Lore:Shadowed Path

The lich created to lead the Shadowed Path

The Shadowed Path was a cult of necromancers devoted to Molag Bal. They established themselves in Cyrodiil in 2E 582 following the collapse of civil order brought about by the Alliance War, although they were seemingly in existence before the war.

The cult was led by Dreadlord Naucratius, and was divided into several distinct Circles controlled by ranking Diabolists. Three such Circles were sent to southern Cyrodiil in search of an ancient relic buried beneath the ground. The cult occupied Haynote Cave, Nisin Cave and Pothole Caverns in search of this artifact, which the Shadowed Path planned to use to conquer the Imperial City and all of Cyrodiil in the name of Molag Bal. Following the falling of a Dark Anchor above Bruma, the Shadowed Path took command of the Daedric invasion forces and overran the city. The cult also occupied the ruins of Nagastani in preparation for taking Blue Road Keep.

The cult attempted to create a lich at Lindai to lead them, but it was destroyed on behalf of the priests of Weynon Priory. Many of the cult's existing leaders were also killed by adventurers, and the Fighters Guild began offering bounties to hunt down cult members after their contract with Meridia was concluded.

Specific details of the Shadowed Path's relations with Mannimarco and the Order of the Black Worm are unknown, although the Order had supplanted the Mages Guild in Cyrodiil at the time and had Imperial approval. Similar cults, such as the Withered Hand and Stonefire Cult, cropped up all across Tamriel with the support of the Empire and the Worm Cult. Following the failure of the Planemeld and Mannimarco's fall from grace, the fate of the Shadowed Path is unknown.

See Also

• For game-specific information, see the Elder Scrolls Online article.