Lore:Malacath

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An emblem representing Malacath

Malacath, the Daedra Prince of Lies, Deception, and Hypocrisy,[1] the God of Curses,[2][3] Daedric Prince of the Bloody Oath,[4] Lord of Ash and Bone,[5] Lord of Monsters,[6] Oathbreaker,[7] Creator of Curses,[8]:293 He Who Speaks Sideways,[9] the Furious One, the Keeper of the Bloody Curse, and the Defender of the Betrayed,[10] also known as Mauloch[11] (or Malauch)[12] to the Orcs,[13] Orkey in Nordic tradition,[12] Orkha to the Khajiit,[14] Malooc to the Redguards,[2][15] Malak to the Dunmer,[16] and Muluk the Blue God of the Goblins,[17][18][19][20] is a Daedric Prince whose sphere is "the patronage of the spurned and ostracized, the keeper of the Sworn Oath, and the Bloody Curse",[21] as well as conflict, battle, broken promises, and anguish.[22] Malacath has been described as a "weak but vengeful" Daedra by some,[2] and he fittingly (given his sphere) is allegedly not recognized as a Daedra Lord by his peers;[12] however, Azura considers him among the most powerful princes,[23] as he was one of the eight to sign the Coldharbour Compact.[24] The Prince rules over a realm of Oblivion known as the Ashpit,[25] and he counts the oversized but dull-witted Ogrim as his servants.[26]

Malacath was created when Boethiah ate the Aldmeri ancestor spirit, Trinimac,[2][12][16][27] although Malacath himself says that this tale is far too "literal minded".[28] Additionally, Trinimac's most devout Elven followers were transformed into the Orsimer ("Pariah Folk" in Aldmeris), or Orcs.[12][29] However, some Orcs cling to the belief that Trinimac still exists and Malacath is a separate entity.[4] Goblinkind worships the "Blue God", whom they venerate with sacred idols of Malacath, painted blue.[18]

Malacath is considered the first of the Four Corners of the House of Troubles in Morrowind,[30][31] though other sources say he is an ally of Mephala, and an enemy of Ebonarm.[32] His summoning day is the 8th of Frost Fall.[33] Troll fat is a consistent element in rituals intended to summon Malacath.[34][35][36]

Mythology[edit]

The Terrible Transformation of Trinimac[edit]

According to legend, Malacath was once Trinimac, the most powerful of the Aedra, the Altmeri ancestor spirits.[12] During the Merethic Era, Boethiah began appearing in visions to the prophet Veloth, instructing him to create a new sect, who would eventually become the Chimer. This was blasphemous to the priests of Trinimac, who threatened to exile the dissidents.[29]

It is unclear exactly what transpired next.[29] In one Orcish telling, Trinimac confronted Boethiah for creating the dissident movement and challenged her to a battle. During the fight, Trinimac was about to strike down Boethiah when Mephala appeared; the Webspinner stabbed Trinimac in the back. As Trinimac kneeled helpless, Boethiah invoked a ritual to scar and twist Trinimac's appearance, then banished the Aedra to a place of ash. In a rage, Trinimac cut open his chest and "[tore] the shame from his spirit", being reborn as Mauloch.[37]

However, the far more popular version of the tale says that Boethiah ate Trinimac.[12][27][29] One version in particular says Boethiah appeared as a beautiful lass, and asked Trinimac for a kiss. When he obliged, Boethiah swallowed him whole.[38] As the priests prepared to pass judgment on the Velothi dissidents, Boethiah appeared before them in Trinimac's form.[29] "Trinimac" burped, farted, and spoke foolishly.[38] And when the crowd grew large enough, Boethiah told them what had been whispered to Veloth and demonstrated the "lies" of Trinimac's teachings, all in Trinimac's voice.[27][29] When the priests were sufficiently shamed and broken, Boethiah "squeezed out a great pile of dung" before the crowd, all that remained of the once proud knight, as proof that this was the truth.[27][29][38] Some accounts state the followers of both Boethiah and Trinimac are said to have rubbed the dung upon themselves and "changed their skins";[30] others claim that the dung pile "slunk away in shame".[38]

These tales say that after being swallowed by Boethiah, Trinimac was tortured within her bowels, twisting and transforming him.[12][29] After being released, Boethiah banished Trinimac to what would become his realm of Oblivion, the Ashpit. There, Trinimac faded away and Malacath, an enraged being bent on revenge, was born.[29] And with Trinimac's transformation, so changed his devoted followers; thus were born the Orsimer, the "Pariah Folk", who follow Malacath to this day.[12][29][38]

Accords of Madness[edit]

Many accounts paint Malacath as a Prince who is very protective of his followers, and who becomes vindictive when they are wronged. Among the tales of the Madgod Sheogorath found in the Sixteen Accords of Madness is a story about Malacath and his demiprince son, Emmeg Gro-Kayra. Sometime before the founding of Orsinium, Sheogorath (in disguise) had given Emmeg, a renowned Orcish warrior, the Neb-Crescen. When drawn, the sword set off a bloodlust within Emmeg, and he murdered a young Orc girl in his frenzied haze and ran away. Sheogorath then summoned Malacath to where the slaughtered Orc girl was and instigated his vengeance. Sheogorath persuaded Malacath to avenge the Orc girl's death using the weapon of Sheogorath's choice and banish the murderer to his plane of the Shivering Isles. Malacath manifested in the direction the killer was fleeing, and drew the blade, which further fueled his rage. The prince quickly crossed the distance, and cleanly lobbed Emmeg's head off his body, and what followed was a sudden silence. Seeing the severed head, Malacath realized what he had done; he had damned his biological son to the realm of the Mad God. To further exacerbate the pain, Sheogorath came to the scene of the infanticide to claim the still sentient head of Emmeg and the Neb-Cresen. Malacath stayed behind and mourned as he heard the pleas of his son being carried off into the distance.[39]

Worship[edit]

Orcs[edit]

God of curses, hear my prayer!
Lord of the betrayed, give me strength!
Keeper of the grudge, harden my heart!
Holder of the broken promises, ignite my anguish!
Master of the sworn oath, grant me the ferocity to overcome my enemies!
Malacath, hear my prayer!
Prayer to the Furious One
A bust of Malacath in Wrothgar

While the Orsimer believe many gods exist, they only venerate one.[11] Malacath, whom they also call Mauloch, the Orc-Father[37] the Great Chief, the First Orc,[11] the Daedric Lord of the Orcs, the keeper and Lord of the Sworn Oath and the Bloody Curse,[40][41] and Ashpit's Lord.[42] Curiously, "Mauloch" is seen by some as an Aedra like Trinimac, whereas "Malacath" is a Daedra.[15][43] While some consider the Aedric Mauloch to be a different being altogether, others believe that Mauloch and Malacath are one and the same, a Pariah God who has been rejected by both the Aedra and Daedra.[44] Orcs that live in the strongholds choose to live by the Code of Mauloch (or Malacath), a set of unwritten rules which instructs them on how to deal with matters like honor and vengeance, but also covers daily life.[11][13]

However, there are some Orcs who continue to venerate Trinimac. Some Trinimac cultists believe the Aedra fooled Boethiah, and was not actually transformed by his ordeal, and instead absorbed a portion of Boethiah's power and gave it to his followers, thus making the Orsimer "improved Elves."[11] Others instead believe that Malacath is an agent of Boethiah who has somehow imprisoned Trinimac.[45] The latter cultists believe that Malacath and Trinimac are actually wholly separate entities, and that Malacath lies to keep them as pariahs under his thumb.[4] Trinimac worship was known to be prevalent in the Second Era when it was adopted by King Kurog of Orsinium,[22][46] and was also advocated by King Gortwog gro-Nagorm of Nova Orsinium following the Warp in the West in the late Third Era. Gortwog's policies on Malacath and Trinimac worship angered Orcs both within and outside of his territory, and some worried about the consequences of abandoning Malacath.[4] While Gortwog's city would soon fall in the early Fourth Era, the belief in Trinimac's imprisonment would endure, though now considered extremely heretical by most Orcs. [45]

The Code of Mauloch[edit]

A carving of Malacath at his shrine in Old Orsinium

The Code of Mauloch contains many simple precepts, which are mostly tacit[11] and include prohibitions on theft, murder, and assault, though ample exceptions are made to these rules.[13] More explicitly, the Code encourages respect for forging and blacksmithing, requiring vengeance for insulted honor, and recognizing that death in combat is pleasing to Mauloch.[11] Orcs believe if something is not worth fighting for, it is beneath the Code.[13]

The Code sets rules for how to select a stronghold's chief through challenge and combat, and the "traditional roles" of the chief and his wives.[11] The Chief is normally the strongest male, and it is he who makes decisions for the clan and decides when the Code of Mauloch has been satisfied. Nearly all the women of the stronghold are the Chief's wives or daughters; the exception being the stronghold's wise woman, who handles healing and spiritual matters. Disputes are settled through short, violent fights. Orcs who displease the Chief are normally banished from the stronghold, being forced to live amongst the other races.[13]

Orc strongholds have no jails.[13] If someone commits a crime, the penalty is the "Blood Price", to be paid to the victim or their surviving relatives.[11] This involves payment in goods as restitution, or bleeding "enough" to satisfy the victim that punishment has been met.[13]

Nords[edit]

The traditional Nordic belief system contains two deities that are seen as being connected to Malacath. The first is Mauloch, who is known by the Nords as the God of Orcs and the "Mountain Fart". He is clearly identified with Malacath, and tests the Nords through warfare. He is considered a testing god.[47]

The other is Orkey, also called Old Knocker, who is the god of mortality.[12][47] Orkey is a primal Atmoran death god,[48] a "loan-god" whose worship stems from the days when the Aldmeri ruled Atmora.[47] He is said to be a fusion of aspects of Mauloch and Arkay,[47] though others suggest that Arkay is a fusion of Orkey and the Aldmeri god Xarxes.[48] Whatever the case, Orkey is also the Nordic god of the dead.[48] His priests oversee the Halls of the Dead of Skyrim, and ensure that the remains of the departed are properly consecrated and cared for.[49] The earliest Atmoran beliefs involved the worship of totemic animals, which evolved into the Nordic pantheon.[50] Orkey's animal totem is the snake.[51]

Numerous Nordic myths involve the Old Knocker; it is said he has attempted to "ruin" the Nords since the days of Atmora,[52] and his battles with Ysmir Wulfharth are "legendary".[12] The Nords believe that Orkey "stole their years away".[52] It is said that the ancient Atmorans were once as long-lived as Elves, until Orkey, through "heathen trickery", fooled the Atmorans into a bargain that "bound them to the count of winters."[47]

Another tale says that during the reign of King Wulfharth, Orkey summoned the ghost of Alduin, and the Nords were "eaten down to six years old" (some interpretations say their lifespans were simply reduced to six years).[47][52] Wulfharth asked for Shor's help, and his ghost fought Alduin's ghost on the spirit plane.[52] Shor defeated the Time-Eater, then removed the curse from the Nords and "[threw] most of it onto the nearby Orcs", Orkey's folk, and they were "ruined".[47][52]

Nords keep small statues of testing gods in their households and try to keep them appeased.[53]

Dunmer[edit]

A shrine to Malacath in Morrowind

In Morrowind, Malacath is occasionally called Malak, the God-king of the Orcs.[2][16] With the advent of the Tribunal around 1E 700, four Daedric Princes (Malacath, Molag Bal, Mehrunes Dagon, and Sheogorath) refused to swear loyalty and their worshippers were banished. These "Rebel Daedra" became the Four Corners of the House of Troubles.[16][30] In this capacity, Malacath is said to test the Dunmer for physical weakness.[2] Malacath has a large statue located in the hills of Sheogorad, directly west of Dagon Fel and Mzuleft. Since Malacath is the first corner of the House of Troubles, the shrine is the first stop on the Pilgrimage of the Four Corners. Diviners of the Tribunal Temple would donate four daedric hearts and recite Vivec's poem, the Four Corners of the House of Troubles.[54]

Redguards[edit]

Malooc, the Horde King, is an enemy god of the Redguards. Some scholars believe Malooc is merely Malacath in disguise, as they appear "similarly boorish" and share many "graceless aspects".[2][55] These beliefs caused tensions within Hammerfell in the Second Era, as some clerics began to question their alliance with the Orcs as part of the Daggerfall Covenant.[15]

Malooc was first encountered by the Ra Gada in the First Era.[2] The Warrior Wave reportedly encountered an immense horde of goblins who revered Malooc as their deity.[55] It is said that Malooc retreated to the east when the army of the HoonDing routed the horde.[2] Hammerfell celebrates the Festival of Blades on the 26th of First Seed to commemorate this victory.[56]

Lending some credence to a connection between Malooc and Malacath, goblins in Fourth Era Skyrim have been observed to worship a "Blue God", thought to possibly be an aspect of Malacath.[19][20] Totems of this Blue God are simply statues of Malacath painted blue.[18]

Khajiit[edit]

The demon Orkha is known through ancient khajiiti texts that predate the Riddle'thar Epiphany, it is a demon sharing similarities to Malacath. It followed Boethra (the Khajiit interpretation of Boethiah) back through the Many Paths, and spoke in curses of affliction and knew no other words. Lorkhaj, Khenarthi, and Boethra battled the demon, but Orkha could only be banished and would not die. Khajiit understand that Orkha and others of his ilk serve as tests along the Path, and nothing more.[14]

Reachfolk[edit]

Malacath, also known under the name of The Lord of Ash and Bone is one of many Spirits that are part of Reachfolk religion has a following among some of the clans in the Reach. Winterborn Clan of the Western Reach is one of the known clans that venerate Malacath. According to them Malacath's true chosen people is the Reachfolk. They believe that he is responsible for creation of Orcs, Ogres, and Trolls in order provide hardships and test the Reachfolk.[5] He is not a popular spirit among the Reachfolk of Markarth.[57]

History[edit]

First Era[edit]

During the First Era, Mauloch was long a thorn in the side of High King Harald's descendants in Skyrim. Mauloch reportedly fled east after being defeated at the Battle of Dragon Wall, believed to have been fought around 660. It is said that Mauloch's rage "fill[ed] the sky with his sulphurous hatred". This event later came to be known as the Year of Winter in Summer,[2] a result of the eruption of Red Mountain in 1E 668.[58]

Second Era[edit]

In 2E 582, Malacath was summoned by an Orc, Lashgikh, who wanted vengeance for her dead husband, Esmaeel. Malacath then summoned Esmaeel's killer, who was slain by Lashgikh and the Vestige.[59] This is a particularly interesting case where the Code of Malacath was invoked against an Orc (himself worshipper of Malacath) for the murder of a non-Orc (and non-worshipper of Malacath, but husband to an Orc woman who swore to avenge his death.)

Third Era[edit]

A shrine to Malacath in Cyrodiil

Around 3E 405, Malacath was summoned by an agent of the Blades. The Prince told of a Daedra Seducer, a "little panikosa" to whom Malacath had given the beauty she always wanted. The Seducer had then betrayed him and fled to a nearby dungeon. Malacath wanted her dead. The agent obliged, and once the deed was done discovered the Seducer's part in a local murder. This evidence was brought before the local ruler, thus solving the case and boosting the agent's fame. Malacath rewarded the hero with Volendrung.[60]

The Nerevarine also summoned Malacath, in Morrowind in 3E 427. Malacath asked the hero to seek revenge on behalf of an Orc adventurer, Kharag gro-Khar, who was denied his rightful fame and glory. After vanquishing a great threat, Kharag's Dunmer partner, Oreyn Bearclaw, took all the credit.[61] Though both the Kharag and Oreyn were long dead, Malacath's ire was so great that he requested the Nerevarine slay the Dunmer's last remaining descendant, Farvyn Oreyn.[nb1] When confronted, Farvyn admitted the whole story was a lie, and attacked. The Nerevarine prevailed, and received the Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw as a reward.[62] The Nerevarine later sold the Helm to the Museum of Artifacts in Mournhold.[63]

In 3E 433, Malacath commanded the Hero of Kvatch to free a group of ogres from enslavement in the mines of a noble on the Gold Coast of Cyrodiil. Once the Prince's "little brothers" were released from their bonds, the Hero was given Volendrung as a reward.[36]

Fourth Era[edit]

A slain orc at the base of a forgotten shrine

Around 4E 48, a gravely wounded Prince Attrebus Mede and his companion Sul found themselves in the Ashpit while on a quest to stop the floating city of Umbriel. Attrebus's wounds were tended to by an Altmer woman with pale skin, rosy gold hair, and green eyes named Silhansa, who soon revealed herself to be Malacath in disguise. Malacath agreed to help the pair after hearing their story, as Sul's motivation was revenge, which delighted the Prince.[28]

In 4E 201, the Last Dragonborn arrived at the Orc stronghold of Largashbur in Skyrim while it was under attack by giants. According to Atub, the wise woman, the tribe was cursed by Malacath. The Dragonborn helped Atub summon the Prince, who proceeded to berate the Chief, Yamarz, for being so weak that giants would openly attack Largashbur. Malacath demanded Yamarz kill the leader of the giants and return with his warhammer as an offering.[35]

Yamarz was perturbed by this development, and demanded the Dragonborn "assist" him in getting to the giants' lair. Once there, Yamarz asked the Dragonborn to kill the giant and let him take the credit. It is not clear what happened next, but the Dragonborn killed the giant and Yamarz was slain—either by the giant or at the hands of the Dragonborn. Regardless, the Dragonborn returned to the stronghold with the warhammer, and Malacath appeared once more. The Prince named a new chief and transformed the warhammer into Volendrung, which he gave to the Last Dragonborn as a reward.[35]

Around the same time, goblins from Cyrodiil began appearing near Riften, not far from Largashbur.[64] Troublingly, it was rumored they were being led by the Blue God himself.[19] The Last Dragonborn investigated the matter and found that the "Blue God" was a mere Orc, covered in blue mushroom paste, whom the goblins mistook for their deity.[20][64]

Artifacts[edit]

Brutal Bands[edit]

A Brutal Band

Brutal Bands, are heavy iron rings. When a Brutal Band is worn, the wearer's hands instinctively curl into fists and the sound of distant drums and crashing steel fills the ears of the wearer, imbuing them with all the bitterness of Orckind and all the strength of Malacath. The Orsinium codex states that the Brutal Bands are from Malacath himself and that they were forged in the Ashpit.

Ritual dust from the Ashpit was given to the most devout followers of Malacath in the Brutal Breed by Malacath himself, these followers would place their Brutal Bands in the dust while they slept, believing that it would charge the Band with energy from the Ashpit. Ritual oil was also carried in urns that bore the symbol of the Brutal Breed, with this oil being carried and used on the Brutal Bands by every cultist as a form of prayer and as a request for perseverance in the face of endless adversity. The Brutal Bands of the supplicants have portions of Malacath's true name on them. The upper hoops on the Bands represent the blessing of Scourge.

Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw (Skyrim)

Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw[edit]

The Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw, also known as the Helm of Kharag gro-Khar, is a prized artifact with a history of conflicted attribution. The helm itself is an engraved skull, which is enchanted to improve the wearer's agility and endurance.

Those that claim it is a Bosmeri artifact know it by the former name, and attribute it to the legendary Dunmer hunter of Valenwood, Oreyn Bearclaw. Legends claim that Bearclaw singlehandedly killed Glenhwyfaunva, the witch-serpent of the Elven wood, and thus brought peace to his clan. He would bring the helm and his name further reverence by performing many more great deeds, until he lost his life to the Knahaten Flu. After Bearclaw's demise, his helm stood as a monument of his stature, although it was eventually lost after his clan split.

Those that call the helm by its latter name believe that Oreyn was falsely credited, and that the feats were actually performed by his Orc friend, Kharag gro-Khar, hero of the Shatul Clan. Thus they consider it an Orcish artifact, and the relic has been claimed by Malacath himself. Those that believe the former story however, state that Kharag stole both Oreyn's helm and reputation, and thus both camps have tried to claim it.

The Savior's Hide (Skyrim)

Saviour's Hide[edit]

Savior's Hide, also known as Scourge of the Oathbreaker, and Hircine's Hide, is a Daedric artifact commonly associated with Hircine. Savior's Hide once referred to a full set of armor, known as the Armor of the Savior's Hide (boots, cuirass, gauntlets, greaves, helmet, and pauldrons). Over time, the term Savior's Hide would become predominately used to refer to the Cuirass of the Savior's Hide, as the rest of the armor set have not been seen since 3E 399. The Cuirass makes the wearer resistant to magic.

There are three creation stories to the Hide, with two crediting Hircine and the third crediting Malacath. The more widely known tale involving Hircine holds that the Daedric Prince rewarded the first mortal to escape his Hunting Grounds with his peeled Hide. The mortal then had the Hide tailored into the Cuirass for use in their adventures. This version of the story also claims that the Cuirass gave the wearer a resistance to magic. Another version claims that it was Hircine himself who sewed the Savior’s hide from the hide of a werewolf.

The third tradition which credits Malacath is lesser known and contains an inaccuracy, stating that it made the wearer vulnerable to magic. Despite the conflict between the stories, they agree on the points that the Hide would protect from the blows of an oathbreaker, and would protect the wearer from the sting of the Spear of Bitter Mercy.

Scourge (Skyrim)

Scourge[edit]

Scourge (also known as Mackkan's Hammer, Bane of Daedra, the Daedric Scourge, or Scourge, Blessed of Malacath) is a legendary Daedric artifact. It was forged from sacred ebony in the Fires (or Fountains) of Fickledire, and is associated with Malacath. It is a fierce weapon, and takes the form of a steel or ebony mace. Malacath dedicated it to mortals, and any Daedra who attempts to invoke its power will be banished to the Void. It also has the ability to banish them to the Void with a single blow, and can conjure Daedra such as Dremora and Scamps from Oblivion to do the wielder's bidding. The summons are said to be those that it has killed, and its victims are said to be poisoned. It has been described as a "bold defender of the friendless", which could be related to Malacath's role as the Daedric Prince of outcasts.

Vengeful Eye[edit]

Volendrung (Legends)

The Vengeful Eye is an amulet associated with the Daedric Prince Malacath; it is a relic sacred to both the Orcs and Reachfolk of the Winterborn clan. It is a plain amulet carved with the symbol of an eye. Dried blood appears to be caked inside the etching. Those who have it in their possession are said to carry Malacath's favor. It was first given by Malacath to his mortal followers, and this artifact would be passed down by combat, the one who slain the bearer claiming the artifact. It is capable of influencing those who have it in their possession. Two Orcish brothers once attempted to destroy the relic, only for it to whisper to one of them, and influencing one brother to betray the other. Soon after, the relic fell into the possession of Mercedene, one of the Winterborn and Beast of the Reach.

It would eventually be buried within the tomb of Honor's Rest. In 2E 582, the Winterborn attempted to retrieve the relic from the tomb, so they could march upon Orsinium and the Orcish Strongholds, in what was referred to as the Vengeful March. Due to the intervention of one of the Winterborn, Kyrtos and his ally, the Vestige it would be secured before that could happen. Its unclear if the relic was given to the Priests of Malacath in Orsinium, destroyed, or if the Vestige took it to a shrine of Malacath and received Malacath's favor and blessing to keep the amulet.

Volendrung[edit]

Volendrung, also known as the Hammer of Might, is an ancient artifact created by the Dwarven Rourken clan. It is known to manifest as a warhammer of Dwarven Metal. For unknown reasons, Volendrung became a Daedric artifact of Malacath. Therefore, it is culturally linked to both the Dwemer and the Daedra. It earns its name with its capability to demolish even the walls of enemy keeps with ease. It is enchanted with the ability to paralyze foes to an extent that is comparable to that of a Medusa's gaze. It is also known for draining those it strikes of their strength, conferring it to the wielder. The hammer is prone to disappearing like its Dwarven creators, sometimes resurfacing in days, sometimes in eons.

The Ashpit[edit]

Ashpit is a realm of Oblivion created and ruled over by Malacath, the Daedric Prince of Outcasts. It is unknown if the realm existed before Trinimac was transformed into Malacath. Orcish spellwrights call for boons from the Ashpit and rarely any other realms. The Ashpit is hard to access, as the pathways to his domain take on a characteristic level of concealment to protect the disenfranchised and cast out.

The realm mostly consists only of dust, palaces of smoke, and vaporous creatures; anguish, betrayal, and broken promises like ash fill the bitter air. Few mortals manage to reach the realm, where levitation and magical breathing are necessary to survive. The Mages Guild have been known to bottle this thick, roiling vapor.

However, some areas of the realm are safe for mortals. In 4E 48, Malacath chose to bring Sul and Prince Attrebus Mede to the Ashpit, where they found a garden of slender trees, and "vines festooned with lilylike flowers" wound about the trunks; a "multitude of spheres moved, deep in the colorless sky, as distant and pale as moons". This garden seems to have some emotional significance to Malacath, who describes it as a "shadow of a garden", and an "echo of something that once was".

The Ashen Forge sits at the center of Malacath's own stronghold in the Ashpit. For the Orcs that revere Malacath, the afterlife promises rewards of immortality, abundant food and drink, and constant battle deep within the Ashen Forge. It is also said that the Ashpit bastion stretches endlessly across the planes, extending even behind the stars to Aetherius, granting access to every worthy Orc who crosses from this life into the next. In Malacath's stronghold, every Orc is a chief, every chief has a thousand wives, and every wife has a thousand slaves to cater to their every need. The stronghold's walls rise one hundred feet into the smoky sky, constructed of polished steel and worked iron. Inside the walls, stone keeps, iron towers, and massive longhouses surround the central square that houses the Ashen Forge.

Orcs that pass onto the afterlife are "thrust into Malacath's coals", honed, tempered and made whole in the cleansing fires of Malacath. Their grudges and fury are folded and hardened on the Anvil of Ash. There is said to be no place for a gentle soul in the Ashen Forge, who are instead believed to be given to Trinimac, who watches over all those who have fallen and guides them to their final reward. Orcish spirit-legions can be found in the Ashpit. Dremora of the Doomdriven Clan serve in these spirit-legions as marshals and commanders. The Doomdriven also serve as emissaries to Malacath's mortal followers on Nirn.

The Spine of Ashpit is a surprisingly light skeletal spine found in the realm. It is made from a grey dust, and fragments of bone have been known to be taken from it and brought to Tamriel. Sheogorath claims that the spine is the metaphorical "backbone" of the realm, which he looks down upon.

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • ^  Farvyn Oreyn was not the last of the Oreyns. Another relative, Modryn Oreyn, lived on in Cyrodiil (although it is unclear if he was a direct descendant of Oreyn Bearclaw).
  • Sheogorath claims that Malacath is "not popular at parties".[65]
  • While Mauloch has always appeared as a very uncommon name for Malacath in literature (it only appears in books in Morrowind and Oblivion, never in dialogue), it appears that Skyrim originally wanted to alter this, as many of its early lines for Orcs refer to the former name, rather than the latter, although this would get altered by the time of release. Mauloch wouldn't become a commonly-used name for Malacath until The Elder Scrolls: Online.[66]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ NPC dialogue about Malacath in Daggerfall
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Varieties of Faith...Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  3. ^ 2920, Rain's HandCarlovac Townway
  4. ^ a b c d Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: OrsiniumImperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  5. ^ a b Malacath and the ReachKyrtos
  6. ^ Modern HereticsHaderus of Gottlesfont
  7. ^ Seryn's dialogue in ESO
  8. ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
  9. ^ Crafting Motif 23: Malacath StyleForge-Wife Gurzbog gra-Gulog
  10. ^ Path of the Faithful
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Varieties of Faith: The OrcsBrother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k The True Nature of Orcs
  13. ^ a b c d e f g The Code of MalacathAmanda Alleia, Mercenary
  14. ^ a b The Adversarial SpiritsAmun-dro, the Silent Priest
  15. ^ a b c Discussion with Abal at-Inzil, priest of TavaAbal at-Inzil
  16. ^ a b c d The House of Troubles
  17. ^ Sacred Rites of the StonechewersNellic Sterone
  18. ^ a b c The Blue God item appearance in Blades
  19. ^ a b c Letter to ClexiusAvanessa Calladius
  20. ^ a b c Blue God's JournalBlue God
  21. ^ The Book of Daedra
  22. ^ a b Malacath and TrinimacUgdorga, the King's Scribe
  23. ^ Azura's dialogue in ESO
  24. ^ The Coldharbour Compact
  25. ^ On Orcs and the AfterlifeErisa Moorcroft, Scholar, Comparative Religious Studies
  26. ^ Darkest Darkness
  27. ^ a b c d The Changed Ones
  28. ^ a b Lord of SoulsGreg Keyes
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j The Fall of TrinimacThe Faithless One
  30. ^ a b c The Anticipations — Anonymous
  31. ^ Tholer Saryoni's dialogue in Morrowind
  32. ^ Oblivion Faction data in Daggerfall
  33. ^ Holidays in Daggerfall
  34. ^ 101 Uses for Troll Fat
  35. ^ a b c Events of The Cursed Tribe quest in Skyrim
  36. ^ a b Events of Malacath's quest in Oblivion
  37. ^ a b Mauloch, Orc-FatherRamurbak gro-Abamath
  38. ^ a b c d e Lord of Souls Lore Notes, The Imperial Library
  39. ^ 16 Accords of Madness, v. XII
  40. ^ Sharamph dialogue in Skyrim
  41. ^ Skyrim, Generic Dialogue
  42. ^ Rivenspire Skyshard Hunter
  43. ^ Obsidian Scar loading screen in ESO
  44. ^ Shrine of Mauloch loading screen in ESO
  45. ^ a b Villager Dialogue from Blades during The Heretic questline
  46. ^ Events of ESO
  47. ^ a b c d e f g Varieties of Faith: The NordsBrother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  48. ^ a b c Tu'whacca, Arkay, XarxesLady Cinnabar of Taneth
  49. ^ Hall of the Dead loading screens in ESO
  50. ^ Divines and the NordsHigh Priest Ingurt
  51. ^ The Song of Gods
  52. ^ a b c d e Five Songs of King Wulfharth
  53. ^ Nord House God item description in ESO
  54. ^ Malacath of the House of Troubles faction quest in Morrowind
  55. ^ a b The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: ElsweyrFlaccus Terentius, 2E 581
  56. ^ The 26th of First Seed is Upon Us!
  57. ^ Rulfalash's dialogue in ESO
  58. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: MorrowindImperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  59. ^ Events of the Foul Deeds in the Deep quest in ESO
  60. ^ Malacath's quest in Daggerfall
  61. ^ Malacath's dialogue in Morrowind
  62. ^ Events of Malacath's quest in Morrowind
  63. ^ Events of The Museum quest in Tribunal
  64. ^ a b Events of Blue in the Face in Skyrim
  65. ^ Sheogorath's dialogue during the Oblivion Crisis
  66. ^ Numerous earlier iterations of lines used by Orcs, as seen in the DialogueViews files