CHIM

CHIM (pronounced kɪm or tʃɪm,) in Daedric script spelled as (), called the Secret Syllable of Royalty, is a state in which one can break free of all known laws and corruptions of Oblivion. It allows for the user to return to a state before the mingling of Anu and Padomay and manipulate the Aurbis how they please. CHIM is often associated with Love, which seemingly connects it to the concept of God actually being "Love."

Background

"With these magic words, the King of Rape added another: 'CHIM,' which is the secret syllable of royalty."

―36 Lessons of Vivec, Sermon 12

The word in the Ehlnofex language translates roughly to royalty, starlight, and high splendor, and is represented by a symbol that constantly changes but is normally recognized by a "Crowned Tower that threatens to break apart at the slightest break in concentration." CHIM is the final stage of the Psijic Endeavor, which can only be achieved by viewing the Tower, which encompasses the universe, while keeping one's own individuality in its presence. Failing to keep one's individuality in the presence of the Tower will result in the erasure of its viewer from the universe, an occurrence known as a "Zero Sum." Once CHIM is achieved, people experience a state in which time is bent both inward and outward into "a shape that is always new" as well as an incomprehensible sense of the Godhead. One who achieves CHIM is able to observe the Tower without fear and reside within it. CHIM is possibly the fifth step of the Walking Ways.

More information

"Simply put, as the Gods cannot know joy as mortals, their creation, so mortals may only understand the joy of Liberty by becoming the progenitors of the models that can make the jump past mortal death."

―Loveletter From the Fifth Era, The True Purpose of Tamriel

The first and most famous attempt at CHIM was the creation of Nirn, which was pursued by the god Lorkhan after he saw the Tower and began his Psijic Endeavor. Lorkhan's attempt at CHIM failed through manners that may have been intentional. It is stated by Vivec that Lorkhan more than likely intentionally sabotaged his CHIM experiment so that others would know how to not fail it. Lorkhan's failure showed the Aurbis that it was not possible for the original spirits to achieve states of existence such as CHIM, for they can not know the "joy of mortals," the knowing that death is merely an illusion and merely a cycle to be broken. The original spirits were immeasurable and infinite, only separated by their vanities and egos. Their infinite scale and ineffability made it hard for them to ponder their ends and limits, and thus, could not pinpoint their own individuality from the Aurbis. This inherent omnipotence made it impossible for them to know the true joy of liberation that mortal spirits could experience from escaping their natural limitations. For this reason Lorkhan began to formulate the Mortal Plane as a way in which true transcendence could be achieved, as only mortals have the ability to surpass all their boundaries, laws, and corruptions, put in place by immortal divinities. Mundus itself was designed to be a reflection of the Aurbis and, by association, the Tower. Lorkhan's failure sent his consciousness adrift as an entity known as the Void Ghost that resides within the hidden The Serpent constellation where he tries to continue his goal of helping others reach states that exist beyond CHIM.

Two beings who are thought to have achieved CHIM are Vivec and Talos. Vivec supposedly learned of CHIM after marrying and mating with the Daedric Prince Molag Bal. Vivec wrote extensively on its nature, and used CHIM to banish Azura from the world during his trial. Talos achieved CHIM before ascending to godhood, but how he did so is not entirely known. According to some sources, in an act of love, Talos used CHIM to effectively erase the jungles of Cyrodiil retroactively from all history, being quoted as saying:

"You have suffered for me to win this throne, and I see how you hate jungle. Let me show you the power of Talos Stormcrown, born of the North, where my breath is long winter. I breathe now, in royalty, and reshape this land which is mine. I do this for you, Red Legions, for I love you."

―From The Many-Headed Talos

This quote is cross-referenced by Mankar Camoran's in his Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes which state:

"CHIM. Those who know it can reshape the land. Witness the home of the Red King Once Jungled."

―Mythic Dawn Commentaries 3

The "Red King" might refer to Talos, and his jungled home would be referring to Cyrodiil.

Trivia

• In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Heimskr, a priest of Talos, during his speech, cites an excerpt from the text by Michael Kirkbride called From The Many-Headed Talos.
• CHIM is capitalized because of the tradition of writing Ehlnofex words in capital letters.
• The Elder Scroll of Chim can be found in The Elder Scrolls Online.

References

Notice: The following are unlicensed references. They are not copyrighted by a ZeniMax Media company, but can still be considered part of The Elder Scrolls lore and are included for completeness.