Lore:Amulet of Kings

The Amulet of Kings

The Amulet of Kings is a pendant traditionally worn by the ruling emperor of Cyrodiil. In the center of the amulet is the Chim-el Adabal, also known as the Red Diamond, a huge Soul Gem of Ayleid origin. It is held in a golden clasp surrounded by eight smaller gems that represent the Eight Divines of the original Cyrodiilic pantheon, created by Queen Alessia. It serves as the symbol of the divine right of the Cyrodiilic emperors, is an important component of the coronation ceremony, and is a powerful artifact when used for divination. The soul of each reigning emperor is enshrined within the central stone, presumably during the coronation ritual involving the Dragonfires and the divine Covenant. In this way Cyrodiil's rulers are brought together in death, forming an 'oversoul' that may provide counsel to their successors. The amulet may only be worn by certain individuals - those who can be said to have the 'Dragon Blood' in their veins. The specific requirements, however, are a subject of debate, and they may simply call for the attributes of a ruler or some divine mandate.

History

The gem was of Ayleid origin, but the particulars of its creation and use by the elves is not known. It entered the annals of human history when Akatosh (in some stories Shezarr) forged the Covenant with Alessia and her (symbolic) descendants while she lay in her death bed. Chim-el Adabal was fastened in an amulet and became both the symbol of the Covenant and of the legitimacy of Cyrodiil's rulers. Following the breakup of the Alessian Empire, the Amulet of Kings was lost amid chaotic civil war and its attendant looting. According to legend, a certain King Hrol tracked down the spirit of Saint Alessia, who wore the Amulet of Kings around her neck. They coupled, and a hill rose on the spot. The infant Reman Cyrodiil was found upon the crest, wearing the amulet on his brow. In any event, the Amulet of Kings was restored to prominence during the Reman years, lending legitimacy to that dynasty. Since that time, the Dragonfires ritual has become essential to the coronation of each new Emperor. During the ritual, the new monarch is soul-linked to the Amulet of Kings and sent to the Temple of the One to light the enchanted Dragonfires, which burn until his death. After the long decline of the Interregnum, General Talos reputedly recovered the amulet from the tomb of the Remans beneath Sancre Tor after retaking it from the Nordic and Breton invaders.

Oblivion Crisis

The Champion of Cyrodiil recovered the amulet from the depths of the Imperial Subterrane after the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII at the hands of daedric cultists. The Champion then delivered it to the Grandmaster of the Blades. After escorting Martin, Uriel's illegitimate son, back to Grandmaster Jauffre, the Amulet was stolen by the Mythic Dawn. The Champion was forced to enter the Paradise of Mankar Camoran in order to recover it. This achieved, preparations were made for Martin's coronation, but the ceremony was interrupted by a daedric assault on the capital. After fighting his way to the Temple of the One, Martin was forced to smash the amulet, this being the only way to defeat Mehrunes Dagon. The power of the intermingled blood of the Covenant summoned a rare aedric avatar in the form of Akatosh, a fiery dragon. Dagon was defeated, but the nearly four thousand year history of the Amulet of Kings was ended.