The Amulet of Kings, also called the Amulet of the Kings of Glory,[1] was a pendant traditionally worn by the ruling emperor of Cyrodiil. Set in its center was the Chim-el Adabal, also known as the Red Diamond,[2] a huge soul gem of Ayleid origin. It was held in a golden clasp surrounded by eight smaller gems that represented the Eight Divines of the original Cyrodilic pantheon, created by Queen Alessia. It served as the symbol of the divine right of the Cyrodilic emperors. The amulet was an important component of the coronation ceremony and a powerful artifact when used for divination. The soul of each reigning emperor was enshrined within the central stone, presumably during the coronation ritual involving the Dragonfires and the divine Covenant. In this way Cyrodiil's rulers were brought together in death, forming an 'oversoul' that could provide counsel to their successors.[3] The amulet could only be worn by certain individuals—those who could wear it were said to have the 'Dragon Blood' in their veins. The specific requirements, however, have been a subject of debate, and they may simply have called for the attributes of a ruler or some divine mandate.
The Amulet of Kings is a sacred symbol of the Empire, although most people think of the Red Dragon Crown as the Empire's main symbol of power.[4] The Red Diamond has also become a symbol heavily associated with Imperials.[5]
HistoryEdit
OriginsEdit
The Amulet of Kings entered the annals of human history when Akatosh (in some stories Shezarr)[UOL 1] forged the Covenant with Alessia and her (symbolic) descendants while she lay in her death bed. Chim-el Adabal was fastened in an amulet and became the symbol of both the Covenant and the legitimacy of Cyrodiil's rulers.[2][6] A popular song in the Second Era however, claimed that the Chim-el Adabal was formed when a drop of blood fell from the Heart of Lorkhan as it was flung to Tamriel, and landed down an Ayleid Well, the magicka within fusing it to a strong red crystal, which the Ayleids fashioned it into a great gem.[7] Following the breakup of the Alessian Empire, the Amulet of Kings was lost amid chaotic civil war and its attendant looting. According to legend, a certain King Hrol tracked down the spirit of Saint Alessia, who wore the Amulet of Kings around her neck. They coupled, and a hill named Sancre Tor rose on the spot. The infant Reman Cyrodiil was found upon the crest, wearing the amulet on his brow.[8] The Amulet of Kings was restored to prominence during the Reman years, lending legitimacy to that dynasty. After that time, the Dragonfires ritual became essential to the coronation of each new Emperor. During the ritual, the new monarch was soul-linked to the Amulet of Kings and sent to the Temple of the One to light the enchanted Dragonfires, which then burned until his death.[9]
Interregnum and the Three Banners WarEdit
In the middle of the Second Era, the Five Companions embarked on a quest to rediscover the Amulet of Kings. Their leader, Varen Aquilarios, was led to believe that the Amulet could be used in a ritual which would rekindle the Dragonfires and make him a true Dragonborn. This would allow him to be recognized as the legitimate ruler of the Empire. After years of searching, the Companions eventually found the Amulet. In 2E 579, they initiated the ritual in the Imperial City. It was then that Mannimarco, another one of the Companions, revealed his treachery and corrupted the ritual to break the ancient covenant between Akatosh and mortals. This caused the catastrophic event known as the Soulburst. In the subsequent chaos, Sai Sahan took the Amulet of Kings and fled. He then hid it within the ruins of Sancre Tor.
The Amulet was recovered from Sancre Tor in 2E 582 by the Vestige, Abnur Tharn, Sahan and Lyris Titanborn. It was later used to perform the ritual which imbued the Vestige with the power of Akatosh. However, one of the Companions had to be sacrificed in the process. With the power granted by the ritual, the Vestige was able to defeat Molag Bal and reclaim their soul.[10][11][12] After Molag Bal's defeat, Abnur Tharn took the amulet and fled to Cyrodiil. Although it was suspected he would attempt to use it, unbeknownst to him the amulet's power had been expended for at least a generation.[13]
After the long decline of the Interregnum, General Talos reputedly recovered the amulet from the tomb of the Remans beneath Sancre Tor after retaking it from the Nordic and Breton invaders.[9]
Oblivion CrisisEdit
The Hero of Kvatch recovered the amulet from the depths of the Imperial Subterrane after the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII at the hands of Daedric cultists. The Hero then delivered it to the Grandmaster of the Blades. After escorting Martin, Uriel's illegitimate son, back to Grandmaster Jauffre, the Amulet was stolen by the Mythic Dawn. The Hero was forced to enter the Paradise of Mankar Camoran in order to recover it. This achieved, preparations were made for Martin's coronation, but the ceremony was interrupted by a Daedric assault on the capital. After fighting his way to the Temple of the One, Martin was forced to smash the amulet, this being the only way to defeat Mehrunes Dagon. The power of the intermingled blood of the Covenant summoned a rare Aedric avatar in the form of Akatosh, a fiery dragon. Dagon was defeated, but the near four thousand year history of the Amulet of Kings was ended.[14]
GalleryEdit
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Uriel VII wearing a red amulet (Arena)
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Red Diamond Guardians
NotesEdit
- An Amulet of Kings replica was made available as official merchandise.
- The name of the crystal in the center of the amulet, "Chim-el Adabal", can be translated to Royalty[15] High Spirit[16] Stone;[17] thus, the Spirit Stone of High Royalty.[UOL 2]
- At some point after the Soulburst, mysterious slate-skinned figures, known as Red Diamond Guardians, periodically appeared in the Imperial City to fight the Daedra. Each one had the Red Diamond encrusted upon their torso. No one knew where they came from or where they went after each fray.[18]
See AlsoEdit
- For game-specific information, see the Oblivion article.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ The Chim-el Adabal — Mannimarco
- ^ a b The Amulet of Kings — Wenengrus Monhona
- ^ Where Were You When the Dragon Broke? — Various
- ^ Baurus' dialogue in Oblivion
- ^ Steadfast Society Ball Domino hat description in ESO
- ^ Trials of St. Alessia
- ^ Chim-el Adabal: A Ballad
- ^ Remanada
- ^ a b Battle of Sancre Tor
- ^ Events of Shadow of Sancre Tor in ESO
- ^ Events of Council of the Five Companions in ESO
- ^ Events of God of Schemes in ESO
- ^ Meridia's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Events of Oblivion
- ^ 36 Lessons of Vivec, Sermon 12 — Vivec
- ^ The Monomyth
- ^ Gentleman Jim Stacey's dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Red Diamond Guardian description in ESO
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.
- ^ First Era Timeline at The Imperial Library
- ^ Kurt Kuhlmann's Posts