Blades

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For the weapon skill in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, see Blade.

For bladed weaponry, see Sword.

The Blades are a faction founded in the First Era by Reman Cyrodiil.^[1]. They were designed to function not only as the Emperor's bodyguards, but also as agents throughout the Empire, doing the bidding of the Emperor.^[2]^[3]

1 Origins
2 Downfall
3 By game
4 Appearances
5 References

OriginsEdit

The Blades were a direct successor to Reman Cyrodiil's Akaviri Dragonguard, the fabled dragonslayers who killed many dragons during their invasion of Cyrodiil in the First Era.^[1]

Upon becoming the personal guard of Reman, The Dragonguard became known as the Blades and continued to serve the Empire throughout the Second and Third Eras.

The Blades played a vital role during the Oblivion Crisis, where they helped the Hero of Kvatch and Martin Septim defeat Mehrunes Dagon.

With the death of the last Dragonborn emperors, Uriel Septim VII and Martin, the Blades abandoned their role as bodyguards to the new Emperor on account of him not being Dragonborn.^[4] The 3rd era came to a close with the Blades fortifying themselves deep within Cyrodiil's Cloud Ruler Temple, as they waited for a Dragonborn to return when they would be called upon again.^[5]

DownfallEdit

During the Fourth Era, the Blades were effectively wiped out by the Thalmor.^[6]

On the 30th of Frostfall, 4E 171, the Aldmeri Dominion sent an ambassador to the Imperial City with a gift in a covered cart and an ultimatum to Emperor Titus Mede II. One of the several demands included disbandment of the Blades. Emperor Titus Mede II rejected the ultimatum. The Thalmor ambassador upended the cart, spilling over a hundred heads on the floor: every Blades agent in Summerset and Valenwood. And so began the Great War.^[7]

Eventually, the war ended with the signing of the White-Gold Concordat. Among its terms included the dissolution of the Blades. This allowed the Thalmor to systematically hunt down almost each and every Blade throughout the Empire. Due to this, Esbern and Delphine are the only Blades that are known to remain. (And possibly Fultheim, as he is seen carrying a Blades Sword, hinting him as being a veteran.)

During the Dragon Crisis in Skyrim, the remnants of the Blades began recruiting again, seeking to rebuild their numbers. With the return of the Dragonborn they regained their original purpose.