This should go into Lore, Maps

[Ursula R. M.]

Will someone kindly explain the world we are in. Example, I am on Earth, and in North America, US., etc. What planet is Skyrim on and etc.? I know some of you know this. OK to PM me if you don't want to clutter the thread. Thank you all the Lore people in advance for clearing this mystery for me. In real life I am seriously geographically challenged!

[Finn Wolfshorn]

Skyrim is part of the continent of Tamriel (which also includes the lands of High Rock, Hammerfell, Summerset aka Alinor, Valenwood, Elsweyr, Cyrodiil aka Imperial Province, Blackmarsh and Morrowind) on the planet of Nirn; other continents of Nirn are Atmora (where the Nords are from), Akavir (origin of the Blades) and Yokuda (primordial home of the Redguards). Nirn is part of Mundus, the mortal world (although I've also seen Nirn and Mundus used more or less synonymously, which is quite confusing), in contrast to Aetherius (realm of the Divines) and the various realms of Oblivion which are ruled by the Daedric princes. Or that's what I've pieced together inside my own brain from ingame sources and what I've read on forums here and there. The real loremasters like Pilaf and Br3admax will doubtlessly elaborate on and correct the above where needed.

[Ursula R. M.]

Cool, thanks for the big picture. Yeah, could not figure out where Nirn fit in, so now I got that straight.

[Finn Wolfshorn]

... except the word 'planet' is a bit misleading in the context of the TES universe, because Nirn's sun is no star but a hole in the sky letting in light from Aetherius, and its moons are actually the riven corpse of the god Lorkhan (=the guy who was responsible for the creation of the physical world in the first place). It's quite an original cosmology - confusing at times, but always fascinating.

[OblivionDuruza]

More specifically, the sun and stars are punctures in the veil of Oblivion, beyong which is the realm of Aetherius, whose light gives Nirn it's magic (or so the legend goes).

It might be worth reading this article, and some of the associated links, because it does a pretty good job of covering things. Mundus (realm) it's: Skyrim (province/'nation') < Tamriel (continent) < Nirn ('planet') < Mundus (realm).

Edit: would you believe I typed ream instead of realm

[Ursula R. M.]

ooo, now I did say I am geographically challenged. That sounds like something dreamed up while on the pipe. Even better. I will check this out Duruza, thanks.

[TheIndividual]

... except the word 'planet' is a bit misleading in the context of the TES universe, because Nirn's sun is no star but a hole in the sky letting in light from Aetherius, and its moons are actually the riven corpse of the god Lorkhan (=the guy who was responsible for the creation of the physical world in the first place). It's quite an original cosmology - confusing at times, but always fascinating.

No it's not...

The principles of Lorkhan are actually used all over.

He is not the creator of the physical world. He's the creator of MORTALITY.

Mundus = Mundane = Finite...the opposite of Infinite & Immortal.

3 examples

According to Biblical Genesis, The Serpent (often seen as The Fallen Angel Lucifer), tempted/tricked Adam/Eve to become mortal, thus cursing all Mankind unto Death.

According to The Book of Enoch, Azazel, Head of The Watchers, tempted/tricked his fellow angels to take he Daughters of Eve as wives. They were cursed by God (Elohim/Anu) & could never leave Earth (Mundus) again.

According to Greek Mythos, The God/Titan Prometheus, stole Fire from Olympus, & gave it unto Mankind, Shining his Light so Bright, that it Dimmed the Light of Others. Thus forever cursing mankind's ability to become Divine & destroying The Spark of Inner Faith & Glory.

Angels = Aedra
Demons = Daedra


Even in Sumerian Mythology, a cataclysmic event happens...& only a few of The Gods (Ayleids/Aliens) escaped. The survivors were stranded.
These were the one's who genetically engineered Mankind.

There are even stories among Deistic circles, that logically, there was The Fall from God (Archetypal First-Life) & it was either Man (Adam/Eve) or Angel (Lucifer).

"I am your Father" epic Darth Vader quote.
Who's your daddy?!

Another theory, is that Earth's story is a mix of the two....& that both Natural & Artificial Mortals exist.

Man, Mer, & Beast. Who is the odd-man out?

http://forums.uesp.net/viewtopic.php?f= ... 2&start=50

[Mattbott]

that's interesting TheIndividual, good examples

Tolkein's mythology and those of a dozen other fantasy universes since are all loosely based on real beliefs held by real cultures, cos we understand them and it allows the fictional characters a moral compass to navigate with which we can identify with.

i think also in TES there is a certain tongue in cheek here which is a lot of fun - Terry Pratchett really went to town with this sort of thing in Discworld - impossible and fanciful things are demonstrably real, you don't annoy the gods cos they will come down and beat you up and wizards are the scientists - eg the alchemy skill has experimentation, observation, record keeping/memory elements and a logical outcome but your hero is made invisible lol

[Ursula R. M.]

This is getting to be Theology not Geology/Geography, but thanks for the insight.

[Marelo]

In this series, they're pretty much the same thing.

[TheIndividual]

In this series, they're pretty much the same thing.

Yes, thank you for pointing that out.

Religion/Culture created division between people & that eventually created the different Races.

People who believed in something different, only bred with those they agreed with. Then they raised their children under those beliefs, creating a culture or civilization separate from others.

This is observed in Sociological studies as a major factor for why the demographics & geographics around the world are what they are.