Oblivion
A realm where reality bends to the will of chaotic gods.
Oblivion is not a single place, but the collective term for the infinite planes of existence that lie beyond the mortal realm of Mundus. Each plane is ruled by one of the sixteen Daedric Princes, powerful entities who embody specific concepts, emotions, or forces of nature, ranging from destruction and trickery to knowledge and despair. Unlike the orderly cosmos governed by Aedra, these realms operate on chaotic, often alien logic where time flows differently and reality bends to the will of their rulers.
For mortals, Oblivion represents both a source of forbidden power and an existential threat. While some seek its princes for boons or artifacts, others fear the catastrophic consequences when barriers between worlds weaken. The most infamous instance of this danger is the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433, where Mehrunes Dagon's cult opened countless gates to his plane, nearly extinguishing all life across Tamriel, from Men and Elves to Beastfolk.
- Nature
- Infinite collection of alternate planes of existence
- Rulers
- The sixteen Daedric Princes
- Relationship to Mundus
- Parallel dimension, often hostile or indifferent to mortals
- Key Event
- The Oblivion Crisis (Third Era)
- Primary Threat
- Daedra and the influence of the Princes
Lore & Background
In the cosmology of Tamriel, the universe is divided into Mundus (the mortal world) and Oblivion. While the Aedra sacrificed their power to create the physical world, the Daedra retained their full might, choosing instead to inhabit these separate planes. Each Prince's realm reflects their domain: Molag Bal rules Coldharbour, a desolate landscape of crushing tyranny, ice, and eternal winter, while Sanguine presides over a realm of endless revelry. These places are not merely distant lands; they are manifestations of divine will where the laws of physics and time are subservient to the Prince's whims.
The barrier between these worlds is usually thin but stable, maintained by the natural order of creation. However, when mortals perform specific rituals or when a Daedra gains enough influence, gates can be forced open. This breach allows the Daedra—lesser servants of the Princes—to cross over and wreak havoc. The most terrifying aspect of Oblivion is its unpredictability; a traveler might find themselves in a paradise of eternal sunset one moment and a hellscape of burning lava the next, depending on which Prince's domain they have entered.
In Their Own Story
The air didn't just smell; it tasted of copper and ancient ash. Before him, the gate wasn't a door but a jagged tear in the sky itself, vomiting forth a landscape of obsidian spires under a bruised, weeping purple sun. A legion of Daedra marched through the rift—armored nightmares with eyes like burning coals, their clanking iron armor vibrating in the traveler's marrow. He gripped his sword, the hilt slick with sweat, knowing that behind him lay the quiet, familiar safety of Cyrodiil, but ahead waited only the absolute will of Mehrunes Dagon. The cobblestones beneath his boots cracked as the ground heaved, a massive clawed foot stepping through first, leaving scorched, smoking footprints in the stone. There was no retreat; the gate sealed with a sickening lurch, trapping him alone in a realm where the sky screamed and the earth bled.
Reader's Guide
Oblivion serves as the series' most visceral antagonist and its deepest well of mystical intrigue. It is the crucible for the expansion 'The Shivering Isles,' exploring a fractured madness, and the epicenter of 'The Oblivion Crisis,' where the player must race to close the gates opened by the Mythic Dawn cult before Mehrunes Dagon shatters reality itself.
Did You Know?
- The term 'Oblivion' technically refers to all planes outside Mundus, but is often used specifically for the realm of Mehrunes Dagon during the Crisis.
- Time passes at different rates in each Daedric plane; a few hours in one might be years in another.
- Not all Daedra are evil; some, like Azura or Meridia, have complex relationships with mortals and can be benevolent depending on the context.
- The Shivering Isles was originally ruled by Jyggalag, the Prince of Order. The other Princes cursed him to become Sheogorath, initiating the Greymarch cycle within his pre-existing realm rather than creating a new one as