Loremaster's Archive: The Past History and Current Events of Solstice

ZOS_Kevin · June 25

Hi everyone! It’s time for a new Loremaster’s Archive! With the struggle against the Worm Cult on Solstice heating up, we’ve enlisted Prince Azah to help answer your questions about the ongoing effort against the followers of Molag Bal, the people and cultures of Solstice, and the Stirk Fellowship. Submit your questions on these topics between now and July 3, and we’ll select a few for the Prince to answer later in the month.*

*Note that we cannot answer all your questions on these topics, and, of course, we will endeavor to avoid spoilers for Seasons of the Worm Cult Part 2.

HatchetHaro · June 25

What did the Naga tribes of Solstice do in 1E that was so unsavoury that Western Solstice Argonians still avoid the subject?

MafiaCat115 · June 25

Dear esteemed Prince Azah,

During my adventures on Solstice, I have noticed an abundance of hospitable Maormer, along with mentions of travel between Solstice and Pyandonea. I am curious about how close Solstice is to the lands of the Sea Elves for such things to be possible, especially regarding the acceptance of Sea Elves by the citizens of Solstice.

Signed,
Sarah Coldhearth, Matriarch of the Coldhearth Trading Company

KingArthasMenethil · June 25

This "Worm Cult" seems to be just another Daedric Cult trying to end the world during this Crisis of the Sixth Century. What makes this Mannimarco so important to them and what appears to be their master Molag Bal?

Legate Gaius Sulla of the Thirteenth Legion

(Just explanations and shouldn't be on the question)
Crisis of the Sixth Century seems an appropriate name for ESOs timeframe namely just took the Crisis of the Third Century and applied it to ESOs timeframe. Also also curious on the Worm Cult since they appear to be a Daedric Cult with not much to make them different.

DagothCorvia · June 25

Salutations, my estimated Prince.

I have a question regarding Mannimarco and his current relation with Molag Bal. Do the investigations of the Fellowship know anything about this? I am intrigued by the King of Worms' motivations.

-Dagoth Corvia, keeper of clockwork curios.

Inari Telvanni · June 25

Prince of the Redguards,

The Writhing Wall is a terrifying sight to behold, but I could not help but notice that this wall has certain similarities to the Dark Elves' practice of creating ghost fences, in which the souls of Dark Elven ancestors are wilingly used to create a protective barrier surrounding family shrines. Could the Worm Cult have been inspired by this grim ritual from Morrowind?

thejadefalcon · June 25

Dear Prince Azah,

What year is it?

naga007 · June 25

Esteemed Prince Azah,

As many know, few regions were hit as hard during the Planemeld as your native Alik’r Desert, where a seemingly never ending chain of a dark anchor after dark anchor fell from the sky.

Does the strife and ravaging your homeland faced during the first Worm Cult led crisis bear any extra significance now that you have the opportunity to be amongst those leading the charge against the Worm Cult in this most recent of extra-planar crises?

Sincerely,

– Skaldrig Black-Wolf
Doyen of the Xylo Basin Naology Arm of the United Explorers of Scholarly Pursuits

Aliyavana · June 25

According to History of Clan Corelanya, the Corelanya had established a colony in Hammerfell by 1E 522 and traded with Clan Direnni for some time. Two decades prior, the Direnni had lost their grip on High Rock, but their reach had once stretched into Hammerfell. Did the Corelanya contend with remnants of Direnni influence in Hammerfell during that time period, and do these clans maintain communications with each other now that the Corelanya have long since migrated to Solstice?

Prophet_of_Malacath · June 25

With salutations and respect to the interim leadership of the guilds:

It calls my attention that neither Meridia nor Nocturnal are among the Velothi ancestor spirits. Others, such as Malak and Mephala, seem absent locally - the most glaring omission being Boethiah, who shepherded the Exodus itself.

Is there any explanation as to how the Corelanya acquired different patrons? And while we know Molag Bal faded from favor, do we know of any other Princes who either fell from favor or possess smaller, lesser cults?

Attentively,
Lash gra-Bar, Mythohistorian and Curse-Eater Enchantress

Legoless · June 25

To the Lion of Antiphyllos,

Oshgog of the Mages Guild referenced ancient Tamrielic texts to determine the location of Solstice. I had never even heard of this island before. How ancient are these texts exactly? Did you learn of it during your formal education in Sentinel, or are the islands of the Southern Sea too niche a topic among mainland scholars?

—Legoless, Tiger-Doyen of the United Explorers of Scholarly Pursuits

Vincentius1 · June 25

Greetings, Prince Azah,

To my understanding, the Corelanyans' veneration of daedra is rooted in Veloth's teachings, and their exile from the Summerset Isles was because of harsh bans on Velothi beliefs. Did the Corelanya Clan ever attempt to contact the Dunmer and bond over their shared interest in daedra? Did they perhaps interact with House Dres, who maintains a tradition of daedra worship, or maybe even the enigmatic Cantemiric Velothi, who lived on the eastern coast of nearby Argonia?

Three blessings,

Vess Othrelas, Student of Morrowind Myth and History

CE_Nex · June 26

To His Highness Prince Azah,

It has not escaped my notice that the Three Queens of the Corelanya represent movements of the Sun: Meridia the Day, Nocturnal the Night, and Azura the Dawn and Dusk that bridges them. Add to this their island is named Solstice and their capitol city is named Sunport - do you believe there is some remnant influence of Magnus or Auri-El worship at play?

HoonDing guide you,
C.E.Nex

TheMasterMeme · June 26

Greetings, Prince Azah,

I have recently become rather curious and interested in Redguard history and lore, so I would be glad to document any further insight you may have. Have you had the opportunity to travel beyond the Alik’r desert to other regions of Hammerfell? If so, what did you find most interesting or memorable about them? Is there anything else you have on the Redguard people that may currently be less known about, that you are willing to share?

With esteem,
A fellow student of Redguard history

LonelyStone · June 26

Greetings, Prince Azah,

I'll start by placing my question at the forefront: "What has prevented the Altmer of Clan Corelanya from evolving into a new race?"
Some colleagues believe it's because they still maintain deep ties with Summerset Isle, whereas those who severed connections completely—like the Chimer—later evolved into distinct races. Personally, I lean toward the idea that the evolution into a new race stems from inherent physiological differences—or perhaps they were already distinct races to begin with, simply grouped together under the early Aldmer designation.
I’m curious to hear your perspective, especially since you’ve spent some time in Solstice. What do you think the reason might be?

Blanc LeBlanc, adept of Mages Guild

prof-dracko · June 26

Dear Mr. Prince

As an avid ecologist, what has struck me the most about the landscape of Solstice (besides these charming sloth creatures) is the scale of the shells that litter it's beaches. It's known that crustaceans and other arthropods can reach colossal size, but I've never before seen a snail large enough to produce such a shell. Do you have any information about the sea life in the local oceans, perhaps about why there are, or were, such impressive specimens skulking about the tides?

-Enthusiastic Ecologist Alacer

ErfXploded · June 26

Greetings, Prince Azah,

Due to recent attacks from the Worm Cult, the Mages and Fighters Guilds are currently led by two new people. However, Gabrielle Benele was previously accused of writing a discriminatory letter to General Serien of the Covenant about how to utilize “lower life forms” against the Dunmer of Stonefalls, while you, Prince Azah, are the son of a Daggerfall Covenant leader. This makes many worried. Can we citizens of the other two alliances trust you to lead the historically neutral guilds?

Best wishes,
Arniel Gnome, professor

Atharaon · June 26

Dear Prince Azah,

What do you think historical structures like Broken Light Temple and Corelanya Manor can tell us about High Elven architectural development? Corelanyan architecture clearly draws from the vernacular styles of Summerset Isle and provides us with fascinating examples of mid-First Era construction in both the "Aldmeri" and "Alinor" styles. Beyond Summerset, "Aldmeri" style architecture can also be found in Balfiera (both pre- and post-Direnni rule). Meanwhile, the ancient sites of Auridon and the smaller isles of Summerset share with mainland Tamriel a distinct style of architecture usually known as "Ancient." Incidentally, Alinor architecture appears more visually coherent with Ancient and even Snow Elven architecture than with the "Aldmeri" style found alongside it. With all three of these styles apparently in use during the First Era and potentially earlier, is it possible to say which is the oldest and thereby develop a coherent chronology of architectural development? Do they overlap geographically as well as temporally? And no, I haven't asked any elves.

Jorleif Stone-Carver, apprentice to Hrerm House-Builder

OgrimTitan · June 26

How lord Molag Bal was able to show His horned face on the Oblivion's political arena after a defeat in His own realm, by a single nirnling, no less, is beyond me. Am I to buy "this is all part of His grand scheme" story that He and some other Princes are, apparently, preaching? Did the captured Worm cultists share how they manage to find faith in Him after the Planemeld?

Lord Nicolas le Bellerose, spellknight-mentor of arcaence of Daggerfall School of Julianos

Nitewalker314 · June 26

Esteemed Prince Azah,

I've been hearing an awful lot about this "Solstice," lately, with some of my colleagues in the Conclave of Aetherius wanting to visit and aid in the fight against the Worm Cult.

Is it really so difficult to navigate the seas there, or is that just another story to keep any good finds in the hands of the Fighters and Mages guilds?

Gwenhael Traven
"Concerned Citizen" and Captain of the Crimson Crow

TaigaStrider · June 26

Greetings, Prince Azah,

While traveling on Solstice, I came across a sect of Dibellans. One of them mentioned that many Dibellan devotees come from Sanguine cults. One even pronounced his blessing on a member that left to join Sanguine, even though her life was apparently in great danger.

Curiously, I have heard other accounts that I wonder might suggest some relationship between Dibella and Sanguine. Up in Skyrim at a place called Morvunskar, there was apparently a Sanguine cult that kept a shrine to Dibella and a lovers' room. I've also heard of Reachfolk at Broken Tower Redoubt who offered bloody sacrifices at a Dibellan shrine. I have even heard an account of Mara-worshippers reacting to Dibellan practices very negatively, almost as if it was daedric worship itself, to the point that one Dibellan devotee who operated a bunkhouse in Riften was in fear of being run out of town if her practices were found out. Granted, she was apparently utilizing items of daedric origin, such as her boots, in her erotic rituals. Please take these accounts with a grain of salt, though. I cannot personally attest them, so they could be genuine, or be a result of someone's colorful dreaming.

I've also noticed much overlap in the behaviors of devotees of Sanguine and Dibella, especially in matters of erotic passion and related group events - parades, festivals, "masked bestowals," and whatnot. Some of these events have, interestingly, "fallen out of favor," but are still attested personally by people such as Valentina the Crone, a woman I met near the Great Chapel of Dibella in Anvil.

I assume you are even more well-traveled and well-learned than I, and your royal position gives you a unique perspective on paying attention to the behavior of large groups of people under your watch, especially anything that could cause public disturbance or violence. I also hear you are currently on Solstice, where Sanguine worship is more publicly prominent than elsewhere on Tamriel. If you would humor my questions, do you know if citizens of Tamriel may venerate both Dibella and Sanguine at the same time, or are they exclusive? Do some Dibellan sects have serious conflicts with other worshippers of the Divines? Or are Dibellan cults at particular risk of Sanguine's influence under Dibella's name?

Aliyavana · June 26

thejadefalcon wrote: »

Dear Prince Azah,

What year is it?

I really hope this is answered. Even the DLC listed in the Crown Store indicates the passage of time.

Solinar · June 27

To the respected Prince Azah of Sentinel,

I have long spoken of the recurring threat of the Order of the Black Worm, even before the Planemeld and the destruction of the Failed Empire of Cyrodiil, yet I’m afraid I do not know much of their long-term history. So please enlighten me here: Do we know what year exactly in which they were founded, and where in Tamriel they first emerged? Do we also know when exactly the wicked King of Worms pledged his dark order to Molag Bal, the God of Schemes?

I thank you for taking this time!

Elaric Traven
Warlock of the Mages Guild
Palatinus Emeritus of Wayrest

WhiteCoatSyndrome · June 27

Haven’t found tome or glyphic on the subject yet. Why did Clan Corelanya abandon Molag Bal in favor of his hated rival Prince Meridia?

- Narbash Ink-Eyes

tarponpet · June 27

Good tidings Prince Azah,

I've heard stories about how the Hist have made a variety of creations, such as the Argonians and the Lizard-Steeds. However, I have also heard tales of reptilian beasts without their involvement. Such as the “lizardmen” that many once thought were some primitive strain of Saxhleel, though some scholars have claimed otherwise. And so, I am curious, are those corrupted "Vahath Behemoths" your forces have been encountering on Solstice in any way similar to them?
- Asmorgona, the You-Know-What

Tyrvarion · June 28

To Azah, Lion of Antiphyllos,

I ask as it's important to know who leads us into battle. I trusted Arana, but you, I have yet to know. I joined the Fellowship for its cause. The Worm Cult reminds me of the Gray Host monsters that came upon my home. It was a bloody time of war, but also one of unlikely, lasting friendships. Svenjar showed me the Nordic heart. I showed him the valor of the Reachfolk.

Lion, what is it like to lead so many different folks into one war? Whether the Corelanya, Pact, or the Dominion former foes now stand as one. Have you learned much about their stories? I will be blunt, who is your Svenjar?

- Ruairi of the Clan Firewolf, Wayward Guardian

TheMajority · June 29

Yo Azah,

Why aren't there any bananas on your banana trees?

-A guy who just wants a banana

RedBranch · June 29

Your Highness, I’ve wondered about the relationship between the Tide-Borns and House Corelayna. While both are important to Solstice, I haven’t noticed much mention of interaction between them. Have these two houses influenced each other’s cultures, traditions, or ceremonies in any meaningful ways, whether through rivalry, alliance, or even simple neighborly exchange? Are there any stories—perhaps unexpected friendships, collaborations, or moments of shared celebration—that highlight a connection between them? Or do they remain largely distinct in their customs and histories? I would be grateful for your insight into how (or whether) their paths have crossed and what that’s meant for the broader community.

Solinite · June 30

Esteemed Prince Azah,

The treatise titled Necromancy in Modern Tamriel discusses something as interesting to a scholar as it is disturbing: The "Worm Eremite", which the text describe as Worm Anchorites that have "converted to undead form". Do you have any knowledge on these necrotic entities, or if any of these beings have yet to be sighted on Solstice?

Thank you, and best of luck in your endeavors!

Runitar Fairfrost, Conclave of Aetherius

CoolBlast3 · June 30

Greetings Azah, "Prince".

The current war on Solstice has not escaped my notice. And I cannot help but believe that both it and the Planemeld of 582 are mere bickerings in the centuries worth of quarrels between Vanus Galerion and the King of Worms Mannimarco. They clearly show an intense hatred for one another, but it feels more than just hate. Passion.

Tell me now, as someone currently heavily involved in the politics of the Guilds, of -Vanus-'s politics. What do you believe his true relationship with Mannimarco to be? A quarrel most romantic is what I see. A burning flame that has cost untold lives and somehow both detriment to and advancement of the art of necromancy at the same time.

Sincerely and most curiously,
Elarynia, "Ryn", the Witch of Crag and Reach.

Melegil · June 30

To the Esteemed Prince Azah,

Fivefold venerations, cerum. While I am certain you are preoccupied with matters of life and death as the intermediary Guildmaster of the Fighters Guild, permit me to ask a question regarding the Corelanyan inhabitants of Solstice. Seeing as they still hold onto the belief of the Path to Alaxon, albeit wrongfully (and heretically) ascribing it to the daedric fallacy known as Meridia, my question would be thus-do the members of Clan Corelanya still hold onto the practice of bestowing calians upon coming of age and alaxon spheres to those who have achieved perfection in their chosen craft? I would be eager to receive your answer as to how low these fallacy-venerating exiles may have fallen.

Empyrean Light shine upon you,
Nevala of the venerable Clan Anaydis, Justiciar of the Divine Prosecution