Tyranny of the Sun

This article contains contentious statements that require additional sources for verification, or it contains a list of sources without any in-line citations. Please appropriately reference any information in the article, as well as any new additions. Consult in-game books and reliable online databases for fact-gathering. Statements requiring sources may have a or a [citation needed] message after them.

Nirn's sun being blotted out, as a result of the prophecy.

"Among the night's children, a dread lord will rise. In an age of strife, when dragons return to the realm of men, darkness will mingle with light and the night and day will be as one."

―Dexion Evicus

Tyranny of the Sun is an ancient prophecy foretold in the Elder Scrolls by Arch-Curate Vyrthur, who became a vampire thousands of years before the events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The prophecy is written between three separate Elder Scrolls. The inscription denotes a ritual which requires a Daughter of Coldharbour as a sacrifice and the bow of Auri-El to permanently purge the world of sunlight, allowing vampires to roam unhindered.

History

Origins

Arch-Curate Vyrthur, one of the last surviving Snow Elves, was afflicted with vampirism in the Merethic Era. He felt betrayed that Auri-El, the chief deity in his faith, would allow this to happen to him. Seeking revenge, he created a prophecy which, if enacted, would block out the sun for eternity. This would sever Auri-El's link between Mundus and Aetherius, thus weakening his influence.

Fourth Era

During the Dawnguard questline, the Volkihar Clan begin terrorizing the people of Skyrim, impeded only by the sunlight. Lord Harkon, leader of the Volkihar, found traces of Vyrthur's prophecy in writings from a Moth Priest. Harkon sought the prophecy, but his efforts were cut short when his wife, Valerica, fled from him and took an Elder Scroll that contained part of the prophecy.

The ritual

According to the Elder Scrolls, the items required are the Bow of Auri-El and the blood of a Daughter of Coldharbour. The bow was said to be used by Auri-El himself and had the power of the sun at its disposal. After collecting the bow, a blood-stained arrow must be shot into the sun, causing a mysterious energy to block out its rays. This energy, however, only lasts during daylight hours.

Reactions

Upon witnessing the Tyranny of the Sun, NPCs will react to it. Their reactions will be different, depending on whether they are vampires or not:

Non-vampires

• "By the Eight... look at the sky!"
• "Where did the sun go?"
• "Whoa, where's the sun?"
• "The sun... it's gone!"
• "Look at the sky!"
• "Why is it so dark?"
• "What's wrong with the sky?"
• "The sky is all wrong. What's happening?"
• "What's going on? Where did the sun go?"
• "Watch yourself. The sky is a bad omen."
• "The sky shouldn't look like that."
• "This weather seems all wrong to me."
• "The sun's gone dark. What could be happening now?"
• "It's daytime... Why is it so dark outside?"
• "The sky is so dark. What does it mean?"
• "I can't see the sun. Where did it go?"
• "By the Divines, what happened to the sky?"
• "With a sky like that, something bad is coming."
• "The day is dark as night! What's happening?"
• "Dragons weren't enough. Now we've lost the sun, too?"
• "What foul magic could put the sun out?"
• "Why does the sky look like that?"
• "The sun is gone! We're all doomed!"

Vampires

• "Skyrim is ours!"
• "It's our time now."
• "The Tyranny of the Sun is over!"

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard