| Druid King | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Kasorayn, the last Druid King |
The Druid King (or Druid Queen and Archdruid)[1] is more accurately described as a title rather than a person. It is a position for the highest authority among the druids,[2] and a philosophical figure that is revered in High Rock.[3][4] The role of Druid King is not inherited, as titles among the druids are earned.[5]
The Druid King has the authority to bind and command the nature spirits[6] safely,[7] entities that are as unpredictable as nature itself.[8] The Druid King has dominion over nature in that they can bring prosperity or make nature run amok.[7]
HistoryEdit
Druidic history is primarily oral history,[1] for many records have been lost, and druidkind has been nearly wiped out several times throughout history.[7] One of the many myths for the origins of druidism say a Nedic figure known as Druid Queen Galen was one of the first to channel the songs of Y'ffre, and became the first Archdruid.[1] Since then, druids have been ruled over by a line of Druid Kings up to a point.[2]
If Man or Mer came to High Rock first is debated in scholarly circles. Some believe that Nedic civilization and their Druid King were already established in the province when the Aldmer arrived,[9] while others claim that the Nedes arrived in High Rock afterwards, and encountered the elves gradually with a variety of reactions and outcomes.[10][11][UOL 1]
After the fracture of the Druids of Galen into druidic circles (the Eldertide, Firesong, and Stonelore Circles), the Druid King's rule was replaced by the Draoife, a ruling council of influential druids from each circle.[12][13] Archdruid became a title for a high ranked druid that oversee lesser ranked druid's training in the True Way, and are advised by elder druids.[14] There are many archdruids per circle.[12]
The last Druid King was murdered at the hands of the heretical Allwither Order, who possibly wanted the Ivy Throne to enact revenge on their former Elven oppressors.[15][16] Druids hold on to the Dream of Kasorayn, a prophecy detailing two possible futures. When the druidic circles are reunited and elect a new Druid King, they may bring the Green Renewal (also known as the Green Reward), in which they would teach everyone to live in harmony with nature. The other possibility was the Green Scourge, in which nature would run amok among the tyranny of the druids.[7]
The Firesong Circle wish to bring about the revival of the Druids of Galen by reuniting the druid circles[UOL 2][UOL 3] and crowning a new Druid King. Circa 2E 582, they assassinated the Draoife when they refused to elect a new Druid King, and made moves to obtain the other circle's seeds. The leader of the Firesong was disposed of, but the puppeteer and leader of the Ascendant Order, Lord Bacaro Volorus, took matters to his own hands and forcebly ascended as the new Druid King. Bacaro's reign was swiftly put to an end by the Vestige, and thus the Green Scourge was prevented.[17]
"By the ArchDruid" is a common exclamation by modern-day Bretons.[3][18]
Alternative FateEdit
The Psijic Order had the means to scry secrets from fate lines beyond the bounds of Tamriel. Among these secrets were tomes that spoke of alternative timelines and realities, where certain key events transpired differently.[19] In one of these alternate realities, Bacaro defeated his other enemies and ruled over Tamriel from atop his Ivy Throne in Mount Firesong in a new druidic reign. With his victory, Tamriel was engulfed in firestorms targeting "false kings and queens", and those displaced by them were assisted by the Ascendant Order, Society of the Steadfast, and reformed Druids of Galen. Dark and cold days filled with turmoil were the norm during this transition, as volcanoes continued to "belch forth their retribution" covering the skies, but according to Bacaro's subordinates, the hardships would pass and the Ascendant Lord would uplift Tamriel's citizens.[20]
Known Druid KingsEdit
GalleryEdit
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The Ascendant Lord Bacaro
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Symbols representing the Druid King (top), the Beldama (left), the Glenmoril (right), and Frii (center)
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Druid King Vestments
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c Loremaster's Archive - The Druid Circles of Galen — Laurel of the Stonelore
- ^ a b Loremaster's Archive - Bretons & High Isle — Lady Arabelle
- ^ a b Breton exclamations in Arena
- ^ Wyrd and Druid — Archdruid Barnabe's Discourse with Mainlanders, 2E 553
- ^ Glimmertarn: A Stonelore Community — Manon Rolaine
- ^ The Annotated Dream of Kasorayn — Zamshiq af-Halazh, Associate Folklorist at the University of Gwylim
- ^ a b c d Druid Laurel's dialogue in ESO: Firesong
- ^ On Nature Spirits — Archdruid Duana
- ^ Modern Day Bretons: Man or Mer? — Vastyr Historian Filibert Beauchamp
- ^ Frontier, Conquest — University of Gwylim Press, 3E 344
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Sons and Daughter of the Direnni West: High Rock — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
- ^ a b Druid Ryvana's dialogue in ESO: High Isle
- ^ Draoife Storystone antiquity codex entry in ESO: High Isle
- ^ Archdruid Agathie's dialogue in ESO: High Isle
- ^ Systres History Addendum: The Druids of Galen — Varona Vedralu, Senior Lecturer, University of Gwylim
- ^ Druid King Kasorayn's dialogue in ESO: Firesong
- ^ Events of ESO: Firesong
- ^ Breton exclamations in Daggerfall
- ^ Tracker of Temporal Tomes achievement description in ESO
- ^ Coral Aerie Temporal Tome — Varallion
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.
- ^ Lawrence Schick and Phrastus on Altmer Culture
- ^ Twitch Stream of ESO Live Legacy of the Bretons Autumn Event, time stamp 59:10-59:26
- ^ Youtube Stream of Firesong DLC Guided Tour with the Developers, time stamp 25:33-26:08
