Akatosh

Akatosh
Religious information
Religion	Nine Divines
Pantheon	Imperial Cult
Type of deity	Dragon God of Time
Physical description
Physical form	Men Dragon
Chronological and political
Era(s) of worship	Elder Wilds Mythic Era First Era Second Era Third Era Fourth Era
Area of influence	Kvatch
Affiliation	Nine Divines Imperial Cult

"Lord Akatosh lends you his might. When your own strength fails you, trust in the Nine."

―Sir Amiel Lannus

Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time, is the chief deity of the Divines, the official religion of the human empires throughout much of Tamriel's history. He represents the qualities of endurance, invincibility, and everlasting legitimacy. Along with Lorkhan and Mara, he is one of three deities found in almost every Tamrielic religion, with only the Dunmer and Orcs not having a dragon god of time in their pantheon. He is generally considered to be the first of the gods to form in the Beginning Place. After his establishment, other spirits followed his example, and the various pantheons of the world emerged. Before the Ages of Man suggests that he and Auri-El are the same being, but further confirms that after his formation, time began. Akatosh is considered the god-defender of the Empire.

Places of worship

Chapels

See also: The Akatosh Chantry

In the province of Cyrodiil, his main chapel was located in the Cyrodilic city of Kvatch. In addition, he was the most prominent of the gods represented at the Temple of the One in the Imperial City.

The Temple of the Divines, housed in the city of Solitude in the province of Skyrim, contains a Shrine of Akatosh.

Blessings

At his chapels, Akatosh blesses parishioners with increased magicka and speed. The books Ten Commands: Nine Divines has the following command from Akatosh:

"Akatosh says: Serve and obey your Emperor. Study the Covenants. Worship the Nine, do your duty, and heed the commands of the saints and priests."

―Ten Commands: Nine Divines

Temples built in his honor can be seen at the Arboretum, and the Temple of the One, both located in the Imperial City. Arriana Valga, the Countess of Chorrol, is a devout follower.

Wayshrines

• Southeast of Skingrad and east of Silorn
• East of Anvil and just north of Fort Strand
• South of Bruma and north of the Orange Road
• Just outside of the southern wall of Cheydinhal

Praying at any one of these will grant the Jaws of Akatosh Spell.

Dragon Breaks

Akatosh' symbol wrought in stained glass.

Main article: Dragon Break

A Dragon Break is an event where the timeline of the world of Nirn is suddenly split. They are known as Dragon Breaks because Akatosh, who is symbolised as a Dragon, is the god of Time and thus a break in the timeline can be viewed as breaking the Dragon, so to speak.

Only three Dragon Breaks have been recorded and verified historically as due to their very nature the majority of people would be unaware of their occurrence. The first of these is referred to as the Middle Dawn, and occurred when the Marukhati Selectives "danced on the tower." This was done to remove the merish aspects of Akatosh, which the Selectives found offensive. It lasted for either 1,008 or 150 years.

The second recorded Dragon Break was the so-called Warp in the West (or the Miracle of Peace), which was brought on by the building of Numidium in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, however, it is mentioned that Akatosh, Mara, and Stendarr were responsible for this event. The third Dragon Break, featured in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, occurred when ancient Nords cast Alduin forward in time.

Amulet of Kings

Statue of Akatosh in Cyrodiil.

Main article: Amulet of Kings

The artifact known as the Amulet of Kings was created by Akatosh. As lord of the Aedra, Akatosh took pity on the plight of Men, who were slaves of the Ayleids, and drawing precious blood from his own heart, blessed Alessia with the blood of dragons. He also made a Covenant that so long as Alessia's generations were true to the dragon blood, Akatosh would endeavor to seal tight the Oblivion Gate for good and deny the armies of Daedra and undead to their enemies, the Ayleids. Akatosh then gave Alessia the Amulet of Kings and the Eternal Dragonfires, which, when lighted, would restrict the Daedra to the realms of Oblivion. The Amulet contains a gem of Alessia herself, and eight other gems, one for each of the Eight Divines.

The Remanada mentions the amulet and how it was a symbol of the Reman Dynasty and how it was lost during the Interregnum before being rediscovered by Tiber Septim.

Aspect of Akatosh

During the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the aspect of Akatosh was summoned after the Hero of Kvatch and Martin Septim failed to light the Dragonfires in time before Mehrunes Dagon arrived on Nirn. Martin sacrificed himself and the Amulet of Kings to summon the Aspect of Akatosh. The Aspect fought Mehrunes Dagon in the ruins of the Temple of the One in the Imperial City. After defeating the Prince of Destruction, the Aspect of Akatosh turned to stone and became a reminder of what happened there. It is unknown if the statue survived the invasion of the Imperial City carried out by the Aldmeri Dominion in the Fourth Era.

Trivia

• In The Four Suitors of Benitah, Kena Warfel Tomasin claims that it is possible to prove that Akatosh, Oblivion, and Nirn are the same thing.
• In the King Edward book series (readable in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall), Akatosh appears as a Golden Dragon, and allows Edward to ride upon him.
• In dragon tongue, Akatosh is equivalent to "Bormahu" stated by Paarthurnax after the completion of the Main Quest in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
• The Khajiiti God Alkosh is known to be a Khajiiti variation of the Imperial God Akatosh.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls: Arena (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls III: Tribunal (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Avatar appears)
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Mobile (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard (mentioned only)
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Hearthfire (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls Online (mentioned only)