Elder Scrolls Lore » Discussions


Rites of Arkay (Writing Help!)

  • Member
    September 13, 2017

    Hello Lore group!

    I need a bit of help coming up with some rites and invocations for my priest of Arkay. Apart from The Consecrations of Arkay, I haven't really found much to go off of. I would like to include at least one invocation or rite in my story, Frost Moon, but I am not sure how to phrase it or what kind of meaningful words should go into it.

     

    How long would one of those consecrations of Arkay be? I remember the opening sequences of Skyrim, where the priestess is delivering the final rites to the Stormcloaks about to be executed. I'm guessing that was Arkay's Blessing, however she ends up getting interrupted so I have no idea if that was going to be a long invocation or not.

     

    What I am looking for are funerary rites, and powerful phrases to use against the undead. Though I'll gladly take an example of other gods rites/invocations and try to build something from that.

     

    I'd love to hear from Legion and Lissette, who have both written heavily religious characters (I haven't forgotten about your Votaress story, Legion!) and did it very well. If you guys have any advice, it would be much appreciated.

     

    :) Probably not the usual questions that get asked in the Lore Group, but I wasn't sure where else to go.

     

    Thank you for giving this a look.

     

    -Spottedfawn

  • September 13, 2017

    Behold, thou faithful, the visage of thy transformation.
    Fear not the journey when the portal opens.
    Become one with Aetherius with glad heart and cheerful countenance.
    For the doorway shall open for all in their time.
    Neither the rich nor influential, neither kings nor rulers, neither the strong nor powerful can escape its embrace.
    There goest the cycle. There goest life. There thou goest also.

    Thou shalt approach the door, the inevitable shall approach thee.
    Do not turn back on the portal, do not turn back on new life.
    Walk the path and welcome change or face the knight
    For he walks the road with thee and will guide all to their destination.

    Thou mortal, the skull thou wilt become.
    Thou closed off, the key thou shalt turn.

    Thou sealed, the threshold thou shalt cross.

     

    :)

     

  • Member
    September 13, 2017

    The Lorc of Flowers said:

    Behold, thou faithful, the visage of thy transformation.
    Fear not the journey when the portal opens.
    Become one with Aetherius with glad heart and cheerful countenance.
    For the doorway shall open for all in their time.
    Neither the rich nor influential, neither kings nor rulers, neither the strong nor powerful can escape its embrace.
    There goest the cycle. There goest life. There thou goest also.

    Thou shalt approach the door, the inevitable shall approach thee.
    Do not turn back on the portal, do not turn back on new life.
    Walk the path and welcome change or face the knight
    For he walks the road with thee and will guide all to their destination.

    Thou mortal, the skull thou wilt become.
    Thou closed off, the key thou shalt turn.

    Thou sealed, the threshold thou shalt cross.

     

    :)

     

    :O! Wow, that's beautiful, Karv. Did you make that yourself? I may find a use for it in Frost Moon, but I don't want to use it without your permission if it's yours. :)

     

  • September 13, 2017
    Feel free to use it in any way you see fit. Might wanna re-word it a little though, the archaisms might not really fit, but that depends on how you'll treat it. Old elven prayer maybe?
  • Member
    September 13, 2017

    The Lorc of Flowers said: Feel free to use it in any way you see fit. Might wanna re-word it a little though, the archaisms might not really fit, but that depends on how you'll treat it. Old elven prayer maybe?

    Could be! I'll have to reword it for Mor'vahka's usage, his experiences with Arkay's rites come from Elsweyr, Cyrodiil, and Hammerfell primarily. This might be something he learned in Cyrodiil, I'll have to think on it.

     

    At least now I have a base! Thank you.

  • Member
    September 13, 2017

    My favorite rite comes from Runil in Falkreath:

    "The god Arkay was once like us, bound to winding mortality. But he willingly gave up this existence that we might better understand the vagaries of life and death. It is through the ebb and flow of this cosmic tide that we find renewal and, in the end, peace. May the spirit of Lavinia and all those who have left this world and its suffering know the beloved serenity of Aetherius...and may we one day rejoin them in eternity."

    Some meaningful words can be found in his other dialogue:

    "Blessing of Arkay to you for your help."

    "I came into Arkay's light after the Great War."

    "May Arkay bless you."

    References to Arkay's light are common and potentially powerful invocations. "Arkay preserve you" is one I've used in the past as a shorthand way of evoking a sense of protection or saying, "I hope Arkay sees it fit to let you live long enough to accomplish your goals."  It may not be lore-friendly as Arkay isn't in the business of preservation, though I suppose it could be a saying that evokes a sense of clinging to one's mortality. 

    "Cosmic tide" evokes images of of the natural order that Arkay maintains, and while I know Runil speaks to someone about the unchanging season of Falkreath, I can't find the actual quote. In VoA (I'm glad you remembered :D) I had Sib say:

    “By Arkay,” she panted, “I commit you to your sin.”

    That was right before she crushed a necromancer's skull with a warhammer, so, not sure if you're looking for something from someone as zealotous as Sib. 

    I may think of more and I'll say so here if I do, but I hope these kind of help for now. 

     

  • September 13, 2017

    SpottedFawn said:

    The Lorc of Flowers said: Feel free to use it in any way you see fit. Might wanna re-word it a little though, the archaisms might not really fit, but that depends on how you'll treat it. Old elven prayer maybe?

    Could be! I'll have to reword it for Mor'vahka's usage, his experiences with Arkay's rites come from Elsweyr, Cyrodiil, and Hammerfell primarily. This might be something he learned in Cyrodiil, I'll have to think on it.

    At least now I have a base! Thank you.

    Well, don´t forget that Hammerfell might have quite different practices, with Tu´whacca and all that. Maybe during the Forebears rule Arkay was more common, but since Great War I doubt that. But it might actually broaden your posibilities, by looking into Tu´whacca too.

    Edit:

    Just for example

    Tu'whacca, God of the Far Shores
    We ask for your blessing and guidance
    On this completed walkabout
    May she appear before your throne
    In virtue and strength
    Lead her along the path of the stars
    Show her the way
    Prepare her for the life to come
    As our honored ancestor
    With her sword at her side

     

    Do not weep for your father, for he goes to join his father.
    Do not weep for your mother, for she goes to join her mother.
    Take only account of yourself, for you will go to join your father and your mother one day as they went to meet theirs.
    Treat your children well, for they too will one day come to join you.
    Pray for your children's children, for one day they will raise children of their own who will also come to join you.
    Walk proudly every day with the firm knowledge in your heart that you will go home.
    You will walk through the Hall of Heroes and find your way to the eternal sands of the Far Shores.
    It has been this way and will be this way for all Ra Gada who walk under the watchful eye of Tu'whacca.

  • Member
    September 13, 2017

    Yay! Legion! I was really hoping to hear from you. Actually Sib's zealotousness reminds me a great deal of Mor'vahka, so the more vengeful or aggressive sounding the phrase, the better!


    Arkay's Light is a great one to use. Thank you, Legion! I'm getting some ideas now.