Addressing a problem with ZOS' writing from a lore standpoint
Vylaera
✭✭✭✭✭
✭
✭
In diagnosing the problems with ESO’s storytelling and writing, of which there are many problems and of which there are many reasons of these problems, one subject I’d very much like to talk a great deal about is how ZOS appears to totally misunderstand the single most important aspect of TES’ lore.
This is Agency and Dynamism.
In the Elder Scrolls, contrary to other fantasy IPs which exist, mortals, not gods, not demons, but mortal men and mer, are the acting agents of change in the universe. The farther away you get from the Godhead, which is the creator of the universe, and whose mind the universe resides in as a Dream, the more Agency you have.
Anu is the Dreamer, and their ex-lover Padomay is the second half of the Dreamer, which is the Id to the Anuic Ego. They are both asleep and the purpose of the Dream is the Id trying to resolve the trauma the Ego had endured before the Dream began.
Auriel and Lorkhan are the first step removed from Anu and Padomay, and they are personified agents of the base Ego and Id. They have more agency than the comatose dreamer, but are still relatively simple agents, subject to remaining within their own natures.
Aedra, Daedra, Demiprinces, Dragons, etc. are the third step removed, and have much agency, though again, are still bound by their natures, though their natures are very defined and realized, and all of them are capable of personal complex aspirations and ambitions.
Mortal men and mer are the fourth step removed, and are much more Dynamistic than the prior three tiers. Mortals are the movers and shakers in the Aurbis, and they are not slaves to their natures in the same way the Aedra or Daedra are. These mortals are World-Changers, political actors, powerful mages, great warriors, musicians, poets, writers, etc. Nothing happens in the Aurbis unless a mortal wills it so be so and begins acting to make it happen.
There are two further tiers below mortals, but they aren’t necessary to cover here, so I’ll be brief with this paragraph. Those who understand CHIM, and those who have become Amaranth. CHIM is understanding that you exist in a Dream, yet being egotistical enough to insist that you are still real (No, CHIM is not console commands, it’s not superpowers, it’s literally just a state of realization. Vivec is only powerful because of the Heart of Lorkhan, not because of CHIM). Amaranth is when someone who has attained the understanding of the Secret Syllable of Royalty (aka CHIM), dreams their own Dream, and it loops back recursively to the beginning.
The Oblivion crisis occurred because Mankar Camoran willed it to be so, writing his own prophecy, and praying to Mehrunes Dagon to enact a reformation and purification of Nirn, and millions of people across Tamriel died. The Interregnum occurred because the Morag Tong assassinated the Akaviri Potentate, ruler of the Empire, and hundreds of years of chaos followed. The Third Empire of Man was created in blood by Tiber Septim, all three Tiber Septims, ruthlessly scheming and killing their way across Tamriel to “unite” all the provinces under one imperialist banner which could be extorted for the benefit of the Heartland of Cyrodiil. The Great War occurred as a result of vengeful Altmer seeing an opportunity to enact revenge against Tiber Septim’s Imperialism and degradation and embarrassment of their nation by destroying his legacy (the Empire) and attempting to erase him from the Mythic by banning his worship.
None of these events were driven by any force “greater” than a mortal. However, ZOS’ writers appear to think the opposite, that nothing can happen in Tamriel without a Daedra or God being responsible for it. This is why we don’t have two political stories to rub together post-base game. Everything, everywhere, is Daedra. This fundamental misunderstanding of how The Arena works is one facet of why ESO’s writing seems bad and so utterly disjointed with what we remember and expect from the main series. I hope this misunderstanding is corrected and that ESO’s writing may, for once or once again, shine in an actually traditionally Elder Scrolls way.
This is Agency and Dynamism.
In the Elder Scrolls, contrary to other fantasy IPs which exist, mortals, not gods, not demons, but mortal men and mer, are the acting agents of change in the universe. The farther away you get from the Godhead, which is the creator of the universe, and whose mind the universe resides in as a Dream, the more Agency you have.
Anu is the Dreamer, and their ex-lover Padomay is the second half of the Dreamer, which is the Id to the Anuic Ego. They are both asleep and the purpose of the Dream is the Id trying to resolve the trauma the Ego had endured before the Dream began.
Auriel and Lorkhan are the first step removed from Anu and Padomay, and they are personified agents of the base Ego and Id. They have more agency than the comatose dreamer, but are still relatively simple agents, subject to remaining within their own natures.
Aedra, Daedra, Demiprinces, Dragons, etc. are the third step removed, and have much agency, though again, are still bound by their natures, though their natures are very defined and realized, and all of them are capable of personal complex aspirations and ambitions.
Mortal men and mer are the fourth step removed, and are much more Dynamistic than the prior three tiers. Mortals are the movers and shakers in the Aurbis, and they are not slaves to their natures in the same way the Aedra or Daedra are. These mortals are World-Changers, political actors, powerful mages, great warriors, musicians, poets, writers, etc. Nothing happens in the Aurbis unless a mortal wills it so be so and begins acting to make it happen.
There are two further tiers below mortals, but they aren’t necessary to cover here, so I’ll be brief with this paragraph. Those who understand CHIM, and those who have become Amaranth. CHIM is understanding that you exist in a Dream, yet being egotistical enough to insist that you are still real (No, CHIM is not console commands, it’s not superpowers, it’s literally just a state of realization. Vivec is only powerful because of the Heart of Lorkhan, not because of CHIM). Amaranth is when someone who has attained the understanding of the Secret Syllable of Royalty (aka CHIM), dreams their own Dream, and it loops back recursively to the beginning.
The Oblivion crisis occurred because Mankar Camoran willed it to be so, writing his own prophecy, and praying to Mehrunes Dagon to enact a reformation and purification of Nirn, and millions of people across Tamriel died. The Interregnum occurred because the Morag Tong assassinated the Akaviri Potentate, ruler of the Empire, and hundreds of years of chaos followed. The Third Empire of Man was created in blood by Tiber Septim, all three Tiber Septims, ruthlessly scheming and killing their way across Tamriel to “unite” all the provinces under one imperialist banner which could be extorted for the benefit of the Heartland of Cyrodiil. The Great War occurred as a result of vengeful Altmer seeing an opportunity to enact revenge against Tiber Septim’s Imperialism and degradation and embarrassment of their nation by destroying his legacy (the Empire) and attempting to erase him from the Mythic by banning his worship.
None of these events were driven by any force “greater” than a mortal. However, ZOS’ writers appear to think the opposite, that nothing can happen in Tamriel without a Daedra or God being responsible for it. This is why we don’t have two political stories to rub together post-base game. Everything, everywhere, is Daedra. This fundamental misunderstanding of how The Arena works is one facet of why ESO’s writing seems bad and so utterly disjointed with what we remember and expect from the main series. I hope this misunderstanding is corrected and that ESO’s writing may, for once or once again, shine in an actually traditionally Elder Scrolls way.
Vy • lae • ra | Fan of all things Vampiric | PC NA | Accurate World Map artist | Immaculate Reshade author
7