The fact that you guys can start a channel channel and consistently upload quality videos without a new elder scrolls game for over a decade is a testament to how deep the world is.
You shoot an arrow and the enemy pulls superhuman dodge move even with out being aware that they are being shot or where the arrow is coming. Nocturnal at work. I wonder if Nocturnal allows her stuff to be stolen by skilled thiefs only to find even more skilled champions to return them to her. She definetly has the casino "house always wins" vibe.
I like that explanation for why they dodge arrows. In junior high I was walking to my bus to go home and a thought popped into my head "bend down" so I did and when I did 2 kids(bullies) had thrown a softball at my head, it missed me because I ducked and it hit a p.e. teacher. I looked at the teacher who dropped like a weight then to the kids and laughed at them while the school cop grabbed them to be punished. Don't know why I had that thought, but I looked like irl version of a bandit dodging an arrow.
Lol I was thinking the same thing the common phrase “no honor among thieves” comes to mind and stealing both gains her favor and her disdain the grey fox literally did to her what nocturnal did to Azura and he went down as a legend who reversed her curse
"You're the Gray Fox! You're under arrest for… for… for all kinds of stuff! You're wanted dead or alive. I'm choosing dead." I'll make Captain for this!
🤭 I bungled the Odin bit somewhat because Huginn & Muinn are ravens not crows, but same vibe 😉 also Morrigan of Irish/Celtic Mythology was brought up too which I missed 🤫 the aesthetic comparison is there but I feel like Nocturnal’s mystique feels more “Odin-like”, but again like I said in the video, Nocturnal is a pretty unique being with only vague/aesthetic similarities to these gods. But thank you all so much for the love in the comments, I am really glad you enjoyed this episode 💋
On the topic of mythical inspirations from the real world, I was surprised you didn't mention Nox/Nyx .. seemed like a good fit to me (especially visually).
Nocturnal is the sister of Shor, born from his blood inside the Void, alongside her twin sister Namira, who was born from the flesh within Shor’s body. All 3 were raised by Sithis and taught the ways of Dark. But Nocturnal hated the Dark, and hated it’s cold, depressing nature. So she left the Void for Oblivion and created her own form of Dark, one which is warm and soothing for its bearer. Of course, we know Shor became a Champion, and was begat by Sithis to mortalise Auriel and the Et’Ada who supported him. Nocturnal, however, played no part in her brother’s schemes. Yet, interestingly enough, she would take interest in her brother’s descendants - the Nords. Perhaps Nocturnal has her own descendants. Humans who were born from her directly, in her world in Oblivion. It’s all very interesting,
She may hate the Dark but don't think for a moment she's like Azura or Malacath. Like Mora, Dagon, and Malog she wants her own brand of supremacy over everything. Unlike Dagon who tried to force his supremacy in Oblivion or Mora who tries to corrupt through knowledge, Nocturne is a Master Thief planning a long game/con.
I created a fanon Khajiiti clan called the Kodesha that sold their allegiance to Nocturnal in exchange for limitless luck. As the centuries went by, Nocturnal became recognized as the "mother" of the clan.
@@Super50ldier All humans come from a common ancestor. Nedes come from Atmorans as well. Nords were only changed racially from Atmorans to Nords by Kyne. Humanity as a species are the children of Shor (Lorkhan is his Elven name, not his real name, according to Tsun) and Nocturnal was born from Shor’s blood while Namira was born from Shor’s flesh.
Just made my build where I play as the son of a Nightengale and a Akatosh Priest to form a new Empire. Starting my playthrough tommorow. Thanks for the lore :D
My theory is when the Doors of Oblivion got slammed shut for good a lot of the influence the Princes had on Nirn was cut off. By the time of the Last Dragonborn the influence the Princes had on Skyrim didn't amount to much. Look at the betrayals of followers against their Princes like with Peyrite and Malakath. The stealing of the Skeleton Key which was plot point of the Thieves Guild. Astrid throwing away the tenants of the Dark Brotherhood. These acts would've been unconscionable before the Doors were permanently shut. It can also be seen with certain Artifacts. Azura's Star and Dagon's Razor broken. The Black Books won't work outside of Solsthein(sp?). It's no wonder the Deadric Princes were all oblivion bent on making the Last Dragonborn their servant. The only two that didn't try to corrupt and/or control the Last Dragonborn are Malacath and Azura.
The concept “shadow guide you” or “walk with the shadows” reminds me strikingly of the concept of hamingja. Which is luck in the sense of inheriting the ripples of positive actions from those who walked before. Similar to that of a thief’s hands being led by others who came before in success. Though of course it’s not a full match, but there are many facets of each that map onto each other.
I'm a practitioner of Seidr, you're pretty solid on what you're saying. A lot of real-world magick does center around using the wisdom of our ancestors to allow us to create our own "luck". In the Norse beliefs, there are two webs of fate, the Orlog and the Wyrd. The Wyrd consists of the parts of destiny than cannot be changed i.e. how you will die or what family you are born into. The Orlog, on the other hand, are the aspects of fate and destiny that you _can_ change. An example that I use and see used is if your grandfather was a murderer, you can make the choice to NOT be a murderer, just because that was in your blood doesn't mean you have to follow in those footsteps. You use the lessons from your ancestors to evolve and learn to guide yourself through this crazy step in our existence we call life. Seidr itself is Old Norse for "cord" because when you are practicing Seidr, you are spinning and weaving the cords of fate to your will.
Meridia: "A new hand touches the beacon! Listen! Hear me and obey! A...what? Where the f*** did the beacon go?" Nocturnal: "Stolen." Meridia: "Stolen?" Nocturnal: "Yes, you know...stolen, misappropriated, absconded with? It's actually quite nice looking when a booming voice isn't screaming in your head, as soon as you touch it." Meridia: "For the moment I am without words..." Nocturnal: "At least your words weren't stolen."
@@wowomah6194 Meridia is basically an Elder Scrolls version of a fallen angel. Personally, I find it hard to imagine many things that would potentially be more terrifying.
In almost any other setting, a lord of darkness would be evil. Nocturnal is the Prince of darkness, but of a concealing and mysterious darkness, not evil. That's one of the things I like about TES lore, it's so off-kilter from what a lot of other settings do, not to mention just how weird (in a good way) a lot of the lore is.
It also fits with the theory of her sphere being that of possibility. She is mysterious and dark, obscured of her true meaning because she is potentially anything and everything. The dark could hold danger or it could hold escape, it is the possibility that makes it interesting. I personally like that interpretation of shadows representing possibility as it is a shadow that obscures that which it covers. All in all, very good interpretation of a god of shadow.
Fudge, I just wanted to say I appreciate your channel so, so much! Me and my dad actually started watching your channel back when you very first started posting about Elder Scrolls when I was a kid. He passed away, and today marks 3 years. Thank you for consistently uploading what is truly great memories for me and my dad. Your work means more than you probably know ❤️
Evergloam is actually my favorite realm. I wouldn't mind it as an afterlife. Also, you missed a crucial point. In Khajiit mythology, it's explained that Nocturnal has a rare tendency to forget that she's not Namira, and go "Dark" (meaning she's more likely to commit malevolent acts). This is why I personally believe why she tried to become omnipresent throughout the Aurbis via the Crystal Tower.
The skeleton key is by far the strongest artifact in my opinion just due to what it can do... literally everything and anything if you have the imagination for it.
The lock pick is very useless in Oblivion it's much better in Skyrim where the mini game is a little bit more difficult It Oblivion you can pick a Master Lock very easily because you can see the tumblers and you can do the pattern of when they'll fall and when they'll stay raised and you just do timing to lock the tumbler in the upright position In Skyrim it's not like that in Skyrim you got to find the sweet spot and risk breaking a pick now the pic will always break in the direction of where the sweet spot is but you have to break pics in order to find it and in Master locks The Sweet spot is insanely small that's why the skeleton key that's more useful
@@rejvaik00 Isn't there a perk though in the locksmith skill tree, that gives you the ability to never break a pick? Or am I just remembering wrong? (Lol it's been a long while since I played)
@@blueberryslushee2277 yep that's true It requires a minimum of six perk points in lock picking but yes you can get the perk called _Unbreakable_ Where at that point yeah you basically already have the daedric princes skeleton key at a minimum of level 6 if you so choose
Great video, as usual! I love these kinds of entities in lore. My favorite is probably Ungoliant, in Tolkien lore, who is very similar: a being which crept from the void, single-mindedly seeking to consume the light of the world. She manifests as a spider and weaves threads of darkness, like a primordial thing from outside creation--darkness incarnate. These kinds of things are always so cool. It gives you that lovecraftian vibe, when surrounded by mystery.
I love the skill book Purloined Shadows, a story of a master thief who uses his apprentice as a distraction to steal the Gray Cowl of Nocturnal from Nocturnal herself.
Some lore ideas on AZURA !!! I believe the Daedric Prince Azure is (at least) inspired by the Greek Goddess/Titaness Hekate (or Hecate), Goddess of Crossroads, Boundries, Thresholds, Magic, and the Dead. Hekate was/is often symbolized by keys to represent her liminal powers as the guardian of the threshold between the worlds of the living and the dead, even given epithets and titles such Kleidoukhos (Key- Keeper), much like Azura was referred to as "keeper of all gates and keys, all rims and thresholds" in Khajiiti myth. Hekate was also given the title Trimorphos or Trikaranos (Three-Faced or Three-Formed) to depict her seeing equally into the past, present, and future, much like how Azura is a goddess of prophecy, and how some Khajiiti art depicts her with three heads resembling Khajiit, Elf, and Human faces (UESP Azura page). Hekate is a Goddess of magic, and boundaries and liminal places (places in BETWEEN other places) like how Azura is a goddess of dawn and dusk (times BETWEEN night and day) and magic BETWEEN the twilight. Hekate is also a considered a goddess of witchcraft and necromancy, meanwhile in ESO Azura has a necromantic LICH priestess named Vastarie. The similarities between Hekate and Azura seem to be too much to ignore, they are both very magical and liminal goddesses!!!
Another real world deity that she could represent is the Morrigan, a overall Celtic goddess from across all celt tribes and even known among the Norse religion and cultures of the Scandinavians as well. She also has crows and is depicted to either inspire awe or fear in her friends or does with simply her pressence and is known to be a weaver of destiny or fate, aka possibility in some cases She is also known to be able to change her form into other women she had 3 main appearances of which gerslef and her other two "sisters" were actually her. She has also been known to be compared to Odin in Norse mythology as well in fearful respect she was also depicted with ravens or crows in some cases as well.
Absolutely loving this daedric deep dive series, it’s amazing and really makes you think about the princes in a different way that makes them so much more deep and interesting
Thank you for this. I'll selfishly use it as an excuse to share some of my head canon when I play Skyrim. About five years ago during character creation, I had an idea for an elf race inspired by Nightcrawler and Blink from Marvel comics. The result was the Nyxmer and I have spent the last few years building a lore around them. When I created them, I had no idea of the Night Elves in World of Warcraft and I was shocked when playing ESO that there was a similar storyline to the one I had conceived. I'll share the story in brief for those who care to read. It began when a Bosmer mage was experimenting with Shadow magic and pulled his village into the Evergloam. There they endured The Trials over a thousand years during which the refugees would be decimated by the creatures of the Evergloam and then be allowed to rebuild only to be decimated again. Through this process they were transformed and adapted to life in the Evergloam. Due to the flexible Bosmer genetics, they mutated into the taller, lilac-skinned, dark-blue haired Nyxmer with their glowing yellow eyes. Many Nyxmer become adept at Shadow magic, but every Nyxmer learns to Shadow Stride as children, which is basically teleporting. Every year, the Nyxmer remember The Trials with a competition and the winner is sacrificed to Nocturnal to become one of her rooks. A rook is to Nocturnal what a vampire is to Molag Bal (think crows instead of bats). Nocturnal will send her rooks across the multiverse as her agents. In the Skyrim story, the player is a rook sent to sort out the Thieves Guild and defeat Mercer Frey. The Nyxmer themselves have no remembrance of their Bosmer origins or the Aedra and Daedra. To them, The Evergloam is their home and Nocturnal is the only Divine, who they see as a stern mother-goddess. There is more, but I have taken advantage too much already. I just could not resist the urge to share.
So, I'm a Pagan who delves into hours long RUclips discussions on the topics of ancient religion, various aspects of witchcraft and so forth. If I wasn't aware of the elder scrolls as a series... This video would blend right in for how deep you dive into the history of a *deity made for a series of video games* and it's really a very fun realization to have. 100/10 well done!
Nocturnal is actually strikingly similar to hekate shes a goddess who is also known as the key keeper and she is also known as the gate keeper between worlds hekate is a lesser known Greek goddess
I dont think nocturnal as a being of possibility would be trying to become infinite because of discontent, its more like she is proving that everything (becoming infinity in this case) is possible. It could be just like us trying to achieve what is once thought to be impossible.
I remember playing ME1 and hearing sovereign go on about motives that humans could never comprehend and then the disappointment at what those supposedly incomprehensible motive were in the sequels. What ESO did with Nocturnal gives me the same feeling, I wish they had left her mysterious and aloof.
Nocturnal definitely my favourite deadric prince the thieves guild skeleton key nightingale armor my favourite guild arrifact and aromr in tge elder scrolls world. Cheers to another high content video. Plus i wouldn't mind seeing a video azuran arctis and hearing more about his shadow magic
When thinking of Nocturnal, her connection to Namira always leads me to the same thought. I can never decide how Namira works in my head. If she is the Void, if she is Sithis, I feel like her speaking to us and exerting her will doesn’t make sense. If we interpret them all as the same entity. Namira is the only one that seems to exert any influence. Sithis, while revered by the Dark Brotherhood, doesn’t reveal his intentions or request action. He mainly serves as a figure to personify the Void that we send victims to. While Namira seems to have goals and elicits the help of mortals to see that done. If she were the personified Void, I feel like she shouldn’t be able to exert that much agency and would serve a similar function to how the DB views Sithis.
The reason i chose to do her questline or the thieves guild questline in particular is mainly because according to lore she is considered to be the strongest daedric prince. Atleast that’s what i was told. Plus even for roleplaying purposes i think she is quite flexible with a morally good as well as morally grey character.
FUDGEMUPPET: FUN FACT DID YOU KNOW that in The Skyrim Seogorath Quest in OLDRIM NO DLCS that during Pelagius sleeping when the woman appears that she will say how he was Pelagius's Wife who died at a young age in a man's voice.
Huh. The Khajiit say that Nocturnal is the blood of Lorkhan. The Monomyth says that the Daedra are born of the spilled blood of Padomay. Lorkhan is the birthed soul of Sithis, who is in turn the birthed Soul of Padomay. That's interesting.
I'm not convinced that Nocturnal attempting to make herself the only possible outcome is at odds with her nature, if Nocturnal is possibility manifest, it makes sense that she would try to become all possibilities no?
Well it’s said that all of the Aedra and Daedra both are aspects of the two major deitities, Sithis (the void) this makes sense. As an aspect of Sithis who’s domain is possibility, the unknown, or rather all things shrouded it makes sense because all possible outcomes exist within her domain. however, once the creations leave unknown and become known they may no longer belong to her.
Hey! Loosely based on a synthesis of everything you presented here, I think that luck and shadow reflect her mixed essence - being and void. Shadow represents potential, as you established, whilst luck represents Nocturnal's impulse to *realise* particular possibilities, particular potentials; sometimes she does this indirectly, as through agents like her Nightingales, and sometimes perhaps directly. Her decision to steal the Skeleton Key from Azura (another prince of twilight, the liminal space between night and day) represents the luck, or interventive, aspect of Nocturnal, whilst her retreat to the void (perhaps the place where the Skeleton Key has the most potential) represents her affinity to shadow. Furthermore, you mentioned that Padomay gave birth to Lorkaj, who was harbouring the great darkness (the Void?) we would come to know as Namira inside him. When Azura helped Lorkaj expel Namira from him, after he had his heart torn out by his betrayed siblings, you related that Nocturnal was spawned from his void-tainted blood. So, in a sense, Nocturnal is a descendent of Lorkaj (who represents change through intervention), and Padomay (the most mythic and fundamental force of change), and Namira (who represents the Void which never changes). Therefore, the Void may represent infinite possibility, but it is like Schrodinger's Cat: until the Void, or something in the Void, is observed (which is antithetical, or even impossible), it remains only a realm of the possible, and never trespasses into reality. Being a part of her heritage, the forces of change (Padomay) and intervention (Lorkaj) adulterates the Void's indeterminism, and allows her to manifest particular desirable possibilities that the she observes from her vantage point, the Void.
Can anyone please help me with an idea for my character backstory? Here it goes: My char is a Dark Elf (haven't decided on the name yet) who comes to Skyrim from Cyrodiil to explore the Dwemer ruins because he is a scholar mage intrigued by the secrets and technology of the dwemer. After finding out everything about the dwemer (and collecting powerful trinkets and artifacts) he realises that his thirst for magical power is not satiated and he starts dabbling into Daedra worship and seeks to claim all Daedric artifacts also. I am in need of 2 advices/ideas: 1. Why would he be entering Skyrim through Cyrodiil (im using a modlist from wabbajack and it doesn't have the Alternate Start mod so that I can start as a refugee from Morrowind) 2. Would it make more sense lorewise and for someone thirsty for magical power to be a daedra worshipper first and after become obsessed by dwemer magic and artifacts? Thanks.
One could be a Scholar, seeking Hidden Dwemer Secrets, only to be driven mad with the obsession of Seeking All Secrets. Essentially, becoming a plaything of the Daedra; particularly, Sheogorath, Hermaeus Mora, and Nocturnal. Madness, Forbidden Knowledge, and Hidden Secrets, respectively. Also, it's likely the largest concentration of Dwemer Ruins are in Skyrim. If going to Skyrim by Land, they would come by Cyrodiil. If by Sea: Morrowind.
Honestly the anniversary edition adds a short side quest to get the grey cowl, that could theoretically wipe the dragon born from history, people would probably remember and know that alduin was defeated but they won’t remember who did it so they’d say some god came down and took alduin down
Are you sure they are Crows? Perhaps they are nightingales. Nightingales are a real bird. It would make sense for them to be however, they do look more like a crow or raven. I'm not going to get into real world classification of these two bird species as other than being birds are not at all related. They look like a thrush and once we're classified as such but, have been reclassified as some sort of flycatcher bird.
Since most of this is based in speculation I'm going to posit my own... Nocturnal was there from the beginning. She is manifestation of pure possibility. At the very point where the possibility existed for everything to begin, so did she begin. Her desire is nothing more than to create new/more possibilities. Which is why she's so mysterious to everyone, even the other gods. Every act she performs, every word she speaks, is to influence current possibilities to create more. Every one of her victories, every one of her defeats, she orchestrated for no other reason than to create more possibilities. She does not directly dominate, that would reduce possibility, thus she is a champion of free will in that respect. Even acts of defiance against her, usually only serve to create more possibilities. That's why she's both the strongest, and the weakest, out of all the deific figures in the ES World. Her power is tied to how many possibilities exist at any given moment, for any given situation. With enough/certain kinds of possibilities to influence, she can be more powerful than all the aedra/daedra combined.........or weaker than any of them with little to no possibilities to influence.
Love this channel so much! I know I have no right to ask and you probably won't see/read this but it would be amazing to see you guys do a Skyrim wildlander builds.
i’m a bit surprised that you didn’t compare nocturnal to The Morrígan, as the two are visually similar. i feel like visually, nocturnal was based on The Morrígan. motive and personality wise, i definitely agree with the odin connection.
So Nocturnal is no better than the rest of the Princes(minus Malacath and Azura of course). She just hides her own brand of villainy behind a sexy body. . .which makes her that more dangerous. She is a seducer in the truest sense of the word because of how she appears.
Love this video, but can't help but feel that nocturnal is the ruler of the gray meh-be. I haven't played ESO though, maybe she has a personality there. Skyrim nightingales just feel and look like Batman to me.
One thing to note is the dualistic nature of luck. The thief who steals successfully may be lucky, but the merchant they stole from is unlucky. If it rains, a farmer might be lucky, but a picnicker would be unlucky. At a casino, if the patron wins, the house loses. In a competition, one party wins and their opposition loses. Whomever luck favours in any given conflict, it turns its back on another. There is no take without give. There is no gain without loss.
Okay Nocturnal is one of my all time favourite dadric Lords She is up there with Sanguine and sheagorath ...shiagorith ..sha.. CRAZY MAN hahahah those three are my top fav dadric Lords
I can't shake the feeling/notion like many of the other divine beings involved in Nirn, she has significant influence in something(s) by her core nature of being. Yet she is NOT the ultimate arbiter of them. I mean how many of the spirits of Mundas have dominion over aspects of death for example? How many are empowered by it? In the case of luck she could assert some influence over it through the methods you've outlined (Great notions btw), but does that make her the true "Queen" of luck? Wouldn't that make her another entity that could be claimed to have dominion over fate?
The fact that you guys can start a channel channel and consistently upload quality videos without a new elder scrolls game for over a decade is a testament to how deep the world is.
I mean ESO and Blades does exist.
Ikr love ES forever
@@ehk5948 eso yes I’d argue it has done more for the lore than Skyrim has but blades is dog shit
Funny how nobody points out TES Legends.
@@EJDubbz I forgot the card game existed. Does it have any story to add stuff to the lore?
You shoot an arrow and the enemy pulls superhuman dodge move even with out being aware that they are being shot or where the arrow is coming. Nocturnal at work. I wonder if Nocturnal allows her stuff to be stolen by skilled thiefs only to find even more skilled champions to return them to her. She definetly has the casino "house always wins" vibe.
Yeah, that arrow shooting thing really gets to me!
I like that explanation for why they dodge arrows.
In junior high I was walking to my bus to go home and a thought popped into my head "bend down" so I did and when I did 2 kids(bullies) had thrown a softball at my head, it missed me because I ducked and it hit a p.e. teacher.
I looked at the teacher who dropped like a weight then to the kids and laughed at them while the school cop grabbed them to be punished.
Don't know why I had that thought, but I looked like irl version of a bandit dodging an arrow.
Perhaps nocturnal can reduce the use of phrase get arrow in the knee
Low int high luck
Lol I was thinking the same thing the common phrase “no honor among thieves” comes to mind and stealing both gains her favor and her disdain the grey fox literally did to her what nocturnal did to Azura and he went down as a legend who reversed her curse
Nocturnal: I shall spread my shadows across all the cosmos and control all possibility.
Jiggalag: Oh, so when YOU do it...
"You're the Gray Fox! You're under arrest for… for… for all kinds of stuff! You're wanted dead or alive. I'm choosing dead."
I'll make Captain for this!
GF takes off the cowl.
"Where did the Gray Fox go??? I swear I just saw the Gray Fox!"
dude, your a certified daedrologist. tes6 needs to have a book written by you guys about daedra
🤭 I bungled the Odin bit somewhat because Huginn & Muinn are ravens not crows, but same vibe 😉 also Morrigan of Irish/Celtic Mythology was brought up too which I missed 🤫 the aesthetic comparison is there but I feel like Nocturnal’s mystique feels more “Odin-like”, but again like I said in the video, Nocturnal is a pretty unique being with only vague/aesthetic similarities to these gods.
But thank you all so much for the love in the comments, I am really glad you enjoyed this episode 💋
Thanks for the smooch
On the topic of mythical inspirations from the real world, I was surprised you didn't mention Nox/Nyx .. seemed like a good fit to me (especially visually).
Here's the thing . Copypasta
@FudgeMuppet I would totally fuck nocturnal.
Ravens are basically larger crows. Both are corvids.
Nocturnal is the sister of Shor, born from his blood inside the Void, alongside her twin sister Namira, who was born from the flesh within Shor’s body. All 3 were raised by Sithis and taught the ways of Dark. But Nocturnal hated the Dark, and hated it’s cold, depressing nature. So she left the Void for Oblivion and created her own form of Dark, one which is warm and soothing for its bearer. Of course, we know Shor became a Champion, and was begat by Sithis to mortalise Auriel and the Et’Ada who supported him. Nocturnal, however, played no part in her brother’s schemes. Yet, interestingly enough, she would take interest in her brother’s descendants - the Nords. Perhaps Nocturnal has her own descendants. Humans who were born from her directly, in her world in Oblivion. It’s all very interesting,
She may hate the Dark but don't think for a moment she's like Azura or Malacath. Like Mora, Dagon, and Malog she wants her own brand of supremacy over everything. Unlike Dagon who tried to force his supremacy in Oblivion or Mora who tries to corrupt through knowledge, Nocturne is a Master Thief planning a long game/con.
I created a fanon Khajiiti clan called the Kodesha that sold their allegiance to Nocturnal in exchange for limitless luck. As the centuries went by, Nocturnal became recognized as the "mother" of the clan.
@@Super50ldier All humans come from a common ancestor. Nedes come from Atmorans as well. Nords were only changed racially from Atmorans to Nords by Kyne. Humanity as a species are the children of Shor (Lorkhan is his Elven name, not his real name, according to Tsun) and Nocturnal was born from Shor’s blood while Namira was born from Shor’s flesh.
@@ProneCreature47 nice
@@muslimcrusader5987 Yeah. They're moon-sugar farmers who use Nocturnal's luck to always have good yields.
Just made my build where I play as the son of a Nightengale and a Akatosh Priest to form a new Empire. Starting my playthrough tommorow. Thanks for the lore :D
I love this series. One of the best lore videos explaining the Deadric Princes.
Nocturnal's luck was probably more useful in combat during the time of Morrowind than the time of Skyrim.
My theory is when the Doors of Oblivion got slammed shut for good a lot of the influence the Princes had on Nirn was cut off. By the time of the Last Dragonborn the influence the Princes had on Skyrim didn't amount to much. Look at the betrayals of followers against their Princes like with Peyrite and Malakath. The stealing of the Skeleton Key which was plot point of the Thieves Guild. Astrid throwing away the tenants of the Dark Brotherhood. These acts would've been unconscionable before the Doors were permanently shut.
It can also be seen with certain Artifacts. Azura's Star and Dagon's Razor broken. The Black Books won't work outside of Solsthein(sp?).
It's no wonder the Deadric Princes were all oblivion bent on making the Last Dragonborn their servant. The only two that didn't try to corrupt and/or control the Last Dragonborn are Malacath and Azura.
@@chadharger9323 wow I see, indeed the daedric princes during the time of skyrim seems to be loosing influence.
@@chadharger9323 great points
The concept “shadow guide you” or “walk with the shadows” reminds me strikingly of the concept of hamingja. Which is luck in the sense of inheriting the ripples of positive actions from those who walked before. Similar to that of a thief’s hands being led by others who came before in success. Though of course it’s not a full match, but there are many facets of each that map onto each other.
I'm a practitioner of Seidr, you're pretty solid on what you're saying. A lot of real-world magick does center around using the wisdom of our ancestors to allow us to create our own "luck". In the Norse beliefs, there are two webs of fate, the Orlog and the Wyrd. The Wyrd consists of the parts of destiny than cannot be changed i.e. how you will die or what family you are born into. The Orlog, on the other hand, are the aspects of fate and destiny that you _can_ change. An example that I use and see used is if your grandfather was a murderer, you can make the choice to NOT be a murderer, just because that was in your blood doesn't mean you have to follow in those footsteps. You use the lessons from your ancestors to evolve and learn to guide yourself through this crazy step in our existence we call life. Seidr itself is Old Norse for "cord" because when you are practicing Seidr, you are spinning and weaving the cords of fate to your will.
Meridia: "A new hand touches the beacon! Listen! Hear me and obey! A...what? Where the f*** did the beacon go?"
Nocturnal: "Stolen."
Meridia: "Stolen?"
Nocturnal: "Yes, you know...stolen, misappropriated, absconded with? It's actually quite nice looking when a booming voice isn't screaming in your head, as soon as you touch it."
Meridia: "For the moment I am without words..."
Nocturnal: "At least your words weren't stolen."
Priceless
I think most Daedric Princes including Nocturnal would be insane to dare try to piss off Meridia or they'll get the Molag Bal treatment
@@wowomah6194 Meridia is basically an Elder Scrolls version of a fallen angel. Personally, I find it hard to imagine many things that would potentially be more terrifying.
In almost any other setting, a lord of darkness would be evil. Nocturnal is the Prince of darkness, but of a concealing and mysterious darkness, not evil. That's one of the things I like about TES lore, it's so off-kilter from what a lot of other settings do, not to mention just how weird (in a good way) a lot of the lore is.
It also fits with the theory of her sphere being that of possibility. She is mysterious and dark, obscured of her true meaning because she is potentially anything and everything. The dark could hold danger or it could hold escape, it is the possibility that makes it interesting. I personally like that interpretation of shadows representing possibility as it is a shadow that obscures that which it covers. All in all, very good interpretation of a god of shadow.
Man.... when Elderscrolls 6 comes out you guys are gonna be set for years upon years upon years to come with video material!
It's never coming out
@Morgan Null so they say.
@Morgan Null you mean some time within a decade?
Keep it up, you make my days better 😁✨✨✨
Fudge, I just wanted to say I appreciate your channel so, so much! Me and my dad actually started watching your channel back when you very first started posting about Elder Scrolls when I was a kid. He passed away, and today marks 3 years. Thank you for consistently uploading what is truly great memories for me and my dad. Your work means more than you probably know ❤️
Shedding light on the lady of secrets... Dangerous game my dudes.
Evergloam is actually my favorite realm. I wouldn't mind it as an afterlife. Also, you missed a crucial point. In Khajiit mythology, it's explained that Nocturnal has a rare tendency to forget that she's not Namira, and go "Dark" (meaning she's more likely to commit malevolent acts). This is why I personally believe why she tried to become omnipresent throughout the Aurbis via the Crystal Tower.
The skeleton key is by far the strongest artifact in my opinion just due to what it can do... literally everything and anything if you have the imagination for it.
Too bad it's a glorified lockpick and essentially worthless in game
@@jshburgess4172 use it on Serana, and you've got a 2nd wife to fight Lydia. Use it to pick your nose, and you unlock lore-scaled Dragonborn POWAAAAH
The lock pick is very useless in Oblivion it's much better in Skyrim where the mini game is a little bit more difficult
It Oblivion you can pick a Master Lock very easily because you can see the tumblers and you can do the pattern of when they'll fall and when they'll stay raised and you just do timing to lock the tumbler in the upright position
In Skyrim it's not like that in Skyrim you got to find the sweet spot and risk breaking a pick
now the pic will always break in the direction of where the sweet spot is but you have to break pics in order to find it and in Master locks The Sweet spot is insanely small that's why the skeleton key that's more useful
@@rejvaik00 Isn't there a perk though in the locksmith skill tree, that gives you the ability to never break a pick? Or am I just remembering wrong? (Lol it's been a long while since I played)
@@blueberryslushee2277 yep that's true
It requires a minimum of six perk points in lock picking but yes you can get the perk called _Unbreakable_
Where at that point yeah you basically already have the daedric princes skeleton key at a minimum of level 6 if you so choose
This series is an absolute blast! Would love if you guys made similar series on other major characters like Major Bosses, rulers, etc.
I love your daedric princes lore series and I was really looking forward to Nocturnal's turn. Thank you!
Another Professor Scott lecture, first thing in the morning, is just what I needed to start my week. Thanks mate!!
Nocturnals booba are worthy of worship...
This series is an absolute necessity for lovers of Elder Scrolls lore
Amazing & cinematic, Nocturnal & Sanguine are my favvvvs 🖤🌹
Cool to see Askellad making continued appearances in your videos after the Anniversary series!
Great video, as usual! I love these kinds of entities in lore. My favorite is probably Ungoliant, in Tolkien lore, who is very similar: a being which crept from the void, single-mindedly seeking to consume the light of the world. She manifests as a spider and weaves threads of darkness, like a primordial thing from outside creation--darkness incarnate.
These kinds of things are always so cool. It gives you that lovecraftian vibe, when surrounded by mystery.
I love the skill book Purloined Shadows, a story of a master thief who uses his apprentice as a distraction to steal the Gray Cowl of Nocturnal from Nocturnal herself.
I never read the skill books..
You should. There are some pretty great stories and lore in a lot of them.
Perfectly sleepy voice, I love this version of Scott
Some lore ideas on AZURA !!! I believe the Daedric Prince Azure is (at least) inspired by the Greek Goddess/Titaness Hekate (or Hecate), Goddess of Crossroads, Boundries, Thresholds, Magic, and the Dead. Hekate was/is often symbolized by keys to represent her liminal powers as the guardian of the threshold between the worlds of the living and the dead, even given epithets and titles such Kleidoukhos (Key- Keeper), much like Azura was referred to as "keeper of all gates and keys, all rims and thresholds" in Khajiiti myth. Hekate was also given the title Trimorphos or Trikaranos (Three-Faced or Three-Formed) to depict her seeing equally into the past, present, and future, much like how Azura is a goddess of prophecy, and how some Khajiiti art depicts her with three heads resembling Khajiit, Elf, and Human faces (UESP Azura page). Hekate is a Goddess of magic, and boundaries and liminal places (places in BETWEEN other places) like how Azura is a goddess of dawn and dusk (times BETWEEN night and day) and magic BETWEEN the twilight. Hekate is also a considered a goddess of witchcraft and necromancy, meanwhile in ESO Azura has a necromantic LICH priestess named Vastarie. The similarities between Hekate and Azura seem to be too much to ignore, they are both very magical and liminal goddesses!!!
This was my favorite of over a decade of material from you fellas. The topic is my favorite in elder scrolls lore, but your writing is top notch.
Another real world deity that she could represent is the Morrigan, a overall Celtic goddess from across all celt tribes and even known among the Norse religion and cultures of the Scandinavians as well. She also has crows and is depicted to either inspire awe or fear in her friends or does with simply her pressence and is known to be a weaver of destiny or fate, aka possibility in some cases
She is also known to be able to change her form into other women she had 3 main appearances of which gerslef and her other two "sisters" were actually her. She has also been known to be compared to Odin in Norse mythology as well in fearful respect she was also depicted with ravens or crows in some cases as well.
Absolutely loving this daedric deep dive series, it’s amazing and really makes you think about the princes in a different way that makes them so much more deep and interesting
Thank you for this. I'll selfishly use it as an excuse to share some of my head canon when I play Skyrim. About five years ago during character creation, I had an idea for an elf race inspired by Nightcrawler and Blink from Marvel comics. The result was the Nyxmer and I have spent the last few years building a lore around them. When I created them, I had no idea of the Night Elves in World of Warcraft and I was shocked when playing ESO that there was a similar storyline to the one I had conceived. I'll share the story in brief for those who care to read.
It began when a Bosmer mage was experimenting with Shadow magic and pulled his village into the Evergloam. There they endured The Trials over a thousand years during which the refugees would be decimated by the creatures of the Evergloam and then be allowed to rebuild only to be decimated again. Through this process they were transformed and adapted to life in the Evergloam. Due to the flexible Bosmer genetics, they mutated into the taller, lilac-skinned, dark-blue haired Nyxmer with their glowing yellow eyes. Many Nyxmer become adept at Shadow magic, but every Nyxmer learns to Shadow Stride as children, which is basically teleporting.
Every year, the Nyxmer remember The Trials with a competition and the winner is sacrificed to Nocturnal to become one of her rooks. A rook is to Nocturnal what a vampire is to Molag Bal (think crows instead of bats). Nocturnal will send her rooks across the multiverse as her agents. In the Skyrim story, the player is a rook sent to sort out the Thieves Guild and defeat Mercer Frey.
The Nyxmer themselves have no remembrance of their Bosmer origins or the Aedra and Daedra. To them, The Evergloam is their home and Nocturnal is the only Divine, who they see as a stern mother-goddess. There is more, but I have taken advantage too much already. I just could not resist the urge to share.
I could listen to you guys read the dictionary. Absolutely wonderful storytelling and narration.
Thank you guys! This was certainly thought provoking 😊
So, I'm a Pagan who delves into hours long RUclips discussions on the topics of ancient religion, various aspects of witchcraft and so forth. If I wasn't aware of the elder scrolls as a series... This video would blend right in for how deep you dive into the history of a *deity made for a series of video games* and it's really a very fun realization to have. 100/10 well done!
Nocturnal is actually strikingly similar to hekate shes a goddess who is also known as the key keeper and she is also known as the gate keeper between worlds hekate is a lesser known Greek goddess
shadow as possiblity. The ravens thought and memory, cast as shades of truth, a letter written in uncertainty
I dont think nocturnal as a being of possibility would be trying to become infinite because of discontent, its more like she is proving that everything (becoming infinity in this case) is possible. It could be just like us trying to achieve what is once thought to be impossible.
Thank you for the time and care you put into all of these. I deeply appreciate what you’re doing.
I remember playing ME1 and hearing sovereign go on about motives that humans could never comprehend and then the disappointment at what those supposedly incomprehensible motive were in the sequels. What ESO did with Nocturnal gives me the same feeling, I wish they had left her mysterious and aloof.
Nocturnal definitely my favourite deadric prince the thieves guild skeleton key nightingale armor my favourite guild arrifact and aromr in tge elder scrolls world. Cheers to another high content video. Plus i wouldn't mind seeing a video azuran arctis and hearing more about his shadow magic
When thinking of Nocturnal, her connection to Namira always leads me to the same thought. I can never decide how Namira works in my head. If she is the Void, if she is Sithis, I feel like her speaking to us and exerting her will doesn’t make sense.
If we interpret them all as the same entity. Namira is the only one that seems to exert any influence. Sithis, while revered by the Dark Brotherhood, doesn’t reveal his intentions or request action. He mainly serves as a figure to personify the Void that we send victims to. While Namira seems to have goals and elicits the help of mortals to see that done.
If she were the personified Void, I feel like she shouldn’t be able to exert that much agency and would serve a similar function to how the DB views Sithis.
If Namia is the Void, then why fill her realm with dro-m'Athra and shades? This would ruin the emptiness of the void.
The reason i chose to do her questline or the thieves guild questline in particular is mainly because according to lore she is considered to be the strongest daedric prince. Atleast that’s what i was told. Plus even for roleplaying purposes i think she is quite flexible with a morally good as well as morally grey character.
I'm pretty sure prime Jyggalag is the strongest
FUDGEMUPPET: FUN FACT DID YOU KNOW that in The Skyrim Seogorath Quest in OLDRIM NO DLCS that during Pelagius sleeping when the woman appears that she will say how he was Pelagius's Wife who died at a young age in a man's voice.
I would love to see what you guys could come up with for a daedrologist build for Skyrim ❤️❤️❤️ this is my favorite RUclips channel
Seeing the video topic and knowing the FudgeMuppet crew, "Nocturnal has a solid C-Cup..."
Huh. The Khajiit say that Nocturnal is the blood of Lorkhan. The Monomyth says that the Daedra are born of the spilled blood of Padomay. Lorkhan is the birthed soul of Sithis, who is in turn the birthed Soul of Padomay. That's interesting.
thank you guys for youre efforts for explaining the magnificent elder scrolls lore and world
I'm not convinced that Nocturnal attempting to make herself the only possible outcome is at odds with her nature, if Nocturnal is possibility manifest, it makes sense that she would try to become all possibilities no?
Well it’s said that all of the Aedra and Daedra both are aspects of the two major deitities, Sithis (the void) this makes sense. As an aspect of Sithis who’s domain is possibility, the unknown, or rather all things shrouded it makes sense because all possible outcomes exist within her domain. however, once the creations leave unknown and become known they may no longer belong to her.
Absolutely adore this channel and I'm always excited to see new content. I can't wait for TES VI Build videos! Keep up the amazing work!
.... the greatest heist a thief can pull off is that of the greatest prize of them all... stealing the heart of the daedric prince of thieves.
Hey! Loosely based on a synthesis of everything you presented here, I think that luck and shadow reflect her mixed essence - being and void. Shadow represents potential, as you established, whilst luck represents Nocturnal's impulse to *realise* particular possibilities, particular potentials; sometimes she does this indirectly, as through agents like her Nightingales, and sometimes perhaps directly. Her decision to steal the Skeleton Key from Azura (another prince of twilight, the liminal space between night and day) represents the luck, or interventive, aspect of Nocturnal, whilst her retreat to the void (perhaps the place where the Skeleton Key has the most potential) represents her affinity to shadow. Furthermore, you mentioned that Padomay gave birth to Lorkaj, who was harbouring the great darkness (the Void?) we would come to know as Namira inside him. When Azura helped Lorkaj expel Namira from him, after he had his heart torn out by his betrayed siblings, you related that Nocturnal was spawned from his void-tainted blood. So, in a sense, Nocturnal is a descendent of Lorkaj (who represents change through intervention), and Padomay (the most mythic and fundamental force of change), and Namira (who represents the Void which never changes). Therefore, the Void may represent infinite possibility, but it is like Schrodinger's Cat: until the Void, or something in the Void, is observed (which is antithetical, or even impossible), it remains only a realm of the possible, and never trespasses into reality. Being a part of her heritage, the forces of change (Padomay) and intervention (Lorkaj) adulterates the Void's indeterminism, and allows her to manifest particular desirable possibilities that the she observes from her vantage point, the Void.
Started a new play through so that means I’m back for lore
In ESO there is an area reached through a mine entrance to a court of crows. I wonder if this place is connected to nocturnal.
Can anyone please help me with an idea for my character backstory?
Here it goes:
My char is a Dark Elf (haven't decided on the name yet) who comes to Skyrim from Cyrodiil to explore the Dwemer ruins because he is a scholar mage intrigued by the secrets and technology of the dwemer. After finding out everything about the dwemer (and collecting powerful trinkets and artifacts) he realises that his thirst for magical power is not satiated and he starts dabbling into Daedra worship and seeks to claim all Daedric artifacts also. I am in need of 2 advices/ideas:
1. Why would he be entering Skyrim through Cyrodiil (im using a modlist from wabbajack and it doesn't have the Alternate Start mod so that I can start as a refugee from Morrowind)
2. Would it make more sense lorewise and for someone thirsty for magical power to be a daedra worshipper first and after become obsessed by dwemer magic and artifacts?
Thanks.
One could be a Scholar, seeking Hidden Dwemer Secrets, only to be driven mad with the obsession of Seeking All Secrets.
Essentially, becoming a plaything of the Daedra; particularly, Sheogorath, Hermaeus Mora, and Nocturnal. Madness, Forbidden Knowledge, and Hidden Secrets, respectively.
Also, it's likely the largest concentration of Dwemer Ruins are in Skyrim. If going to Skyrim by Land, they would come by Cyrodiil. If by Sea: Morrowind.
Honestly the anniversary edition adds a short side quest to get the grey cowl, that could theoretically wipe the dragon born from history, people would probably remember and know that alduin was defeated but they won’t remember who did it so they’d say some god came down and took alduin down
Love it. Huginn and Muninn are ravens tho. Semantics, but ravens are able to speak and that's an important part of the mythology
You know I'm starting to think the thieves should not be worshiping nocturnal because it seems she's been a pretty easy mark to steal from
Amazing episode! Thanks for spoiling us with such great content every time you post!
Nightingale armour is the best looking armour in all of the whole series.
I love your guys videos. You can really tell you guys have a passion for gaming. Thanks for all the hard work!
Are you sure they are Crows? Perhaps they are nightingales. Nightingales are a real bird. It would make sense for them to be however, they do look more like a crow or raven. I'm not going to get into real world classification of these two bird species as other than being birds are not at all related. They look like a thrush and once we're classified as such but, have been reclassified as some sort of flycatcher bird.
Great video. I wonder how Nocturnal's sphere of infinite possibilities interact with Hermaeus Mora sphere of destiny and knowledge of all things.
The daedric prince of plunging necklines finally !
I now need a video on shadow magic, I didn’t know I needed it but I do now
Since most of this is based in speculation I'm going to posit my own...
Nocturnal was there from the beginning. She is manifestation of pure possibility.
At the very point where the possibility existed for everything to begin, so did she begin.
Her desire is nothing more than to create new/more possibilities. Which is why she's so mysterious to everyone, even the other gods.
Every act she performs, every word she speaks, is to influence current possibilities to create more.
Every one of her victories, every one of her defeats, she orchestrated for no other reason than to create more possibilities.
She does not directly dominate, that would reduce possibility, thus she is a champion of free will in that respect.
Even acts of defiance against her, usually only serve to create more possibilities.
That's why she's both the strongest, and the weakest, out of all the deific figures in the ES World.
Her power is tied to how many possibilities exist at any given moment, for any given situation.
With enough/certain kinds of possibilities to influence, she can be more powerful than all the aedra/daedra combined.........or weaker than any of them with little to no possibilities to influence.
It would be cool if in Skyrim you could return the key to Azura at the Shrine of Azura.
I still can't believe that crazy Pyjjic bastard hid the heart of transparent law inside himself.
Love this channel so much! I know I have no right to ask and you probably won't see/read this but it would be amazing to see you guys do a Skyrim wildlander builds.
Very happy you made this, Nocturnal's my favourite prince, may shadow hide you
Just want to point this out, but Odin’s birds are supposed to be ravens, not crows.
"Ackshewally 🤓"
Love your vids guys, been watching for years. Would you guys do Elden Ring lore videos? Think you guys would be great at that, maybe a future idea?
I think no other franchise beats Elders Scrolls lore in terms of complexity. It's the pinnacle of Fantasy even surpassing LOTR in my opinion.
You guys forgot one very important aspect of Nocturnal, an absolute baddie
Thank you so much for still uploading elder scrolls videos!
just found this series! i'd love to have a video of mephala, and sanguine!
We love fudgemuppet
I am begging you to make a lore video in this style for Meridia
i’m a bit surprised that you didn’t compare nocturnal to The Morrígan, as the two are visually similar. i feel like visually, nocturnal was based on The Morrígan. motive and personality wise, i definitely agree with the odin connection.
Can we pay a moment to 10:46 how perfect the lip sync was?
So Nocturnal is no better than the rest of the Princes(minus Malacath and Azura of course). She just hides her own brand of villainy behind a sexy body. . .which makes her that more dangerous. She is a seducer in the truest sense of the word because of how she appears.
Anybody else thought of the nightingales were pretty much power rangers for thieves?
I like Nocturnal's spheres...
I'm surprised you talked about Odin and not the more fitting crow god comparison The Morrigan who directly inspired her
Holy shit this was good. Thank you!
I love the videos I hope you get all of them I can't wait for hiricine
Love this video, but can't help but feel that nocturnal is the ruler of the gray meh-be. I haven't played ESO though, maybe she has a personality there. Skyrim nightingales just feel and look like Batman to me.
something tells me this one will get more views than the others
My fav, Lady Luck
One thing to note is the dualistic nature of luck. The thief who steals successfully may be lucky, but the merchant they stole from is unlucky. If it rains, a farmer might be lucky, but a picnicker would be unlucky. At a casino, if the patron wins, the house loses. In a competition, one party wins and their opposition loses. Whomever luck favours in any given conflict, it turns its back on another. There is no take without give. There is no gain without loss.
I don't think Odin is a good fit for nocturnal. Look at the morrigan in Irish mythology, pretty much a carbon copy
Lady luck and Mistress of Mystery?! Shenanigans ;)
I absolutely enjoy this
The birds adorning nightengales arms are not crows. They are revered to as "nightengales"
Her crows are dope af ngl. I'm mad jelly
My kind of Prince, Nocturnal 🤗
oh its a good day when FudgeMuppet upload
Okay Nocturnal is one of my all time favourite dadric Lords She is up there with Sanguine and sheagorath ...shiagorith ..sha.. CRAZY MAN hahahah those three are my top fav dadric Lords
I can't shake the feeling/notion like many of the other divine beings involved in Nirn, she has significant influence in something(s) by her core nature of being. Yet she is NOT the ultimate arbiter of them. I mean how many of the spirits of Mundas have dominion over aspects of death for example? How many are empowered by it? In the case of luck she could assert some influence over it through the methods you've outlined (Great notions btw), but does that make her the true "Queen" of luck? Wouldn't that make her another entity that could be claimed to have dominion over fate?