Lore:Zurin Arctus

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Zurin Arctus was the Imperial Battlemage of Tiber Septim. He was responsible for resurrecting the Numidium, a powerful golem that helped Tiber Septim to conquer Tamriel. Upon the destruction of the Numidium, Arctus was either killed or transformed into the Underking, according to different accounts.

The Numidium was powered by the Mantella, a powerful gem infused with the heart (life force) of a person. According to one account, Zurin Arctus sacrificed his own heart to the Mantella. After using the Numidium to conquer Tamriel, Zurin and Tiber Septim disagreed over how to continue using the Numidium. When Zurin tried to reclaim his heart, it was blown into Aetherius, destroying both the Numidium and Zurin. Zurin was left in a semi-slumber in a subterranean vault, waiting for an opportunity to reclaim his heart. In his undead shape, Zurin Arctus became known as the Underking, and from time to time he sent out his forces to find the Mantella throughout Tamriel. During the events of The Warp in the West, the Underking was able to retrieve his heart, and finally passed into true death.

However, in another account (see The Arcturian Heresy), it is written that the Underking was, in fact, King Wulfharth of Skyrim, a powerful undead being from the First Era. He was tricked by Tiber Septim and Zurin Arctus, and his soul was trapped into Mantella to fuel the Numidium. Zurin Arctus himself was killed on the process. To prevent some political unrest, Tiber Septim stated that Zurin Arctus tried to assassinate him.

[edit] Rumors

• It is believed that Zurin Arctus enchanted the famous Dragonbone cuirass.

• It is rumored that Underking assisted Almalexia in destroying Kamal's king Ada'Soom Dir-Kamal at Red Mountain, when he attempted to conquer Morrowind. Obviously, this Underking was not Zurin Arctus. It is more likely that it was one of Lorkhan's recurring avatars, such as Ysmir and Wulfharth, which are known by similar titles.

• It is speculated in the West that Zurin Arctus brokered the agreement between Tiber Septim and Vivec over the fate of Morrowind.

• Mannimarco, the King of Worms, claims that he had a long, ineffective conflict with the Underking.

• He is mentioned by one of four former Blades, Rielus (who was sent to the catacombs of Sancre Tor by Tiber Septim to discover the source of the evil infestation), as his capturer that made him haunt the catacombs after death and the one who sealed off the room containing Septim's armor, and populated the site with undead minions.

[edit] See Also

• The Arcturian Heresy (A brief, undated, early historical document covering the Underking and Tiber Septim)
• Response to Bero's Speech (Arctus as a Battlemage)
• Mysterious Akavir (Underking mentioned assisting Almalexia))
• On Morrowind (Arctus is mentioned)
• Night Falls on Sentinel (Underking is mentioned)

Zurin Arctus is an author of The Art of War Magic.

In Daggerfall after, the main character finds the Totem of Tiber Septim, Underking sends him a letter:

[character_name],
Centuries ago, Tiber Septim ruled the land and forged an empire with great Numidium. The secret of Numidiums's power lies in its heart, carried within the Mantella. It is the heart of Tiber Septim's battlemage. It is my heart. It is my Mantella. It is my Totem. It belongs to me, and to none other.I have won and lost an empire.
I have no desire to tamper further with mortal affairs. I have in my possession Necromancer's Amulet, one of the world's greatest artifact. You may have it in exchange for the Totem.
My most loyal agent will await your arrival in Graywold of Wayrest, in an Order of the Hour.
Underking.