Among the numerous faiths in Tamriel, the most widespread and popular religion is the Imperial Pantheon of the Nine and its influence expanded in parallel to the reach of the Tamrielic Empire. Founded by prophetess Alessia I in the 1st Era, Imperial Pantheon, originally consisting of Eight Divines of a composited combination of the Aldmeri and Nedic Pantheon. After the ascension of Tiber Septim at the end of the 2nd Era and the dawn of the 3rd as Talos did the Eight become Nine. The Imperial Pantheon is vehemently against slavery, a belief that finds its roots in its origin as a slave religion and theologically, slavery violates the grand commandment of the Nine: that one do unto others that they would have done to themselves.
Akatosh, Dragon God of Time, Sword and Shield of Tamriel, and King of the Nine. His is the circle of emperors and kings. However despite his theological importance as the ruler of the Imperial Pantheon, Akatosh is not widely worshipped outside of the province of Cyrodiil, the seat of the Empire for Akatosh does not concern himself with the everyday trials of the common man. Akatosh is represented as the wise man with two heads; one of a man and the other of a dragon.
Arkay, God of Life and Death, Lord of the Wheel, and Ferryman of the Dead. His is the circle of mourners, undertakers, and the living. As the aspect of Life and Death, Arkay overlooks the cycle, theologically known as the Wheel making sure that the balance is maintained for death while unpleasant is a natural state of being. This makes Arkay the enemy of necromancers and the undead. As such the Priesthood of Arkay tend to enforce the rites of funeral and the sanctity of the Wheel. Arkay however is not commonly worshipped by the common folk for they have little reason to worship of deity of death in their everyday life but nonetheless, his temples are common in major settlements. He is depicted as a pilgrim clad in crimson.
Dibella, Goddess of Beauty, Muse of Arts and Music, and Lady of Passion. Hers is of the circle of artist, musicians, and lovers. Dibella hates stagnation and banality, and her followers are tasked with breathing music, and colour to those around them giving life more meaning that mere survival. Worship of Dibella cannot be spoken of without the mention of the ‘Dibellan Arts’: a collection of treatises on the nature of passion, pleasure, and proper lovemaking. She is commonly depicted as the maiden bearing a lily in her hands.
Julianos, God of Wisdom and Logic, Master of Magic and Mathematics, and Seeker of Truth and Kowledge. His is the circle of mages, bureaucrats, and scholars. Julianos abhors ignorance and falsehood and so he always encourages never ending truth-seeking and curiosity for his followers. Julianos is also the patron deity for bookkeepers and other members of the unappreciated bureaucracy for knowledge has to be preserved and where better to preserve knowledge than in book. He is depicted as a scholar armed with a triangle scale.
Kynareth, Goddess of the Sky, Mother of Rain, Wind and Earth, and Protector of the Weary. Hers is the circle of travellers, sailors, and farmers. Kynareth demands that her followers respect the vitality of nature for all life is co-dependant on one another with no exceptions. As her circle of worshippers include travellers, the Priesthood of Kynareth is known to provide shelter and healing in her temples although not to the extent of the priesthoods of Mara or Stendarr. She is depicted as a traveller with a white raven perched on her hand.
Mara, Goddess of Love and Compassion, Patron of Harvest, and Mentor of Midwives. Hers is the circle of mothers, healers, and families and of the Nine, the Cult of Mara is by far the largest. After all, as long as there are women to give, would give, and are giving birth, Mara shall find no shortage of worshippers. Common depictions of Mara is of the mother arms open in embrace for her children or of the lady who weeps for the sorrows of the world. As the creed of Mara preaches love and peace, the Priesthood of Mara are famed healers and run many hospitals, shelters and orphanages.
Stendarr, God of Mercy. Father of Justice and Charity, and Defender of the Righteous. His is the circle of judges, lawmen, and the Imperial Legion. Stendarr demands his worshippers of be kind and to always have an open hand in helping the sick and needy. In addition, Stendarr also demands that his worshippers to protect the weak making him a popular deity among legionaries. As decreed in his commandment, healers flood the Priesthood of Stendarr often operating hospitals and shelters for the sick and poor not unlike their cousin-rival of the Priesthood of Mara. He is depicted as a father holding a cup overflowing with milk and honey.
Zenithar, God of Work and Commerce, Friend of Merchants and Bankers, and Kinsmen of Labourers. His is the circle of merchants and craftsmen. Zenithar espouses and celebrates hard and honest work. The craftsmen of Zenithar differ from Dibella in the sense that the Zenitharian prides himself on functional creations while the Dibellan pride herself with creations of beauty. While not the most popular, the Cult of Zenithar is nonetheless finds membership among miners, wood cutters, coolies and other back-breaking labourer and he is especially popular among the middle class giving him the most diverse set of followers. He is depicted as a man in the robes of a magistrate.
Talos, God of War and Mankind, Shezarr Reborn, and Tiber Septim Ascended. His is the circle of warriors and Men. In life and mortality, Talos was Tiber Septim, the founded and progenitor of the Septim Dynasty of the 3rd Tamrielic Empire and the only empire to span across all of Tamriel and it is said that upon his apotheosis, the traditional Eight Divines rewarded him a seat by their side as the Ninth Divine. Talos is unique among his cohorts in the sense that he is much more popular and held in higher esteem by the Nords of Skyrim than in his home province of Cyrodiil. He is depicted as a soldier wielding the short sword of the Legion.
Editor’s Note: In light of the White-Gold Concordat, we at Imperial Public Publishing have received letters from concerned readers and fellow academics on the future of this series of books or books of similar subjects. We at Imperial Public Publishing would like to remind concerned readers and fellow academics that the White-Gold Concordat only forbids the worship but not the discussion of Talos. We at Imperial Public Publishing would also like to remind the Aldmeri Dominion that we will not be intimidated or bullied and that the discourse of academia and enlightenment will not be silenced by petty threats and that it is our duty at Imperial Public Publishing to be a beacon of knowledge for all of Tamriel.
- Excerpt from Cults and Religions of Tamriel: The Imperial Pantheon of the Nine by Carecalmo Jahaerus
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