Lore:Maelmoth

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Maelmoth the Mysterious
ON-npc-Maelmoth the Mysterious.jpg
Maelmoth the Mysterious
Race Nord Gender Male
Born 1st Era
Died 1st Era
Resided in Skyrim
Mount Kilkreath
Folgunthur
Appears in ESO

Maelmoth the Mysterious, known as The Master of Illusion[1] and Master of Mysterious Illusions[1] was a powerful Nord illusionist and contemporary of Arch-Mage Shalidor. He was one of Skyrim's most gifted illusionists and creator of Nested Illusion.[1][2]

History[edit]

Nested Illusion transforming historian into a bottle

Sometime in the First Era the master illusionist, Maelmoth the Mysterious had amassed a great treasure trove of items from throughout his journey and stored them inside Folgunthur Barrow.[2] This trove was known as the Maelmoth Mysterium and it consisted of many odd trinkets and baubles such as a wastrel's boots from Wayrest and the pot of a Hagraven. However among these things there was the Nested Illusion, a peculiar item that at first glance resembled an ordinary bottle. However, it was an illusory creation and one of his greatest works of magic. With even the lightest touch the bottle changes shape and welcomes the curious into its embrace. It was described as an illusion that begets more illusions. It lay dormant in the vaults of the tomb, untouched for countless years until it would inevitably be discovered.[1]

Maelmoth intended to subject those who sought his treasures to a trial of patience and mental mettle.[3] Maelmoth left an apparition of his own visage to guard the trove.[4]

In the midst of the Interregnum in 2E 582, the famed historian, Narsis Dren traveled to the northwest of Skyrim to lay claim over the Maelmoth Mysterium. He went to the local Mages Guild in Solitude uncovered and stole the scroll that he thought could give him a clue on the treasures' whereabouts.[5][6] Maelmoth's protective wards, however inadvertently turned the Dunmer historian into a bottle. The curse was broken by an assistant of his, and so the two had officially begun their quest. Traveled across the surrounding region and went through Maelmoth's several riddles and trials until it eventually brought them to the barrow. There, they battled Maelmoth's visage and discovered his trove. The assistant took notice of the bottle and without hesitation, Narsis Dren grabbed the artifact and turned into a bottle again. He was brought back to the Mages Guild.[7]

Although the famed illusionist was believed to be mad, Maelmoth's riddles were among texts of special interest to the Mages Guild.[6] His legacy was studied by numerous scholars.[2]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]