Template:MorrowindNPCs Indoril Nerevar, also known as Nerevar the Captain,[1], Nerevar Moon-and-Star,[2] and Godkiller;[3] played a major part in the events that set in motion the setting of Morrowind. Nerevar was also the first Hortator, or war-leader/champion, of the unified Chimer.
Legendary Origins
According to official Temple accounts, Nerevar was the Hortator and Leader of the Chimer. Featured prominently in the negotiations for the creation of the First Council and the united kingdom of Resdayn (now known as Morrowind), he was a friend of the Dwemer leader, Dumac. However, the Chimer eventually went to war against the Dwemer (ironically, the Dwemer King would have aided Nerevar had he known what his lead scientist Kagrenac was undertaking), culminating in the Battle of Red Mountain, where Nerevar fell after the death of Dumac.
In some accounts, however, the death of Nerevar is not attributed to wounds he received during the Battle. After the Battle, Nerevar and Dagoth Ur (then known as Voryn Dagoth) proceeded into the center of the Dwemer stronghold, where they discovered the Heart of Lorkhan, as well as Kagrenac's Tools: Keening, Sunder, and Wraithguard. Nerevar commanded Dagoth Ur to guard the tools, as he went back to his advisors for instruction on what to do next. When he reached his advisors, he conferred with them for some time. They decided to leave the tools alone, and made a vow to Azura. The official account says that Nerevar went to Dagoth Ur to retrieve the tools, but Ur had been driven mad by the power of the Heart of Lorkhan in Nerevar's absence, and refused to relinquish the tools. Nerevar fought with Ur, and defeated him. Unfortunately, Nerevar was mortally wounded, and only survived long enough for his advisors to find him, and for him to make them swear to never use the tools. Unfortunately, they eventually used the tools to turn themselves into gods, and when they did, Azura appeared and cursed the entire Chimer race by "turning their eyes to fire and their skin to ash", making them into the Dunmer.
In Ashlander texts, however, Nerevar was not killed in combat, but by his three advisors, Vivec, Almalexia, and Sotha Sil. In this account, Nerevar made them swear to never use the tools, and they obeyed, but secretly conspired to murder Nerevar so that they might gain power. When attempting to summon Azura, Nerevar was foiled; Almalexia used poisoned candles and Sotha Sil used poisoned robes and Vivec used poisoned invocations. Nerevar was killed. In retribution for their betrayal, Azura turned the skin of the Chimer gray, and their eyes fiery red, making the Chimer people into what is now known as the Dunmer. However, the Tribunal (that is, Vivec, Almalexia and Sotha Sil) went on to use the power of the tools and the Heart to become immortal. Afterwards, they set themselves up as the new gods of the Dunmer, claiming superior divinity to the Daedra, whom the Chimer had self-exiled for the worship of. Eventually, their Tribunal Temple took control of all of Morrowind, becoming the monolithic and seemingly infallible entity it was by the end of the Third Era, and leaving only isolated pockets of Ashlanders to maintain the old beliefs.
Sainthood
Nerevar is also reported to have helped Baranat during his trials against the Coribael Brothers.[4]
Relatives
While it is common knowledge that he was married to the goddess Almalexia, there are no known blood relatives of Nerevar.
Nerevarine
True Nerevarine
- Main article: Nerevarine
The true Nerevarine was a hero who succesfully completed the Nerevarine Prophecy, saved Morrowind from the Blight and defeated Dagoth Ur.
Failed Incarnates
- Main article: Failed Incarnate
Failed Incarnates were individuals who had potential to become the true Nerevarine but failed to complete the prophecy. Known failed incarnates are:
Trivia
- In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Dunmer NPCs in combat can be heard praying to Nerevar.
- Nerevar is mentioned in the The Elder Scrolls Online quest, A Family Divided.
Appearances
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (mentioned only)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (mentioned only)
- The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn (mentioned only)