| Archmage Gauldur | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Archmage Gauldur as a ghost |
|||
| Race | Breton | Gender | Male |
| Died | 1st Era |
||
| Resided in | Skyrim | ||
| Next Ruler | Geirmund | ||
| Appears in | Skyrim | ||
Archmage Gauldur was a powerful and renowned Breton conjurer who lived in Skyrim during the "dawning days" of the First Era.[1][2][3]:519 His aid and counsel were sought by many.[1] A major source of his power was his magical amulet.[4]
Though Gauldur was wise, wealthy, and honorable, his sons Jyrik, Mikrul, and Sigdis Gauldurson resented living in their father's shadow. They killed Gauldur in his sleep and split his amulet between them. Consumed by power, the three brothers laid waste to the surrounding villages until High King Harald sent Archmage Geirmund and a company of battlemages to stop them, which they finally did after a great effort and many casualties. Because of the destruction caused by Gauldur's family, King Harald ordered the Gauldur name struck from all historical records. But despite this age-long campaign to wipe out all mention of Gauldur, whispers of the legend survived, although bards still refused to tell the tale four thousand years later.[1][4][5][6]
The story became altered by the Nordic oral tradition over time; in one version, it is actually King Harald and Geirmund who are blamed for the murders of Gauldur and his sons.[1] In 4E 201, the Last Dragonborn journeyed to Gauldur's final resting place in Reachwater Rock and reforged Gauldur's amulet, reportedly with the assistance of Gauldur's spirit.[2]
The Staff of Gauldur was considered to be an artifact of note by the College of Winterhold. Notes regarding this item were kept in the Arcanaeum. Little is known about it, except that as of 4E 201 it was located in Skyrim.[7]
NotesEdit
GalleryEdit
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The ghosts of Jyrik, Mikrul, and Sigdis Gauldurson
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The Gauldur Amulet
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The Gauldur Blackblade
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The Gauldur Blackbow
See AlsoEdit
- For game-specific information, see the Skyrim article.
BooksEdit
- Daynas Valen's Notes by Daynas Valen — A summary of research of the Gauldur Legend
- Lost Legends by Talsgar the Elder, Archivist of Winterhold — A collection of less well-known folk tales from Skyrim's past
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c d Lost Legends — Talsgar the Elder, Archivist of Winterhold
- ^ a b Forbidden Legend quest in Skyrim
- ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
- ^ a b Daynas Valen's Notes — Daynas Valen
- ^ Geirmund's Oath
- ^ Runehild, Skald Jakaral, Logod, and Eirfa's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Anora's Journal — Anora
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: High Rock — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ a b The Bretons: Mongrels or Paragons? — Phrastus of Elinhir