Lore:Xarxes

A statue of Xarxes in Shimmerene

"The Mouth of Xarxes whispers in our ear, encouraging us to always learn, always seek, and always discover." — Excerpt from the Lesson of the Divine Body

Xarxes, also known as the Ageless One and the One Who Watches, is the god of secrets and hidden knowledge. He began as a scribe to Auri-El and has kept track of all Aldmeri accomplishments, large and small, since the beginning of time. He created his wife, Oghma, from his favorite moments in history. He is worshipped by Altmer and Bosmer, and is often equated with Arkay and Tu'whacca as the god of death. Hermaeus Mora claimed that the knowledge he gave to Xarxes was recorded in the Oghma Infinium and that Xarxes was a loyal servant to him. He was an author of the Aldmeriad, the great origin saga of the Elves and commanded the Mer to keep records of their lives in form of their personal everscriven scrolls, known as Oghmas. The scholar-priests of the divine scribe, secretive though they are, are said to preserve an ancient tongue long forgotten to any but their order.

Worship

Altmer

Xarxes, as depicted in Altmeri style

Altmeri society is one of the most orderly and structured civilizations in Tamriel, attributed to the will of Xarxes himself. They believe he records not just the life stories of individual Elves, but all the connections of lineage and heritance that bind them together and link them to their ancestors, with the great tree of life tracing the Altmer people being kept and held close by Xarxes himself.

An alternate origin myth for Xarxes asserts he was a Merethic Aldmeri priest of Auri-El who was elevated to divinity by the higher deity. The story is consistent with the High Elves' conceit that they are directly descended from the Aedra, and can, in certain miraculous circumstances, apotheosize and re-ascend to godly status.

Ayleid

Although Ayleids followed the Daedra, the Aedra of Elven pantheon were still widely revered, with probably a majority of the Ayleids continuing to pay them homage, but cults devoted to the various Daedric Princes sprang up across Cyrodiil, tolerated and then celebrated.

Bosmer

To the Bosmeri, Xarxes offers their mages opportunities to learn the magical arts that are not naturally occurring and influence each Wood Elf's being. They honor him during the annual "Rites of Xarxes' Memory" at Southpoint Cathedral.

Gallery

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  The Oghma Infinium

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  One of the Symbols of Xarxes, used by Archivist Ernarde and Riftmaster Naqri

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  One of the Symbols of Xarxes, used by Archivist Ernarde and Riftmaster Naqri

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  One of the Symbols of Xarxes, used by Archivist Ernarde

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  One of the Symbols of Xarxes, used by Riftmaster Naqri

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  One of the Symbols of Xarxes, next to the shrine of Hermaeus Mora

Notes

• The Mysterium Xarxes written by Mehrunes Dagon and Xarxes Crucible in the Deadlands share a similar name to the scribe, but it is unknown if there is any relation.
• In Arena, a "Xarses", who also has the title of "Ageless One" is said to have written the Oghma Infinium. This being was mortal, and died merely "centuries" before the late Third Era.
• Lockmaster's Sigil of Xarxes was a holy relic stored in Torinaan.
• Magic utilizing Symbols of Xarxes was used by the Imperial Archivist Ernarde of the Silver Dawn. Identical and similar sigils were used by members of the Scribes of Mora.