Skyrim Lore: Clavicus Vile Secrets!

The Daedric Prince of Bargains and Wishes!
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Support me on Patreon! ► / mrrhexx
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Music
"Music for Manatees" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons...
Rest of the music using copilot and Skyrim's OST
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Art
Special thanks to Savannah Burgess, Ancallis, Cactusy, Lryen Jiang, Mister Kristeval, Pavel Shipilin, Radishez and Rising Monster for being awesome and creating great art for Clavicus Vile.
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[@AndersRose]

I've heard the lore behind Umbra a few times and I always got lost part way through. I completely understand it now! Awesome job

[@thebeastofwolfs410]

So around the 40 year of the fourth era the city was summon to Tamriel by the argonia but once it arrived on nirn it attack black marsh and try to use the white gold tower to escape Clavicus Vile and finally be free

[@gaaraofthefunk7163]

Bloodykiss147 Seriously, bruh. He left no room for confusion.

[@GreebleClown]

12:20 Funny that, in one of my saves I tried to see what would happen/if it was possible to kill Vivec. The plan: 1. Sneak attack with bow. 2. Exit temple and heal if hit. 3. Repeat 1 and 2 until victorious. Well, it worked. And I exited the temple to see in the distance a mob of the entire city rushing towards me, howling for my blood. I had now become the most hated thing on the planet. I avoided the mob by using my Pants of Levitation, and was able to air-walk far enough to where they had lost sight of me. Only for it to repeat at the next town as soon as I talked to someone. The slavers were even letting the slaves out of the cages so they could join in the hunt for my head. Not even the wilds were safe, as even the non-agressive creatures would attack me on-sight. Same with the Thieves Guild, there was nothing I could do to get this bounty off my head. ... not even sure there was a bounty... My game had become completely unplayable. And it was glorious. :D

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

Thank you for sharing that. I know now that this is possible and what will happen. Awesome lol

[@caseybutler9101]

Dude. This is why I donate. Unbelievable content. I've played a shitload of Skyrim and ESO combined but there's so much cool history outside them. Thanks for the video!!

[@iKatOverLord]

Send more 😉😉😉

[@MrRhexx]

I always appreciate the donations! Thanks for the support :D

[@adriancantay8981]

Damn Skyrim won't die. Still a Great game to this day

[@mephallyonakutzubazi92]

I love how you can pick up a book in this game, get hooked and completely immersed. just like an actual book.

[@KalaamNozalys]

One thing I always wondered is why the playercharacter never gets any side effect when in possession of weapons like Umbra. I know it's because the devs didn't bother implementing it or didn't have time, but still. That would be interresting to have to resist Umbra's control. Dealing with things like hallucinations of people suddenly attacking the player etc. That's always why there is no illusion mages to fight in the games, i suppose being under the effect of a frenzy spell would look like that.

[@caseybutler9101]

Often the playercharacter in the games has some special attribute that prevents certain effects or adds to them, that's how I like to think of it. In Skyrim, being Dovahkiin basically makes you superhuman compared to other characters. In ESO, you're a soulless character, which makes you immune to a lot of other stuff. But I totally agree that adding more consequences to your actions would make for AWESOME gameplay haha

[@blindtreeman8052]

It wouldnt make sense gamedesign wise to be given a sword strong enough to basically topple a god. So instead we were given cool trophies. Plus it would be cooler if your player character is a legendary figure for their own strength rather than wielding(or being wielded in umbra's case) a cheat item

[@KalaamNozalys]

@@caseybutler9101 For Eso yeah it makes total sense. For skyrim not so sure, but ok we can say that dragons are immune to illusion. In oblivion tho' you are just a normal mortal. (which is what i liked) and there was a quest during which you have hallucinations, that was cool

[@martijnbakker1277]

@@KalaamNozalys Before TES V rewrote a big deal of the lore surrounding dragonborns, the true powers of a dragonborn was that he could see more than normal man. Maybe that's why you're immune to hallucinations, because you see straight through them.

[@KalaamNozalys]

@@martijnbakker1277 That would give an explanation yes. I hope in TES 6 we aren't totally immune to it though, it could be fun^^ Can be something like everyone around us turning into an ennemy so we cannot tell who's friendly or not, or seeing everyone as our follower/spouse/etc for the calming spells. For fear spells we could see damages being higher than what they actually are (suddenly seeing our health or magicka bar dropping to critical levels)

[@MrRoninFist]

I read the Infernal City and the Lord of Souls. It wasn't bad. Vile is also one of my favorite Princes. Great video!

[@neroarts4857]

I've watched every single one of your lore videos and each time you find new interesting things to talk about.. you're amazing ♡

[@IRLSpain]

Love this, Rhexx.

[@The053199]

That sleeping tree camp explanation blew my mind. Its such a plain thing yet it holds so much significance

[@mordecaigaming115]

I read this book about Umbra, that was shipped in the 40 buck edition of Skyrim back when it came out. Now it all makes sense!

[@henry7001]

Same

[@julienmorozof8082]

1:54 That’s my screenshot :D ! I did not expected to see it outside the Nexus... That’s awesome !

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

Congrats!

[@erikovsky4623]

I was playing ESO,doing the Vvardenfell questline and discovered that Barbas is actually a SHAPESHIFTER

[@MrRhexx]

Unfortunately it sorta escaped me while writing the script to talk more about his different shapes, i regret not putting that in.

[@pelinalwhitestrake4196]

@@MrRhexx You should do a lore vid on the Lord's servants like good ole Barb and sheo's insane man in solitude.

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

@@pelinalwhitestrake4196 yes please! Judging from this video, you can easily be the #1 elder scrolls channel! Edit: actually, @MrRexx let me know if I can strike a deal with you. If so, I'll give that Patreon page a visit to work out that trade. I really want to see that video!

[@sevenheavens-gj9qq]

All princes are. I think Barbas/Vile is just particularly more prolific in it and does it more often enough to be known for it.

[@samuelmeasa9283]

This guy reminds me of all those stories where you ask for something then regret it in the end. Stories like King Midus and the golden touch. Or Disney's Gargoyles and Doctor Who's gift of immortality, by turning you into stone.

[@michaelhowze8198]

Faustian bargains are quite common in fiction

[@ProneCreature47]

Pretty good video. Definitely a huge improvement from your past lore videos. Couple of nitpicky things on my end (grr, no mention of Djinn or the Cyrodiil Vampyrum Order), but otherwise, decent video. 8/10 A few things that could've been mentioned: 1. The Hist trees that exist in the Fields are called the Um-Hist. 2. It's not explicitly stated, but it's heavily implied that Vile reabsorbed Umbra into himself during the climax of the Lord of Souls novel. 3. Aside from containing half of his cosmic power, Barbas acts as the literal embodiment of Vile's conscience, his 'Jiminy Cricket', if you will. Cut dialogue from Vile's quest in Skyrim states that Barbas is literally Vile's 'morals'. _So sayeth the Clavicus Vile guru_

[@Deedo_67]

Mmm Skyrim lore

[@corvus208]

Mmmm tasty

[@lostliberty9913]

18:00 its a book called the floating isle. Killed by Syl an even more mysterious Dark elf who dealt with Daedric princes, a girl master alchemist turned Floating isle soul cook who became an unwilling immigrant to the floating isle and a fool prince of Cheydinhal. Hope this helps.

[@Nakawanga]

I've researching about Clavicus, because I'm about to cosplay him. I've already watched a ton of Videos, but this is handsdown the best!! Now I really truly understand all the lore. Thank you!!

[@wyvvernstone]

That was an amazing video essay. It answered a few of my lingering questions about the elder scrolls universe and gave a few more connections that I wasn't even aware of. Very well done sir. 👏

[@davidpower5710]

0:58 is that two 😱

[@UltravioletRabbit]

Your videos are so freaking enjoyable. Seriously, your voice, the quality editing and the interesting yet somewhat hidden pieces of lore you present... Love it. Keep up the grreat work Rhexx!

[@deadaccount7520]

getting umbra was usually the first thing I would do on a oblivion play through. As you can get it without ever starting his quest. In fact I had used it for a very long time without ever realizing it was a daedric artifact. For anyone who doesn't know the trick. Go down in the underground location where Umbra is. Stand as far away from her as you can. And hit her with a ranged attack. Then RUN! After exiting the dungeon get some distance from entrance and look back to make sure she is still following. Lead her to the west entrance of the imperial city and stand back. You are getting ready to see more imperial guard killed than you would believe possible. You may even have to lead her into a different district if she kills all the guards. But they will eventually kill her. Giving you access to the most powerful sword in the game. A full suit of ebony armor. And at least a dozen imperial guard to loot.fyi of course make a save b4 attempting this. For reasons unknown sometimes the guard will try to arrest you instead of her.

[@madbrosheo1514]

When you think you know all there is to know about The Elder Scrolls series. MrRexx: "Allow me to introduce myself."

[@shadenox8164]

Makes you wonder how power Vile was initially considering how powerful he still is despite giving away or having pieces of his power stolen.

[@ferguspitcher7911]

This is the best bit of ES Lore Bethesda has ever produced. I love the way everything links together. Never knew Clavicus Vile has such interesting Lore

[@peryite9979]

Fergus Pitcher hope he’s the prince that is the main focus of the es6 dlc

[@TheroceanGames]

I love Clavicus Vile. He’s pretty neat. But Rhexx you should try to upload more if possible

[@eld3sblu313]

It's funny because I did this quest and the statue disappeared and the dog was still with me but he only barked at me.

[@madmysticmeister]

I like the tes series because there is always something I forgotten about or just don’t know about. Good video!

[@gstvntt]

It would be nice that in the next tes we see umbra sword again I imagine its blade being totally composed of Black soul gem crystal, and its guard and hilt golden adorned ebony and its pommel a Black Pearl Oh what a beauty

[@gaaraofthefunk7163]

The end of Clavicus Vile, Mr. Rhexx? I think not. If anything you’ve shared with us, goes to prove that somehow, this Daedra Prince has the uncanny ability to restore and expand so much power that no matter what ends up happening in the end, he still stands. As a trader, I believe this is a temporary set back, no more 😝

[@CallumHoy]

When someone uses one of your first art pieces made using a graphics Tablet in an Elder Scrolls video. Feels Awesome! haha

[@vincentlau6325]

I like how Molag Bol probably the most evil of daedric princes isn't even as strong as daedric princess like Calvicus Vile and Sanguine lol

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

With everything said about Barbus in this video, now we can ask, philosophically, "why does he want you to kill Barbus?"

[@tylerpimentel906]

It may be the same reason he sought to destroy Umbral. It implied upon the being's death that Vile's power was returned. It stands to reason that Barbus' death would do the same. Essentially Vile would be free again and at full strength.

[@sevenheavens-gj9qq]

@@tylerpimentel906agreed, of course, Barbas would return with time but while he’s not? All the reins are off. Barbas isn’t there to dissuade him, stop him, calm him. He’ll just be completely chaotic. This is why they say never make a deal with Clavicus Vile when he is without Barbas.

[@bilalmalik2315]

Please much more lore videos like this! Youre my favorite skyrim lore youtuber!

[@thegrape8415]

holy fucc this video is good!

[@cloudstrife5174]

This video was more just about secret of Vile its also had lot information of Umbra too. Love your lores btw. If you could make a secret video about Serana and her mother and father's relation ship and about Serana I would so happy. I love her she is my favorite female character in skyrim. :) I really wanna know full story of her life. I dont think wont be much to tell because she been stuck in a crypt all the time but she is old and has huge history :)

[@saintwabbajack]

Before everything its a pleasure to have you as our elder scrolls storyteller again, its been a long time

[@edwardoliveira1748]

Good to see you doing more Elder Scrolls Content. :)

[@bernardolima3065]

If someone ever captured Rhexx's feel of his lore videos to actual history, people would be a lot more knowledgeable.

[@pestilence6908]

More Skyrim lore thank you I've been watching Skyrim lore on your channel 5 years back still amazing

[@emberwolf545]

Do you think the reason Clavicus Vile can manifest himself so well on Nirn is because of the Hist trees? The trees posing a direct link from his realm in Oblivin to the lands of Nirn? (Just my speculation)

[@HearianKrupski]

Liked before I watched, thanks! I can’t watch these right away usually. It makes me want to play the series.

[@themk4982]

A really well made video that's explained a lot to me that I never understood before, thanks!

[@erniemiller1953]

As the theory that Oblivion was the story of Sheogorath, I hold that Skyrim is the story of Clavicus Vile.

[@michaelhowze8198]

It's fairly clear that the HOK becomes Sheogorath at the end it's more fact then theory.

[@chornobyl8857]

clavicus is literally just a demonic Austin Powers lmao

[@TheGrossDemon]

When the realization hits that you've been traveling with Clavicus, which kinda explains why barbos is such an ass, pushing me off cliffs and barking constantly so I can't even hide in the ash

[@AwesomeRara]

Omg MrRhexx haven’t seen you in forever around these parts

[@StenCZE]

Man, it has been several years since I last played Skyrim but I love these videos! Thank you for your work. It kind of makes me want to spend few hundred hours more in that game :) Thanks!

[@dakenscholz3585]

I've always thought that I hadn't given enough thought & time to Clavicus Vile. Now I might have a new favorite Daedric Prince! Thank you for the amazing content!!!

[@berilsevvalbekret772]

Actually he got his power and land back I believe.

[@arvetis]

Lucifer means "lightbearer" in all translations of Latin. Not a controversial linguistic subject.

[@magikplissken3158]

Dude u mind making one about hiercine, would like to know more about him

[@digunder14]

seems kinda ironic that the trickster god wound up being the god of getting tricked basically

[@schroeder7m78]

I absolutely love these. This is why I donate on patreon.

[@59hawks]

not gonna lie, I forgot the channel name and to subscribe the first time. luckily the 2 details I remembered 1. this is a video topic you did. 2. was music for manatees. now I found you again.

[@thekinggoblin639]

I would ask the Clavicus Vile to change place with him. In exchange, that would make half the Mundus living form disappear. Then when someone would ask me to make them all respawn I would give him that in exchange for some jumping music!

[@dreadnought448]

Honestly always thought he was a just Skyrim’s version of Loki

[@jacobbagnall2915]

That was captivating , i couldn't stop watching .

[@shanegreene6398]

Great video. About the last part, I don't think the daedric princes can be completely destroyed. By mortals anyway. I'm no expert but they always seem to pop back up.

[@logandh2]

It’s always been funny to me that Clavicus is far from the most evil Daedric Prince (dog killing notwithstanding) yet he’s the one they literally called Vile

[@ventexovakon2178]

So that's what's with that weird ass tree at the camp. I wondered if it was a graphical glitch or a quest related tree. But nope. IT'S FROM A GODDAMN DAEDRIC REALM WHOO BOY.

[@skywriter9532]

Umbra should be the bad guy in ES6 imagine that. A dark city appears in the sky and is a constant dark omen floating above you. Like the Majora's Mask moon

[@MeatCoffee]

i remember reading an actual elder scrolls novel called the infernal city a long time ago, it'd be cool if you looked that up and went into more detail about it

[@adamaewilson8392]

8:25 *the skeleton in the background* imma just chill right here

[@blindtreeman8052]

He's basically the bill cypher of the elder scrolls series.

[@sevenheavens-gj9qq]

He’s one of my favourite princes.

[@Grandsheba]

Sooo does he also own the soul carin, possibly using it to harvest and barter souls with necromancers/vampires? Creating the ideal masters as his deadra of that realm as well as "aiding" vampires? Side note, in skyrim us it an Easter egg that you find an orc that "wishes to die a glorious death" as well, just like the orc Umbra?

[@ApplePieUniverse1]

I'm trying to figure out what kind of accent Clavicus Vile has in Skyrim, ' A Daedra's best friend'

[@caelan97]

I know it's from Britain, but I don't know specifically what part of Britain. Best guess is that it's a cockney accent.

[@baddragonite]

The Books about this stuff are really good. I like the Audio versions. Idk if they're still on audible tho

[@justsomewitcherwithalongsw4233]

Then again, The Elder Scrolls Travels: Infernal City or The Elder Scrolls: Umbra does have a ring to it.

[@palemourningrose2463]

This gives me a good idea of Clavicus' HISTory

[@josephagnetti8921]

You go way deeper than anyone else tbh

[@carljohnson3348]

Damn.... kinda got to me when he was saying that when people die their souls are reborn into another person and they don’t remember their past lives. I would much rather die once and be in the afterlife rather than being reborn for all eternity without knowledge of the past lives

[@Picklepozer]

There's an Elderscrolls book that has the emperors son trying to find the Umbra blade to save the Imperial city from the flying Umbreial fortress its a good book I highly recomend reading it, its written by Greg Keys.

[@KenDelloSandro7565]

Crucifer = cross bearer Lucifer = light bearer Christopher = Christ bearer

[@thaneofwhiterun3562]

JESUS CHRIST! AN UPLOAD! Thank the Nerevar!

[@RIlianP]

Clavicus Vile vs Gunther O'dim - and gong.

[@TechnoMinarchist]

I'd love for TES6 to be based on Viles invasion of Nirn.

[@berend213]

we need a dlc for elder scrolls VI where we go to the fields of regret like the shivering isles!

[@bartbarnes9596]

I like how this guy gets to the point.. so he then has plenty of time to get to more points without losing focus of the overall point... Not as common with online gaming information these days as 15+ years ago.

[@boggo3848]

Damn this is some DANK lore.

[@TheIstrof]

Your TES and DnD vids are the greatest on KZbin

[@dragour8723]

Amazing work as always! Was always fascinated by the sleeping tree in Skyrim, even after watching lore videos about the floating city it came from, was usually very confusing, your videos are always so clear to understand somehow!

[@insaincaldo]

Isn't Umbra actually a Daedra then, perhaps even on par with Barbas at this point? On top of being a shapeshifting everlasting intelligent soul eating sword. I mean this last part is speculation, but I presume Umbra took a chunk of The Fields of Regret to sever it from clavicus' influence, which in turn kinda would make Umbra an independent lord of an Oblivion realm (well a floating island now). Not that you are necessarily a daedric prince for presiding over your own realm of Oblivion, but still quite a feat for a magic sword. Also, so the Argonians in Skyrim are actually close with the Hist.

[@chiefmingle7618]

Daaaaaaaaamn that was a good lore video

[@RockuSan]

Omg a new MrRhexx video

[@Juni_0220]

um. ive played ESO for 1200 hours and never looked up to see that rock

[@zagrebvolgograd2288]

Lucifer means "Light bearer" not Morning Star ;) very good video, btw

[@LordCritish]

Rhexx is one of my fav TES lore masters

[@Sonof2107]

Why no body thinked to mine the asteroid to little pieces till it becomes harmless

[@StudioZombieMan]

0:57 lol wtf is that

[@fin4204]

I love these lore videos

[@Disturbed2595]

Lol...Lucifer Morningstar

[@Capjedi]

"Hist Tree?" History?

[@-smp-scientificmethodpersp838]

Bethesda does that allot I've noticed lol

[@KurwaRomek]

I never do the fucking daedric quests unless I get the opportunity to betray them. For one they're annoying AF, and I stubbornly refuse to be a daedra's handyboy. Not to mention the possibility of getting stuck in their lame plane of Oblivion after death instead of glorious Sovngarde.

[@PrinsaVossum]

"Lucifer" can also mean "light bearer".

[@madhouse2594]

Yes! A new Skyrim video from MrRhexx!

[@thescholar9145]

O:54 doesn't the man in the bottom left look like will from pirates of the carribean?

[@lukemarcello1229]

10:10 i don't know if you meant to say "Clavicus's vile power" that's what was said and it works too. But I see a possibility of you meshing to say "Clavicus Vile's power" either way I'd really like know what you meant to say.

[@Rahul-fp1gy]

One of the few KZbinrs left who puts tons of effort into his content