The Elder Scrolls Online’s universe is not exactly known for its happy, positive narratives. Many of its mysteries contain truths that are more dark and existential than they initially seem. This is likely true for one of the MMO’s future additions, the Arcanist class.
The Elder Scrolls Online’s Arcanist will be one of its most unique classes yet, featuring a skill set inspired by the Daedric Prince of forbidden knowledge Hermaeus Mora. Players may already be raising eyebrows wondering why exactly Hermaeus Mora granted the character these powers, and the truth could be less mutually beneficial than it seems at first glance.
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The Lore Behind The Elder Scrolls Online’s Arcanist Class
From a gameplay perspective, the Arcanist will have access to abilities unlike any other. They can create portals to transport themselves and fellow players through, and can make their skills hit harder throughthe Arcanist’s new crux combo system. However, what players will likely first notice is that the abilities are all inspired by Hermaeus Mora’s aesthetic, including one where tentacles burst from the players arm to strike those in their way. Knowing Daedric Princes and their tendency to make deals that favor themselves, it is likely that the player’s access to these powers comes with some untold consequence.
One major clue comes fromThe Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom’scinematic trailer, in which Hermaeus Mora makes an appearance before a character who is meant to represent the player. Upon seeing Hermaeus Mora, the character seems almost enamored by him, as if he is offering something that the player really wants. If there is anything Hermaeus Mora can offer a mortal that inspires such adoration, it would certainly the secret knowledge he holds that has driven so many others insane.
The secrets found in Hermaeus Mora’s realm, Apocrypha, has doomed many mortals throughout history, with some inferences that can be made from segments of certain games. InThe Elder Scrolls Online, there is a quest called “The Seeker’s Archive” in which the player discovers a group of Hermaeus Mora worshipers who call themselves “seekers.” Seekers are also a known enemy type from Apocrypha introducedSkyrim, which are floating tentacle creatures that share vaguely humanoid features. Fans have drawn connections that suggest the Seekers are an end result of mortals who dig too deep into Hermaeus Mora’s libraries, and this would make sense sinceNecromis taking a Lovecraftian cosmic horror approachto its narrative.
However, one can also draw inferences based on the inclusion ofMiraak and Hermaeus Mora inThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Even if mortals are indeed turned into Seekers upon consuming too much of Hermaeus Mora’s knowledge, that may not be the player character’s fate if they choose to be an Arcanist. Hermaeus Mora could turn them into another servant, similar to Miraak. Within the narrative of the universe, players who choose to play as an Arcanist may slowly be turning into Hermaeus Mora’s next champion, doomed to be in his service as they feed off of his endless libraries of secret knowledge.
The Arcanist is an interesting departure fromThe Elder Scrolls Online’s usual class lore. It illustrates the story of a darker path that will likely end in tragedy, despite good intentions. The ancient and secret knowledge of these arcane powers may even contain some relevance toNecrom’s teased big secret, but the nature of this reveal will be kept under wraps until the expansion launches later this year.
The Elder Scrolls Onlineis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
