Lore:Apocrypha

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Apocrypha
Type Plane
Realm Oblivion
Appears in Dragonborn, ESO
Apocrypha
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Apocrypha (Cinematic Trailer)
"Many scholars and loremasters have been ensnared by the lure of learning the secrets that only Hermaeus Mora possesses."Neloth, Mage Lord of House Telvanni

Apocrypha is a realm of Oblivion created and ruled over by Hermaeus Mora, the Daedric Prince of Knowledge and Fate. The geography of the realm varies, with some areas being open with fields containing odd flora, other areas are an endless library consisting of untitled books with black covers, where all forbidden knowledge can be found, and the crackling towers of learning mingle with archways of despair and confusion. The realm is haunted by the ghosts of mortals forever searching for knowledge. Stacks of books form mazes and spiraling pillars that can reach as high as the illuminating green sky. Intricate ruins and monstrous carvings can be found among the stacks. The plane is covered in a sea of ink and roiling tentacles, while Hermaeus Mora is omnipresent over all, taking glee in tormenting mortals from his realm. Some areas of the realm are consumed by darkness which can kill any who enter it. Discarded pages and floating tomes fill the fetid air, as if pulled by invisible string. Storms of notorious strength purportedly rage over Apocrypha.

Apart from magical teleportation, Apocrypha is most easily entered by mortals through the reading of Black Books, tomes of forbidden knowledge displaced from time and scattered across Tamriel. An apparition of the reader's body remains in Mundus, tethering their life force. Most mortals who gain access to the secrets within Apocrypha are driven insane by unending revelations. Such was the fate of the mage Morian Zenas, who famously disappeared in Apocrypha during his voyages through Oblivion. However, those who successfully journey through Apocrypha are known to discover powerful knowledge. The laws of the mortal world hold no power in this realm.

Geography[edit]

Hermaeus Mora's infinite library of forbidden knowledge is described as a turbulent mire, glistening against the writhing brightness of a green sky, where every tome reveals secrets damning and inhumane, catalogued in chaos. Stacks of black-covered books adorn every edifice, and the dark halls are constantly elongating and retracting. Scryes are used to navigate these structures by elongating steps, opening gates, and performing other actions. Magicka and stamina fonts are found throughout the area. It is perched atop the black churning ocean of Apocrypha, which is described as an infinite sea of black ooze and thrashing tentacles. Lurker-Summoning Chambers are circular tentacle pools filled with black ooze that lurkers arise from.

Fauna and Flora[edit]

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Fauna and Flora

Apocrypha is inhabited by grotesque Daedric creatures malformed by Mora, who are his frightening servants and stalk the constantly elongating and retracting halls. Seekers guard forbidden knowledge, banishing foes with sound attacks. Lurkers dwell within the inky tide, arising from the depths to attack invaders. Disembodied tentacles hide in the waters and hang from the sky, whipping at any who pass. Wisp-Lanterns float through the fetid air of the realm, acting as sources of light. Hermaeus Mora tasks Watchlings with observing all things and cataloguing all knowledge, so that they may act as his eyes.

Mortals[edit]

Mora resides "everywhere and nowhere" but takes glee in tormenting mortals from his realm in Oblivion. Apocrypha is "incomprehensible" to mortals who have been lured into its unseen and unspeakable depths. It is said that this is partially because laws of the mortal world hold no power in Apocrypha.

History[edit]

The Dragon Priest Miraak sought the knowledge of Apocrypha in the Merethic Era, and used what he learned of the Thu'um to revolt against his dragon masters. Although he slew many, their retaliation was swift and furious, and Miraak's temple was destroyed. He retreated to Apocrypha with his dragon servants, where he dwelled for many eras. By 4E 201, Miraak had in motion a plan to harness the power of the All-Maker Stones of Solstheim to enable his return to Tamriel. Seeing his corrupting influence on the lands and people of Solstheim, the Last Dragonborn entered Apocrypha through the reading of Black Books, and confronted Miraak. The two Dragonborns battled, and, when Miraak was close to defeat, he was killed by Mora, who then accepted the Last Dragonborn as his new champion.

Gallery[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • Apocrypha is an English word meaning "something, as a writing, that is of doubtful authorship or authority". It derives from the medieval Latin adjective apocryphus meaning "secret, or non-canonical", which is in turn derived from the Greek adjective ἀπόκρυφος ('apokryphos'), meaning "obscure".

See Also[edit]

  • For game-specific information, see the Dragonborn article.

References[edit]