Lore:Comets
Comets are celestial bodies characterized by their small size, composition of ice and dust,[1][2][3] and the distinctive trails known as a comet's tail.[4] They move through the heavens,[5][6] and are often linked to significant events and frequently hold symbolic importance across various cultures and religions.[6][7] They also are present in some magical practices.[8][9][3]
Cultural Interpretations[edit]
During the Interregnum, vials of comet dust were commonly found across Tamriel. Some of these small vials contained dust that allegedly fell from the sky when a starry comet streaked over the Iliac Bay.[2] Some celestial animals were named after the comet.[10] Comet-Wine is an alcoholic beverage named after the comet.[11] Magic involving the summoning of comets from constellations existed.[8][9][3]
Altmer[edit]
Comets are a present theme in Altmeri musical and poetic traditions. One song, The Star-Eyed Bride of Alinor, uses the imagery of a comet's tail to evoke the beauty of an Altmeri lady's hair.[4]
Ayleid[edit]
Ayleids were known to recreate the effect of a shooting star passing through the night sky using magic. This practice was later adopted by mages from other cultures for decorative purposes, such as an individual known as Uryacil.[5]
Dunmer[edit]
One of the origin stories of Baar Dau claims that it was a frozen comet that Vivec suspended in the air above the city.[1]
An esoteric text of Velothi origins, From Exile to Exodus, describes Azura to be as bright as eightfold comets.[12]
Khajiit[edit]
The Khajiiti believe that the sight of a falling star is a sign from Azurah that someone is in great need.[13][14]
Khunzar-ri, an ancient Khajiiti hero, was famously known for taming a comet according to one of the tales, although this is believed to be an exaggeration.[15]
Reachfolk[edit]
According to the hagiography of Emperor Durcorach, a great comet blazed across the sky on the night of his birth, and a flock of silver swans flew over his mother's humble shelter at the hour he came into the world.[6]
Redguard[edit]
An Imperial account by Flaccus Terentius states that King Fahara'jad of Sentinel gained support for his alliance with King Emeric and stirred religious fervor after a starry comet appeared in the northern skies, which he believed was a sign from HoonDing, the Yokudan Make Way God.[7]
Notes[edit]
- One source claims that Lorkhan's Heart has often been described as a falling star or comet, similar to other imaginative descriptions like fires thrown by Sheogorath or the burning corpses of racial heroes such as Baan-Dar, and giant rocks like the Ministry of Truth. It argues that these are fanciful tales rather than accurate accounts, favoring the theory that comets and "falling stars" are natural and necessary transfers of Aetheric energies into Mundus.[UOL 1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b 36 Lessons of Vivec, Sermon 33 — Vivec
- ^ a b Vial of Comet Dust item description in ESO
- ^ a b c Ice Comet, and Starfall ability descriptions in ESO
- ^ a b The Star-Eyed Bride of Alinor
- ^ a b Comet, Aetherial in ESO
- ^ a b c The Crowned Dragon — Auguthan Corovel
- ^ a b The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Hammerfell — Flaccus Terentius, 2E 581
- ^ a b Venture into the Icy Depths of Frostvault
- ^ a b Nabor the Forgotten, and Voriak Solkyn's abilities in ESO
- ^ Celestial Ram's mount description and default name in ESO
- ^ The Tava's Bounty Ledger
- ^ From Exile to Exodus — Tarvyn Aram
- ^ Zerith-var's dialogue during A Moonlit Shadow in ESO
- ^ Cantor Krin'ze's dialogue during A Moonlit Shadow in ESO
- ^ Abnur Tharn's dialogue 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.
- ^ Six Views of the Egg of Time, V. III — Geor Elbert, Doctor of Melancholy and Mania, Wayrest Royal Asylum
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