Lore:Grasp of the Stricture

The UESPWiki – Your source for The Elder Scrolls since 1995
Jump to: navigation, search
Grasp-Kyn Zyr
Fargrave

The Grasp of the Stricture (or simply the Grasp) is a body of daedric arbiters that reside in Fargrave.[1] The group consists primarily of Dremora.[2][3] They are responsible for the interpretation and maintaining conduct of the Stricture - an ancient Daedric compact that prevents Daedra from using violence within the boundaries of the city.[4][5]

Because the compact is binding and absolute, any daedra that enters Fargrave cannot violate it but there are exceptions and loopholes to the rule.[1] This allows the citizens of Fargrave to operate in neutral territory without the need for centralized leadership.[2]

The Grasp influence the life of both Daedra and mortals of Fargrave and can use any kind of force on mortals, who unlike the Daedra are not bound by the Stricture,[2] if they threaten the peace, at least how they can interpret it.[1] Although the mortals are not bound by the stricture compact everyone in Fargrave is held accountable by the laws of the Stricture.[6] Typically, the Grasp does not pay attention to mortals' affairs directly, nor does it have the patience for the mortals themselves.[2][3]

They however occasionally endorse projects proposed by mortal inhabitants of the plane when it is beneficial for maintaining the peace and the upkeep of the regulations of the Stricture. They also oversee occasional meetings between the leadership of various powers within the city. The Grasp ensures the safety of the leaders of mortals, Daedra, and various influential Fargrave organizations during those meetings, during which the treaties regarding governing the operations within the city are discussed. On occasions, they are forced to intervene and quell high tensions.[7] They also are not opposed to hiring mortals for certain tasks, such as operating outside Fargrave to maintain the justice.[5][8]

Daedra themselves often find the Stricture limiting and try to find and utilize loopholes. The Grasp is opposed to this and can detain and banish individuals who try to avoid the limits of the Stricture and regularly attempt to close the loopholes within the Stricture.[9][10] They have no tolerance for any form of malfeasance and malingering.[11] Certain activities that do not violate the Stricture, but are detrimental to the neutrality of the Fargrave are also frowned upon. Claiming to be sovereign of the plane is not a violation of the Stricture, but threatens the balance of the city and as such, those individuals are appropriately handled. When a scamp declared itself King of Fargrave, the Grasp built a small throne room and bricked him inside.[12]

Grasp-Kyn Xar
Grasp-Kyn Oloshaz

Members of the Grasp can be summoned by the citizens of Fargrave to settle legal disputes,[13] but they do not respond gracefully to summons without merit.[14]

The Grasp of the Stricutre have numerous roles in the Fargrave community. They keep order in the realm and ensure its neutrality. They also serve as investigators,[5] judicators,[5][15] law enforcers,[2][4][6] and guards.[16][17]

Despite their power within the realm their influence was contained to the city and did not reach other areas of the Oblivion.[5] Certain areas of the city are under lesser control than others. While all of Fargrave is bound to the rules and statutes of the Stricture, the Shambles operates as something of a lawless territory as the Grasp routinely ignores the district due to its high percentage of mortal inhabitants.[18][19] Although the Stricture contract works in Shambles it is not enforced by the Grasp, who does not consider the district within the bounds of their authority, making the district extremely dangerous.[20][3][21] Despite that, the representatives of the Grasp of the stricture occasionally venture to the district.[22]

There is no clear ranking within the organization. All its members are equal under the Stricture.[3] Despite that, the term officer is used to describe some members of the Grasp.[23] The Grasp does not keep the treasure, but its members confiscate the goods that are acquired illegally,[24][1] and offer payment for services of their contractors in the form defined by the Stricture.[5][25][26]

Equipment of the representatives of the Grasp, such as their canteens, is emblazoned with the symbol of Fargrave's Stricture.[23]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]