Anu and Padomay Creation Myth
Where Stillness meets Shift, worlds ignite.
Anu and Padomay are not merely deities but the metaphysical poles from which all reality fractures in The Elder Scrolls cosmology. Anu embodies stasis, being, and order; Padomay embodies change, non-being, and chaos. Their eternal interplay birthed the Aurbis, containing every plane of existence, god, and mortal.
- Nature
- Primordial Concepts / Spirits
- Domain
- The Void (Before Creation)
- Role in Cosmology
- Progenitors of the Aurbis
- Relationship to Lorkhan
- Ancestor/Source
- Current Status
- Transcendent / Abstracted into Reality
Lore & Background
From this primordial conflict emerged the Et'ada, or 'Original Spirits,' formed from the friction between Anuic stasis and Padomaic change. Among them was Lorkhan, whose ambition sparked a divine design that carved the mortal plane from the spiritual ether, leaving the universe in a tenuous equilibrium between order and entropy.
In Their Own Story
Before the First Moment, there was only the Stillness and the Shift. Anu rested as perfect repose, a mountain of light unmoving for an eternity; Padomay flowed around it like a river with no banks. Where they touched, sparks flew—not fire, but ideas. A scream tore through the void: 'I am!' The noise shattered the silence, igniting the first spirits and scattering stars across the nothingness.
Reader's Guide
This duality defines every contradiction in Tamriel. Existence is a compromise: Anu grants structure so things can be; Padomay grants change so life can move. Without Stasis, chaos reigns; without Change, the world freezes. It echoes in magic (creation versus entropy) and morality (order versus will). While Aedra lean toward Anuic stability and Daedra toward Padomaic freedom, most spirits blend both. Scholars debate if Anu and Padomay remain distinct or are woven into the Aurbis itself. Some mystics warn that the end times may bring one force consuming the other, collapsing reality back into perfect silence or absolute chaos.
Did You Know?
- The term 'Aurbis' refers to the entire universe, born from the interaction of Anuic and Padomaic roots.
- While Lorkhan is central to the creation of the mortal plane, he is not unique in embodying change; Daedra are also Et'ada who more strongly represent Padomay's aspect of change than Lorkhan does.
- There is no single holy book; this myth survives through conflicting oral traditions and fragmented texts across different cultures in Tamriel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Anu and Padomay in Elder Scrolls lore?
Anu and Padomay are the primordial metaphysical poles representing absolute stasis and chaotic change, respectively. They exist as abstract concepts rather than traditional deities, serving as the foundational source from which all reality fractured into existence.
What roles do Anu and Padomay play in the creation of the universe?
Their eternal interplay between order and non-being sparked the formation of the Aurbis, generating every plane, god, and mortal within it. While Anu embodies being and structure, Padomay drives the necessary shift and chaos that allows for movement and life.
How does the story of Anu and Padomay conclude?
There is no traditional ending to their narrative because they remain transcendent forces that continue to underpin reality. Their initial interaction created the framework of existence, after which they became abstracted into the very fabric of the cosmos rather than acting as active storytellers.
Why are Anu and Padomay essential to understanding Tamriel's history?
They are the progenitors of the Aurbis, meaning every subsequent deity, including Lorkhan, and all mortal races derive their existence from this original duality. Understanding their nature is crucial for grasping why the world operates on a balance between stagnation and constant change.
Where do Anu and Padomay currently exist?
They reside in a state of transcendence, having been abstracted into the fundamental laws of reality itself rather than occupying a specific physical location. Their presence is felt as the underlying tension between stillness and shift that defines every moment in the Elder Scrolls universe.