Lore:Phrastus

Phrastus
Phrastus
Race	Imperial	Gender	Male
Born		2nd Era
Resided in		Elinhir Imperial City
Appears in		ESO

"So, students, do not groan and complain of the burden, carping and caviling when your parents and teachers ask if you have written today in your journal. Because to do so is a right for which your ancestors paid in blood."
—Phrastus of Elinhir

Phrastus of Elinhir, also known as Phrastus the Scholar, was an influential Nibenese Imperial scholar, prolific writer and a mage active during the Interregnum of the Second Era, known for his numerous specialties and his rivalry with Cinnabar of Taneth. They were known to often reference each other in their works and question the academic credibility of one another. He resided in Elinhir and was once a member of the University of Gwylim.

History

Cinnabar and Phrastus

Little is known about Phrastus's past. He was a Nibenese scholar, who once taught at the University of Gwylim but eventually settled in Elinhir, Craglorn. In discussing the migration of Cyrodiilic people out of Cyrodiil, he linked it to a gradual depopulation of the region, a trend that has persisted since 2E 431, when the Reman Empire fell. The events of the Three Banners War, which were contemporary to him, have only accelerated this dispersal, with him citing his own experience as an example.

He authored a number of texts devoted to various fields of study, including topics pertaining to Merid-Nunda, Spinners, the Heartlands of Cyrodiil, and the Daedric realm of Coldharbour, His works also included texts related to the culture of the Bretons of High Rock, as well as the daedra-centric religions of ancient elven civilizations like the Ayleids and Chimer. He also researched various creatures, such as chimeras, tracing their origins to the practices of the ancient Druids, as well as nature spirits like spriggans. He also studied river trolls. He also published The Onus of the Oghma, a collection of quotes highlighting the importance of documenting one's life story, drawing from ancient traditions associated with Xarxes, Ysgramor, and Morihaus. His works also outlined the origins and purpose of the Society of the Steadfast, and categorizied various types of undead into distinct groups: the reanimated, the returned, the accursed, and abominable miscegenations. He also published a series of lectures providing thorough edification on the nature and history of Aedric's powers, their manifestations and influence on the Mundus, and an overview of prevailing modern theories regarding controversial topics related to it. He also provided an overview of the psychopomps of Tamriel.

He also provided correspondence interviews in which he discussed topics related to Anuiel, and Sithis, the Aedra and Daedra, the Et'Ada, the lesser Aedric spirits, and the connection between the stability of the world and the perceived power of the Aedra. He also partook in shared interview alongside with Cinnabar, discussing the Fang Lair and Zaan the Scalecaller, In a separate interview, he confessed to never having visited Valenwood, though he shared insights about their Spinners, about whom he also authored a text. He discussed Argonian and Ashlander tribes, various types of vampiric afflictions, and spoke about Atmora, Khajiiti morphological differences, the magical practices of the Templars, and several other subjects. In yet another interview, he provided the birthdates of several prominent figures in Imperial society, such as Emperor Varen Aquilarios, Count Carolus Aquilarios, and Governor Fortunata ap Dugal. He discussed Admiral Bendu Olo and Emperor Leovic, the Dark Brotherhood and Morag Tong, the differences between Colovians and Nibenese, the Gold Coast Trading Company, the Ayleid city-states of Garlas Malatar and Garlas Agea, the Imperial city of Anvil, Chancellor Abnur Tharn, Minotaurs, Morrowind's Great Houses, and serveral other topics.

Domus Phrasticus

Furthermore, he offered commentary on the cartographic representation of the West Weald region. He also provided commentaries about various locations within one of the regions of High Rock, the Rivenspire, such as Breagha-Fin, noting that there are many fanciful legends associated with the caverns, claiming that local Hillmen have penchant for superstition. He also commented on Morachellis's speculation about the creation of the Doomcrag, the great spire of Erokii. Morachellis claimed that the Ayleids built the tower to create a metaphysical structure that would be the focus of Aurbic power, much like the Adamantine Tower of Balfiera. Phrastus could not make sense of the statement. In addition, he had some knowledge of locations in the Wrothgar region and was able to comment on the relations between various types of Goblin-ken. Taleon's Crag in Deshaan has been the subject of much speculation. Some believe the site got its name because it's where the famous Nord author Taleon Mythmaker chose to retire after his bitter literary feud with Helgreir Lute-Voice. Phrastus of Elinhir, however, dismissed this theory as "fanciful twaddle."

Phrastus also offered commentary on a supposed Atmoran variant of Bantam Guar, refusing to acknowledge its origin in Atmora. Another insight he offered on creatures was his observation about a variation of Daedrat. According to him the cold blue glowing eyes and markings of the Slate-Skinned Daedrats stem from their diet: corpses touched by Molag Bal. He also believed that those who are brave enough to study or even oppose the Lord of Brutality often examine these creatures for insight.

Phrastus of Elinhir's rivalry with Lady Cinnabar was well known and thoroughly documented. Their publications frequently sought to debunk or even slander one another. There are several notable examples of their academic feud found even outside of their publications. For instance, Phrastus' speculation that ogres' gray-blue skin camouflages them against the sky was convincingly debunked by Lady Cinnabar. The definition of the Atmoran term "Wittestadr" has also been a subject of debate between the two. While Phrastus translated it as "Whit's Daughter," Lady Cinnabar argued it held a darker meaning: "Wit Shatter." Furthermore, Phrastus claimed that "Zalgaz" was Old Nedic for "lizard lady," but Lady Cinnabar dismissed this as "a reeking load of guarwash."

Phrastus was also referenced by other scholars, such as Cirantille in her biased Ogres: A Summary, where she asserts that Phrastus's speculation regarding the coloration of Ogres—specifically, that their gray-blue skin camouflages their silhouetted forms against the sky—has been convincingly debunked by Lady Cinnabar of Taneth.

It was widely believed that no one had seen Phrastus the Scholar since his ill-fated return to the Imperial City from Elinhir. While some assumed he was likely fine, others speculated that he was traveling, missing, or even dead. In the meantime, his walled townhouse in Elinhir, Domus Phrasticus, remained available for purchase on an indefinite basis. In 2E 582, Phrastus of Elinhir was among the many civilians in the Imperial City forced to flee from the Planemeld Obverse, seeking refuge in the sewer systems beneath the city. During this time, he shared shelter with his rival, Lady Cinnabar.

Bibliography

Works Written

Name	Description
A Matter of Voice and Brass	An interview with Phrastus and his rival
A Story of Blood: The Spinners take Tamriel	Research about the Spinners
Daedra Worship: The Ayleids	A description of Daedric worship by the Ayleids
Daedra Worship: The Chimer	A description of Daedric worship by the Chimer
Exegesis of Merid-Nunda	Thoughts on a rare manuscript
Field Guide to River Trolls	A treatise on the River Troll
Field Guide to Spriggans	A guide to spriggans
Introduction to Aedric Studies	A syllabus for a series of lectures
Psychopomps of Tamriel	A scholarly research about the psychopomps
Phrastus of Elinhir Answers Your Questions	Phrastus of Elinhir answers questions on lore
The Beast of Galen	A look at the etymology of the word "Chimera" and how it relates to the druids of the Systres
The Bretons: Mongrels or Paragons?	An essay surrounding the ancestral roots of the Bretons
The Heartland of Cyrodiil	A description of the Heartlands
The Onus of the Oghma	A selection of quotes to emphasize the importance of recording one's life story
The Society of the Steadfast	An overview of the origins a philanthropic organization
Unhallowed Legions	A study into the undead of Tamriel

Featured In

Name	Author	Description
Aetherial Fragments	Lady Cinnabar of Taneth	A description of the fragments of Aetherius
Ogres: A Summary	Cirantille	A description of ogres
Persistence of Daedric Veneration	Lady Cinnabar of Taneth	A response to a rival author
Subtropical Cyrodiil: A Speculation	Lady Cinnabar of Taneth	Thoughts on the climate of Cyrodiil and its relationship to the White-Gold Tower
Tu'whacca, Arkay, Xarxes	Lady Cinnabar of Taneth	A discussion on the similarity of gods
Who Are the Wardens?	Lady Cinnabar of Taneth	A description of the Wardens

Notes

• Lawrence Schick was the writer who designed Phrastus of Elinhir and his rival Lady Cinnabar of Taneth.
• Phrastus of Elinhir is also credited with the following quotes:
  • Daedrats are vermin from Oblivion that sometimes sneak into Nirn through Oblivion Gates or portals. Dremora think they're kind of cute, so if they catch them they kill them swiftly instead of torturing them, like they do with loose banekin.
  • Thanks to warm currents to the west in the Eltheric Ocean, it rarely snows in Daggerfall, but the Bretons of that city-state nonetheless celebrate all the winter holidays of the Iliac Basin, particularly the New Life Festival at the turn of the year.
  • Here in Craglorn, we refer to those areas as the 'Belkarth Region' and the 'Elinhir Region,' for reasons that should be obvious. Are you in the Elinhir area now? Stop in sometime and buy me a drink!
  • Our latter-day Nords are not well known for the scholarly attainments, and cartography is not one of their strongpoints. On their maps, sites of great importance—to Nords, that is—are often distorted and exaggerated. So it is with the eerie aerie of Skuldafn, which holds great significance for our superstitious northern brethren. They have never been comfortable with the fact that the Dark Elves hold the west coast of the Inner Sea all the way up to Blacklight; in some cases their maps elide that fact entirely. But it is there nonetheless.
  • That depends entirely on where, in the infinite variety of Oblivion, one finds oneself! In Coldharbour, for example, pools of blue fluid are common, but do not mistake it for water: it is Azure Plasm, the chaotic stuff of which Daedra, and their realms, are formed. It's probably safe to bathe in, but I would hesitate to drink it.
  • Shortly after the Second Empire dissolved into chaos, High King Logrolf of Skyrim was assassinated. The succession was disputed, and the kingdom of the Nords split into East and West Skyrim, with the west being ruled by the Jarls of Solitude. King Svargrim has ruled West Skyrim since 561, and though aging, is still hale, and shows no desire to give up the throne.
  • Dear me, no—Falkreath is part of West Skyrim, and its jarl owes allegiance to King Svargrim in Solitude. As I can tell you from personal experience, the Covenant soldiers you see near Elinhir are part of that alliance's expeditionary force to Cyrodiil, and are holding open the supply lines from Cyrodiil to High Rock.
  • Many of the urns and receptacles you see in Tamrielic houses are actually chamber pots. But of course you already knew that, so I assume your question is intended as a jest. If so, I must say I find it in questionable taste
• The Eightfold Staff of Anumaril, mentioned in Aurbic Enigma 4: The Elden Tree, and the Staff of Unity and Chaos were sometimes believed to be one and the same, and other times as separate artifacts. Beredalmo the Signifier believed that they were the same, but Phrastus of Elinhir argued that the Balac-Thurm was created by Loreth the Fangleman in the fifth century of the First Era, while Anumaril's staff clearly predated the fall of the White-Gold Tower.
• Another individual named Phrastus held the position of Primate of the Akatosh Chantry as of 2E 540.

See Also

• For game-specific information, see the Elder Scrolls Online article.

References

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.