Elder Scrolls
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Elder Scrolls
Oblivion O

The letter "O" in the Daedric Alphabet is used to depict Oblivion Gates and the realm of Oblivion as a whole.

For the planes in the game Oblivion, see Planes of Oblivion (Oblivion).
"When thou enterest into Oblivion, Oblivion entereth into thee."
Nai Tyrol-Llar[src]

The Planes of Oblivion, home of the Daedric Princes, are areas of Oblivion that are generally dark, depressing and chaotic in nature. Oblivion is an extension of the Void[source?] and is considered the dualistic inverse of Aetherius, the utopian afterlife.[1][2][3]

There are sixteen planes in total with each Daedric Prince presiding over one.[4] However, it should be noted that the "planes" of Oblivion are actually just different places in one larger plane.[4] Although most are extremely dangerous and nearly inhospitable to mortals, they differ in shape and size according to the ruling Prince.[4] For example, the Plane of Oblivion that is encountered by the player in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the domain of Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedric Prince of destruction. In the Shivering Isles expansion, the player is allowed access to Sheogorath's Plane of Oblivion known as the Shivering Isles. Some Planes of Oblivion, such as The Pits, are encountered during quests, such as the one for Peryite.[4]

By game[]

Accessing Oblivion[]

Oblivion Gates[]

TESIV Obliviongate

An open Oblivion Gate in Cyrodiil during the Oblivion Crisis. Gates open sporadically when the veil between Oblivion and Mundus thins, and are only closed once their Sigil Stone is removed.

The only way to reach Oblivion from Nirn is through Oblivion Gates that are scattered throughout the game world. The chances for an Oblivion gate to spawn is mostly determined by what point in the main storyline you have reached. For example, there is a 0% chance for an Oblivion gate to spawn in front of Bruma at the very beginning of the game, but a 100% chance for it to spawn during the quest "Bruma Gate."[5] However, there are some individuals who have the technology and arcane ability to construct a gate to Oblivion. Valerica, a vampire of the Volkihar Clan was able to construct a portal to the Soul Cairn in her study. She was able to power and sustain the portal using soul gem shards, finely ground bone meal and purified void salts, and even a sample of her own blood.[6]

Closing a gate[]

In order to close an Oblivion gate the Hero of Kvatch must first enter it into the Plane of Oblivion. There, a Sigil Stone must be removed from the Sigilum Sanguis (a room which is always at the topmost part of the largest tower in that particular area). Afterwards, the Hero and their companions are safely teleported back to Tamriel.[5]

Rituals[]

As outlined by the glyphs within Mysterium Xarxes, men and mer can enter Oblivion with the aid of a Daedric Artifact and the blood of an Aedric entity.[7] During the Oblivion Crisis, the last Septim emperor Martin Septim used his knowledge of Daedric occultism to perform the ritual with Azura's Star and the blood of Tiber Septim left on his breastplate.[5][8]

Meditation[]

According to the transcripts of Morian Zenas's apprentice, Seif-ij Hidja, the conjurer was able to enter a deep trance-like meditative state where he could mentally travel through the Planes of Oblivion, without his physical body entering the realms.[9] The text also describes that the Psijic Order and the Dwemer developed powerful telepathic magic that allowed them to communicate with beings in Oblivion, as well as astral project there.[9] Specifically, the Psijics knew of a place called The Dreaming Cave, where travel into Oblivion was made possible, without an Oblivion Gate.[9] Iachesis, Sotha Sil, Nematigh, Morain Zenas himself, and many, many others traversed the veil and entered the realms in The Dreaming Cave.[9]

Planes of the Daedric Princes[]

Other locations in Oblivion[]

See also[]

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.
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