| The Vestige | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race | Unknown | Gender | Unknown |
| Born | 2nd Era |
||
| Died | 2E 582 |
||
| Resurrection | 2E 582 Coldharbour |
||
| Resided in | Tamriel | ||
| Appears in | ESO | ||
—The Vestige
The Vestige, known as the Soulless One and by a plethora of other names,[1] was a Soul-Shriven hero of prophecy.[2] As a mortal, they were sacrificed to Molag Bal by Mannimarco as part of a dark ritual in 2E 582.[3] They may have been chosen by the Adamantine Tower to be a savior to the many corners of Tamriel, with many crises such as the Three Banners War, the schemes of Daedric Princes, and the Dragons that ravaging Elsweyr happening in such a short amount of time.[4]
CharacteristicsEdit
While common Soul Shriven lack the focusing principle of their Anuic souls, scholars theorized that if they still possessed some other intrinsic Anuic aspect, they would form an unflawed body in Coldharbour that was a perfect duplicate of the body worn in Mundus. Should this individual bear a sufficiently high Anuic valence, their body would form almost instantaneously upon contact with Padomaic creatia. Further, scholars extrapolate that such an occurrence would take place if Mundus was subject to an existential threat. In this situation, the Heart of Nirn would spontaneously generate such individuals as a way of defending itself from destruction.[2] It would also be possible for a Soul Shriven to restore their physical form if they became re-attuned to Nirn. One such method is by absorbing the power of a Skyshard, fragments of Aetherius which carry the essence of Nirn within them.[5]
These theories were seemingly proven correct, as in 2E 579 Molag Bal began an attempt to meld his plane of Oblivion with Nirn to create a single nightmarish realm.[6] Only for a few years later, in 2E 582 the Vestige seemingly exhibited such exceptional Anuic qualities and escaped Coldharbour, going on to combat the Daedric threat as foretold by the Elder Scrolls.[2][5][6]
The Vestige can also use wayshrines to travel and resurrect due to their nature. As first theorized by Corvus Direnni, these wayshrines create an interconnected "web of sojourn" which could be manipulated to create a permanent portal network. In order to do this, the "fast traveler" would have to attune himself to each wayshrine in order to create a "node". However, to test this theory the potential traveler would have to unmoor his soul from the Mundus.[7] The wayshrines also allowed these Soul Shriven who had been re-attuned to Anuic magic to reform in death, being reborn at the nearest shrine instead of being banished to the Void like a Daedra.[UOL 1]
HistoryEdit
With the aid of former emperor Varen Aquilarios, the Vestige escaped imprisonment in Coldharbour and reformed the Five Companions, as foretold by the Elder Scrolls in the omen "The soulless one will become the brightest of five stars, and they shall guide us to the coming dawn."[3][8]
After participating in the Three Banners War for one of the three alliances throughout its territory and Cyrodiil, the Vestige joined an invasion of Coldharbour by the Fighters and Mages Guilds. The Vestige became instrumental to that effort, restoring Meridia's Hollow City in Coldharbour as a beachhead for the invasion.[9] The Vestige, with Meridia's assistance, thus ended Molag Bal's Planemeld and regained their soul.[10]
Meridia then sent the Vestige to explore events as if they had been part of the other alliances of Tamriel.[11] The Vestige then explored the aftermath of the Planemeld in Craglorn, facing the Celestials corrupted by the Serpent.[12] Thereafter, the Vestige joined the Dark Brotherhood[13] of which they became a Silencer,[14] the nascent Thieves Guild in Hew's Bane,[15] and aided in the rebuilding of Kurog's Orsinium.[16]
The Vestige then became involved in a Daedric war involving the Daedric Triad of the Princes Clavicus Vile, Mephala, and Nocturnal when they foiled the Triad's plot to sap Vivec of his power, before preventing their takeover of the Clockwork City.[17][18] The Vestige then traveled to Summerset and became a member of the Psijic Order.[19] Nocturnal, however betrayed the Triad, and was promptly defeated by the Psijics, Vestige, and champions of Meridia and the betrayed princes.[20] The Vestige then journeyed to Murkmire with the Cyrodiilic Collection Agency,[21] discovering the lost Root-Whisper tribe.[22]
The Vestige later reunited with Abnur Tharn, inadvertently aiding in his sister's plot to have him release dragons across Tamriel.[23] Abnur and the Vestige prevented Euraxia's dragon allies from siphoning Jode's Core[24] and reclaimed the kingdom of Rimmen from Euraxia for its true heir, Khamira.[25] The Vestige would also ally with Sai Sahan to re-establish the Dragonguard in Southern Elsweyr.[26] The Dragonguard forged an alliance with the dragon Nahfahlaar,[27] who empowered the Vestige with the Mask of Alkosh.[28] The Vestige, Abnur Tharn, Khamira, Sahan, Nahfahlaar, and the Dragonguard thus stopped the leader of the unleashed dragons, Kaalgrontiid, from ascending to godhood, though their mission came at the apparent cost of Abnur Tharn's life.[29]
Eventually the Vestige met Lyris Titanborn once again in Icereach and aided her in defeating the Icereach Coven. They also helped the last Pyre Watch Sentinel and Fennorian, an investigator from House Ravenwatch, defend Unhallowed Grave against grave-robbing necromancers. The hero later met with Lyris and investigated a lead on the Icereach Coven in behalf of the Skald-King.[30][31] The Vestige traveled to Western Skyrim where they saved Solitude from a harrowstorm, and ousted and slew the High King of Western Skyrim for being a pawn of the Gray Host.[32] The Vestige subsequently aided Gwendis in defeating a Vampire Lord and a mad alchemist, both of which were allies of the Gray Host. They continued aiding the Ravenwatch in investigating the Gray Host.[33][34]The hero's journey led them to Markarth where they ousted and defeated a traitor in the Despot of Markarth's court, temporarily saving Markarth in the process.[35][36] Finally, the Vestige traveled to Grayhaven and put an end to Rada al-Saran once and for all, stopping the Gray Host and saving the Reach.[37]
In the Blackwood region of Cyrodiil and Black Marsh, the Vestige uncovered a dark pact between the fallen Longhouse Emperors of Cyrodiil and the Daedric Prince, Mehrunes Dagon.[38] Four children were imbued with the egonymic of Dagon himself so that they would attune him to Nirn when rejoined with him. Though the power of three Ambitions were claimed by Dagon, the Vestige allied with the final Ambition to banish him from Nirn once more.[39]
In the Systres archipelago, while working under Lady Arabelle and Lord Bacaro Volorus, the Vestige uncovered a plot to assassinate the Alliance leaders—Emeric, Ayrenn and, in Jorunn's case, his son Irnskar—by the Ascendant Order during crucial peace talks to end the war. Corralling the leaders to All Flags Islet, the Vestige arranged a defense of the isle, succeeding in protecting the leaders and defeated the Ascendant Magus, second-in-command of the Ascendant Order.[40] The Vestige then unmasked Bacaro as the Ascendant Lord and revealed his plot to become the new Druid King and bring an era of destruction to Tamriel, replacing the fallen Empire with his own "Ivy Throne". The Vestige confronted them at Mount Firesong, defeating the Lord and saving the archipelago from destruction.[41][42]
TitulatureEdit
—Varen Aquilarios
The Vestige took on a number of titles throughout their Aurbic adventures. They were given their first title, the Vestige, by the former Emperor Varen Aquilarios, who learned of a Soulless One[1][43] who would save Tamriel from the clutches of Molag Bal through his studies of the Elder Scrolls. Almalexia also foresaw the arrival of the soulless, deathless one who could save Gil-Var-Delle.[44] After defeating the Lord of Domination, they were also bestowed by him the titles of the Savior of Tamriel, the Hero of Coldharbour, and Meridia's Champion.[8] For their efforts against Prince Fildgor and solidifying the Ebonheart Pact in Eastmarch, the Vestige was named the High King's Arrow (or King's Arrow or The Arrow of the King) by Prince Irnskar.[45][46][47] In Auridon, while working as an agent for Queen Ayrenn, they were named an Eye of the Queen.[48] Similarly the Vestige was named an Eye of Raz by Razum-dar.[49] In Reaper's March, the Vestige was chosen to be the Moon Hallowed, the person who would help the Lunar Champion walk the path to become the Mane of the Khajiit.[50] Upon uniting the Orcish tribes and stopping King Kurog's plot, they were deemed the Hero of Wrothgar.[51] When they fought the Daedric Triad throughout Tamriel, the Vestige was recognized as both a Champion of Vivec[52] and the Savior of Summerset,[53] To the people of Murkmire they are known as Rootmender.[54] The people of Northern Elsweyr named them the Champion of Anequina for their part in stopping the dragon Kaalgrontiid,[55] while their ally Nahfahlaar gave the Vestige the dragon name of Ahkahtuz.[56] They were named Champion of the Alliances by the three Alliance leaders and Lady Arabelle Davaux,[57] and the Defender of the Three Thrones and the Savior of the Systres by Lord Bacaro Volorus.[58] The Vestige was known as The Scourge by the inhabitants of Bal Sunnar.[59] They were granted the title of pathwalker by an alternate Ithelia[60].
Beyond these, they received many, many more titles for their accolades, feats and adventures:[61]
- Abyssal Champion
- Aerie Ascender
- Alpha Predator
- Ardent Bibliophile
- Assassin
- Assistant Alienist
- Bane of Thorns
- Bane of the Gold Coast
- Battleground Butcher
- Bedlam's Disciple
- Blackmarrow's Bane
- Blackrose Condemner
- Blackrose Executioner
- Bloodletter
- Boethiah's Scythe
- Bonecaller's Bane
- Breathless
- Bringer of Light
- Ca-Uxith Warrior
- Cake Connoisseur
- Cardsharp
- Cataclyst Breaker
- Champion of Anequina
- Champion of Blackwood
- Champion of Vivec
- Champion of the Deadlands
- Chaos Champion
- Chaos Guardian
- Chaos Keeper
- Chevalier
- Clan Father or Clan Mother
- Clanfriend
- Clockwork Confounder
- Cloudrest Hero
- Club Contender
- Club Virtuoso
- Conquering Hero
- Coral Caretaker
- Councilor
- Count or Countess
- Covenant Hero
- Covenant Skyshard Hunter
- Covenbreaker
- Craglorn Skyshard Hunter
- Curator's Champion
- Cyrodiil Skyshard Hunter
- Daedric Bane
- Daedric Lord Slayer
- Dark Delver
- Dawnbringer
- Deadlands Adept
- Defender of Rockgrove
- Disassembly General
- Divayth Fyr's Coadjutor
- Dominion Hero
- Dominion Skyshard Hunter
- Dovahkriid
- Dragonslayer
- Dragonstar Arena Champion
- Dreadsails' Scourge
- Dream Master
- Dro-m'Athra Destroyer
- Duelist
- Earthen Root Avenger
- Earthen Root Champion
- Elsweyr Strategist
- Emissary
- Emperor and Former Emperor
- Empieror or Empieress
- Enemy of Coldharbour
- Executioner
- Expert Excavator
- Explorer
- Extinguisher of Flames
- Eye of the Queen
- Fate's Chosen
- Fighters Guild Victor
- Finder of Lost Relics
- Fist of Tava
- Flamechaser
- Frozen Treasure Seeker
- Game-Baron
- Godslayer
- Grand Champion
- Grand Master Crafter
- Graven Deep Champion
- Gryphon Handler
- Gryphon Heart
- Guardian of Elsweyr
- Guardian of Galen
- Guardian of the Green
- Guardian of the Reach
- Hand of Alkosh
- Harrowstorm Hero
- Havocrel Hunter
- Hero of Clockwork City
- Hero of Fargrave
- Hero of Murkmire
- Hero of Necrom
- Hero of Skyrim
- Hero of Wrothgar
- Hero of the Dragonguard
- High-Stakes Gambler
- Hircine's Champion
- Hist-Shadow
- Hollowfang Exsanguinator
- Hope's Hero
- Huntmaster
- Hurricane Herald
- Immortal Redeemer
- Incarnate
- Invaders' Bane
- Kingmaker
- Knight Errant
- Kyne's Chosen
- Kyne's Will
- Kyne's Wrath
- Librarian
- Locksmith
- Lord of Misrule or Lady of Misrule
- Lord or Lady
- Lunar Champion
- Maelstrom Arena Champion
- Mage Slayer
- Magnanimous
- Master Angler
- Master Grappler
- Master Historian
- Master Thief
- Master Wizard
- Mighty in Magma
- Mindmender
- Monster Hunter
- Murkmire Prepper
- Mystic
- Oathsworn
- Ophidian Overlord
- Orderly
- Pact Hero
- Pact Skyshard Hunter
- Paragon
- Peak Scaler
- Pinnacle of Evolution
- Pirate
- Pitmaster
- Plague of Peryite
- Planesbreaker
- Privateer
- Purified Devastator
- Relic Guardian
- Relic Hunter
- Roister's Club Master
- Royal Jester
- Sagacious Seer
- Saintly Savior
- Sanctifier
- Sanity's Scourge
- Sanity's Warrior
- Savior of Blackwood
- Savior of Elsweyr
- Savior of High Isle
- Savior of Nirn
- Savior of Summerset
- Savior of Western Skyrim
- Saviour of Morrowind
- Scoundrel
- Scourge of Sunnar
- Scribe Savior
- Seaborne Slayer
- Seeker of Artifacts
- Shadow Blessed
- Shadow Breaker
- Shehai Shatterer
- Shield of the North
- Shieldthane of Morthal
- Shipwright
- Siegemaster
- Silencer
- Silver Knight
- Soul Mage Maven
- Soul of the Squall
- Sower's Savior
- Spark of Vengeance
- Spirit Seeker
- Spirit Slayer
- Spiritblood Champion
- Standard-Bearer
- Standard-Guardian
- Star-Made Knight
- Storm Foe
- Stormproof
- Style Master
- Subterranean Smasher
- Sun's Dusk Reaper
- Sunspire Ascendant
- Sunspire Saint
- Swashbuckler Supreme
- Tactician
- Tamriel Hero
- Temporal Tempest
- Tenacious Dreamer
- Thane of Solitude
- The Dreaded
- The Dynamo
- The Flawless Conquerer
- The Inedible
- The Merciless
- The Unchained
- The Wretched
- Three Thrones' Defender
- Tick-Tock Tormentor
- Tide Turner
- Tin Soldier
- True Genius
- Undaunted
- Vanquisher of the Gray Host
- Voice of Reason
- Weaver's Bane
- Welkynar Liberator
- Witch Hunter
- Witch
- Xalvakka's Scourge
- Z'en's Redeemer
- of House Ravenwatch
- of the Silver Rose
- of the Undying Song
- the Intervener
- the Self-governing
- the Vengeful
NotesEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b Sister Terran Arminus' dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b c Chaotic Creatia: The Azure Plasm — Doctor Rhythandius
- ^ a b Soul Shriven in Coldharbour
- ^ Norianwe's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b The Prophet's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b Events of ESO
- ^ Wayshrines of Tamriel — Beredalmo the Signifier
- ^ a b Aquilarios' dialogue
- ^ The Army of Meridia
- ^ God of Schemes
- ^ Cadwell's Almanac
- ^ The Thief in Craglorn
- ^ Signed in Blood
- ^ Speaker Terenus in Filling the Void
- ^ Partners in Crime
- ^ Orsinium questline
- ^ Divine Restoration
- ^ Where Shadows Lie
- ^ A Pearl of Great Price
- ^ The Crystal Tower
- ^ Sunken Treasure
- ^ The Remnant of Argon
- ^ The Demon Weapon
- ^ Jode's Core
- ^ The Heir of Anequina
- ^ Reformation
- ^ The Dragon's Lair
- ^ The Pride of Alkosh
- ^ New Moon Rising
- ^ The Coven Conspiracy
- ^ The Coven Conundrum
- ^ Greymoor Rising
- ^ The Ravenwatch Inquiry
- ^ The Gray Council
- ^ The Study of Souls
- ^ A Feast of Souls
- ^ Kingdom of Ash
- ^ Events of Into the Deep and Burning Secrets in ESO
- ^ Ambition's End quest in ESO
- ^ Events of To Catch a Magus in High Isle
- ^ Events of The Hidden Lord in High Isle
- ^ Events of The Ivy Throne in High Isle
- ^ Molag Bal's Dark Anchor dialogue in ESO
- ^ High Ordinator Danys' dialogue in ESO
- ^ Prince Irnskar's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Captain Attiring's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Scout Jaga's dialogue in ESO
- ^ A Hostile Situation in Online
- ^ Razum-dar's dialogue in ESO, during the quest The Queen's Decree
- ^ Kauzanabi-jo's dialogue
- ^ King Torug's dialogue in Orsinium
- ^ Vivec's dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Razum-Dar's dialogue in Summerset
- ^ Events of Death and Dreaming in Murkmire
- ^ Khamira's dialogue in Elsweyr
- ^ Nahfahlaar's dialogue
- ^ Events of And Now, Perhaps, Peace in High Isle
- ^ Lord Bacaro Volorus' dialogue during The Hidden Lord in ESO: High Isle
- ^ Events of Unstuck From Time in ESO
- ^ Ithelia's dialogue during The Many Paths in ESO
- ^ Titles in ESO
- ^ Queen Nurnhilde's dialogue during Sleep for the Dead in ESO
- ^ Dark Elf exclamations in Arena
- ^ Dark Elf exclamations in Daggerfall
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.
- ^ Lawrence Schick's Posts discussing Why can a non-vestige character (created in the ESO:Morrowind tutorial) use the wayshrine system?
- ^ ESO Cut Content - Alinor and Ayarynne at the Imperial Library