Enantiomorph

"All Tamrielic religions begin the same. Man or Mer, things begin with the dualism of Anu and His Other. These twin forces go by many names: Anu-Padomay, Aniel-Sithis, Ak-El, Satak-Akel, Is-Is Not"

―Temple Zero Society

The Enantiomorph is a fundamental underlying concept of duality and/or merged dichotomy inherent in the structure of the Aurbis, which is reflected in all its aspects. It is the ideal combined state of conflict between two opposing forces that are so similar that they could change their roles and not even know it, and so require an external force to force a resolution. The Enantimorph, in its most basic form, is the schism between the terms "Is," and "Is not"; it began when the Void, absolute non-existence, was split by "AE" ("Is" in Ehlnofex), the state of being, and from this, all Enantiomorphs are subgradients. This "first Enantiomorph" is echoed through the formation of Anu and Padomay, and other concepts, such as Light and Dark, Good and Evil, Bird and Serpent, Order and Chaos, and so on. The Enantiomorph can be utilized for divine ascension and is sometimes seen as the Fourth Walking Way.

Roles in the Enantiomorph

"Hortator and Sharmat, one and one, eleven, an inelegant number. Which of the ones is the more important? Could you ever tell if they switched places? I can and that is why you will need me"

―Vivec

The Combatants

While intrinsically a state of duality, the Enantiomorph has varying other concepts and symbolic influences involved which can even involve mortal interactions, starting with some form of conflict between two individuals who are vying to become a Ruling King and must defeat any who can be considered "their equivalent." For instance, in the 36 Lessons of Vivec, when referring to the Nerevarine's main quest to defeat Dagoth Ur, Vivec assigns to both of them the number "one," and to their conflict, conjoining those two numbers to make "eleven," The Number of the Master. Vivec uses this symbolism to explain the consequences of the clashing between Dagoth and the Nerevarine. When both individuals are "one" and their conflict is "eleven," how are they supposed to be able to tell which "one" they are in the "eleven" (i.e., they are unable to determine their own roles in the fight)? When "one" and "one" are added together, when "eleven" collapses, they make "two," which is the number Vivec assigns to the Enantiomorph. Other sources seem to imply that an Enantiomorph must be accompanied by a requisite betrayal. While this is the most common representation of an Enantiomorph, the "conflict" can be interpreted in varying other manners, such as a mother and father birthing an offspring.

The Observer

In order for the dilemma between the combatants to end and for the Enantiomorph to have "a winner," there must be an observer watching over the battle who determines who is who in the Enantiomorph. Vivec takes this role in the battle between Dagoth Ur and the Nerevarine. In most cases, the observer is blinded or is maimed, which results with the final decision in the Enantiomorph.

The Catalyst

The Catalyst, while not fully understood, is possibly a new creation birthed through the convergences of an Enantiomorph. What is known about this role is that it can bring about both the beginning and/or an ending to an Enantiomorph. The best example of such a role is the creation of the deity, Nir, who was formed by the interplay of Anu's light and Padomay's darkness. It is likely that the person who takes the role of the catalyst is a metaphorical representation of the Enantiomorph itself.

Apotheosis

It is stated that the Enantiomorph has been used in attempts to reach the final sub-gradient of all AE. While it is implied this state cannot be reached through the Enantiomorph, the Enantiomorph can be utilized to reach apotheosis in some manner. The God Talos was said to have been formed through some process related to the Enantiomorph in which the three individuals, Hjalti Early-Beard, Zurin Arctus, and Ysmir Wulfharth, amalgamated into one triumvirate whole. This new soul created by the three's merging was identical enough to Lorkhan that they managed to mantle his vacant position in the divine pantheon.

Mantling

Main article: Mantling

A good instance of the Enantiomorph being utilized to take the mantle of a divine entity would be the Greymarch. The Greymarch itself, is a prime example of an Enantiomorph, given the schizophrenic conflict between Sheogorath and Jyggalag, Madness and Order, who are both, for all intents and purposes, the same being. In the battle, Sheogorath is transformed into Jyggalag, and the Hero of Kvatch and takes Sheogorath's role of defending the Isles, and, in doing so, he inherits the divine role of Sheogorath himself.

Examples of the Enantiomorph

The Enantiomorph	Origin	Outcome
Void and AE	The Void of absolute non-existence is split by AE.	Universal duality begins, Is/Is not dichotomy. Anu and Padomay form.
Anu and Padomay	Anu and Padomay's first mingling. Witness is not known.	Nir is created as a catalyst, but is killed.
Anui-El and Sithis	The interplay between Anu and Padomay's souls, Anui-El and Sithis.	the Gray Maybe is created, eventually congealing as the Aurbis, which the Et'Ada would come from.
Time-God and Space-God	The varying conflicts between Aka and Lorkhan aspects in the mythic, the Aurbis traversing incarnations of Anui-El and Sithis. Witness is believed to be Magnus.	The Time-God is normally considered the winner, with Lorkhan's Heart being removed and thrown to Nirn.
The Greymarch	Conflict arises between the opposing forces of Sheogorath and Jyggalag, Madness and Order, who are, in truth, the same being.	Enantiomorph ends when the Hero of Kvatch defeats Jyggalag and mantles the role of Sheogorath.
Old and Wandering Ehlnofey	Split between the Ehlnofey which outline the conflict between the ideologies of the Time-God and Space-God.	No true winner; split continues as the Man-Mer schism.
Man-Mer Schism	Split between the ideologies of Man and Mer.	Still continues.
The Tribunal in the 36 Lessons	According to the 36 Lessons, Almalexia and Sotha Sil take the roles of mother and father.	Vehk is born, son-daughter, of the Tribunal.
Legendary Birth of Reman	King Hrol impregnates the earth, which takes the form of Alessia's spirit. The Witnessing shield-thane is blinded than dies at the sight of their union.	Reman is born from their union who unites the Kingdoms of Colovia and Nibenay.
Talos and Arctus	General Talos and Zurin Arctus meet at the Imperial City.	They form the Mantella, creating Tiber Septim, uniting the Kingdoms of Colovia and Nibenay.
Talos Apotheosis	The varying conflicts between Hjalti Early-Beard, Zurin Arctus, and Ysmir Wulfharth.	Birth of Talos the God through the three's amalgamation and Mantling of Lorkhan, possibly after the Underking's ascension during the Warp in the West.
Nerevarine and Dagoth Ur	Nerevarine and Dagoth Ur fight, Vivec is the witness.	Nerevarine wins.

References

Notice: The following are unlicensed references. They are not copyrighted by a ZeniMax Media company, but can still be considered part of The Elder Scrolls lore and are included for completeness.