Martin Septim
The humble priest who became a dragon to seal the gates of hell forever.
Martin Septim is the final living heir of the legendary Septim Dynasty and the pivotal figure in the conclusion of the Third Era's conflict against the Daedric invasion known as the Oblivion Crisis. Originally serving as a humble priest at the Chapel of Akatosh in Kvatch, he was thrust into destiny when the Imperial City fell to Mehrunes Dagon's forces, forcing him to reclaim his birthright to save Tamriel from eternal darkness.
His journey culminates in a sacrifice that transcends mortality; by merging with the Statue of Akatosh during the Battle of the Imperial City, Martin transforms into a dragon-like avatar of the God of Time. This act permanently seals the gates of Oblivion and ends the Dragon Break, but it also marks the end of the Septim bloodline and the beginning of the Fourth Era.
- Role
- Last Emperor of Tamriel / Avatar of Akatosh
- Affiliation
- Septim Dynasty, Order of the Mythic Dawn (initially disguised)
- First Appears
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Status
- Deceased (Ascended to Aetherius)
- Parents
- Uriel Septim VII and an unnamed Imperial woman
Lore & Background
Born as the illegitimate son of Emperor Uriel Septim VII, Martin lived in obscurity within the walls of Kvatch, unaware of his royal lineage until the assassination of his father by members of the Mythic Dawn cult. While his brothers were killed or lost during the crisis, Martin was the sole survivor capable of carrying the Amulet of Kings to the Elder Council. His legitimacy was confirmed only after he presented the artifact and survived the trials set before him, uniting a fractured Empire under his banner just as the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon sought to tear reality apart.
Martin's destiny was inextricably linked to the Amulet of Kings itself. The ancient pact between Akatosh and the Septim line required that the Emperor be present at the Temple of the One to maintain the barrier between Mundus and Oblivion. When the temple was breached, Martin realized that no mortal could hold the gate against the Prince of Destruction. In a moment of supreme courage, he shattered the Amulet, allowing his own bloodline to merge with the statue of Akatosh, effectively becoming the living embodiment of the Dragon God to repel the invasion.
In Their Own Story
The sky above the Imperial City bled with unnatural violet fire as Mehrunes Dagon's colossal form tore through the heavens. The air hung heavy with sulfur and the metallic tang of ancient blood. Before the shattered ruins of the Temple of the One, Martin Septim stood alone, the Amulet of Kings blazing in his grip like a captured star. He cast one final, sorrowful glance at the Hero of Kvatch, his expression holding a quiet acceptance rather than fear.
"It is done," he whispered, yet his voice resonated with a power that vibrated through the very bedrock of Tamriel. With a surge of will, Martin raised the Amulet and smashed it against the Statue of Akatosh. The world seemed to hold its breath before a roar—not of flesh, but of pure, concentrated time—shattered the silence. Martin's mortal form dissolved, rewriting itself into golden scales and vast, burning wings. The newly formed Dragon God of Time turned his gaze upon the Prince of Destruction with the fury of a thousand years, lunging forward to crush the rift shut, leaving behind only silence and the fragile dawn of a new era.
Reader's Guide
Martin Septim begins as an unassuming priest in Kvatch, defined not by martial prowess but by a profound humility and spiritual depth. His arc is one of reluctant leadership; he never seeks power, yet destiny demands he carry the weight of an empire on his shoulders. Unlike typical heroes who grow stronger through combat, Martin's strength lies in his unwavering resolve to fulfill a prophecy that requires his total self-annihilation. His journey culminates not in a coronation, but in a transformation so absolute it rewrites the laws of reality itself.
Did You Know?
- Martin was the only surviving son of Emperor Uriel Septim VII after the assassination attempt at the beginning of the game.
- He never actually took the throne as Emperor; his ascension to Akatosh occurred before he could be formally crowned.
- The transformation into the dragon form is the only time in Tamriel's recorded history that a mortal has permanently merged with an Aedra.
- His death directly caused the 'Dragon Break' to end, restoring linear time and allowing the Fourth Era to begin.