Lore:Nerevar

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Hortator Indoril Nerevar
MW-misc-Anniversary Art 2024.jpg
Hortator Indoril Nerevar
Race Chimer Gender Male
Born 1st Era
Died 1E 700
Red Mountain
Reign 1E 416-
1E 700
Previous Ruler Unknown
Next Ruler Tribunal
Resided in Resdayn
Appears in ESO
Bust of Nerevar ca. 1E 2800s

Lord Indoril Nerevar, also called Saint Nerevar Moon-and-Star,[1] the Champion of Azura, the Hero of Red Mountain,[2] and Godkiller, was the Chimer King of Resdayn (modern-day Morrowind).[3][4] As the Hortator, or Great Ashkhan,[1] of the united Chimer people, he forged an alliance with the Dwemer, and he was one of the founders of the First Council, uniting all the people of Resdayn for the first time in 1E 416.[5] Nerevar then took on the title of "First Councilor".[6][7] The alliance eventually broke down, leading to the War of the First Council. At the climactic Battle of Red Mountain circa 1E 700, Nerevar led the Chimer to victory, though he died shortly after the battle under disputed circumstances.[3]

Under the Tribunal Temple, he was known as the Herald of the Triune Way.[2][4] Ashlander prophecies of his "rebirth" as the Nerevarine and heroic return to Morrowind fueled the creation of the Nerevarine Cult.[7] St. Nerevar the Captain,[8] patron of Warriors and Statesmen, became one of the foremost saints of the Dunmeri faith,[4] along with his wife, Almalexia the Warden, Lord Sotha Sil the Magus, Lord Vivec the Poet, and Saint Veloth the Pilgrim.[9][10] Nerevar became the patron saint of House Redoran.[11]

History[edit]

Nerevar's early life is only known through myth. Vivec's prose suggests Nerevar was once a protector for a merchant caravan, and he met Almalexia when she was already a ruler and Vivec was still in the womb.[12] In the Five Songs of King Wulfharth, Lorkhan states that Nerevar is the son of Boethiah, one of the strongest Padomaics,[13] but it is unclear how literal the statement was. Between 1E 240 and 1E 272, the Nords of Skyrim used their armies and the power of the thu'um to take over the whole of Resdayn.[14][15][16][17] When the War of Succession began in 1E 369 and left the Nords crippled,[18] Nerevar decided to seize the opportunity for rebellion.

The Hortator[edit]

A projection of Nerevar and Sotha Sil, recreated in the Clockwork City's Elegiac Replication garden

General Nerevar united the many disparate factions of the Chimer people and became their Hortator, their collective military leader. The alliance he forged with the Dwemer was crucial for his people, as the Nords had never been able to conquer the mighty underground Dwemeri cities (the Dwemer had essentially stayed independent despite the Nordic invasion).[5][19] The alliance depended on his personal friendship with their leader King Dumac, because though the two were "blood friends", the people they represented generally despised each other.[3][20][21] Together, they decisively repulsed the Nords in 1E 416 at Red Mountain,[5][22] and their alliance survived for centuries.[23] Dumac even came to Nerevar's wedding to Almalexia, and presented the new couple with the swords Hopesfire and Trueflame as wedding gifts.[24] Trueflame went to Nerevar, and was also known as the Blade of Nerevar.[24] Nerevar and Dumac attended the coronation of Emperor Gorieus together in 1E 461 as representatives of Resdayn.[25]

At the time, Sotha Sil was Nerevar's teacher and one of his closest advisers.[20] Nerevar's junior counselor and other teacher was Vivec, and Sotha Sil acted as a mentor for them both.[20] Voryn Dagoth, who was roughly the same age as Nerevar,[26] was the Lord High Councilor of House Dagoth (and, by some accounts, Nerevar's most loyal servant).[3][27] Nerevar's shield-companion was Alandro Sul, who was known as the immortal son of Azura.[26] Several legends hold that Nerevar was Azura's champion, and the two had a special relationship. He consulted Azura on important matters, and it was she who blessed his ring Moon-and-Star, a unique ring made by Dwemeri smiths before the First Council was formed, so that it would kill any who wore it except Nerevar. It was on this ring that Nerevar swore to the Ashlander tribes that he would always honor their way of life, and thus earned their allegiance.[28] The ring also gave him great powers of persuasion.[29] The moon and star was heavily associated with Nerevar. Legend says his family standard bore the moon and star, and Nerevar's armor and weapons bore this sign. Some say he bore a moon-and-star birthmark. Others say he was born under a moon-and-star.[30]

It was during this era of peace and prosperity under the First Council that many of The 36 Lessons of Vivec take place. Vivec's Lessons recount many unbelievable tales about Nerevar and himself, such as that they journeyed all over northern parts of the world together (including Akavir, Yokuda, and Atmora), that he taught Nerevar CHIM, and that Nerevar tried to reach heaven by violence, fighting the "Parliament of Craters" on the "first moon" and journeying to the library of the sun only to be defeated by the power of Magnus.

The War of the First Council[edit]

"Foul Murder" - The murder of Nerevar

Through means lost to history, Voryn Dagoth learned of the Dwemer High Craftlord Kagrenac's plan to secretly exploit the Dwemer's discovery, the Heart of Lorkhan, which the Chimer would not have tolerated, considering it blasphemous. Dagoth told Nerevar of this plan, and when Nerevar confronted his friend Dumac about it, relations broke down.[20] Some sources suggest that the whole matter may have been the result of a misunderstanding, as Dumac may not have known about Kagrenac's plan until it was too late.[3] At the outset, Nerevar had to once again convince the Chimer factions to band together under his leadership.[31] Dwemeri technology undoubtedly made them the most fearsome military force on Tamriel, and though the Chimer were skilled in fighting and magic, they suffered numerous defeats in northern Resdayn until they finally once again united under Nerevar.[29][31]

The Red Mountain of Vvardenfell

It is unknown just how long the war dragged on, but through strategy, trickery, and the judicious use of Ashlander scouts, Nerevar orchestrated another climactic confrontation at Red Mountain. The battle would ultimately be another decisive victory for the Chimer, even though it would claim many lives, including Nerevar's. The Heirographa, the orthodox teachings of the Tribunal Temple, held that Nerevar, with the help of Azura and the Tribunal, utilized the Heart of Lorkhan to make the Dwemer disappear.[3][32] Some Ashlander accounts corroborate that Nerevar and Azura made the Dwemer disappear,[3] but generally hold that the Dwemer destroyed themselves.[32] Sources conflict on many other aspects of the war, in particular the role of House Dagoth and whether Voryn Dagoth remained loyal to Nerevar.[6][27][13]

How Nerevar died at the Battle of Red Mountain is one of the most disputed topics in history.[22] His sword Trueflame was shattered in the fighting, and its pieces were lost.[24] The Nords say Nerevar was mortally wounded by Lorkhan, and then feigned death in order to cut out Lorkhan's Heart and defeat the God of Mortals once more.[13] Vivec gives his own account of the events leading up to and during the battle. He glosses over how Nerevar actually met his demise, but implies that Nerevar died of wounds he received at the end of the battle from Dumac and possibly Dagoth Ur.[20] Ashlanders believe that the Tribunal, greedy for the power of the Heart, poisoned a wounded Nerevar so he would not interfere with their plans for the Heart.[3][28] They trace their beliefs to the allegations of Alandro Sul, who had reportedly been blinded during the battle and went to live with the Ashlanders afterwards.[3][26][13]

Legacy[edit]

At some time soon after the climax of the battle, following the disappearance of the Dwemer, Nerevar insisted that he, Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec swear upon and before Azura never to employ the Tools of Kagrenac in the profane manner that the Dwemer had intended. A few years after the battle, when the Tribunal broke their oath to Nerevar and used Kagrenac's Tools to seize divine power, Azura appeared and cursed them. She assured them that her champion Nerevar would return to punish them for their perfidy, and to make sure such profane knowledge might never again be used to mock and defy the will of the gods. When Sotha Sil dismissed her claims, all Chimer were changed into Dunmer, and she professed that all the Dunmer would share the fate of the Tribunal until the end of time.[20] Nerevar's wife Almalexia later became the Consort of her fellow Tribune Vivec. The Heirographa claimed that he lived long enough to bless the new Tribunal as protectors of his people.[6]

The face mask of the ordinator vestments, called the Golden Face of Devotion, depicts the true visage of Indoril Nerevar.[33][UOL 1]

After his death, he was supposedly transformed into a Bonewalker. Even though this information is lost to the annals of most Tribune histories, he is still depicted in his bonewalker form on his Temple shrines.[UOL 1]

The disagreement over Nerevar's death created a schism between the Great Houses, who accepted the Tribunal as their new living gods, and the Ashlanders, who decried the Tribunal as murderers. It was not until the early Fourth Era, when worship of the Tribunal faded, that other Dunmer would come to appreciate the Ashlanders again for preserving the ancient traditions Nerevar had promised to respect.[10]

Artifacts[edit]

Several artifacts are associated with the Hortator.

Trueflame[edit]

Trueflame

Trueflame, or the Blade of Nerevar, is a one-handed Dwemeri sword from the early First Era. Trueflame and its twin blade, Hopesfire, represented the pinnacle of Dwemer craftsmanship. The twin blades possessed unearthly fire enchantments. They were presented as wedding gifts to Lord Indoril Nerevar and Almalexia by the Dwemer King Dumac. Trueflame was shattered during the Battle of Red Mountain circa 1E 700, and the pieces were lost. However, it was restored by the Nerevarine in 3E 427. It possessed the ability to kill a god if wielded by one of noble intent.[24]

Moon-and-Star[edit]

Moon-and-Star

Moon-and-Star is a Dwarven ring of Chimer hero Nerevar. The artifact was forged by one of the smiths of Dwemer Sorcerer-priest Kagrenac and blessed by the Daedric Goddess Azura. The ring lent Nerevar supernatural powers of persuasion and indisputable proof of identity, since any other who tried to wear it would be killed instantly. The Moon-and-Star helped Nerevar unite the warring Chimer clans, and form the First Council which included the Dwemer.

Nerevar's Axe[edit]

In the Temple of False Thinking of Mournhold, Nerevar chose an axe from the fight racks, and traveled to the first moon to fight empty graves, making the mistake of taking Vivec's advice to "reach heaven by violence" in a literal sense. He later traded his axe for the Ethos Knife.[12] The fate of the axe after the battle is unknown. Despite Nerevar giving it a name,[12] the true name of the axe is never mentioned.

Sword of the Saint[edit]

The Sword of the Saint was a gift to Saint Nerevar from the Tribunal. It was imbued with the divine power of Vivec.[34]

Gallery[edit]

  • Nerevar Projection

  • "Terrifying Face" aspect of Nerevar (Morrowind)

  • Visage of Nerevar on an Ordinator helm (ESO)

  • Nerevar Reborn themed card back (Legends)

  • Arms bearing Nerevar's likeness (ESO)

  • Shrine depiction of Nerevar's bonewalker form (Morrowind)

  • Banner depiction (ESO)

  • Visage of Nerevar on an Ordinator helm

  • Morrowind concept art

  • ESO concept art

  • Saint Nerevar bust

  • Saint Nerevar bust

Notes[edit]

  • Many people, notably Dagoth Ur and his followers, recognized no distinction between Nerevar and the Nerevarine.
  • Nerevar's full and formal name would be Serjo Indoril Nerevar Mora.[UOL 2]
  • Vivec's 36th sermon claims that Nerevar traded his axe for Keening (which Vivec refers to as the "Ethos Knife") at the Battle of Red Mountain. Another account of the Battle holds that Nerevar wielded it in combat against a returning Shor, who had briefly reunited with his heart. The Hortator carved out Shor's heart and dealt him yet another death, but not before being mortally wounded himself.[13][35]

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Zainsubani's Notes — Hassour Zainsubani
  2. ^ a b St. Nerevar, Moon-and-Star furnishing description in ESO: Greymoor
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Nerevar at Red Mountain — the Tribunal Temple
  4. ^ a b c Varieties of Faith... — Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  5. ^ a b c Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Morrowind — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  6. ^ a b c Saint Nerevar
  7. ^ a b Nerevarine cult notes — Sharn gra-Muzgob
  8. ^ Nerevar the Captain
  9. ^ Lives of the Saints — Tribunal Temple
  10. ^ a b The Reclamations — Thara of Rihad
  11. ^ Mottos of the Dunmeri Great Houses — Vilyn Girith
  12. ^ a b c The 36 Lessons of Vivec — Vivec
  13. ^ a b c d e Five Songs of King Wulfharth
  14. ^ The Legendary Sancre Tor — Matera Chapel
  15. ^ King Edward
  16. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Skyrim — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  17. ^ The Daggerfall Chronicles — Ronald Wartow
  18. ^ A History of Daggerfall — Odiva Gallwood
  19. ^ The Aetherium Wars — Taron Dreth
  20. ^ a b c d e f The Battle of Red Mountain — Vivec
  21. ^ The Seven Curses — Gilvas Barelo
  22. ^ a b Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Temple: Morrowind — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  23. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: All the Eras of Man, A Comprehensive History of our History — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  24. ^ a b c d Almalexia's dialogue in Morrowind: Tribunal
  25. ^ Rislav The Righteous — Sinjin
  26. ^ a b c Vivec's dialogue in Morrowind
  27. ^ a b Message from Dagoth Ur — Dagoth Ur
  28. ^ a b Nerevar Moon-and-Star
  29. ^ a b The Real Nerevar
  30. ^ Nibani Maesa's dialogue in Morrowind
  31. ^ a b The War of the First Council — Agrippa Fundilius
  32. ^ a b Progress of Truth — Dissident Priests
  33. ^ A Guide to Liturgical Vestments — High Ordinator Vermethys
  34. ^ Sword of the Saint description during Trials and Tribulations in ESO
  35. ^ 36 Lessons of Vivec, Sermon 36 — Vivec

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.

  1. ^ a b Michael Kirkbride's Posts
  2. ^ Douglas Goodall's Posts
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