A kalpa is an epoch of time consisting of the birth, life, and death of a world.[1] For example, the Dawn Era and its chaos is said to have been the end of a previous kalpa, and the beginning of another.[UOL 1] These segments of time are sometimes subject to interruptions called Dragon Breaks.
Cultural BeliefsEdit
The Nords believe that the current kalpa is a byproduct of its predecessor's destruction at the hands of Alduin the World-Eater, and that this world shall also be destroyed to create a new one.[2] What precedes it is the Final War,[UOL 2] the final doom,[3] the final battle,[4] where the Nords "will show their final, best worth".[UOL 2] It is said that both Men and Mer know Tamriel is where the "nexus of creation" took place, as well as where the Last War will happen.[5]
Redguards and Argonians also believe in a cyclical world that is, or at least was, periodically consumed by Satakal and Atakota respectively.[2][6] The Redguards believe that if they do not honor their ancestors, it will bring about a new "Ending Time", worse again than those before.[7]
The spirits of Khajiit whose souls have not been corrupted are taken by Khenarthi to the Sands Behind the Stars, where they await for the "Next Pounce".[8] Pre-ri'Datta myths state that at the end of time, Khenarthi will summon the united spirits of the Khajiiti people to defend creation.[9][10]
The Reachmen believe that at the "end of all days", Hircine will fight alongside them,[11] and the Dark Heart will beat again, reawakened by feeding on the deaths of mortals, and its darkness will spread from its depths to consume everything, sparing only Namira's faithful.[12]
According to some sources, the destruction of Lyg took place in the prior kalpa.[13][UOL 3] It is also said that the "half-Elf" Umaril's divine father hailed from the previous kalpa.[14]
ReferencesEdit
- ^ Paarthurnax's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ a b Varieties of Faith in Tamriel — Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
- ^ Hero of Sovngarde's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Stormcloak Soldier's dialogue during Sovngarde in Skyrim
- ^ Mysterious Akavir
- ^ Children of the Root — Solis Aduro
- ^ Plea for Open Eyes — The Unveiled Azadiyeh
- ^ Litter-Mates of Darkness — Moon-Bishop Hunal
- ^ The Sky Spirits — Amun-dro, the Silent Priest
- ^ All Our Perfect Forms — Amun-dro, the Silent Priest
- ^ High Shaman Glynroch's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Arana's dialogue in ESO
- ^ The Nine Coruscations — Star-Queen Varalias
- ^ The Song of Pelinal, v 7
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.
