Elder Scrolls Lore » Discussions


Lore Discussion: Standing Stones/Doomstones and Birthsigns

  • April 3, 2016

    *cough* my contribution to the convesation *cough*

    For me, personally, I need to divorce gameplay from lore at this point. I can't see how Skyrim wouldn't have birthsigns as well, especially under Imperial influence by the fourth era. 

    An Explorer's Guide to Skyrim

    Mentions the standing stones. 

    There was also a certain conversation on Steam, Mr. Karves. 

  • Member
    April 3, 2016

    This discussion just reminds me of Watcher of Stones, Geylph mentions that even if the common people don't believe it there were rumors of touching the stones bringing luck or the favor of the gods.

  • April 4, 2016

    Damn it, Goldie! Good find of that source! This actually tells a lot about the stones - basicaly the same thing what Phil and Matt said about Hero. Good job, mate! 

  • April 4, 2016

    Doomstones

    This should provide you the most info on Doomstones from Oblivion, to get you on the same line. 

    Also, the Raneviad...interesting. ESO, right? Could it be Craglorn or something? It is said she visited 6 stones, so where are 6 stones in one location? 

  • April 4, 2016

    So to sum it up, we know (thanks to source Goldie found) that only special ones (Heroes) can use the Standing Stones to change/define their destiny. Regular people are basicaly stuck with their birthsigns.

    So, what about Heavan Stones from Oblivion? You know, Magnus, Jone and Jode, Shezzar, Sithian, Aetherius, Dragon and Nirn? Those who played Oblivion remember that you had to have certain amount of Fame (thing that was tracking your "heroism.") That clearly shows that only those who performed heroic feats could use them. 

    So how those Stones are tied to Birthsign/Standing Stones?

  • Member
    April 5, 2016

    Found it!

    Mysteries of the Mundus Stones.

    I like to think I got there first: "A survey of the Warrior stone uncovered strong Aetherial currents traveling from the stars into the stone and radiating outward, implying a cross-Tamrielic web." *CoughUgolinCough*

    So while it is not specifically about your Heaven Stones, I think the ideas about how they work are all closely tied with the Celestials of ESO. It is all so darned vague, though.

  • April 5, 2016

    Good find, Phil. Will take a look in sec.

    And yeah, it´s endless frustration to me, that it seems like all these Stones are basicaly only just gameplay bullshit, with no Lore to fully explain what they are, or at least hint. How they work and such. Really, it frustrates me.

  • Member
    April 5, 2016

    I never played Craglorn so I am not even sure what is going on. I get the impression that the Celestials are Nedic gods and that when the Snake comes to Tamriel, the Warrior, Mage and Thief also come down to stop it.

    Iirc there constellations actually disappear from the night sky.

    How this fits into the rest of the lore, whether the stars are aspects of the gods or an entirely separate thing is still something I need to get loring on. There was an interesting book about Ysmir and the Warrior so I reckon the idea that the Celestials are aspects could be the right call - for if Ysmir is the Warrior and Pelinal is the Warrior, then the Celestial Warrior is an incarnation of Lorkhan. Which is weird, because Lorkhan is supposed to be the Snake in Yokudan lore.

    Anyway, those standing stones could then be shrines to these beings, as old as the Nedes themselves, or they could be like primitive Towers, what with that idea of laylines and such. Like I say, I am hazy on this whole thing.

  • April 5, 2016

    That's what I thought about them, some kind of shrines/totem stones. You know, like all those statues IRL that people kinda believe if you touch it in some way it will bring you good luck)

  • April 5, 2016

    they had a particular fascination with the constellations and their aspects.

    It continues with that they knew Atherius magic to some degree, like Ayleids thanks to their "star-magic"

    So what then? Nedes worshipped constellations, certain set Magne-Ge? Building these stones as shrines?