The Elder Scrolls games are known for their high-fantasy settings. The world of Nirn is home to every typical fantasy race you can think of. Elves, Argonians, and Khajiit live amongst humans. Dwarves were present in the world until mysteriously being wiped out. Their story is one of many that players have to go digging for.

Besides being home to monsters, magic, and fantasy races, The Elder Scrolls games also have a ton of lore. Each race has its own history, as do the different areas of Tamriel. You won’t find everything you want to know in Skyrim though, those Nords are rather insular. Instead, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is where you’ll find books packed with lore.

10 Who Founded The Empire?

In the Elder Scrolls franchise, the Empire has always played a major role. However, while it may seem that this big player in the Elder Scrolls universe has always been present that’s not the case. According to the book Amulet of Kings by Wenengrus Monhona, the Empire was founded with a rebellion.

Before being ruled by the Imperials, the land that would become Cyrodiil was ruled by the Ayleids, a powerful race of Elves. This race was overthrown by St. Alessia, the first of the Cyrodiils. Aided by the God of Time Akatosh, Alessia became the first dragon born and overthrew the Ayleids.

9 The History Of The Amulet Of Kings

The Amulet of Kings plays a major part in Oblivion’s story and the history of Nirn. Players start the game by receiving it from Uriel Septim, the King of the Empire, before he is assassinated. Eventually, the power of the Amulet of Kings prevents a full-scale invasion by Mehrunes Dagon and the demons of Oblivion.

According to Wenengrus Monhona’s Amulet of Kings, the Amulet was originally given to St. Alessia, the first of the Cyrodiils, by Akatosh, the Dragon God of time. Its magical power prevents the forces of Oblivion from attacking the mortal realm as long as one of Alessia’s descendants wears it.

8 Details On The Ayleids

The Ayleids are one of many races that players never directly meet in the Elder Scrolls games, although their influence is present. Throughout Oblivion, players encounter Ayleid ruins and wells. However, further details on this ancient race are available in books.

According to The Last King of the Ayleids by Herminia Cinna, the ancient Elven race wasn’t just brought down by St. Alessia. The Ayleid empire had long been in a decline leading up to its destruction and was seemingly in the midst of a civil war that Alessia took advantage of.

7 The Origins Of The Dark Brotherhood

The Dark Brotherhood plays a major role in the Elder Scrolls franchise. The group of assassins has done everything from killing cruel folks to assassinating emperors. However, not much is known about the shadowy organization. To learn more, players have to delve into The Brothers of Darkness, a book by Pellarne Assi.

According to the book, the Brotherhood began as a religious order called the Morag Tong during the Second Era that worshipped the spirit Mephala. Originally, the Brotherhood was seen as a cult, but as it gained more influence, became a society of assassins.

6 Just How Powerful the Thu’um Could Be

Players were properly introduced to the Thu’um, or Shouts, in Skyrim. These spells were the immensely powerful words of Dragons. However, players didn’t meet many other Nords that could wield the Thu’um.

According to Children of the Sky, an anonymously-written book in Oblivion, the power was much more common at one point. Ancient Nords could use the Thu’um the same way the Dragonborn does while others were much stronger. According to the book, the most powerful Nords couldn’t speak without causing destruction with their Thu’um.

5 The History Of The Psijic Order

The Psijic Order is an ancient group, one that was around long before the events of Skyrim and Oblivion. However, they are shrouded in mystery, nobody really knows much about them. They hardly travel off of their island, and as such, hardly interfere with the outside world.

However, the book On Artaeum by Taurce il-Anselma gives the history of this order and its island home. The Psijics live on Artaeum, the third largest island in the Summurset archipelago. The group used to offer counsel to kings, but disappeared, along with their island, at the start of the Second Era.

4 The Origins Of The Mages Guild

Much like the Psijic Order, the Mages Guild has been a force throughout much of Tamriel’s history. It plays a part in most Elder Scrolls titles, and is the fastest way for any mage worth their salt to get their hands on powerful spells. Thankfully, its origins aren’t nearly as mysterious as the Psijic Order’s.

According to Origin of the Mages Guild by The Archmage Salarth, the organization was founded in the Second Era. Prior to its founding, most magic users kept to themselves, out of society’s eye. The Guild itself was made by Vanus Galerion, a former member of the Psijic Order himself, in the city of Firsthold in the Summurset Isle.

3 Some Mages Tried To Become Liches

 

In many fantasy games, liches are extremely fearsome enemies. They’re not just undead, but they’re cognizant undead, with access to extremely powerful magic. Nobody becomes a lich in the same way they become a zombie, lichdom is almost always achieved.

In Oblivion, one necromancer details their attempt at becoming a lich. The book, titled The Path of transcendence, details the length to which the necromancer Celedaen went to become a lich. It ends with him scared of how vulnerable he is finally transforming into a lich, as his soul is bound to an object rather than his body.

2 Daedra Hunted Mortals For Sport

The Daedra, gods that appear throughout the Elder Scrolls franchise, almost never mean well. Very few of them act innocently, and many of them are outright malicious. However, the hunt detailed in the book The Posting of the Hunt is one of the most terrifying acts of all.

The book goes over a ritualistic hunt carried out by Daedra. The hunt itself, called The Ritual of the Innocent Quarry, or Wild Hunt, is carried out by Huntsmen and their Greater and Lesser Dogs. The mortal being hunted in this case is renamed the Innocent Quarry or Hare.

1 There Are Magic Items That Haven’t Been Included In Games Yet

One of the staples of any fantasy RPG game is magic items. These items, either blessed by gods or demons or enchanted by powerful mages, are always hidden away and can change the way a player approaches the game. Oblivion and other Elder Scrolls games are no exception.

A book called Tamrielic Lore by Yagrum Bagarn, the last living Dwemer, lists a great number of ancient, powerful artifacts. On the list are familiar names such as the Ebony Mail or Mace of Molag Bal. However, others such as the Spear of bitter Mercy and the Daedric Cresent Blade are listed, and have never appeared in any Elder Scrolls title.

NEXT: The Elder Scrolls: 22 Weird Things That Happened Between Morrowind And Oblivion