What does Sotha Sil mean by "multiverse" in the Summerset chapter

aipex8_ESO

Finally playing the Summerset chapter, and Sotha Sil talks about Nocturnal exerting influence throughout the multiverse at the same time. What is the TES multiverse? Is he just talking about all the different planes of existence (Oblivion and Mundus) or is he acknoledging a more traditional multiverse that would encompass every players personal canon/choices? What do you think?

Xaramasa

In the TES universe, shadows are not just absence of light but reflections of possible worlds.
So it's the latter. There's a "traditional" multiverse that one can access through shadow magic.

Azra Nightwielder, the first shadow mage, was the first to figure it out:

Azra was the first to realize that shadows were not a mere absence of light but a reflection of possible worlds created by forces in conflict. A light strikes a rock, and the shadow is a record of their clash, past, present and future.

- First Scroll of Shadow, Shadowkey

Our nightblades utilize this when we use the Shade skill. We're not actually summoning our shadow, but an alternate version of ourselves from alternate world.

As the Mistress of Shadows, Nocturnal obviously has a greater grasp of this power (or may even be the originator of Shadow Magic). Since the Crystal Tower, as Sotha Sil explains, straddles every reality, it's a singular point across the entire multiverse and the perfect place to meld all possible versions of herself to become limitless and all encompassing.

With the technique she stole from Sotha Sil, which was how to use life energy as a power source, she could have become the new godhead. Her plan was to sacrifice Nirn's life energy, and then the energy of the other Daedric Princes.

VaranisArano

Dialogue in context:

"The Crystal Tower exists on multiple planes of reality simultaneously and possesses capabilities we do not fully understand. We must assume that Nocturnal's options are infinite.
...
"Transparent Law, the crystal at the top of the Crystal Tower, anchors its metaphysical structure to all realities. With the Heart, she can restore the crystal, utilize its capabilities, and make herself master of the tower."
....
How can the Crystal Tower exist on multiple planes at the same time?
"The tower straddles every reality. Its true purpose remains lost to time, but I theorize it was created as a watchtower of sorts. A doorway to everywhere.
It stands to reason, then, that the tower is the key to omnipresence."
....
How does that help Nocturnal?
"Imagine a Daedric Prince who can exert influence throughout the multiverse at the exact same moment in time. Nocturnal could become infinite.
If she accomplishes that, then her power would multiply accordingly. She would be... without limits."

Given that, and the Paijic Order quest where the Staff of Towers has the ability to "edit" time so the Khenaten Flu and the fall of Josejah's family doesn't happen, I'm going to guess that there really isn't a distinction between multiple planes and multiple "universes" in this case. Once Nocturnal is infinite, that distinction simply ceases to matter.

For example, in the final fight with Josejah, we battle a couple "butterfly effect" versions of her. That argues that an Infinite Noctural could simply change the past, and thus butterfly effect away any future in which she's defeated. So there is no "alternate universe" in which she's defeated, because she controls the metaphysical structure of all realities in all times. (Another example of the past changing the future is our efforts in a Glenunbra battle where us saving an NPC changes one if the current day NPCs.)

Ironically, this means that Noctural was defeated in every single universe.

Minyassa

I'll ask him when we play handball next week.

mague

aipex8_ESO wrote: »

Finally playing the Summerset chapter, and Sotha Sil talks about Nocturnal exerting influence throughout the multiverse at the same time. What is the TES multiverse? Is he just talking about all the different planes of existence (Oblivion and Mundus) or is he acknoledging a more traditional multiverse that would encompass every players personal canon/choices? What do you think?

Every facet of the crystal is a different window into or out off the crystal. Multivers is mabe the wrong word. Maybe he should have called it multi-intepretable-verse.

Wise_Will

Thanos wants to know your location!