Baar Dau - Why is it there? [ESO Twitter]

Enodoc

https://twitter.com/TESOnline/status/831225233029869568

In #ESO #Morrowind, a blazing meteor looms over Vivec City. But why is it there? Share your theories with us! https://goo.gl/KYVuw7

Enodoc

Why is it there, you say? And why are you asking for theories? This is well documented.

http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Baar_Dau
According to legend, it was flung from the Void (by either Sheogorath or its own malevolence, depending on the story) but was prevented from crashing into the city by the god Vivec. Vivec allowed it to remain hovering above the High Fane so that if the people of the city ever ceased to love him, the rock would fall and destroy them.

Let us take you on The Pilgrim's Path:
http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Pilgrim's_Path

To Stop the Moon: The Shrine of Daring

When Sheogorath rebelled against the Tribunal, he tricked the moon Baar Dau into forsaking its appointed path through Oblivion. The Mad Star inspired the moon to hurl itself upon Vivec's new city, which Sheogorath claimed was built in mockery of the heavens. When Vivec learned of Sheogorath's scheme, he froze the rogue moon in the sky with a single gesture and the grace of his countenance. Overwhelmed by the courage and daring of Vivec, the moon Baar Dau swore itself to eternal service of the Tribunal and all its works. Thus the moon now stands guard over the palace, and serves as a citadel for the Temple's Ordinators.

The Shrine of Daring is found in the city of Vivec, in the Temple District, along the western wall of the High Fane, the great Temple of Vvardenfell. When you address the shrine, it is customary to leave behind a Potion of Rising Force. Suitable potions may be purchased from the Temple. Homemade potions are not acceptable.

Or perhaps you prefer the version according to Vivec himself:
http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:36_Lessons_of_Vivec,_Sermon_33

Then Vivec left the Litany Hall of the False Thinking Temple, where he had brooded for so long creating the scripture of the pounding light, and went back to the space that was not a space. From the Provisional House he looked into the middle world to find the seventh monster, called Lie Rock.

Lie Rock was born of Vivec's Second Aperture and was thrown out of the Pomegranate Banquet by a member of the Sweeps, another forgotten guild. The Sweep did not take it for the monster that it was and so he did not expect it to fly from his hand and into the heavens.
'I am born of golden wisdom and powers that should have forever been unalike! With this nature I am invited into the Hidden Heaven!'
By which he meant the Scaled Blanket, made of not-stars, whose number is thirteen. Lie Rock became full of foolishness, haggling with the Void Ghost who hides in the religions of all men. The Void Ghost said:
'Stay with me a full hundred years and I will give you a power that no divinity will dare disobey.'
But before the hundred years was up, Vivec was already looking for Lie Rock and found him.
'Stupid stone,' Vivec said. 'To hide in the Scaled Blanket is to make a mark on nothing. His bargains are only for ruling kings!'
So Vivec sent the Hortator to the heavens to shave Lie Rock asunder by the named axe. Nerevar made peace with the south-pole-star of thieving and the north-pole-star of warriors and the third-pole-star, which existed only in the ether, which was governed by the apprentice of Magnus the sun. They gave him leave to wander among their charges and gave him red sight by which to find Lie Rock in the Hidden Heaven.

By chance, Nerevar met the Void Ghost first, who told him that he was in the wrong place to which the Hortator said, 'Me or you?' and the Void Ghost said both. This sermon does not tell what else was said between these masters.

Lie Rock, however, used the confusion to launch his own attack on the city-god, Vivec. He was hastened by all three of the black guardians, who wanted him swiftly gone, though they meant no hostility to the lord of the middle air.

The citizenry of Vivec screamed as they saw a shooting star come down out of the sky hole like a toll-road of hell. But Vivec merely raised his hand and froze Lie Rock just above the city and then he pierced the monster with Muatra.

(The practice of piercing the Second Aperture is now forbidden.)

When Nerevar returned, he saw the frozen comet above his lord's city. He asked whether or not Vivec wanted it removed.
'I would have done so myself if I wanted, silly Hortator. I shall keep it there with its last intention intact, so that if the love of the people of this city for me ever disappear, so shall the power that holds back their destruction.'
Nerevar said, 'Love is under your will only.'

Vivec smiled and told the Hortator that he had become a Minister of Truth.

The ending of the words is ALMSIVI.

KochDerDamonen

But twist, it's actually the egg of a dwemer cybernetics enhanced dragon from the nth era sent back to stop the...

Well, you'll have to tune in at 8 for the full details

Faulgor

I always thought it was that Sheo had beef with Vivec's urban development project and sweet-talked a celestial wrecking ball into his service, but if ZOS wants to add a new spin to it, by all means. Surprise me!

essi2

The twist is that the flaming rock lost it's soul to Molag Bal and has to go on a daring adventure to reclaim it.

WhiteCoatSyndrome

If the stars were involved, I'm inclined to think Vivec was lying about them not having any hostility towards him. Because we know the Mage can and does throw moons at people she's annoyed at.

And this is why I deeply regret not finding out about the '...Answers Your Questions' bit until AFTER the Star-Gazers had their shot, because this would have been a perfect question for Caecilus.

Enodoc

Meanwhile... Sermon 33 clearly states that the construction of Vivec City is contemporary with Nerevar, placing it pre-1E 700, so why is it only under construction now?

essi2

@Enodoc Remodeling perhaps...?

WhiteCoatSyndrome

Enodoc wrote: »

Meanwhile... Sermon 33 clearly states that the construction of Vivec City is contemporary with Nerevar, placing it pre-1E 700, so why is it only under construction now?

@Enodoc The Sermons also imply Vivec had most/all of his god-like powers BEFORE the bit with the Heart of Lorkhan...I wouldn't be surprised if a large portion of them are fictional. The Tribunal have been and will continue to lie about their status as gods for centuries; why stop?

Alternatively, maybe it was just the one canton, and he's expanding now.

Gandrhulf_Harbard

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

If the stars were involved,

Uh-uh!

If it has anything to do with the stars it must be Cthulhu.

All The Best

AtAfternoon

What if we never cure Vivec but make it hollow so it's easier to keep in the air?

Enodoc

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

Enodoc wrote: »

Meanwhile... Sermon 33 clearly states that the construction of Vivec City is contemporary with Nerevar, placing it pre-1E 700, so why is it only under construction now?

@Enodoc The Sermons also imply Vivec had most/all of his god-like powers BEFORE the bit with the Heart of Lorkhan...I wouldn't be surprised if a large portion of them are fictional. The Tribunal have been and will continue to lie about their status as gods for centuries; why stop?

Alternatively, maybe it was just the one canton, and he's expanding now.

Yeah that's true, the Sermons are largely fantastical. Someone also suggested on UESP Discord that maybe the original city was only St Delyn and St Olms.

Enodoc

AtAfternoon wrote: »

What if we never cure Vivec but make it hollow so it's easier to keep in the air?

It's supposed to be the Temple that make it hollow, not us. Although being around for the creation of the Ministry of Truth would certainly be interesting.

ThePaleItalian

Where is Bruce Willis when you need him?

*taps mic* I would stay awake... just to hear you BREATHING!!!!*


OT. I love you lore fanatics, I learn a lot. Thanks