Lorkhan's Betrayal

[Keanumoreira]

1. The Misery of Magnus

 

 

 

 

In the beginning, there was darkness.

 

Before the tides of time, the et'Ada wandered aimlessly, searching the planes of nonexistence in search of refuge. But the void was barren, and wherever they searched, only darkness could be found. It was of little occurrence of how they, themselves, had stumbled upon that world. Many wondered if it were but a dream, a cruel illusion that held their minds captive, providing no respite. They were powerless, even then, and longed to know why. They ached for purpose, and so they set out to find it.

 

After an arduous journey (the length of which could not yet be measured), and with nothing to be found, the et'Ada considered accepting their fate, for it was hopeless. But in this moment of uncertainty, they suddenly happened upon it. To speak in more truthful terms, it was Lorkhan, the deceiver, who took this credit -and later, its regret-. "Here!", he proclaimed, with a grin wider than his arms, spread out for his kin to behold, "here is the where of which we've sought to discover!"

 

Puzzled, they asked him what he meant, for his kin could make no sense of what wasn't there. In frustration, their brother could not, in term, comprehend their ignorance. This, here, was the fruit of their labors, the spot of dawning, the point of genesis, from which all things could finally be. This was the Beginning Place. Were they blinded to this revelation? Could they not see it, as he had? But it mattered not, and he called forth his brother Magnus, the Great Architect, to begin his work. But Magnus, as he was old and decrepit, found his memory waning, and thus, requested a surface fit to record his plans. But his siblings brought forth nothing, and finding the void a most difficult fabric, he implored his brother for a solution.

 

Akatosh ventured forward, volunteering to lend his assistance as best he could, given his formlessness. Finding it to be a vexing task, and with a fury so terrible, the mighty Akatosh unleashed his Thu'um, ripping the void from its idleness. Change swept the idle waters, disturbing and disruptive, a rippling so great that all was unraveled from what it once was, and so the tides of time were set in motion. Indeed, even Akatosh was different, allowing him to assume his true form as the Dragon of Time, the Father of the Metamorphosis. From his impenetrable scales, weaving time and space as one, he spun a most excellent fabric, and Magnus was pleased. Using his pen, he drew up the first schematics, and witnessed with awe as the all-being bent before its influence.

 

Many eons passed (as they could now be counted), but the spirits, in their revelry, noticed not. This was at the expense of Magnus, for had he not toiled away for so long, and was thus not distracted, the poor architect may have been driven to madness. Aware of the passing of time, but of not an escape, his body began to waver. He became gibbous in his posture as he often bent over his blueprints for centuries at a time. His mind wandered, much like they all once did, and it was easy to stray from the path set before him. Alas, had Akatosh's gift become a curse! The wretched soul nearly collapsed beneath its strain. Concerned for his well-being, Lorkhan propped his body beneath a staff, urging him to continue his work. But it was Zenithar who recognized his labors, for the draftsman had suffered so much that his task was no longer feasible. Finding the selfishness of Lorkhan to be monstrous, that most gracious spirit sacrificed himself so that the burden placed upon poor Magnus may be lessened.

 

[Ithildin]

Beautifully conceived and written ... extraordinary work. I hope there's more to come, when your busy schedule permits. :)

[Keanumoreira]

Thank you. :)

 

Since this is a creation myth, separated into different parts, I should be able to finish it.

[Keanumoreira]

2. Fruition

 

 

So long as he had his staff, the architect was able to suppress the effects of aging.

 

 

The project continued for some millenia with relative progress. Although jaded, the wizard was quite impressed with how well it was coming together, and couldn't help but to take pride in it. Before Zenithar's patronage, Magnus, in his misery, had neglected to observe his arresting creation. But freed from his torment, he began to recognize its peculiar distinctiveness. Struck by its inspiration, he wept, drawing his wife, the celebrated Kynareth, to his side. She implored Magnus for what was troubling him, and when he was finally able to do so, he said unto her, "I know not what to call it."

 

Eventually, however, upon reflecting on Lorkhan's discovery all those ages before, he decided to dedicate his creation after himself. After all, an artist must sign his work, and so "Mundus" came to be. As the Beginning Place was the seed of his creation, Magnus placed it at the heart of Mundus and named it "Nirn", or "Dawn's Beauty", as was appropriate.

 

But the project was not without its criticisms. Many of the et'Ada were angered with what they saw and confronted the draftsman about his monstrosity. It had already cost them two of their brethren, and for what? Magnus urged them to be calm, but they would not listen, and were it not for Kynareth, they might have very well destroyed his creation. She knew how much it meant for her husband that it remain intact, and in her infinite altruism, gave her life so that Nirn may bloom, quelling the rebellion and saving our world.

 

Outraged, the engineer threw down his blueprints, cast aside his instruments, and took up his staff against Lorkhan. He condemned his brother to pay for the weight of his injustices: "Lorkhan, hear my cry and weep! For the crimes that you have committed against your brethren and I, you are hereby doomed to walk the length of this plane in eternal exile! May the judgement of my peers be swift and damning!" With Zenithar's blessing, Magnus imprisoned the Deciever in Adamantine Tower, where all the et'Ada once assembled to discuss the progress of the work of Magnus. Now, it served as the seat of judgement for a great betrayal.

 

Magnus himself was disgusted at Lorkhan's trickery. Before freeing his brother from the staff, he used it to rip a hole in Mundus to Aetherius; this aperture eventually became the sun. Zenithar himself descended unto Nirn following his departure, and the Great Architect was never seen again.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Keanumoreira

[Maharg67]

Very excellent an accounting of the story of the creation of the Elder Scrolls 'cosmos'. I look forward to reading more.