The Missing God of the Elder Scrolls

[@sekijokes451]

I'd say that Lorkhan's sphere seems to be mortality itself. The ultimate personification of limitation through a finite existence. Hence why he was able to be "killed" and like with his mortals the presence of his deeds and existence can still be felt even though he's "gone". I'd argue that the missing God "dying" was the self actualisation of his sphere of influence. Plus his rivalry with Auri-el? What greater enemy is there to mortality than time?

[@jamesandthemgiantcheeks2798]

The sheer intelligence of this comment has made my nipples stand at attention.

[@grandsome1]

Wouldn't Time in cahoots with Mortality, time measures change, and mortality is just entropy, a type of change.

[@sekijokes451]

​@@grandsome1 In a sense. I mean I personally view the Great Spirits as falling on a scale between Anuic and Padomaic with none of them being fully either or as they were all born from the interplay between these two forces. Auriel and Lorkhan for instance, Time orders the Elder Scrolls Universe but it also helps facilitate change while mortality ensures that nothing stays the same but it's consistency in it's role is pretty Anuic.

[@Ravi9A]

What is self actualisation for a God then? Going away like Magnus?

[@sekijokes451]

@@Ravi9A Depends on their sphere. OG Sheogorath/Jyggalag was Mad but is finally sane enough to just have severe OCD. Mephala has two death cults competing with one another. Dagon rules over a perpetual wasteland and ultimately brought change to Mundus by Gaslighting a Wood elf into a High Elf. And Malacath is terrible at parties. Plus they're not really "Gods" just ultra powerful OG Spirits. But maybe that's just cause I'm a Dwemer sympathetic heretic.

[@AtomicJuggernaut]

Everything associated with Lorkhan is definitely interesting and even in death Lorkhans heart had shaped so many events in the elder scrolls universe.

[@20starcombomaker]

**lorkhan's heart laughs**

[@Hamokk]

When you just want to vibe with Dagoth Ur because he says you are valid and 3 narcissistic "gods" want you to kill him because they are too weak to do it themself.

[@tylerdavis3]

@@Hamokk Real 💯💯💯

[@EngiGODS358]

​@@HamokkREAL ASF 💯💯🔥🔥🔥💯‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@totower9597]

Mythic dawns gotta point... I almost feel bad for killing a gazillion of them in oblivion.

[@bigbadseed7665]

The most fascinating thing about Talos is that he was both a shezzarine, an incarnation of Shezzar, and a dragonborn, chosen of Akatosh. Somehow, he embodied and embodies a reconciliation, an act of mutual forgiveness, between Lorkhan and Auriel.

[@Saniraf808]

They come again in Oblivion to help save the mortal realm. (Well akatosh (not Auriel) and your shezzarine boyo The hero of kvatch.)

[@amalanu6048]

If the theory that every player character is a Shezzarine is correct, then the Last Dragonborn also counts as a reconciliation of Lorkhan and Akatosh.

[@LakinMae5]

@@amalanu6048that makes sense as the players are gods of their own destiny.

[@noahtylerpritchett2682]

@@amalanu6048 I theorized that Akatosh isn't a divine but a incarnation of Auriel and that this avatar is a elven name for Alduin. And that the fight between Shezzarine Dragonborn who's either nord or in my opinion a imperial (he's from cyrodiil who crossed the border into skyrim) is the last fuck you to Auriel. What better vengeance than this? Another comment here calls Shor the sphere of Mortality and that Alduin who's auriel's avatar as the destroyer of Nirn. So surely his sphere of immorality is destroying nirn while lorkhan preserves nirn and mortality's greatest rival hatred is auriel. Time is the enemy of mortality. Expanded upon the fact Auriel and his aedra, Dibela, Julionos, so fourth hated creation whereas Mara, Kynerath, I think stendar, etc. Loved creation. Some Aedra venerate Shor and created humans, while other Aedra prefer Auriel, Akatosh. Who hates creation and forms himself avatar alduin to destroy it. And immortality favors long lived elves. Whereas humans don't descend from Aedric gods. Elves do. So humans molded from clay are short lived. I say to you, My elder scrolls characters are always human and they don't worship Auriel. They worship Shezzar. Shor.

[@brandanpalmer]

The Last Dragonborn is the exact same. TLD is the chosen of Akatosh, Obviously, but also TLD defeats Alduiin, who sought to end the mortal world, which Lorkhan would obviously want to keep spinning.

[@badluck5647]

Theory: The proto-Nedes and proto-Nords were united under Lorkhan until his death. After his death, the Wandering Ehlnofey split with half following Kyne to Atmora and the other half going to the Reach with Hircine. Hircine/Kyne/Lorkhan alliance evidence: *Both the Nords and Reachmen consider themselves followers of Shor/Lorkh -- even if they don't acknowledge one another. *The Skyforge of the Hawk (Kyne) and the Underforge of Hircine share an ancient site that the descendents of Old Ehlnofey feared into the Merethic era. *In Khajii tales, Hircine allies himself with Khenarthi (alongside Azurah) to slay the elven god Y'ffer. *Kyne's chosen son is Morihaus, a man-beast. This would be strange as minotaurs have been shown to be followers of Hircine. Maybe Minotaurs have an ancient connection between both Kyne and Hircine?

[@VLarraechea]

Why would the other half go to the Reach with Hircine? We know for a fact that Lorkhan and his warriors took Atmora from Auri-El, so they didn’t split. They just went to Skyrim thousands of years later.

[@badluck5647]

​@@VLarraechea The Reachmen see Hircine as taking the mantle of the dead Lorkh, while rejecting the comparably powerless Aedra.

[@gaylordspacetrash]

It should also be noted that in ESO, the Dreadhorn Clan were stated to use "Kyne Magic," which may serve as additional supplementary evidence, although it implies that the split may not have been as total.

[@sgtstull]

Cool theory

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@badluck5647 Well, most of the Wanderers who followed Kyne were the Nords, who she made. But yeah, your theory is sound. I've had a theory that Skyrim is a split off portion of Altmora (now Atmora), making the Snow Elves, and possibly the Dwemer, the descendants of the Aldmer of that now lost Elven Kingdom of the North. So, the Aldmer may have lost most of Altmora the Elderwood, but kept a small peice of it. Having Auriel's Bow and Shield plus the Eye of Magnus was perhaps gifts to the Aldmer of Altmora (ancestors of the Snow Elves) as a "sorry for the loss of your home" from Auriel and Magnus. The remaining Aldmer died on Atmora, according to some Nordic history (old Lore, perhaps?), and the Aldmer in Skyrim made Skyrim their last bastion of their lost Elven kingdom, becoming Snow Elves over time as mortality set in. Also, interesting how the Elven Gods often get jumped by the others. Trinimac fell to 2 Daedric Prince's, Y'ffre fell to 3 of them. My Elven homies just can't catch a break 😮‍💨

[@TheAdoringFan]

Finally! The grand champions have uploaded

[@yohef4537]

By Azura!

[@prozoomy]

​@@yohef4537 by ysmires beard

[@theredwhirlwin]

By azura by azura by azura!

[@RealMasterOogway-svp]

Shor's bones

[@PrinceAlhorian]

Remember when I chucked you off a mountain? Want me to do it again?

[@yyglsiirrequiredtohavealas7254]

I've always loved the theory that Maiq is Lorkhaj reincarnated on Nirn to walk the land for many phases

[@NoLifeKing_0]

"M'aiq's father was also called M'aiq. As was M'aiq's father's father. At least, that is what his father said.”

[@konsama1315]

@@NoLifeKing_0 and there’s a mk text called “shor son of shor”

[@arwahsapi]

M'aiq Tyson is the most eminent khajit with lethal unarmed strike

[@eliphas_vlka]

@@konsama1315 M’aiq is 4 letters Shor is 4 letters too 😏

[@raycearcher5794]

"M'aiq is glad to still have is heart. M'aiq does not see how one could live without a heart. M'aiq is glad he does not have to try."

[@MMSquared]

I have a theory... You, the player are Lorkhan. Much like in Morrowind, the player is written to have the ability to reincarnate (save/recall). Every game there after, you have this ability. This video mentions the belief Lorkhan is forced to live countless mortal lives. It would make sense if the player is Lorkhan, but doesn't know it. I would love to see something like this in an Elder Scrolls game being fleshed out.

[@HistoricJeckyll]

If you played Skyrim this I what happens at the end they call you shor- like at the end of oblivion you become sheohorath. I think each game your a different incarnate of a different diety

[@MMSquared]

@AshJackal The Sheogorarith situation is circumstantial as it doesn't directly play into the main story of oblivion. In Skyrim, they never call you Shor, but sing your praises as the dragonborn. What I'm saying is the main character of each game is a reincarnation of Lorkhan. You live a completely new and different life, shaping the world with each choice made. In a sense, all of nirn is made just for the ma8n character's enjoyment from a mortal standpoint.

[@kevinelliott5140]

@@MMSquared The idea that the player is Lorkhan also becomes meta when you consider the "one was made to satisfy the other" text. Mundus, the world of the Elder Scrolls, was made to satisfy the Heart of Lorkhan, the beating desire of players to experience a new world.

[@generalvoid1630]

@@kevinelliott5140 This also works since nothing says which "one" was made to satisfy which "other". It could be both and neither at the same time for all we know, so why not it being in truth the world satisfying the heart of the player and in the world, the heart satisfying the world. In a certain sense I guess that could also create a loop where the world is within the heart, but eh, that just goes into some insane nonsense. Point is, this seems really plausible on some level. Who can say if Lorkhan can't be all deities when they incarnate into mortal form, who can say if the great heroes are not all Lorkhan, struggling infinitely until success comes and then struggling again, another infinite times, just to succeed another infinite times. A loop of mortality that can happen at any moment in any time period since reality is forever, yet always changing, but always in turmoil. Infinite infinities and all that.

[@TrueEnding]

That could work though theres a problem with that theory since the Oblivion player character is clearly alive during the events of Skyrim. But hey who says he cant have multiple reincarnations running around at the same time and even interact with eachother, he is a god after all.

[@dualdeathlucario4535]

An hour long video on Lorkhan? You guys are good to us

[@VLarraechea]

YES, FINALLY! A full video on Lorkhan! Let the true protagonist of The Elder Scrolls shine through!

[@dylanbasstica8316]

We are ALL shezzarrine!

[@xavis_dad]

Chime chime chiming all over the place, A big disgrace I'm even gonna chime on this cliffracer's face Singing save Reload Save Reload Save reload

[@Vianyte]

In the beginning Mundus was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.

[@nunyanunya4147]

please dont take something witty and apply it to Bethany.... Todd doesn't deserve the snark and would not get the wit.

[@SkinnyEatWorld95]

Lmfao I don't think this other guy gets the reference

[@ChristmasLore]

Really like this one :)

[@elmine7707]

​@@SkinnyEatWorld95 nah he just discovered the answer on the way to the question

[@Thoughtmage100]

I like the idea that every once in a while Lorkhan gets that itch to boot up Elder Scrolls and create a new character. Will it be another Pelinal? Perhaps he'll be Maiq? Who knows! Lorkhan just seems like he's going through the character creator like we do.

[@joedelao2090]

Best in-depth look at Lorkhan I've seen. It's also great to see how he is viewed by all the races of Tamriel.

[@bobbymogged1836]

I swear I saw a theory somewhere that the last dragonborn is actually an aspect or Shor since when he goes to sovengard, shor is noticeably absent.

[@SPLUMBAR]

Some of the spirits in Sovngarde tell you directly that Shor isn’t visible in Sovngarde because his divine form would blind us

[@GabrielGarcia-u8v]

@@SPLUMBARshor likely isn’t visible in Sovngarde because they tore his heart out and shot it into the sea, soon after the creation of Mundus.. this is also why the dragonborn probably isn’t a reincarnated form of Lorkhan or Shor, because Shor/Lorkhan is dead.. if anything you knew the Dragonborn couldn’t be a reincarnated aspect of Lorkhan because Dovahkiin are more closely associated with Dragons and Akatosh, who is an aspect of Auri-El.. Auri-El being the direct polar opposite of Lorkhan..

[@breadogi7118]

pretty sure we are since we can sit on Shor's throne, otherwise wed be deleted immediately.

[@kylegonewild]

@@GabrielGarcia-u8v Gods being "dead" is not a rigidly defined concept in the world of ES. The spirits of Sovngarde would certainly be more vocal if Shor's presence was just...never there. What's even maintaining this realm that definitely exists if its deity is well and truly *dead* in the mortal sense? Plus, ES is a setting with *confirmed* afterlives for mortal characters which means nothing precludes the divine spirits from having their own form of afterlife. It's not like real life where there is no confirmation of any of this and the most likely scenario is total cessation of existence. The Dragonborn absolutely could be a reincarnated aspect of Lorkhan as well. The merging of two fundamental but opposing forces is a common literary concept and the child of opposing forces is also a very common literary concept. The new Shezzarine being capital D Dragonborn directly tied to Akatosh (not just a dude from Cyrodiil) would represent this literary concept pretty well. Lots of room for interpretation there as well. Has the soul of Lorkhan been slowly but subtly guiding events in Mundus towards a reconciliation with, in his view, his arrogant and misguided sibling? Actually tearing Lorkhan from existence would be akin to tearing Padomay from the void.

[@GabrielGarcia-u8v]

@@kylegonewild ok this is about to be long, but like you I share a passion for the ES lore. what you said about death in the ES is valid, an example would be Jyggalag, and Malacath respectively, with Malacath being a very special case, and the afterlife of Mortals being as convoluted as it is.. However, the reason why I genuinely don’t think it makes sense to make any “player” character a direct aspect of anything other than what is already explicitly established as in game, is not only because of Lorkhan’s “physical and spiritual displacement” and therefore lack of any actual power or Dominion over Mundus, but also because of the relationships Lorkhan has amongst the other Et’ada and his influence therein.. these concepts tie together, i could explain.. there is no real evidence pointing to whether the Daedra hold an opinion Towards Lorkhan, except we know that they did not participate in the creation of Mundus, and we know the 9 Divines lack any power to efficiently host an entire realm to themselves like the Daedra can, so to call dibs on anyone’s soul, or Dominion over someone, or directly become a Progenitor of one, as your claim suggests, is out of the question and direct evidence as to why they don’t care to win over Souls like the Daedra do, its because they can’t.. The Aedra gave up a portion of their divine power during the creation of Mundus.. this is what we mean when we say they became “Mortals”, because after they were tricked into creating Mundus and losing a portion of their divinity, they would technically end up “dying” AKA as a normal Mortal would, this is why the 9 ended up escaping Mundus.. remember it wasn’t only the 9 divines who’d give themselves to the creation of Mundus, there was Magnus, the Magna-Ge, The Earthbones, and the Ehlnofey, they all influenced the creation of Mundus (and its Inhabitants) differently.. However they all, including the 9, and Lorkhan came out significantly weakened from this, with Lorkhan probably ending up in the most weakened, and displaced state of them all.. Now remember, the dragonborn is able to become Listener for the Dark Brotherhood, Champion of multiple Daedric Princes, a Vampire, and in Oblivion, a LITERAL Daedric Prince.. all these things and the potential of choice as for what type of character the player can play as lies pretty much in contrast to what Lorkhan, or any Et’ada in his situation, would be able to accomplish in their current state.. he was not only weakened by the creation of Mundus, his heart was torn out.. It is also explained that every Mortal alive on Nirn are descended from the Ehlnofey whom, like Lorkhan, are also Et’ada.. Lorkhan tricked his fellow Et’ada.. they held a communion (Mundus at this time was still unstable).. They punished Lorkhan, then the 9 went back to Aetherius (better that than death, cause atleast they can keep some semblance of themselves), whoever stayed on Mundus ended up becoming full donors for its completion, aka, they “died”.. Lorkhan, or his heart, was unable to be destroyed and was directly tied to the existence of Mundus in order to stabilize it.. this Stability is what ALLOWED the 9 Divines to depart, the Ehlnofey walked around at one point, but they basically grew old and died, the Earthbones also died, they became the Physical Laws of nature.. so it’s not like Lorkhan is somewhere lurking around plotting and influencing stuff in some off realm or special place, Lorkhan isnt conscious, he is not influencing anything.. there is no evidence to suggest this theory, as far as evidence goes, everything in the Lore explicitly tells you he is dead, displaced, kind of like taking a potato and turning it into Mashed Potatoes, and then throwing it across the dining table, making a splattered mess, and then letting the Ants crawl around on it (the ants being the Mortals).. in the Cosmology of ES, there exists Aetherius which surrounds Mundus and Oblivion, Oblivion being where the other realms of the Daedra exists, described as existing in between or adjacent to Mundus and Aetherius.. There is no “Afterlife” for any Divine because they are well, DIVINE.. lol thats what the word means, The 9 divines and the Magna-Ge departed to Aetherius because they did not want to be consumed in the creation of Mundus like the others were.. The entire basis of existence in ES is divine multiplication, at the cost of becoming “weaker” Lorkan knew this, he wanted to Multiply.. you could say Lorkhan, along with his fellow “donors” (The Earthbones/Ehlnofey) multiplied themselves to the point to where instead of a spawning a couple new aspects of themselves, they ended up creating a whole planet and a bunch of puny mortals, who walk around, fighting each other, yelling at dragons and worshipping Daedra.. Lorkhan has no influence or dominion on any Mortal’s decisions or existence, let alone to spawn some aspect of himself.. I could see how someone could make a theory saying “maybe Lorkhan musters his strength every hundred years or so and is able to spawn up some hero to save Tamriel”.. considering that every game is basically taken place within decades to a a couple hundred years or so from eachother, and with the variety present in the development of the player character.. compared to how many eras exist in ES its unlikely.. fun theory though..

[@nystria_]

I always thought that maybe Talos is kind of Lorkhan reborn? Because like as much as the Thalmor want to deny his existence, the Knights of the Nine DLC in Oblivion make it pretty clear that there IS a ninth deity.

[@azurengamer9392]

I think it was stated somewhere that the Thalmor do believe Talos ascended to divinity and took Lorkhan's place among the divines but they also believe by extinguishing his worship and perhaps by some means actually killing the god himself the elves could reclaim their divinity that was stolen by Lorkhan originally, and a part of me likes to think this whole Thalmor vs Talos feud is actually a scheme by some mortal reincarnation of Lorkhan, as to why he would orchestrate such a scheme would depend on the old god's true goals and motives.

[@valencrow]

@@azurengamer9392 I like the idea the Dragonborn is Talos reborn. A new face for Lorkan to use just when the elves have taken his old one. They are so busy tearing down Talos they don’t even see the new god taking his place. Also going by the Lorkan as a story teller idea this is them producing, directing, and staring in their own movie.

[@azurengamer9392]

@@valencrow I'm not entirely sure if Lorkhan approves of Talos' status as the god of man, Talos may have been human physically but his soul was that of a dragon meaning his ascension could be seen as Akatosh putting one of his kids as the new god of man to spite their original creator, if that's the case I could see Lorkhan using elven pride to remove Talos and perhaps regain his own divinity at the place of his death(the Adamantine tower) for some good old irony, also given we've faced the elder scrolls equivalent of hell in Oblivion and basically fought dragon Jessus in nordic heaven who better to be the next big threat than a version of Nirn's creator that has regained his god status?

[@OG-ColorfulAbyss.]

Well there's already more than nine deity's, they claim there's only 8 Divines, a type of diety.

[@azurengamer9392]

@@OG-ColorfulAbyss. In terms of named deities that actually did stuff there's about 33 gods I think(not counting the artificial Dwemmer god cause it was never activated).

[@striveprime5993]

It's awesome to see how far FudgeMuppet has come in (almost) the last decade. The first FudgeMuppet video I watched was their Gladiator build back in December of 2014, and I watched a lot of their videos throughout high school (most of which were Skyrim and Fallout 4 builds), but they taught me a new way of roleplaying and playing games, which I genuinely appreciate. Thanks, guys! Excited to see what the future has in store for you!

[@rolandoalvarez5773]

I have made an RP character in ESO who is a Templar of Lorkhan, so this is definitely a good resource for me to consider my character more deeply. Great stuff!

[@VLarraechea]

Sounds like you need a matching guild to go with a character like that! I have one, in case you’re seeking!

[@smakkdapp9502]

May you spread the name of Lorkhan across all of nirn.

[@eliphas_vlka]

@Ice Cold Killa eh it could me Meridian, she’s the goddess of light

[@rimanahbvee]

My rp char in eso is a vampire vampire hunter wood elf devout to azura

[@Jjk58174]

I still think that each player charater is a Shezzarine. Think about it. Each protagonist can choose whatever form they wish, they always appear amidst a time of change and all shape the fate of their part of Nirn.

[@dancincoolkid]

I've always wondered this too, specifically with how the Player Character actually fits into the lore, in-universe. Since we are the PC, we have knowledge beyond the NPCs in TES universe, and we can use said knowledge to manipulate our characters. So, therefore, do our characters possess an intrinsic omnipotence? Do they know how we manipulate them? Have they reached CHIM? Or are they just unwittingly controlled by an external force of which they have no comprehension? It's hard to learn so much about the metaphysics of TES and then somehow try to exclude the PC from said lore ...

[@Jjk58174]

@@dancincoolkid would be awesome if Bethesda ackwoledges this in the future. We can only theorize as it is.

[@deadsoul7409]

That is not a power of shezzar, for you are (not) a god and for you are the one they call the prisoner. Have you ever heard of the term "and the prisoner shall set us free" ? For the prisoner must see the walls of realty the walls that are beyond the Aurbis (the wheel) for their fate is unknown and there's no one controlling them even with the prophecy's the gods claim to have control over did you ever wonder why the aedra and daedra are so interested in you? It's because they know that your fate isn't written and it isn't controlled by anyone except for yourself. You make your own path as we learn from seth(sotha sill in ESO)the prisoner fate is a grand thingh also being a prisoner doesn't mean you're a shezzerin cuz that's a totally different concept. One finale piece of lore is the phrase"YOU ARE (NOT) A GOD" Wich is used for shezzerins such as Tiber septim (those were the first words the numidium said to him because it confused him with lorkhan)​@@dancincoolkid

[@cam5816]

Not me. I’m not. That’s not even close to my name

[@vibes5805]

This video singlehandedly convinced me to actually finish getting my mod setup working after upgrading to version 1.6.640. You've made me fall in love with Elder Scrolls once more. Thank you so much

[@reddeaddude2187]

I would like to think that M'aiq the Liar is the Khajiit version of the Shezzarine. It would explain his presence in several Elder Scrolls games centuries apart and his extensive knowledge of the universe. I mean Hell, if he's Lorkhan in a mortal body, he'd know mundus better than anyone.

[@counselnoblevc3531]

I think he's an aspect of the godhead

[@kylegonewild]

@@counselnoblevc3531 The Toddhead, if you will.

[@cam5816]

@@kylegonewild who’s laughing now?

[@indiaheitzman1064]

M’aiq the Liar is just Lorkhaj how they perceive him. The reason Shor’s missing is because M’aiq roams Skyrim.

[@TheDeinonychus]

You know, I may be late to this discussion, but I think this would very much explain something about the Altmeri Dominion. Specifically why they were so adamant about stopping the worship of Talos. If Mundus is a test set forth by Lorkhan, then what is he testing for? Simple, to find those souls worthy of becoming divine. And if Talos did become divine, that proves Lorkhan was right in his actions, and the Altmer would stop at nothing to prevent that.

[@grandestofomens]

57:36 I seem to recall reading a Mage's guild note in ESO (notably pre-Tiber Septim) discussing how older texts mention jungles in Cyrodiil, but no evidence exists. Lends a lot of credence to this.

[@vexile1239]

Hmm Talos re-wrote reality so that Cyrodill did have those choking jungles in the past and future but the records indicated that the forest did indeed exist

[@eliphas_vlka]

Eso says that it could be the influence of the Towers to adapt to the population of the area, not Talos

[@CaffeinatedKing]

That was because the normal Bethesda team forgot Cyrodil was suppose to be jungle when they made Oblivion, and now later games, as well as the ESO team have no choice but to come up with extra lore to cover this discrepancy.

[@nathangaspar4989]

I really like how Yokudan mythology also explains why the Serpent star sign is so weird

[@OfficialChrissums]

my theory is that Nirn is essentially a mill for spirits. Think about it this way: when Annu created basically everything, it was by dividing itself. Same goes for when the gods created tamriel. Weve seen a constant degrading of magic over the course of the series as the original powers that created everything get more and more diluted. We've seen that spirits are being created automatically on nirn through birth. Prior to mortality, spirits could choose to reduce themselves to create offspring, but few ever did. Lorkhan trapped the gods in nirn and it is their spirits that are being divided over and over to create mortal souls. Those souls then die, go to one of many afterlives, but they continue existing independently of their gods. Daedra and aedra can HARVEST souls, they can CONTROL souls, but they cant unmake them it would seem. They also cant seem to create them, only daedra with vestiges, not mortals with souls. So where do new souls come from? They cant just be generated out of nowhere. my theory is that they come from the earthbones, the trapped gods. Thats why the gods are getting weaker and less obvious in day to day life compared to the early days of creation, and mortals are getting less magical as time goes on. So why do this? I think lorkhan saw that few if any spirits were dividing themselves like the original spirits did, resulting in existence being empty and boring, which annu would have hated since the entire point of creation was differentiation. essentially the gods were very bored. Lorkhan then convinced or tricked a large number of gods to tie themselves up in a mortal realm where they would be trapped and milled into more and more mortal souls through imparting a chunk of their spirit in each mortal born, thus giving the orbus variety. All the cultures, afterlives, realms, etc that the Daedra LOVE to toy with wouldnt exist without this, so whether the great spirits get it or not, they all benefit from this. What would Azura do without people to worship her light? what would Boethiah do without mortals to struggle and do battle? or sheo without minds to corrupt? etc etc. Lorkhan was carrying on Annu's work when his other children were squabbling and sitting around content to be powerful.

[@OfficialChrissums]

I see the various afterlives acting as a way to get souls out before a calper ends. Any souls left on nirn during the end times would likely be reabsorbed into the earthbones, which explains why the dawn is always more magical than the rest of the calper, but each calper seems less magic than the last from what we know (admittedly this is a reach because we dont know much about previous calpers)

[@reesetorwad8346]

No, to every single sentence.

[@NoConsequenc3]

i think it's not so much that magic is bleeding out but that more people are slowly drifting from who they "are" as a fragment of the All (read: soul). They are stagnating in the same way as all layers of gods above them, grown accustomed with the world they inhabit in so far as they let the world define them instead of vice versa. The only souls GAINING enough power to be notable have relatively local effects on reality as if they have power over it, however this often comes with the subject replacing it's external defining habit (the world defines me, a non-god viewpoint) with another external defining habit (The All defines me, as a fragment of the All). This replacement of defining factors without a shift in perspective, filtered through a power based on self-understanding, combine to betray the potentially powerful soul by having their identity as shattered becoming self-evident and thus self-fulfilling, effectively shattering them into pieces. Those who do not shatter do so because they accept limitations on their unlimited form within Mundus (They would most likely prefer "expression of the All" over fragment, as the subtle difference is important to self-identification) , and this seeming contradiction allows survival of their own power of expression. Gods themselves still drift away from purpose i bet though, I'm sure the weakening of the gods is something to do with their own slow losing of the Way (the Way being the path between knowing yourself as a part of the All and knowing yourself as a curator of Mundus)

[@αστρον]

How is magic waning?

[@MoarteaLunii]

Some good ideas

[@HisShadow]

My theory is that Shor isn't dead or missing. He is all around us. He is Nirn. He is the Heart of the World. Essential the game takes place in his plane of Oblivion. He made a world of change. A world of creation. Just like Shor himself is. I believe that Shor is very much alive and aware of what is going on. However, he does not reveal himself because that would be interfering in his children's lives and their freedom that he gave them.

[@Gordoxlmao]

Def an underrated comment!

[@htspencer9084]

I would argue he's too busy playing in his own world as the player characters to listen to prayers and any of that shit.

[@kylegonewild]

"Essentially the game takes place in his plane of Oblivion." This is exactly what Mankar Camoran and the Mythic Dawn believed from a less meta perspective. There are no stories of Daedric princes dying, only being transformed or created. How could something that is actually dead still have so much power and influence? Simple, he's not dead. Changed, perhaps, but not dead. Even if a Daedric prince *could* actually be slain they certainly shouldn't be able to within their own plane of Oblivion.

[@snowmanmanvideo]

​@kylegonewild kinda, they thought it was Mehrunes plane taken by Lorkan. In a way, he was seekingnout the usual mer goal: return to the spirit world. He just thought "if i give dagon the other half of his shit back, we all get to go back to being spirits again"

[@Odinson930]

Thank you so much for posting this video! My d&d campaign is within the Elder Scrolls universe, and Lorkhan plays a massive role in the overarching story. This is such a valuable resource.

[@JoeMazzolaTheFirstPersonCook]

Im about to start a TES d&d campaign and Im so hyped

[@justme0910]

I find the relationship between Lorkhan and Namira endlessly fascinating. Namira is my second favorite Daedric Prince (my favorite is Hermaeus Mora) because I consider her a god of mortality first and foremost - the one who confronts mortals with their own physical existence. She's the sinking feeling in your stomach when you realize that you are made from blood, bile and bowels, fragile, filthy and finite. She's the hunger and pain driving you to do revolting acts in order to survive. And she's the euphoric light-headedness you feel when you overcome your own disgust or a cultural taboo for the thrill of it. In many ways, the many different interpretations of Lorkhan seem to be less about him and more like a reflection of that specific culture's attitude towards Namira's domain. It's a lot easier to gross out a long-lived, perfectionist, prim and proper Altmer with the realities of having a flesh and blood body than, say, a Nord, who is intimately familiar with death and has probably been butchering deer and visiting their family crypt/local Hall of the Dead since they were a child. What I find especially interesting is that in the real world, those cultural differences would be result of environmental influences, while in the TES universe, it's the other way around - the races are shaped by their philosophical outlook right down to their physical attributes, and seek out or happen to settle on lands that are suited to their needs. Really makes me wonder whether evolution by natural selection is even a thing in that world, or it's all supernatural.

[@placeholder2586]

I see namira more as a god of weakness and Lorkan as a god of struggle and hardship. In the khajiit pantheon this appears most clear while Nords care about an honorable death and altmer care for the preservation of their bloodlines the khajiits idealise the true path which is a just life from start to end and demonise bent cats who take the easier way out of straying from the path which the khajiit say is a result of namiras corruption. Lorkhaj struggled against namira from the moment he was born and only ever tricked the gods because of her. Pre riddle thar epiphany khajiit worshipped Lorkhaj as the god of duality the moon prince is the true spirit of Lorkhaj who encourages the khajiit to stick to the harder but just path while the moon beast is the corrupted side that gave in and trys to pull others down and is often used interchangebly with namira herself. And in the reachmen pantheon while the two appear to be on much better terms this dichotomy is still at play. Namiras realm of spirit is completely devoid of hardship while Lork sacraficed himself to create a realm of endless struggle so that spirits may gain deep wisdom. When namira encourages you to gouge down on that corpse it isn't to free you from societal norms or is it to disgust the people around you it is to make you go against your better judgement to give in to the hunger costs be damned while Lorkan is the creator of the arena the mortal trap from which you must escape so you may become a worthy god as the dunmer believe.

[@burnedbread4691]

It's a natural selection of a different kind, let's call it divine competition. Lots of different forces fighting each other to shape the world. The daedra, aedra and all spirits are akin to natural forces, whose dialectic can be read on the flesh of being

[@NoConsequenc3]

If it's really spirits all the way down then it's like hunger games for fractally generated theoretical concepts and the portion we usually interact with is a domain protecting it's inhabitants, somewhat like a culture housing it's references (see: internet memes not really existing in "real life"). If Lorkan is essentially the god of mortality, the breaker of the cycle, the hunger for void, then of course it's domain would be filled with life - life's purpose is to die. Far more death happens if a species survives than if they are all instantly wiped out. This means Lorkan is both the creator of strife, and that the strife allows for continued existence, which explains the difference in interpretation by various notably mortal races and even other gods, almost all of which either helped make the very structure of the place, or faced some kind of loss or setback which has them claiming they were "Tricked" into it - aka Sore Losers who thought they could win hunger games and failed, who's followers now wanna throw the gameboard off the table.

[@kylegonewild]

@@NoConsequenc3 "Far more death happens if a species survives than if they are all instantly wiped out." We call the largest known extinction event in history the "Great Dying" not the "Final Dying" after all.

[@rimanahbvee]

Namira, boethiah and azura are my faves, mora is super cool tho

[@Blessed_V0id]

Thanks guys. I appreciate you twos contribution to my knowledge of the Elder scrolls divines. Please could you consider doing more amazing videos on the religeons of different ages and cultures of Tamriel. I totally understand its your channel, your choice, I just adore these topics ever so

[@______Daniel]

God, you guys are great. Just commenting to drive engagement and say thanks for this awesome video. From the build videos to the lore videos and everything in between, the 15-20+ long form content that I can just put on and “settle in” for a while is amazing.

[@Masterown35]

So if Hammerfell is indeed the setting for ES6, I wonder if we may be able to visit what's left of Yokuda and explore any history of the continent that would be left

[@theonlygodofdragons9266]

This is probably one of the best introductions I've ever heard in a video. Bravo you talented brain you.

[@jaythekid4809]

It brings me no end of joy to see my boy Lorkhan get an hour long video. He's definitely my favorite deity in the Elder Scrolls universe. Awesome content as always.

[@Hildr]

I always keep your videos for my "self-care day". I love listening to them when I want calm and peacefulness. Thank you !

[@badluck5647]

Did Lorkhan warn some of the Daedra Princes of the dangers of creation so the selected princes could retain the power to lead the mortals? Boethiah and the other good daedra reject the lies of Aedra, and they taught the Chimer about achieving the Psijic Endeavor within Lorkhan's creation. Azurah in the Khajiit myth acts like a type of Aedra, but she was spared from the downsides of creation. She remained as the leader and teacher of both the Khajiit and Dunmer. Hircine is believed by the Reachmen to take the mantel of Lorkh to lead the world of flesh. His harsh lessons have prepared the Reachmen to better themselves through suffering within Lorkh's creation.

[@infernaldaedra]

Those aware of chim and the dreamer understood the powers of belief. their manifestation is of a power that leads in the minds of mortals. The daedra may feed on the beliefs of mortals

[@Super50ldier]

Actually, Azura is the patron/creator of the Khajiit and Boethiah is the patron of the Dunmer.

[@badluck5647]

@@Super50ldier Azurah is the patron god of the Khajiit, while Azura, Boethiah, and Mephala are the three patron gods of the Chimer.

[@badluck5647]

@@Super50ldier Obviously, they are the same god. The Chimer followed the three good daedra. To exclude Azura and Mephala from the Chimer pantheon is like saying the Dunmer follow Vivec and not the Tribunal.

[@badluck5647]

@@Super50ldier After the initial exodus from Summerset, Azura seems to be the one taking a more active role in Dunmer society. In ES3: Morrowind and ESO: Morrowind, Azura and her followers are the ones pushing the plot forward. There is a reason that Nerevar is the "Champion of Azura" instead of the champion of Boethiah.

[@clavesseptem7223]

I love your dramatic readings/"documentary"-like videos, Fudge. These are always excellent. I put these on when I'm working on mods and the like.

[@alizerwarynd7620]

This was phenomenal and highly informative, just learning more on how the Reachman’s opinion on Lorhk is similar to the Dunmer’s interpretations was fascinating. 😮

[@Robplayswithdragons]

i need to say this... that was the most thought provoking video essay i have ever watched of a video games myth history.. my man you are an amazing researcher to find this much about the shor(etc) god, wow just, wow

[@fresh2182]

Totally appreciate the longer format, keep it up! BTW I miss the streams with all three of you guys talking about lore SO BAD! I know Drew is doing his own thing now and the vibe isn't the same with just two of you, but it would be awesome if you guys could team up with Camel again or find someone else to stand in for some more streams

[@DaySun88]

Thank you for putting something so well produced on KZbin. It’s amazing quality stuff. I was on a walk listening to this and just realize this is a KZbinr and it’s blowing my mind audiobook quality stuff.😊😊😊

[@kerianhalcyon2769]

It would be great if there was a culture in Tamriel/Mundus that treats Lorkhan with the same respect that real-world human cultures give to their dead gods. I would love to roam the wastes of Hammerfell, the cold tundras of Skyrim, or the jungles of Black Marsh and find a hidden temple of lost Elves, Beasts, or Men who once worshipped the Missing God the same way the Egyptians worshipped Osiris - a god whose deeds in life shaped his eventual sphere in death, where the closing of his eyes in the mortal world led to his rule and kingship in the world of the spirit. We "technically" get that with Nord worship of Shor but in practicality we never really see it put into action in the current games in favor of the Cyrodiilic Pantheon.

[@bob450v4]

I love when a new vid gets recommended this is my comfort content

[@bob450v4]

Also I love the cinimatics.

[@acidrat420]

sick album covers lol, I feel like I haven't seen something like that in a lore related video ever. nice touch!

[@sidetracker3496]

I have a question. Do you think that Auriel/Akatosh actually did complete the Psijic Endevour upon his "ascension" and realised the true goal behind Lorkhan's actions and deception and this is why he then favoured Men and Alessia's rebellion. His realization of the true meaning of the great challange and a sort of thankfullness and way to make ammends for his actions in the Dawn Era.

[@Ravi9A]

Makes a lot of sense retroactively

[@dancincoolkid]

Not sure if they agree, but I do like this theory a lot. Makes more sense of Akatosh's (and, by extension, maybe Paarthurnax's?) motivations.

[@eemelikorteniemi3966]

As someone stated in a different comment, Talos being both shezzarine and dragonborn would embody reconciliation between Auriel and Lorkhan and I do agree with that. For Talos to be both, it has to be a sign of this shift in Auriel. Even more so if Talos truly became the ninth divine and rebirth of Lorkhan as a god once again

[@vanderin]

"The Beginners Guide to Elder Scrolls Lore" is something I'd call class 101. This is class 201. This video built on everything that was discussed between the two, and was great to watch as a long time ES player. Thank you for doing this. (edit, grammar)

[@SadCaligula]

The Mythic Dawn argument is lowkey pretty convincing...

[@KhaziirEverflight]

it's honestly what i personally subscribe to, that Mundus is Lorkhans Deadric realm...

[@SorcererKing94]

Daedra are those who took no part in creation of the world. They did not sacrifice themselves to form the world. Aedra, on the other hand sacrificed themselves in order to create the world. Lorkhan did sacrifice himself and hence why he's an Aedra. So Mythic Dawn theory gets it wrong in first part. It's literally a parody of tinfoil theorists.

[@SadCaligula]

@@SorcererKing94 Yeah fair, but also it's fun.

[@22CAJ]

Incredible video. This gave me an understanding of Elder Scrolls lore that I only had bits and pieces of before. Thank you so much for explaining all this!

[@marystone860]

Enjoyed this one greatly! Because of it, I see the Reachmen in a whole new way, and I never heard the part that Lorkaj was mourned over. Put so much context and emotion behind it! A statement of mine goes that I think that Mankoar Cameron was right or mostly right about a lot of things! If The Last Dragonborn is Lorkhan reborn, (which is basically the case by this point!), that could provide another explaination on how and why The Last Dragonborn is chosen by the Night Mother to be the new Listener of the Dark Brotherhood so fast, not just the sad state of affairs the organization finds itself in during the events of Skyrim!

[@cslack813]

Dude you are making graduate thesis level analysis on Elder Scrolls lore. It’s incredible and wonderfully made.

[@freshhands9461]

The more I follow virtual scholars such as yourself, the more respect I gain for Tamriel's mythology. Inspiring stuff. Thanks a lot for your contribution!

[@jasperreyes5174]

Too bad the Authors who worked on the Old Games who made all this Lore no longer has a hand on the Games to come... Look at 343 Studios and Halo for an example of how bad things can get...

[@dragonberrymead9525]

Fantastic video as always Fudgemuppet! Very insightful.

[@andrewgreenwood9068]

This got me thinking. What if the deadra represent limitations, things like madness, disease, destruction ECT while the Magna Ge represent potential and the Aedra represent constants like love and time, things that both help and hinder growth.

[@dmin5782]

It's not that simple. The et'ada are all gods with many powerful abilities outside of their spheres. Destruction is not limitation and is a pretty broad thing. You can destroy your limtations (like the old order or authority) to rise. The Skeleton Key of Nocturnal also unlocks your potential. Molag Bal creates undead, as opposed to the limits of mortality like Arkay's sphere Etc. Plus all of them can make their followers immortal if they wish to.

[@ColonelBobfed]

This is one of the greatest parts of all the lore, awesomely put together video

[@Vailyn]

How much I love the videos of this channel. Thanks for these detailed and qualitative videos. Wonderful to listen to and to look at. Thank you! 💜

[@FudgeMuppet]

Thank you very much 😊

[@realzachfluke1]

This is incredible, Scott, beautiful work. Thanks so much, man. This is my favorite type of stuff to see from you, and I'll always be extremely grateful for it, including for all the effort and time you put into them.

[@andrewmiffitt7973]

the mythic dawn concept actually makes an uncomfortable amount of sense. in other planes of oblivion, would the respective daedric god’s lieutenants not seem as gods within the plane? It is as good an explanation as any. The only contrasting argument is like, the entire ending of Oblivion ig.

[@Royalscriber5633]

Glad to have some in depth detail on Lorkan. Have an old oc who closely connected to Lorkan but in honesty he's just my own personal character from Oblivion who I've been trying to workout a fanfic for for a while. I'm even more enthusiastic about his role now because even before watching this I was considering making him, not the main character, but the major struggle that the world must face to remain strong for he will be the immortal core of most if not all problems in the world, not to destroy it like some of the deadra, but to force mortals to remain strong for he is not the worst enemy they will face hinting at many coming disasters to the world. One limitation he enforces most is not to be to complacent for complacency will lead to weakness and an opening for the end of all. All must not end for then it all will have been for nothing.

[@TheDigitalWatcher]

Your talk about Lorkhan as the storyteller made me wonder if he's the Elder Scrolls themselves - the titular items - the plot elements that fortell critical points in history that make good stories.

[@Silver_Ws_t]

I’ve always liked the thought that each player character is a shezarrine, because one of the creators, the players making choices and characters, slinking around experiencing their creations.

[@templecreations2351]

Yesss! Lorkhan vid! Elder scrolls lore is something else man, what a believable world! What a relatable struggle in a fantasy setting ❤

[@jrasealexander5480]

We are the missing God. It is our hand that guides the Champions of Man. We play the strings of Nirn's Fate from beyond Aetherius. We have seen every fantastic possibility, for we have seen and lived each and every Dragon Break. Our mind exists as Elder Scrolls and our heart is the Heart of the World. We are Lorkhan.

[@jermonejackson8437]

I'm okay with this for self reflection and struggle show the true nature of a "man" limitations are sometimes meant to be broken after the experience but then again I'm not expert on life or philosophy

[@malachimusclerat]

i feel like you could upload this to the podcast feed, it’s a small thing but it’s annoying accidentally opening youtube ads on my phone when it’s in my pocket. great vid though, i love these comprehensive overviews

[@Cyrathil]

"In the light of Anu, there is no creation just existence. It just *is*' TIL Anu is Todd Howard.

[@deadlullaby648]

Azura's heavy influence in so many places and mythologies as well as active events, and then the prominent figure she plays in the creation of the Khajit and especially her place as the one who kills their version of Lorkhan makes me think she might have a hidden importance in the cosmos as a whole or at least the aspects of the gods

[@vettamarrero6839]

I would love if future games or spin offs had extra sub races. Reachmen, Shadow Scales, a few Khajit Varients, maybe even Nords of the rare Giant’s Blood. I think it would be cool to have Reachmen, since truly they feel different enough to be either a sub-race of Bretons, or their own separate race.

[@vince7906]

Bro, you have the best voice on the channel. I listen to fudgemuppet every night when I fall asleep.

[@bronoculars2551]

Absolutely SENSATIONAL deep dive👌I like the Talos 2.0 theory because it would help explain the particular reverence the nords have for him.

[@SorcererKing94]

In Michael Kirkbride's document on the Nordic Totemic pantheon, Talos is on of the Twilight Gods along with Alduin. This means that after Alduin devours the current world/kalpa, only Talos and Alduin will survive into the next and will be worshipped as gods. It's likely that Talos will take up Shor's role in the next kalpa. "The Dragonborn God, Talos - Talos’ totem is the newest, but is everywhere - he is the Dragonborn Conquering Son, the first new god of this cycle, whose power is consequently unknown, so the Nords bless nearly everything with his totem, since he might very well be the god of it now, too. Yes, as first of the Twilight Gods, this practice might seem contradictory, but that’s only because, of all the gods, he will be the one that survives in whole into the next cycle."

[@martynaredka883]

Not many things make me as excited as when you upload :)

[@matthewcopley7679]

So..... in a way we as the main characters, movers and shakers, Prophets of the Scrolls, the catalyst, The Reader and Subject of Scrolls, The Shazarrines, The gods who walk, and the ascending. WE ARE A PART OF LORKHAN.

[@jermonejackson8437]

That maybe true and I'm all for it

[@realzachfluke1]

I love how well these are thought out, Michael! These are some of my favorite of your work, no doubt about it (and I'd love to see more, like a Namira one maybe!!!) 🤓

[@9365fall]

In a sense, I guess only a Shezerine could mantle Sheogorath, only a sherzerine could fight the mythic dawn. It's fitting the player character can become a champion of all the Daedric Princes.

[@logical_thinker]

I love how things from Hindu mythology are used in the Elder Scrolls franchise, “Anu” means the atom, also regarded as the first particle of creation, “Kalpa” broadly means an aeon, generally between the creation and recreation of a universe.

[@N_0_I_Z_E]

I always found it weird how there was a destroyed wayshrine thing in Oblivion that you didn't have to pray at to get the Crusader armour even back then I always figured that there must have been a forgotten God or something

[@BellXllebMusic]

It could have been mannimarco also since he became a god in Daggerfall

[@UmbralDawn]

Thank you. This is helping me get through a long day at work, today

[@thalmoragent9344]

Auriel and Lorkhan are the most interesting Gods to me. Their Dichotomy as the prime Et'Ada, manifestations of Anu and Padomay Lorkhan's interest in the creation of the Mundus, him wanting his siblings and kin to help him shape this realm, why he may or may not have spoken his full intent with regards to some of the Gods, most notably many of the Elven and perhaps Yokudan Gods. The story of the Et'Ada of the Dawn Era gets me every time. The family of gods, how they interacted with their personalities, and how they placed their own ideals upon the Mundus. Who took who's side when the war amongst Et'Ada and Ehlnofey started. If the next War for the Dawn (or I guess, a War in the Dusk) is to be anything like the previous one, I'd be most interested in the speculation of such a war, and who shall take up arms for which side. And who will remain neutral.

[@thalmoragent9344]

(Open to Theories regarding this)

[@badluck5647]

I just enjoy how every culture, with a few exceptions, has some interpretation of the two gods.

[@placeholder2586]

My biggest question for the second dawn War is how the daedra would be involved. Since creation so many daedric Lords have flocked to Lorkans banner. Azura, mehrunes dagon, hircine, boethia, and mephala. Even some other spirits which aren't exactly pro lorkhan such as namira or peryite might join him. I feel if there is a second dawn War it would be far more brutal than the first and I am here for it.

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@placeholder2586 You could argue it's because he's their patron Et'Ada. Lorkhan is darkness incarnate, derived from Padomay then Sithis. Just as Auriel is the King of the truly Anuic gods. So I don't see it as surprising that the more chaotic Gods of Oblivion would side with him (although, Dagon could also be seen as an adversary given the situation regarding him trying to help topple Mundus) But I can see Malacath of course returning to Auriel's side as he did ad Trinimac. Would Meridia truly abandon her part of the family when it came down to such a war, or was her leaving last time only done due to the fact that the war was over and the lines already drawn and regarded

[@placeholder2586]

@@thalmoragent9344 yeah but that wasn't a good enough reason fro them to join the first time around so what's changed. The daedra completely disregarded lorkhan and his plans when they were in action but at least for now so many of them are claiming to be the carriers of his legacy. I wonder how many of them are just using his name as a rallying call and which ones would actually be on his side

[@DralhaEureka]

Wow, I think I might actually buy into the Mythic Dawn's theory a little.

[@Cronoo]

This was surprisingly philosophical.

[@rileyhumphrey4391]

dood. that fucking clip at 38:17 😳 that is top notch voice acting, but goddam if that isn't beautiful writing too!!😵‍💫

[@______Daniel]

Also- is there an implication that the PLAYER is the Shezzarine? I know there’s a section that talks about meta-Lorkhan as creating the game, but with all the choice and chaos the player drives, they could be the Shezzarine too!

[@MysticVokkai]

Might be my favorite video yet 👌👌

[@wolfydawolf1296]

Every time I hear about the Khajiit versions of mythologic stories, especially the creation tale and especially in context of how it differs from the other races'/cultures' versions, I find myself liking the khajiit version the best.

[@ChristopherSadlowski]

There's a kind of poetry to their mythology. It's also visceral; you can practically feel the gods and their stories.

[@avg.player]

4:30 Love the Pelinal Whitestrake reference!

[@eduardoenrique7152]

I've always thought, maybe naively, that the mythic dawn is partially right in their interpretation of lorkhan. In tes lore, planets are both the plane of gods and the gods themselves. Every aspect and concept of cosmology is represented by a greater or lesser god. We have canon proof of this fact in the warp of the west, where mannimarco became a god and his body became the necromancer's moon. Why should nirn be different from the rest then? Lorkhan IS nirn just as akhat is akatosh. The heart of lorkhan is literally the beating heart of the world. The betrayer gods put forth the lie that nirn or the mortal plane was formed by the aedra from the remnants of their own creation due to the trickery and influence of lorkhan, but in reality, the 8 are gods playing the part of a benevolent pantheon in the cold "dead" body of another god. Planets creating another planet just doesn't feel like a good in lore explanation. For me, lorkhan sphere is mortality itself and his plane is the mortal world.

[@HappyBazinga]

While other worlds have inhabitants, dremora, they are quite different from mortals in the sense that they are not mortal, they cant die.

[@nathanrosman-bakehouse359]

I miss the podcast. I was working nights at the time and it got me through alot of long hours.

[@philswaim392]

I feel like lorkhan is the name of the one who dreams. And the dream essentially killed its dreamer. Or at least has sealed it. Locking it in slumber I feel like every player character is a lorkhanite. It is the dreamer playing in the dream and trying to set things in motion to wake up

[@dicynodon1018]

yessss ❤ Lorkhan, guys this is awesome! thanks so much!

[@countbooga6997]

I just wanted to say, I have been on a huge prehistoric pagan religion binge lately, looking a lot into indo European and Vedic traditions/pantheons and the elder scrolls lore has given me a better understanding of our ancient beliefs better than any video on their ideas specifically. Thank you so much fudge Muppet for giving me a connection to our ancestors and my childhood at the same time. Don't listen to what people say about you man, you're an amazing content creator, I'm excited to see wat you put out in the future

[@EL-sj8fh]

I think a lot of people that enjoy the Elder Scrolls have not played ESO. It would be nice to maybe have more videos that dive into aspects of ESO stories and lore that is missed by more casual fans.

[@PichNuts]

Agree 🤝

[@infernaldaedra]

The problem is ESO lore isn't canon

[@2cold2touch17]

^This right here. ESO is a lot of fun but canon it is not.

[@RedSpade37]

Hey all, I played ESO, but then life started to become more demanding, and I fell away from the game. I heard there was a new storyline that incorporates Lorkhan, but I'm not sure about it. Any info?

[@JustAsteria58]

​​@@infernaldaedra@2cold2touch17 ESO is canon, sorry. Abuse copium all you want but Bethesda has confirmed multiple times that is is. Hell, the majority of this video's lore comes from fucking ESO.

[@damientorres8988]

Every time you have a gap in post I always know it’s going to be great when you post again

[@placeholder2586]

Lorkhans always been my favourite god in the elder scrolls and I've always been disappointed that there were no big comprehensive videos on KZbin so I litteraly fistbumped when I saw this

[@Samuel42069]

Very appreciate your perspective on limitations and creativity. Best part of video. But very good video as a whole. You kinda didnt include Lorkhan incarnating in the world but you indirectly said many times that he does so very nice.

[@mjrtaurus2714]

If the Godhead is the collective creators of the Elder Scrolls Series, perhaps that would mean that we, the player, are Lorkhan themself.

[@SteadFast411]

There are plenty who interpret the Player Characters as this, or moreso that they're all Shezarrine - mortal incarnations of Shor. This couples with the likes of Pelinal, who is interpreted heavy-handedly as a Shezarrine, and is sometimes jokingly seen as a Player Character from an Elder Scrolls game we've never gotten to play; it sorta fits some of his more outlandish concepts like his frankly horrific bodycount (which, if you play ANY of these games, your hero also amasses a similar level of corpses in their wake), his seeming immortality, his erratic behaviour, sometimes not needing food or rest etc. Part of interpreting Shezarrine as Player Characters is a funny bit of cope for stiching up parts of the lore Bethesda aren't as tight on, but there are definitely serious pieces of evidience to back the claim up. How being a Shezarrine, as well as the Dragonborn (as gifted by Akatosh, who is heavily opposed to Lorkan), or Nerervarine gets a bit messy, but then again so does nearly all aspects of Elder Scrolls mythology. At worst, it always births a lot of fun roleplaying ideas, which is the point of all this to begin with.

[@trevorsamuels8392]

After hearing that bit about Lorkhan's followers swearing blood vengeance on the heirs or followers of Auriel, that sounds like the nords and the elves to a T. Lending even more credence to the notion that humans in the elder scrolls universe used to essentially be deadra or deadra-like. It's even supported by the dream sleeve that Mani Marco mentions in oblivion.

[@MichaelStratton1993]

My question is, if the Dragonborn is an avatar of Akatosh and the Shizarrine is an avatar of Shor, and these two figures are mortal enemies, can one be both Shizzarine and Dragonborn simultaneously?

[@ghostpasha9076]

answer: dragon break

[@zanthe_]

I think this is one of the most interesting Elder Scrolls videos I've ever seen.

[@Ashathefree8]

What if the shezzarine is the player character? They come and change the world and then leave, does lead to issues with things like sheogorath, but isnt madness and chaos change in a certain form? Lines up with the last dragonborn very well though, and the neverine it lines up in that they end the lie of the tribunal and the reassurance of the psijic endeavor.

[@Ashathefree8]

Which leads to an interesting idea of the player being the forgotten god, this is our world isnt it? We mold it as we see fit, in game and outside it with mods. We put on different skins of the player character in different games and different playthroughs.

[@Ashathefree8]

Which then leads to interesting narratives in each of the games based on the antagonists you face, the Thalmor, who based on the theory proposed at fudge muppet, seek to undo your work, alduin, who seeks to eat the world supposedly, and if not than seek dominion over it and turn it into a stagnant thing. The mythic dawn cult, who claim to be fighting in vengeance of you, yet you oppsoe them, you want this world in its chaotic form.

[@alexandermason-sx2og]

57:33 I was today years old when I noticed the model he uses for Pelinal Whitestrake sitting there listening to Heimskr

[@SakuraRyokoMusic]

What if Maiq the Liar is a hidden aspect of Lorkhan? 😅🤣

[@NavJack27gaming]

Your videos are always a visual masterpiece. Such great camera work and usage of visual mods to accent the natural beauty of the worlds. The post processing work and editing just pull it all together. There is nary an aliased edge or a visual oddity like a screen space reflection artifact. Love every single one of your videos. The only improvement would be a mythical ray tracing mod and some HDR goodness on the video. Keep it up. Oh yeah, the lore dive is good too 😛 !

[@GuukanKitsune]

He's not missing. You're standing on him. Nirn itself is Lorkhan's (mostly dead) body.

[@GarrettOtt-ls2ml]

I like to think that when the Dwemer disappeared they became the Aedra and Deadra at the beginning of time with little to no memory of being Dwemer.... Creating sort of a time loop with no true beginning but it kinda makes since if you really think about it.

[@EJDubbz]

The nice thing about TES lore is that it is a bunch of riffs on the same simple story and all versions are the correct one.