Symbol: As a secretive band, the Thieves' Guild tends to shy away from obvious symbols or heraldry. Instead, they use a variety of hand signs, body language and special phrases to recognize one another.
Background, Goals and Dreams: The Thieves' Guild is a loosely-knit network of bandits, thugs, smugglers, crime lords and petty thieves. There are no guild halls; members gather quietly, often in bars or inns. There is no guild charter; only the desire to shun law for personal gain. Unlike other guilds, members of the Thieves' Guild often have little in common with one another. They rarely
Symbol: The symbol of the Mage's Guild is a stylized depiction of an eye.
Background, Goals and Dreams: The Mage's Guild Charter has the following to say about the guild's background and history:
"The Guild of Mages provides benefits to scholars of magic and established laws regarding the proper use of magic. The guild is dedicated to the collection, preservation and distribution of magical knowledge with an emphasis on ensuring that all citizens of Tamriel benefit from this knowledge. The Guild of Mages was established on Summerset Isle in the year 230 2E by Vanus Galerion and Rilis XII. It was later confir
Symbol: The Fighter's Guild heraldry depicts a highly stylized piercing weapon and bludgeon (typically a spear and mace) crossed over a massive axe or shield. The guild is fond of flowing, decorative banners.
Background, Goals and Dreams: Long ago, before the Empire was ruled by a single Emperor and many princes commanded their own armies, a vicious war waged between them. In response to rebellion, Potentate Versidae-Shaie declared martial law - "The princes of Tamriel would dissolve their armies are face his wrath" (History of the Fighter's Guild). Despite impoverishing himself, Versidue-Shaie was able to su
Symbol: The symbol of the Dark Brotherhood is a skull of man, mer or beast. Sometimes, their heraldry includes weapons that are favored by assassins (daggers, bows, et cetera), often bloodied and gory.
Background, Goals and Dreams: The Dark Brotherhood was formed was first formed generations ago. Its founding members were once members of Morrowind's Morag Tong. Eventually, their lust for blood and destructive tendencies openly clashed with the strict and honorable nature of the Morag Tong. After a bloody internal war, those who would later found the Dark Brotherhood were ejected from the Mor
Symbol: The symbol of the Blades is a pair of akaviri katana, the favored weapon of the guild, crossed beneath a golden crown.
Background, Goals and Dreams: As an order of men, the Blades were founded during the first empire. Historically, they have always protected and served the emperor they took orders only from the emperor, not the Elder Council. Throughout history, the handiwork of the Blades can be seen whenever great threats arose to threaten the Empire or its ruler. After the death of Martin Septim, however, last of the Imperial line, the purpose and future of the Blades has been unclear.
Symbol: The symbol of the Blades is a pair of akaviri katana, the favored weapon of the guild, crossed beneath a golden crown.
Background, Goals and Dreams: As an order of men, the Blades were founded during the first empire. Historically, they have always protected and served the emperor they took orders only from the emperor, not the Elder Council. Throughout history, the handiwork of the Blades can be seen whenever great threats arose to threaten the Empire or its ruler. After the death of Martin Septim, however, last of the Imperial line, the purpose and future of the Blades has been unclear.
Symbol: Members of the Imperial Arena emblazon their armor and shields with symbols of weapons and other gear, sometimes bloodied, and personal insignias (such as the heraldic signs of their families).
Background, Goals and Dreams: The Imperial Arena was founded many years ago, as a means of entertainment. Combatants fight to the death, earning affiliation with the Arena, while spectators bet on their victory or death. Unlike other affiliations, the gaze of the Arena is focused inwards rather than outwards. The administration and executive officers aren't concerned with what happens in the rest of the world,
From the Knights of the Round Table to the Circle of Eight, from the Vestal Virgins to the Knights Templar, fantasy, myth and medieval romance have always been filled with affiliations. Where would Robin Hood be without his band of Merry Men? For that matter, what challenge would the Sheriff of Nottingham present without his tax men and the support of the usurper King John? Could Frodo have survived the trials of the Ring without the Fellowship?
An affiliation can be large or small. Its armies could thunder like the wrath of a just god across the continents and planes to change the face of the multiverse. It could quietly toil in an out
The Tribunal Temple is dedicated to the worship of the three god-kings of Morrowind: The goddess Almalexia, the god-poet Vivec, and Sotha Sil, The Tinkerer. For generations before the Nerevarine crisis, this faith dominated the land of Morrowind. After the Nerevarine destroyed the artifact that granted the dark god Dagoth Ur his power, an artifact which the Living Gods also secretly derived their power, the trinity of this church was destroyed. Almalexia was lost to madness, and she slaughtered Sotha Sil. Vivec bled into the background of Morrowind, quietly removing himself from mortal affairs, never to be seen again.
Almalexia, God-Queen
The Nine Divines are the most important religious order in Cyrodiil. The religion combines the eight aedra with the founder of the Third Empire, Tiber Septim (Talos). There are 6 gods and 3 goddesses. In Cyrodiil there is a major chapel in every one of the major cities. There also way shrines along the roads between cities that are devoted to the Nine. It is said that one can earn powerful, but short-lived, blessings by praying at these shrines. Unlike the Daedric Princes, the gods of the Nine Divines prefer a more passive interaction with their followers. They do not as easily impose themselves upon the affai