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Elder Scrolls
Jurgen Windcaller

Jurgen Windcaller, as seen in Skyrim.

Not to be confused with The Way of the Voice.

The Way of the Voice is a pacifist creed developed by Jurgen Windcaller. It preached the Thu'um should only be used for the worship and glory of the gods rather than martial exploits. The philosophy is studied by the Greybeards, who were founded by Jurgen Windcaller.[1]

Background[]

"The Voice was a gift of the goddess Kynareth, at the dawn of time. She gave the mortals the ability to speak as dragons do. Although this gift has often been misused, the only true use of the Voice is for the worship and glory of the gods. True mastery of the Voice can only be achieved when your inner spirit is in harmony with your outward actions. In the contemplation of the sky, Kynareth's domain, and the practice of the Voice, we strive to achieve this balance."
Arngeir[src]

Before the formation of the Way of the Voice, the Nords of Skyrim used their Thu'um to their advantage in combat, with the more powerful Thu'um users being known as Tongues. The Voice was used during the conquest of Morrowind, and the war chiefs which led said invasion were all Tongues, not needing siege equipment as they were able to blast open doors with their Voice.[2]

Jurgen Windcaller is said to have been one of the mightiest of all the Tongues. Following the defeat of the Nord army at Red Mountain, Windcaller spent seven years thinking about the meaning of their failure.[3] He believed that the gods had punished the Nords for their misuse of the Voice for anything other than veneration of the gods.[1] As such, he denounced using the Voice for martial exploits.[2]

The beliefs of Jurgen Windcaller prevailed, as he proved his strength in a confrontation with seventeen Tongues of the militant school, where Jurgen was said to have swalled their Shouts for three days. After his victory, the Tongues were exhausted and became his disciples,[2][4] and the Way of the Voice overcame all opposition.[1]

This creed is still honored by the Greybeards and their leader, Paarthurnax, during the Fourth Era. In the aftermath of the Dragon Crisis in the Fourth Era, Paarthurnax sought to spread the philosophy to the rest of his dragon-kin.[5]

Trivia[]

References[]

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