A treatise by Omavyl Rhea of the Tribunal Temple
There has been much written on the Daedric Princes and their involvement in mortal affairs, as well as much discussion on their nature and the nature of Oblivion. However, little has been written about their servants, the lesser daedra, though they are the daedra most encountered in our world. It also begets the question, why are they so often encountered? Why do they roam Nirn unbound in such numbers?
Most lesser daedra are encountered near ancient daedric shrines. This supports the most popular theory: they were once sent to serve worshipers of the Daedric Princes, and have since been left to run feral amongst the ruins. This is a comforting thought to the Tribunal Temple, the primary advocate of this theory, as it supposes the decline in daedric worship will herald a gradual decline in the populations of lesser daedra as they are sent back to Oblivion over time. The Temple Ordinators are often sent out to clear the ancient daedric ruins of their denizens in their efforts to purge them from our plane. However, this effort has proved futile as more and more daedra are found roaming the wilds each year.
Given the fact that the Tribunal Temple has made efforts to clear daedric sites of worship, and that there has been an increase in daedric activity over the years rather than the expected decrease, another theory comes to light. This theory has dark connotations, which the Temple has refused to consider. The wild daedra must be evidence of a weakening in the division of planes. Even with daedric worship in decline, one or more of the Daedric Princes must be stirring. We are closer to Oblivion than we have been since the dark ages.
For this reason, I have proposed the Temple outlaw all forms of daedric summoning. Each daedra summoned, even if only for a few moments, serves to weaken the boundary between worlds. This proposal has fallen on deaf ears within the Temple, so I leave it up to the reader’s conscience. However, there is something to be learned from the study of lesser daedra. The more they are encountered, the better prepared we are to defeat them. Thus, I write this treatise on their various aspects.
Some lesser daedra can be divided by the Daedric Princes they serve; however, individual daedroth will serve any Daedric Prince or mortal on a whim. Most common lesser daedra serve no one at all, running feral upon the land. I found it best to categorize them alphabetically instead, with brief mention of their common realms.
Atronachs
The atronachs are powerful elemental beings, with fire atronachs and frost atronachs being the weaker, and storm atronachs being the stronger of the three. They each command their own element, and resist elemental damage of their given type. They also resist normal weapons and can reflect spells. Fire atronachs have a weakness to frost, and frost to fire; storm atronachs have no particular elemental weaknesses. Fire atronachs are most commonly found in Vvardenfell, as they tend to gravitate towards the fires deep below Red Mountain.
Alchemical Uses:
The three types of atronach provide salts which alchemists prize for their unique properties. Their properties are as follows:
Fire Atronach – Fire Salts
- Drain Health
- Fortify Agility
- Resist Frost
- Fire Shield
Frost Atronach – Frost Salts
- Drain Speed
- Restore Magicka
- Frost Shield
- Resist Fire
Storm Atronach – Void Salts
- Restore Magicka
- Spell Absorbtion
- Paralyze
- Drain Endurance
Clannfear
The clannfear is a lizard-like creature with no particular resistances or weaknesses. They are quite mundane compared to most daedra. Often mistaken as creatures of Mundus, they do not seem out of place roaming Vvardenfell’s landscape. They are slow, but strong in their attacks, and their bite can sever limbs.
Alchemical Uses:
The clannfear is notable for the fact that its heart is pure daedric in quality. It is prized by alchemists, and even eaten by mages for dinner for its restorative properties.
Daedra Heart
- Restore Magicka
- Fortify Endurance
- Drain Agility
- Night Eye
Daedroth
The daedroth, like the clannfear, has a reptilian appearance, but is tougher and a great deal more intelligent. It wields magick, its primary attack being a poisonous cloud, and is also known to cast shock spells. Though quite a heavy hitter in melee combat, it only resorts to its claws in close range. Highly resistant to normal weapons, this creature should be approached with caution. Casting absorb magicka or reflect can make short work of a daedroth, but a warrior must close in quickly and dispatch the creature with a silver or enchanted weapon.
Alchemical Uses:
Like the clannfear, the daedroth’s heart is the one part of the creature that has uses in alchemy. It’s properties are the same as stated above in the clannfear entry.
Dremora
The dremora are powerful warriors in the service of Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedric Prince of destruction and change. They are highly intelligent and have been known to aid or even serve mortals if it serves their purpose, even if that purpose is mere whim or curiosity. They are rarely found outside daedric ruins, preferring their master’s realm to our world. Most remaining on Nirn have either been summoned here, or await their master’s orders before returning to Oblivion. They also defend offerings to their master, and will attack anyone who touches these objects of devotion. When summoned they are more difficult to control, and take a great deal more effort and magicka to summon than more common daedra. The dremora also have a system of rank and title, the most powerful having the title of lord bestowed upon them by their master Mehrunes Dagon. Dremora typically engage in melee combat, wielding powerful daedric weapons. Dremora Lords also wield powerful fire spells, and are much fiercer than their lesser kind in combat.
Alchemical Uses:
The dremora’s heart is again the same as other daedroth listed above.
Golden Saint
Golden saints are the beautiful, strange, and dangerous daughters of the mad god Sheogorath. They are fierce and powerful in combat, and have golden armored skin that is highly resistant to normal weapons and the elements. They carry powerful weapons and shields, and wield them both with expert skill. They can also dispel magick, much to the chagrin of enchanters trying to harvest their souls. The golden saint’s soul is most prized by enchanters, being the most powerful found aside from the gods themselves.
Alchemical Uses:
The daedra’s heart is again much like any other. The golden saint is, of course, more prized for her powerful soul.
Hunger
The hunger, considered the most hideous daedra, is the servant of Boethiah, the Daedric Prince of deceit. This creature attacks with teeth, tongue, and claws, and can paralyze its prey. Its touch also disintegrates armor and weapons. It is resistant to normal weapons, all forms of elemental damage, and poison. It is best to combat this creature at a distance, if circumstances permit.
Alchemical Uses:
Daedra’s heart – see entry Clannfear.
Ogrim
The orgim is a large blundering behemoth, servant of Lord Malacath, the keeper of the Sworn Oath and the Bloody Curse. Their large size and powerful melee attacks make it a formidable enemy, and its tough skin is resistant to normal weapons. It also heals quickly. Combatting an ogrim is an exercise in patience.
Alchemical Uses:
Daedra’s heart.
Scamp
The scamp is a weak and cowardly creature. Said to be the servants of Mehrunes Dagon, in truth they will serve just about anything or anyone. They are the most easily summoned and controlled daedra, but can also be the most chaotic and pestilent, turning on their mortal masters if they loosen their control for a second. They are relatively intelligent, at least more so than their more bestial daedric cousins. Because they can follow simple commands and tasks, they are often employed by mages. Scamps are weak opponents, but they make up for their deficiencies in resistances. They are immune to normal weapons, highly resistant to poison, and resist all elemental damage.
Alchemical Uses:
The scamp’s skin has many useful alchemical properties, but is not as rare or prized as the daedra heart, as the scamp is fairly common and easily hunted.
Scamp’s Skin
- Drain Magicka
- Cure Paralyzation
- Restore Personality
- Restore Strength
Winged Twilight
The winged twilight is said to be the messenger of Azura, the Queen of the Night Sky. However, as kind and gentle as Azura has reputedly been to mortal kind, her so-called messengers are not. Winged twilights, when found on the mortal plane, attack any living thing in sight. Though they have wings, they prefer to remain on the ground, only momentarily hovering to attack with clawed feet. Unlike other daedra, they are not resistant to normal weapons, but have strong immunity to poison, and lesser immunities to the elements. The winged twilight also has a strong soul and, though not as prized as the soul of a golden saint, will do just as well for most enchanting purposes.
Alchemical Uses:
The winged twilight, like the storm atronach, is a source of void salts, the alchemical properties of which are found under the storm atronach entry.
With this book, I hope to enlighten anyone with a mind to exterminating daedra, for whatever reason. Knowledge of their special resistances and weaknesses, and style of attack must bear to mind before initiating combat with these creatures. Whether they are hunted for alchemy or enchanting purposes, for their weapons, or because the warrior serves a righteous cause, does not matter. The fewer of these creatures that walk upon this world the better.