Lore:The Shadow
This one sees … nothing. A chill void.
It must be the Shadow that guides you. Cold, cautious. Patient. Shadow is among the deepest signs, for it represents what is not known. Tread not too far down that path, walker, if you want to return.
—Baandari fortune-telling for those born under the Shadow[1]
The Shadow is a constellation of five stars which is in the night sky during Second Seed.[UOL 1] It is one of the Thief's charges.[2] Those born under the sign of the Shadow are thought to have the ability to hide in shadows.[3]
Nedes who followed the Cult of the Stars modeled their weapons and armor after the constellations. Each part of their armaments were crafted in honor of different constellation. Pauldrons, epaulets and arm cops were linked to the Shadow, "who hideth beneath the Second Seed, uncovering only to strike from below". They believed that Shadow was unseen although seen, shadowing the sky's every move, and their shields were meant to emulate the Shadow's nature - "to follow thy form, faithful and silent, and protect betimes ye striketh".[4]
The Shadow is traditionally associated with the Void. While some myths for the Shadow portray the themes of unbeing typically associated with the Void, others portray the Shadow as the dual to the light of Magnus, representing the void through which the stars shine.[5]
The constellations are present in ancient Yokudan and Redguard poetry.[6] In one of their songs The Shadow is "lying through the night."[7]
The Dwemer associate the Shadow with the letter g.[8]
Argonians born under the Shadow may be offered to the Dark Brotherhood to become Shadowscales.[9] Argonian accounts warn those born under the Shadow from seeking to use the power of the artifact of Fangs of Sithis and link the downfall of their ancestors to this artifact.[10]
According to the Reachfolk the charges, or the Lesser Stars (the Shadow among them) are protected by the Guardians in the Sky who stand together against the Snake in the Stars.[11]
According to the Baandari fortune tellers, the Shadow is also linked to the void and associated with coldness, patience, and cautiousness.[1] The Shadow was also believed to "hide ones from destiny's cunning hounds".[12]
Gallery[edit]
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The Shadow (Redguard)
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The Shadow (Morrowind)
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The Shadow (Oblivion)
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The Shadow as shown in the Imperial Orrery (Oblivion)
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The Shadow (ESO)
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Dwemer depiction of the Shadow (Redguard)
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Depiction of the Shadow (Morrowind)
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The Shadow Standing Stone (Skyrim)
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An outline of the Shadow stone (Skyrim)
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Depiction of the Shadow (ESO)
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References[edit]
- ^ a b Hanubina-ko's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Coyle's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ The Firmament — Ffoulke
- ^ Crafting Motif 41: Celestial Style — the Guardian of Stars
- ^ High Astrologer Caecilus Bursio Answers Your Questions — High Astrologer Caecilus Bursio
- ^ The Warrior's Charge
- ^ Coyle's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ The Observatory in Redguard
- ^ Beware the Shadowscales
- ^ The Dark Husband
- ^ Arana's dialogue during Blood of the Reach in ESO: Markarth
- ^ Emperor Uriel Septim's dialogue in Oblivion
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.
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