Lore:Cult of the Stars

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Skyreach, where the cult supposedly created the Celestials
"To the heavens above, we raise our eyes, our hands, and our hearts. Do not turn your light away from us, not in our hour of need. Instead, send forth the brightness of Aetherius and illuminate the darkness of the night. You who bring order to the seasons. Ever-shining Guide to the weary traveler. Have mercy on us. Protect us from the invader who ravages, the famine that wastes, the fire that burns. And lead your faithful ones toward your promised glory." —A Nedic Prayer for Mercy

The Cult of the Stars, also called the Cult of Stars,[1] was the religion followed by the ancient Nedes of Craglorn during the Merethic and First Era. Central to the faith was worship of the stars and constellations themselves, which they believed would offer them protection in times of need.[2]

The origins of the faith are unclear, but according to some scholars Nedes followed a variety of customs and religious practices, adapting to whatever invaders were occupying them. One of these customs was star-worship, but it is unknown exactly when this form of worship became commonplace across Craglorn.[3]

According to some accounts, their obsession with the stars extended past simple worship and into wielding long-lost magic that led to the very creation of Celestials, powerful entities formed by the power of the stars.[4][5] The ancient Nedes supposedly stole knowledge from the Dwemer to construct Apex Stones, magical monoliths infused with Aetherium that are bound to Celestial beings and allow them to manifest in Mundus.[6][7] Members of the faith wielded powerful soul magic. According to a Perena tale, they learned it from a "white-bearded stranger," who bore clear similarities to Shezarr, the God of Man.[1]

Nedic priests of the cult were known to wear Skystone amulets which served as a symbol of the priestly office.[3] These amulets were designed to capture the aetherial energy of the Apex Stones.[8] Also notable was the cult's creation of Apex Towers, vast mysterious structures that dot the land. Although the towers are ancient and bear powerful magics, their relationship to the Apex Stones and star-worship is unclear.[9] Nedes modeled their various items after the constellations, including fetishes, figurines, weapons and armor. Each part of their armaments were crafted in honor of different constellation.[10][11] It was also the case with ornate clothing. The gemstones referenced the Warrior and the Thief, while the elegant draping of fabric paid homage to the Mage.[12]

When the Yokudan Ra Gada invaded Craglorn in the First Era, the Nedes were a fragmented people and ill equipped to resist the onslaught. Instead of praying to the stars, many Nedes abandoned the faith and turned to Elven gods, Daedra, or powerful sorceresses. One case reveals the settlement known as the City of Shimmering-Water-in-the-Desert (later named Shada's Tear) was forced to turn to the Nereids for salvation, but resulted in the enslavement of the inhabitants.[2]

Gallery[edit]

  • Nhalan, the last known Nedic star-priest

  • An Apex Stone

  • The Apex Towers of Elinhir

  • The ruins of Shada's Tear, one of the last cities to abandon star-worship

  • Nedic tapestry portraying Constellations

  • An Altar of Celestial Convergence

  • Celestial Robes

Notes[edit]

  • Some Nedic accounts claim that Dragon of Time set the stars in their courses and appointed the guardians to watch over the world. They referred to him as one of their Four Parents.[13]
  • The Nedic ancestors of modern-day Bretons revered the stars, particularly the constellation of the Ritual.[14]
  • In the early First Era, a pious tribe of Nedes followed the Tower's guidance to an undersea anomaly on an atoll somewhere off the coast of Betony where they built the submerged sanctuary of Seaveil Spire.[15]
  • Sky Tales are a similar concept present in Reachfolk culture.[16]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b The Footsteps of Shezarr — Sister Priscia Stolvo
  2. ^ a b Nhalan's dialogue in ESO
  3. ^ a b Erold's dialogue in ESO
  4. ^ Skyreach Explorer, Volume Two — Reginus Buca, Historian, University of Gwylim
  5. ^ Mederic Vyger's dialogue in ESO
  6. ^ Hermaeus Mora's dialogue in ESO
  7. ^ Valla's dialogue in ESO
  8. ^ The Thief's dialogue in ESO
  9. ^ The Flourishing of Elinhir — Garold Farfly
  10. ^ Nedic Snake Fetish item description in ESO
  11. ^ Crafting Motif 41: Celestial Style — the Guardian of Stars
  12. ^ Celestial Robes item description in ESO
  13. ^ Tales of Abba Arl: The Ox's Tale — Abba Arl
  14. ^ Wyrd and Druid — Archdruid Barnabe's Discourse with Mainlanders, 2E 553
  15. ^ Seaveil Spire in ESO
  16. ^ Arana's dialogue in ESO
Nedic Religion
Four Parents
Constellations
Other
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