Dagon being strong enough to take his true form. Martin Septim killed Mehrunes Dagon and bought some kind of peace to Tamriel. The Dragon Fires aren't lit any longer because Akatosh himself killed the one who the Dragon Fires where supposed to keep away, so you're not causing an Oblivion Crisis.

[@WarcraftAddict1993]

You should do one on the lost races of Nirn, like Ice Elves and Dwarves.

[@playlistnation2005]

Somebody give the narrator and storywriters a medal

[@mojonation1487]

Except for Akatosh though. Akatosh was split when the Selectives danced on the Tower and broke the Time God, mashing together Bits of Aur-El and Shor into a deity of their choosing.

[@KokutenChiaki]

Wait. Eight jems(Other Divines) + One Jem(Akatosh), or do the eight jems represent the Eight Divines? This was the time before Talos/Tiber Septim.

[@ultratankie]

The center gem, the Red Diamond which was originally an Ayleid soul gem, represents Alessia; the other Eight are the original Eight before Talos was considered the Ninth.

[@KokutenChiaki]

Interesting! +1 for an very informative reply!

[@ZOIDGARTH]

I thought Talos was a Nord, but a little research revealed he was actually an Imperial, a descendant of Alessia who founded the Cyrodilic Empire. When it was discovered he had the voice of the Dragon, the Nords took him as one of their own.

[@smallcure]

To address the confusion that arose from the existence of a Dragonborn predating Alessia, Michael Kirkbride, former writer at Bethesda revealed "Alessia didn't have the power to absorb dragon souls. Hers was a much more nuanced power: to dream of liberty and give it a name and on her deathbed make Covenant with the Aka-Tusk." (Everyone who posess the blood of dragons is a Dragonborn and that is a fact.)

[@SgtJcrafter]

I heard on the elder scrolls wiki that Alesia did not have the ability to absorb dragon souls and that her dragonblood was more of a curse then a blessing, so then came Miraak and actually had a true gift with the dragons therefore making him the first real dragonborn :)

[@Som3on3p3rson]

What I'd love to see, would be, after reading a book, some more of your thoughts/opinions.

[@mojonation1487]

Yeah, I just take it as him being the conduit for Akatosh to manifest physically. But I see your point.

[@elf_prince_aefion]

it actually says in one of the books in Skyrim (can't remember which) that the Ayleids live on in the blood of the elves in Valenwood.

[@KrSpilly]

his journals are pretty cool though you are right, it would be interesting to see josh start character bios, but i think it would be irrelevant to ESO Cicero wasn't even alive yet

[@mojonation1487]

I'm having trouble understanding your question, but if it's about Shezarr missing from the pantheon, he is known as the Upstart that Vanishes. It's in his sphere to fall out of worship. If I understood you wrong, I apologize.

[@brocalfur]

2:20 Chapel of Dibella in Anvil

[@ErnestoLMA]

More Lore!

[@mettalx1]

So when Martin Septim sacrificed himself at the end of the oblivion crisis to banish Dagon, there is by that logic no "barrier" left between the realms of Daedra and Mundus since there is no heir left to wield the amulet of kings. What's to stop some cults to summon Mehrunes Dagon again? Am I missing something here?

[@ProducerMaster]

What is the name of the tune what's playing in the background? I heard it before in skyrim but i can't narrow it down to where, and is this an alhternative version of it or the same?

[@Som3on3p3rson]

This video is just the book, but the video he does in this slot avery other week are in-depth lore videos, and you can imagine why that takes so long.

[@Jokamutta]

Subbed

[@DarknessXER]

Yep.

[@lonestarwolfentertainment7184]

I thought the Red Diamond was made of the crystallized blood of Lorkhan?

[@rogelionavarro188]

Thanks, I almost forgot that, it´s been a while since I last played oblivion, kudos for for your comment

[@BigbangNic]

Auriel's Ascension

[@DarknessXER]

Although i still got my point across, does everything have too be in utter perfection or it sends you into a berserk rampage?

[@SelidorBlackfire]

If the Akatosh chose to he could probably bestow Titus with the dragon blood, but as we all know he didn't. Which brings us back to why there isn't a dlc to become emperor...... I would love to lead the army which stomps the Aldmeri.

[@MinSredMash]

From a long line of special children. Remember how half of Halo 1's gameplay took place in rooms that were literally copy pasted from each other, with entire levels that were just earlier chapters run in reverse? And even the later games have the most sterile, empty levels with no signs of life outside the skybox.

[@Slayerlord0]

It's also been established that there is no direct blood relation between Alessia, Reman Cyrodil, or Tiber Septim. What makes a Dragonborn is that you are chosen by Akatosh to carry that power to fulfill some great destiny. It has nothing to do with bloodline, you must be chosen by birth,

[@Ariana10100]

I know this is a kind of random question, but what is the name of that piano song playing in the background?

[@MrBobor1]

Nope, emperor in Skyrim isn`t from the Septim line. The last Septim was Martin and when he sacrificed himself, the amulet was destroyed as a price of kicking the Mehrunes Dagon out of Tamriel and never letting him come back. So even if there is no other Septim, or amulet, Martin`s sacrifice has forever denied the option of deadras coming to Tamriel.

[@kenosarawa]

After the death of Martin, the line of the dragon blood is broken. The succeeding "emperors" lack that divine element to their rule. The Empire conquered Tamriel to protect all the land from Oblivion with the Dragon Fires. Those who called themselves emperor after that point merely wanted power, as there was no purpose to the empire afterward but to rule.

[@TheLordboki]

The barrier was sealed forever at the end of Oblivion when Akatosh defeated Dagon.

[@SuperrAhTac]

True, maybe The Night Mother and their correlation with sithis Sithis, Though I'm only an journeyman, passer-bye as I over hear a converse, in the drunken dragon's inn. (I am without pc, but a cheap laptop)

[@Tarnfalk]

Yay

[@VulpesChama]

I guess reading the books (and getting them into the correct position on the shelves) in tes took most of my gaming time there ...

[@SuperrAhTac]

Maybe Cicero's journals would be a nice or interesting tale to tell?

[@svenando99]

There are 8 Gems and then the Red Diamond. The 8 gems represent the eight before Talos and the Red Diamond is the Symbol of the Septim Dynasty.

[@mojonation1487]

"Hjalti was from the island kingdom of Alcaire, in High Rock, and would become Tiber Septim, the First Emperor of Tamriel."- In game quote, MADE by Bethesda. So yeah, nobody knows. Lore doesn't lie.

[@erwin21381]

A dragonborn is a mortal that is born with the soul of a dragon and the Dragon Blood flows through his veins, not a person that can absorb dragon souls, that is just a bonus. :)

[@AnOddBird]

A book in one of the games (I don't remember which) states that an inter-species child has the race of it's mother.

[@DantheAuthor]

i understood what you just said. . . . actually I didn't at all, buyt thank you for taling to me - it makes me feel loved :D

[@paigerocks884]

I'd be down for that.

[@dreghorn007]

Anyone know where I can find lore books like (Roy Kelly) but more?

[@cradiIy]

iber Septim, also known as General Talos, Hjalti Early-Beard, the Dragonborn, and Ysmir, was an emperor of Nordic descent who became one of the most famed figures in Tamrielic history, reigning as Emperor Tiber Septim Believed to have been born in the Nordic continent of Atmora in 2E 828, - Lore. The lore doesn't lie. MAde by bethesda

[@mojonation1487]

Just a small correction, Martin actually became the Avatar of Akatosh.

[@Unlyricallyrics]

Zenimax hire this man. Seriosly tho it'd be cool if before every "big" quest in TESO there would be something like this explaining the lore behind it.

[@mojonation1487]

The mythopoeic forces of the Nirn could support that or derail it. With enough thought, or lack there of, things can go awry.

[@Beldoras]

Ah ok thanks, I love their architecture. :)

[@mojonation1487]

The barrier was reestablished with Martin's sacrifice.