Aurbis
The infinite whole where gods dream, daedra scheme, and mortals struggle for meaning.
The Aurbis constitutes the all-encompassing reality of The Elder Scrolls universe, a singular cosmos that binds every plane of existence across past, present, and future. It serves as the stage for an eternal cosmic drama, containing everything from the solid ground of Nirn to the fluid dreamscape of Oblivion and the star-filled void of Aetherius.
At its core, the Aurbis is defined by the eternal conflict between Anu (stasis) and Padomay (change), whose interplay birthed the universe. While mortals perceive it as a collection of separate worlds and dimensions, cosmologically, it functions as a unified, albeit fractured, whole where time flows differently depending on one's location within its vast structure.
- Nature
- The totality of all existence
- Primary Components
- Aetherius (Magic/Divine), Oblivion (Chaos/Daedra), Mortal Plane (Nirn)
- Cosmic Originators
- Anu and Padomay
- Central World
- Nirn
- Status
- Active, ongoing cosmic cycle
Lore & Background
Before the Aurbis existed, there was only the interplay of two primordial forces: Anu, representing stasis and being, and Padomay, representing change and nothingness. Their collision created the first sparks of creation, leading to the birth of the Et'Ada, or Original Spirits. Some of these spirits, known as the Aedra, sacrificed their power to create the physical world of Nirn, while others, the Daedric Princes, retained their full power and reside in the planes of Oblivion.
The structure of the Aurbis is often described through the metaphor of a wheel or an egg, with Nirn at the center as the mortal plane. Surrounding it are the various realms of Oblivion, each ruled by a Prince who embodies a specific aspect of existence, and beyond that lies Aetherius, the realm of pure magic and the afterlife for souls. Time within the Aurbis is not linear but fluid; in some places, like the planes of the Daedra, history does not move forward in a straight line, creating a complex tapestry where past, present, and future can overlap.
In Their Own Story
An ancient Altmer scholar sat upon the edge of a crumbling cliff overlooking the Shivering Isles, watching the sky fracture into impossible colors. To his left, the stars of Aetherius burned with a cold, distant light; to his right, the void of Oblivion pulsed with a chaotic, breathing darkness. He held a map that had no ink, for the borders of this reality shifted with every breath he took. 'We think we live in one world,' he whispered to the wind, which answered with the voice of a thousand daedra laughing at once. 'But we are merely standing on the skin of a beast that dreams itself into being.' The ground beneath him trembled, not from an earthquake, but because the Aurbis had simply decided to turn over in its sleep.
Reader's Guide
Understanding the Aurbis requires grasping that it is not merely a setting, but the sum total of all reality. While creation myths speak of Anu and Padomay, practical comprehension relies on the 'Wheel' metaphor: Nirn anchors the center as the mortal plane, while Oblivion's realms radiate outward like spokes, encircled by Aetherius.
The relationship between these realms is defined by a constant tension. This structure is not static; time flows differently across its layers, and the friction between order and entropy defines every interaction within it. To navigate this reality, one must accept that truth here is fluid—what appears impossible in one plane may be absolute law in another.
Did You Know?
- The word 'Aurbis' is derived from Latin roots meaning 'orb' or 'sphere', reflecting its nature as a cosmic whole.
- Nirn is not the center of the universe in a physical sense, but rather the focal point for mortal existence within the Aurbis.
- The concept of time in the Aurbis allows for multiple timelines to exist simultaneously, which explains many contradictory prophecies.
- The 'Wheel' metaphor used by scholars represents the Aurbis as a whole, with Nirn at the hub and the other realms radiating outward.