- "I don't envy the High Chancellor his position. It can't be easy trying to rule an empire without an emperor."
- ―Count Janus Hassildor[src]
Ocato of Firsthold, also known as High Chancellor Ocato and later Potentate Ocato, was an Altmer who served as the Imperial Battlemage of Emperor Uriel Septim VII,[1] and the High Chancellor of the Elder Council. After the Oblivion Crisis, he also served as Potentate of the Empire.[2][3] He was assassinated in 4E 10.[4]
Biography
Ocato became the Imperial Battlemage to replace the treacherous Jagar Tharn after the latter's conspiracy to take over the Empire some time before 3E 405.[1]
After Emperor Uriel's assassination in 3E 433, Ocato became the de-facto leader of the Empire as the Head of the Elder Council. As Gates to Oblivion started opening around Tamriel and Daedra following Mehrunes Dagon began to invade, it was largely Ocato's job to hold the Empire together. Some of Cyrodiil's nobility, including Count Regulus Terentius of Bravil believed that Ocato intended to use the Oblivion Crisis to crown himself Emperor and that he did not truly care about Cyrodiil.[2]
Ocato reluctantly became Potentate in 4E 0 of the Septim Empire until a new leader could be established. He convened the full Elder Council in an unsuccessful bid to select a new Emperor.[3] Ocato was one of the few people to believe Lathenil of Sunhold.[4]
In 4E 10 Ocato was assassinated by the Thalmor, which caused the Elder Council to fracture and the Stormcrown Interregnum, where multiple people tried to claim the Ruby Throne.[4]
Interactions
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Ocato as seen in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Privateer's Hold
In Daggerfall, Ocato stands holding a torch by Uriel Septim while he is instructing the Hero of Daggerfall with an important mission.
Allies for Bruma
In Oblivion, when the Hero of Kvatch is sent by Jauffre, the Grandmaster of the Blades, they approached Ocato to ask for aid for Bruma to protect Emperor Uriel's last remaining heir, Martin Septim, Ocato refused. Ocato claimed he wished to help, but that he would have a political crisis on his hands if he would try to move any troops from other provinces to protect his interests in Cyrodiil.
Light the Dragonfires
After Mankar Camoran's death and the retrieval of the Amulet of Kings, Martin Septim came to the Imperial City to claim his title of Emperor. Ocato had already considered the matter with the Elder Council, and happily accepted Martin as the Emperor. But before they could complete the ceremony to relight the Dragonfires and reestablish the barriers between Nirn and Oblivion, the Imperial City was attacked by Daedra, led by Mehrunes Dagon himself.
Ocato helped Martin fight his way to the Temple of the One, but they were too late; the barriers between the realms were gone. Martin, however, used the divine blood within the Amulet of Kings to transform himself into an Avatar of Akatosh and banish Dagon back to Oblivion. Unfortunately, this caused Martin afterwards to turn into stone, destroying the Septim bloodline.
Imperial Dragon Armor
After the battle, Ocato names the Hero of Kvatch the Champion of Cyrodiil and provides them with a full suit of Imperial Dragon Armor however it takes seven days to make. Ocato continued to serve as the Potentate of the Empire in the place of a true Emperor, now having to deal with several provinces that threatened to break their ties to the Empire.[2]He continued to lead the Elder Council well after the Oblivion Crisis.
Opinions
When the Oblivion Crisis ended, the Counts of Cyrodiil had different things to say about Ocato, regarding his position and his rule.
Bravil
Count Regulus Terentius: "He thinks to use his position as head of the Elder Council to make himself Emperor. He will not succeed."
Leyawiin
Count Marius Caro: "He and the rest of the Elder Council care nothing for Cyrodiil. They focus obsessively on the provinces, leaving us to fend for ourselves."
Chorrol
Countess Arriana Valga: "As the head of the Elder Council, High Chancellor Ocato is the de facto ruler of the Empire for the time being."
Anvil
Countess Millona Umbranox: "Chancellor Ocato has performed heroically. No one else could have held the Empire together during this crisis."
Bruma
Countess Narina Carvain: "He served Emperor Uriel for many years, and so far he has done well in an impossible situation."
Cheydinhal
Count Andel Indarys: "The head of the Elder Council and a trusted servant of the Empire. No one is better suited to guide us through these troubled times."
Skingrad
Count Janus Hassildor: "I don't envy the High Chancellor his position. It can't be easy trying to rule an empire without an emperor."
Appearances
- The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
- The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (mentioned only)
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (mentioned only)
References
| Imperial Battlemage to the Emperor | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jagar Tharn | 3E 399/3E 40? - 4E 0 | Unknown |
| ← | → | |
| Potentate of the Septim Empire | ||
|---|---|---|
| Martin Septim | 4E 0 - 4E 10 | Eventually Thules the Gibbering |
| ← | → | |