Better Cities:Commentaries of the Lover-Prince of Taneth
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 Commentaries of the Lover-Prince of Taneth |
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he Lover-Prince of Taneth, know by those of the city as "The Idiot", "The Wanderer", and "The Coward" is one of the most intriguing figures in the province of Hammerfell. The prince's identity varies, but various members of Hammerfellian society have secretly passed down his quotes and scriptures, and word of him has travelled all over Tamriel. He often wrote and sent out these quotes during times of trouble and war. The Redguard was of noble birth, hence the "prince" in his name, and was also known for his methods of avoiding conflict. He wished always for peace, not for the brutal, warrior-like atmosphere of Goldmoor, of the Alik'r, and of Sentinel. Thus his pen name was born, 100 years after the start of the Alessian Third Era.
This written peace is not meant to categorize his life (though it will state and determine when scriptures were written); instead, it visualizes his ideas. It's a commentary of these quotes, and I'll try to share a point of view represented by Redguards of 300 years after. After all, it's not even known whether it was one identity writing the sermons, poems, and short stories of the Prince during these times.
"Know not love, then know not sympathy. Should a raging hand touch an innocent man, the flame can be quenched if the assaulter loves. No sympathy is given back should they ever be seen again, perhaps his titles will be stripped of his loins."
This odd, vague remark is one of the Prince's early scriptures. It was released en mass magically, another taboo of Redguard tradition, during the time of the war on Pyandonea. However, this first work was hardly anti-Imperial; it was more likely directed against the Pyandonean armada. The "no sympathy given back" is after Orgnum lost his coffers, and Pyandonea ceased to become a world power, after showing a "raging hand" on the Imperials previously.
Over time, the Prince's views began to change, and he showed a general outlook on his disgust of the warlike Redguards and Nords, in his sermon in 3E 114.
"They are not homely,
They are not friendly,
They are not ridiculed,
They are not wise,
They are not special,
They are not intriguing,
They are not intelligent,
They are violent."
This succinct poem/sermon offered insight into the prince's beliefs at this time. "They" are the Redguards/Nords, who upset the Prince simply because of their warlike ways and thoughts. "Homely" and "friendly" refer to the Nords, who are thought by some as inhospitable to other races. "Not ridiculed" is the thought that the Imperials often treat the Redguards and Nords as their greatest soldiers, and keepers of the Imperial pride. "Wise" and "special" refer to how magic is either shunned, or simply not practiced in Nord/Redguard communities. "Intriguing" refers to the lack of libraries and philosophies in the provinces, and how they neglect those like the Prince.
His protests were let out once again in the same year. Desti Melarg, well-known Redguard writer, died that year. The Prince thought it was an assassination, and he let his radical views be known:
"You wither,
He bothers,
Come hither,
You say nothing,
It is time for a meal,
He calls you,
says you are frail.
You gather yourself,
share the wealth,
of your feast.
He comes toward you,
greets you,
then promptly poisons you."
Of all the Lover-Prince's writings, this one is the most obscure. In fact, since the writings were released to the Mystic Archives a few years ago, there has been debate on whether this was even written by the Lover-Prince. Desti Melarg was a well-known writer, and there seemed to be no reason for an assasination [sic]. Still, this poem/verse hybrid writing showed the story of a man's assassination, the subject of which is thought to be Melarg.
The Lover-Prince of Taneth then vanished for a few years, and followers generally preached his sayings secretly. However, when Kintyra became Empress, the Prince could no longer contain himself, and a radically new Prince vision was shown:
"Alas!
Our great lady has surfaced,
New and surprising,
this Imperial feeling.
The other,
commander of the wolves,
adds nothing but jealousy.
Of diamonds the wolven-queen strikes,
of diamonds she tears away,
Our great lady from her halls.
Alas!"
This is about the Wolf Queen, Potema, who started the War of the Red Diamond in a surprise attack on the Empire. This was just after Kintyra was crowned Empress of Tamriel, and Potema, jealous and of the same Septim bloodline as Kintyra, wished to seize power. It is debatable whether or not this is the Prince, as it's a very different, pro-Imperial view. This poem was actually allowed to be read at universities and Mages Guilds.
The next writing surfaced a year later, on magic:
"Flick your finger,
and he'll see nothing.
You'll see everything.
In your dreams,
you can freeze the hearts of many.
In your eyes,
you can see the friends of Lovers gone by.
Through your mouth,
you can see the warming of a friend.
In his dreams,
he can't."
This writing was obviously about magic, and how Redguards did not practice it because of many of their limited abilities, and the idea that magic was sin, and persecuted in Hammerfell. The Lover-Prince was, as told by his followers, "Deeply enriched in the thoughts and processes in magical sciences." He also was supposedly a necromancer, as evidence by "The friends of Lovers gone by." This is the Prince's most famous writing, and outlawed throughout Hammerfell. "Freezing the Hearts of Many" refers to Destruction magic, a bit contradictory to the Prince's thoughts and philosophies. "The warming of a friend" refers to charms, and how they can beguile others into liking you.
This next scripture is the last writing by the Prince, at least the last one recovered by the Mages Guild.
"Love.
Love is a clever word.
It is disregarded by men and women alike,
yet it's the most important word of them all.
Without love,
where is the hate.
Two extremes must follow one another,
and without one,
the other cannot follow.
Hate.
Hate is a silly word.
It is impossible not to hate.
Yet you shy away from hate,
but don't turn to love.
You are not enlightened."
Many do not understand this scripture, and I may be one of them. But, it does mention that love and hate are opposites, and my guess is that you must be enlightened to understand both. The last writing of this interesting man is still one that puzzles us.
Keep in mind that the Lover-Prince may have been someone famous, but also, at the time in Hammerfell, many people weren't opening their minds to something other than war. That is still true in some parts today, but thanks to the Lover-Prince, philosophy and free thought have began to take their course. At the same time, the Lover-Prince was a radical, as were his followers. It is not advisable to share the Prince's views, but one should understand them.