Arkay is definitely one of the eight spokes of the wheel. Whether the current Arkay was a mortal in a previous Kalpa who became a god in this one is debateable.
Arkay is definitely one of the eight spokes of the wheel. Whether the current Arkay was a mortal in a previous Kalpa who became a god in this one is debateable.
Did you see Tom's original post? His theory is that the dead (generally, not limited to Skyrim) can get up and go on their own, possibly by not having Arkay's rites performed.
Is there even evidence of draugr existing during the Cult's reign? In the absence of any other leads, I have no problem using the loading screen. I'm much more willing to trust the meta style of delivery than the scant in-game texts.
Did you see Tom's original post? His theory is that the dead (generally, not limited to Skyrim) can get up and go on their own, possibly by not having Arkay's rites performed.
Is there even evidence of draugr existing during the Cult's reign? In the absence of any other leads, I have no problem using the loading screen. I'm much more willing to trust the meta style of delivery than the scant in-game texts.
It's true, but that tomb is "supposed" to not be associated with the Dragon Cult or anything dark. Thus I think it's due to necromancy that there are draugr there.
Arngeir calls Ustengrav an "ancient fane" - a temple or shrine. A shrine to who? Windcaller? Why use Nord burial customs dating back to the Dragon Cult? There are grave goods entombed with them, food and the like sitting on dusty shelves in what I suppose is the belief they are intended for the dead to eat in their afterlife.
Ancient skeletons rise out of thrones when they see an intruder. All signs point to the draugr defending their resting place. The necromancers fighting the draugr at the entrance is evidence of their defence.
It's true, but that tomb is "supposed" to not be associated with the Dragon Cult or anything dark. Thus I think it's due to necromancy that there are draugr there.
Arngeir calls Ustengrav an "ancient fane" - a temple or shrine. A shrine to who? Windcaller? Why use Nord burial customs dating back to the Dragon Cult? There are grave goods entombed with them, food and the like sitting on dusty shelves in what I suppose is the belief they are intended for the dead to eat in their afterlife.
Ancient skeletons rise out of thrones when they see an intruder. All signs point to the draugr defending their resting place. The necromancers fighting the draugr at the entrance is evidence of their defence.
I see it. Tom raises an interesting point which we can't dismiss. However, any activity in-game is hard to take seriously. For example, the whole idea of the main story in Oblivion was that you witness Uriel's death. Yet as soon as you leave the sewers the whole country knows about it. So it really is hard to say if the draugr in the tombs are restless because the dragons hav come back or because they are unconsecrated as Tom asserts.
We know for sure(as sure as we can be in TES) that the draugr awaken every day to worship and transfer energy to the priest. Given that is the limit of our info, I reckon all the draugr were sealed away with a similar mandate to guard whatever item or person of importance which is buried with them.
I see it. Tom raises an interesting point which we can't dismiss. However, any activity in-game is hard to take seriously. For example, the whole idea of the main story in Oblivion was that you witness Uriel's death. Yet as soon as you leave the sewers the whole country knows about it. So it really is hard to say if the draugr in the tombs are restless because the dragons hav come back or because they are unconsecrated as Tom asserts.
We know for sure(as sure as we can be in TES) that the draugr awaken every day to worship and transfer energy to the priest. Given that is the limit of our info, I reckon all the draugr were sealed away with a similar mandate to guard whatever item or person of importance which is buried with them.
If this were true, it would lend disturbing weight to the notion that Paarthurnax's path after the end of the game could lead to the rise of something not unlike the ancient Dragon Cult.
I'm starting to come around to this idea. We have no way of knowing that the Way of the Voice started by Paarthurnax is similar to the original, uncorrupted Dragon Cult religion, but the concept is intriguing.
If this were true, it would lend disturbing weight to the notion that Paarthurnax's path after the end of the game could lead to the rise of something not unlike the ancient Dragon Cult.
I'm starting to come around to this idea. We have no way of knowing that the Way of the Voice started by Paarthurnax is similar to the original, uncorrupted Dragon Cult religion, but the concept is intriguing.
Another idea - draugr "restlessness" is tied to word walls or necromantic rituals
Locations with walking draugr but no word walls:
Hillgrund's Tomb - necromancy
Geirmund's Hall - ancient necromancy (having Geirmund to guard Sigdis - Geirmund's Epitaph)
Ansilvund - necromancy
Another idea - draugr "restlessness" is tied to word walls or necromantic rituals
Locations with walking draugr but no word walls:
Hillgrund's Tomb - necromancy
Geirmund's Hall - ancient necromancy (having Geirmund to guard Sigdis - Geirmund's Epitaph)
Ansilvund - necromancy