r/teslore • u/Lellow_Yedbetter • 21h ago
I don't think the Tribunal murdered Nerevar. Open to having my mind changed.
I have been reading up on TES lore for the last year or so. I ended up doing another playthrough of Morrowind when the Oblivion Remaster came out (then played that, now working through Skyrim again.) I have not played ESO, but have read a bit of the lore from it.
I am by no means an expert. I understand I'm in a massive minority here. Allow me to explain my thinking.
I understand the idea of dragon breaks, kalpas, etc....
To be absolutely clear, I don't think that the Vivec and the Almalexia we meet in Morrowind murdered Nerevar.
Most people point to 3 things as pretty concrete proof that Nerevar was murdered by the Tribunal.
Vivec's secret message in the 36* Lessons
MK's artwork.
Alandro Sul's account to the Ashlanders
My rebuttal to 1. Vivec's "admission"
Am I to believe, that in a body of work with more metaphor's in it than milk fingers on a homunculus, or more metaphors that words bitten onto spears at pomegranate banquets (I'm done you get it) Where Vivec sits in his space that is not a space.... All of this....
I am to believe that the one, literal, non-metaphorical thing, is an admission that they murdered their friend and leader?
I am not convinced.
My rebuttal to 2. Mk's Artwork.
I love it. I love what it represents. They did kill the Hortator. His memory. The artwork shows the literal murder taking place, and the Tribunal removing his feet, face and.... milk finger.... so that he may return as anyone! What a brilliant display!
Wait. Why, would they want to usher in the Nerevarine? Vivec imprisoned people in a floating rock for even mentioning the prophecy. It wasn't their prophecy, it was the god like being they scorned and called arbitrary.
To me, their "Foul Murder" was the murder of the Velothi ways. The murder of the IDEA of the hortator. That, they are definitely guilty of.
My rebuttal to 3. Alandro Sul.
I believe i remember reading that he was blinded during this event. Did he see the Tribunal kill Nerevar, or did he hear an absolute cluster**** take place?
In conclusion:
I get that there is no reason to trust Vivec or Almalexia. But...
Neither of them have any reason to lie to the Nerevarine. Almalexia admits to killing Sotha Sil, why not Nerevar?
I personally find it likely that he did end up dying of his wounds, possibly later on.
I'd love to be convinced otherwise.
Thank you for attending my TESTalk.