Lore:Mephala

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"As known in the West, Mephala is the demon of murder, sex, and secrets. All of these themes contain subtle aspects and violent ones (assassination/genocide, courtship/orgy, tact/poetic truths); Mephala is understood paradoxically to contain and integrate these contradictory themes." — Vivec and Mephala

Mephala is a Daedric Prince whose sphere is obscured to mortals, also known by the names Webspinner, Spinner, Spider, and the Anticipation of Vivec. Unlike many other Daedric Princes, who always appear as the same gender (e.g. Azura is always female, Sheogorath is always male), Mephala appears as either male or female depending on whom the Daedric Prince wishes to ensnare. Mephala's only consistent theme seems to be interference in the affairs of mortals for amusement. Mephala's sphere seems to indicate a careful plan carried out through executions, each life a portion of a massive web. Mephala sees the affairs of mortals as a weave; pull but one thread and the whole thing unravels. To the Dunmer, she is associated with more simple concepts- lies, sex, and murder. Mephala also helped directly to found the infamous cult/society of the Morag Tong. Some scholars also argue that when the Morag Tong was banished from the rest of Tamriel, they were allowed to continue to operate in Morrowind when they replaced their worship of Mehphala with that of Vivec. As a reaction to this the Dark Brotherhood was formed, still worshipping and being led by the mysterious Night Mother, better known to Tamriel as the Daedric god Mephala.^[1]

In exchange for assassinating a well-guarded nobleman, the Hero of Daggerfall received The Ebony Blade. Her enemies include Ebonarm and Peryite; she is allied to Molag Bal and Malacath.

In Morrowind, Mephala was the ancestor that taught the Chimer the skills they would need to evade their enemies or to kill them with secret murder. Enemies were numerous in those days since the Chimer were a small faction. Mephala, along with Boethiah, organized the clan systems that eventually became the basis for the Great Houses. Mephala is the Anticipation of Vivec. ^[2]

Mephala's quest in Oblivion involves inciting a peaceful town's rival families into fighting. Mephala asks the player to implicate the two families that live there of murdering each others leaders so that they will openly begin hostilities.

As seen in Daggerfall

Oblivion

The Ebony Blade, as seen in Oblivion

[edit] References

1. ↑ Fire and Darkness
2. ↑ Vivec and Mephala

Aedra and Daedra
Aedra:	Akatosh | Arkay | Dibella | Julianos | Kynareth | Mara | Stendarr | Zenithar
Daedra:	Azura | Boethiah | Clavicus Vile | Hermaeus Mora | Hircine | Jyggalag | Malacath | Mehrunes Dagon | Mephala | Meridia | Molag Bal | Namira | Nocturnal | Peryite | Sanguine | Sheogorath | Vaermina