Lore:Psijic Order

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"There are layers to understanding all things,' said Sotha Sil. 'The common man looks at an object and fits it into a place in his way of thinking. Those skilled in the Old Ways, in the way of the Psijic, in Mysticism, can see an object and identify it by its proper role. But one more layer is needed to be peeled back to achieve understanding. You must identify the object by its role and its truth and interpret that meaning" — 2920, The Last Year of the First Era

"In Mundus, conflict and disparity are what bring change, and change is the most sacred of the Eleven Forces. Change is the force without focus or origin." — The Monomyth, Oegnithr, Taheritae, Order of PSJJJJ

The Psijic Order or PSJJJJ is the oldest monastic group of Tamriel. They make their home at the Isle of Artaeum in the Summerset archipelago. The Order is first mentioned in the year 1E 20 by the Breton sage Voernet, who traveled to Artaeum to meet with the Psijic Rite Master, Iachesis. Psijics were counselors to royalty and teachers of the "Elder Way", a philosophy of meditation and study. The Elder Way differs from the usual magic in origin, but has similar effects.

The Order was founded during the early settlement of the Summerset Isle by the Aldmer. During this time, there was a movement to change the religion of Aldmeri society: instead of pure, ecumenical ancestor worship, all of them began worshipping only the ancestors claimed by the elite of the Aldmeri society, from which the traditional Aldmeri pantheon of Aedra emerged. A group of dissident Aldmer Elders rejected this change and left Summerset to settle on the nearby island of Artaeum. They have taught the Old Ways, or Mysticism, to numerous students ever since. Years later, the now-famous Vanus Galerion came to Artaeum with an Altmer soothsayer. Here, Vanus met Mannimarco, a fellow student at the time. The two grew to be great friends, becoming masters of the Mystic Arts. But after long years, Galerion discovered that Mannimarco was using Mysticism to manipulate souls and the dead. Disgusted by this act, which was considered profane, Vanus confronted his long-time friend below the Ceporah Tower. Galerion begged Mannimarco to repent, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. Mannimarco, and the Psijics who agreed with his practices, left Artaeum never to return.

The Psijics, along with their island, disappeared from Tamriel at the beginning of the Second Era, around the time of the founding of the Mages Guild by Vanus Galerion. The Psijics and their island reappeared 500 years later. No one has ever explained this disappearance or what happened to Iachesis and his council. The island disappeared again at the beginning of the second century of the fourth era and as of 4E200 the disappearance of the island is still unexplained. The Psijics have been ruled by Lore Master Celarus for at least 290 years as of 3E 400. The Council's influence in Tamrielan politics is tidal. The kings of Summerset, particularly those of Moridunon, have often sought the Psijics' opinion. Emperor Uriel V was much influenced by the Council in the early, most glorious parts of his reign, before his disastrous attack on Akavir. According to legend, in 3E 110 the Psijic Order magically created a freak storm that led to the defeat of Orgnum by Emperor Antiochus and the King of Summerset. The last four emperors, Uriel VI, Morihatha, Pelagius IV, and Uriel VII, have been suspicious of the Psijics enough to refuse ambassadors from the Isle of Artaeum within the Imperial City. Although the Psijics still counsel royalty, their presence is not as widespread as it once was.

The Psijic Order chooses its members "by a complex, ritualized method not understood by the common people." Even though the Psijics are extremely reclusive, members of the Order can be recognized by the gray cloaks they usually choose to wear, albeit all visiting monks donned robes with a predominantly pale yellow theme when they appeared in Skyrim during the fourth era. Nevertheless members are commonly referred to by their distinctive gray garment. Sotha Sil was once a friend of the Psijics, possibly a member himself.

As a member of the Psijic Order, it is important to remain "faithful" to the Old Ways. Members believe that the spiritual world is always watching our world, and a loyal graycloak will perform the Rites of Moawita on the 2nd of Hearth Fire and the Vigyld on the 1st of Second Seed in order to empower the salutary spirits and debilitate the unclean spirits.

It appears that the Psijics' training leaves no room for failure. For example, the trainee Psijic Welleg is cast out from the order by Sotha Sil for burning himself while training his ability to resist fire, despite the distraction caused by the goddess Almalexia's unexpected arrival just as the Nord steps into the flame.

The Psijic Order became increasingly popular among the young Altmer. During most of the Second and Third Era, only seventeen new initiates were brought into the order. From 3E 430 to 3E 432, however, another thirty had joined.

Urvwen, a Psijic priest who lived in the city of Lilmoth in the early Fourth Era, sensed Umbriel's presence when it was still out at sea. The priest likely suffered the same fate as the other inhabitants of the city, having his soul taken to Umbriel and his body used to swell an undead army.

The Psijic Order is opposed to the Thalmor, believing that their supposed goal of returning the Altmer to their former glory is a lie, and that what they really want is power over all Tamriel. Quaranir, one of the members of the Order, managed to seal away a powerful relic called the Eye of Magnus with the help of the Dovahkiin, to ensure it would not be used by the Thalmor.

Psijic Endeavor

Note that, though the Psijic Endeavor was inspired by the Psijic Order, this spiritual undertaking of Saint Veloth and Lord Vivec is otherwise unrelated to the Order.