Lore:Mairead

Mairead
Mairead
Race	Reachman/Breton	Gender	Female
Born		2E 560
Resided in		Blackwood Fargrave Deadlands Deadlight
Appears in		ESO

Fargrave, the home of Mairead

"I choose my own paths" —Mairead

Mairead, also known as the Anchorite, the Fool of Fargrave, Darling of the Alleys, and the Woman in the Mask, was a Reachfolk Ambition and illegitimate daughter of Emperor Moricar and Sister Celdina, a Breton member of the Order of the Waking Flame. She was responsible for stopping the invasion of Mehrunes Dagon of 2E 582.

History

Early Life

Blood rushed in my ears. The twisted forces that invaded my home grabbed at my arms until I bruised. I lashed out, kicked wildly, I screamed, though I knew how futile that was, even then. There would be no one to hear me. How many times have I screamed in this place, knowing the echo was the only answer I'd receive?
But just when I thought they had me, something inside me broke free. It cracked like a whip inside my chest and tore out of me. I can't remember if I felt pain or felt nothing at all. The sensation overwhelmed me entirely. I wanted to scream but there was no air left in my lungs. For a moment, all I saw was light. The brightness washed out everything, it flooded every corner, chased every shadow. And then, nothing.

When I woke, bodies littered the floor. The others were gone. Once again, I was alone. I don't know what's happening, but I feel like something is about to change. Forever.
—Mairead's Diary

Mairead and Celdina in Deadlight

Mairead was the daughter of Emperor Moricar and Celdina, and several events leading to her birth were significant. Around 2E 556, Mehrunes Dagon appeared to her mother Celdina in a dream and ordered her to become the consort of Durcorach's son, Emperor Moricar, and bear a child for him. In 2E 556 or 557, Celdina arrived at the White-Gold Tower in the Imperial City and presented herself to Moricar, who rewarded her with a minor court position. Around 2E 560, Celdina became pregnant with Moricar’s child, which caused her to leave the Imperial Court. Later, she gave birth to their daughter Mairead.

Emperor Moricar, her father, took careful precautions against the Daedric Prince, fully aware of the danger posed by Mehrunes Dagon. To prepare for this, he ensured that the egonymic, a fragment of the Prince's name, was obtained and that Mairead would be able to wield it against him. He moved a record of the instructions into Mairead's vault in Blackwood, believing that should she ever need it to exact vengeance, it would be at her disposal. Soon after Mairead's birth, Ertus Vandacia, the High Priest of the Order of the Waking Flame, infused her with part of Mehrunes Dagon’s egonymic, transforming her into one of the Daedric weapons known as the Four Ambitions. The Prince of Destruction prohibited anyone from learning of Mairead’s parentage; however, in 2E 563, Celdina revealed to Vandacia that Moricar was the father of her daughter.

Mairead grew up in isolation, and her journal, kept since her early years, recounts her encounters with her mother, Sister Celdina. At the time, Mairead was unaware of their biological connection and remembered Celdina as a stern mentor, emphasizing duty and responsibility. The journal also mentions her meetings with Emperor Leovic, her half-brother, whom she never felt a connection with. She wrote that she feared his eyes and never liked him.

When Mairead was fourteen, she was moved to Doomvault Vulpinaz in Northern Blackwood. By this time, neither Celdina nor Leovic continued to visit her. At first, this lack of visits brought her relief, but over time, she began to miss them.

Eventually she was attacked by Dremora loyal to Valkynaz Nokvroz, who attempted to abduct her. In her journal, Mairead recounted using her powers to defend herself, expressing the belief that everything was about to change. Around 2E 580, Celdina removed Mairead from isolation and brought her to Deadlight. There, she revealed to Mairead that she was her mother, Moricar was her father, and that her training was to continue.

Celdina explained to Mairead that she would give Magnus the opportunity to remake his design, and that everything depended on her. She also revealed that Mehrunes Dagon had the power to shatter and remake Nirn, but that the Lord of Fire and Flood needed a spark to summon his cleansing fire from Oblivion, and Mairead would be that catalyst. However, Mairead did not want to bear the responsibility of destroying the mortal realm, so Elegian, a former moth priest and powerful seer, crafted a mask for her to control her powers. Secretly, he altered the mask to make everyone forget her, including herself and Celdina. Mairead ultimately managed to escape the Citadel of Deadlight with the help of Elegian, a captive of the cult and a former Moth Priest. He gave her a powerful mask that not only helped her control her powers and protect her from them, but also ensured that as long as she wore it, everyone would forget details about her—herself included. Unwilling to complete the task her mother had given her—to unmake the world—Mairead left, leaving Elegian with her father's amulet, a golden locket with magical properties that could help her recover her memories if she ever needed to. He also allowed her to retain knowledge of his name. Afterward, Mairead used a portal to travel to Fargrave, where she became known as the Anchorite.

Darling of the Alleys

The Anchorite in the streets of Fargrave

Nobody really knows her
She doesn't even know herself
She's the hermit of the hovels
In this place of portals and planar trade

The mortals hold out empty palms
And she fills them without a thought
In a city built on commerce
She doesn't care about profit or loss

She's the woman in the mask
A puzzle without solution
Living a life of seclusion
The fool of Fargrave feels your pain

Nobody really knows her
She doesn't even know herself
She's the darling of the alleys
Trapped behind a mask she can't remove

The mortals weep and moan
They're hungry and they're hurting
She does whatever she can to aid them
Never asking for a favor or a coin

She's the woman in the mask
A puzzle without solution
Living a life of seclusion
The fool of Fargrave lends a hand

—The Fool of Fargrave by Tirasie Mirel

It didn't take long before Mairead's actions were noticed in the realm of Fargrave. The Anchorite played a key role in shifting the balance within the city of Fargrave and its various factions. According to Nathyn Farandas, Chief of Security for the Saraathu Tong, shortly after the Anchorite arrived in the Bazaar—initially appearing lost and uncertain, yet choosing to stay in Fargrave—rumors spread of a masked mortal woman helping those in need. She wasn’t a mighty warrior or a powerful mage, but she was highly agile, stealthy, quick-witted, and had basic magical training, making her more than capable of handling herself in the city's dangerous streets. The influential Mazken entrepreneur, Madam Whim, gave her the name "Anchorite."

Soon, the Anchorite’s actions began to interfere with the Saraathu Tong's interests. Farandas decided to find her, initially hoping to buy her loyalty; if she refused, he intended to prevent her actions from threatening the faction's profits. Her efforts included embarrassing the Errants, rescuing people from the Invisible Web, and even causing trouble for the Grasp of the Stricture. Farandas didn’t have to search for long—she found him first. When he confronted her about her actions, trying to understand her motivations, she simply said that she helped people without seeking any personal gain.

She suggested that the Tong should invest in helping the people and maintaining peace, arguing that a more stable Fargrave would lead to more stable business. Farandas was skeptical at first, but over time, he began to reflect on her words, unsure whose approach was better. The Anchorite made it clear that she intended to stop Daedric or mortal gangs from harming people before leaving. Farandas assessed that she didn’t pose an immediate threat to the Saraathu Tong’s interests, but he believed her ongoing actions on behalf of Fargrave’s less fortunate would eventually shake the foundations of the Celestial Palanquin. He described her as naive, yet fearless and determined, noting that people like her have the power to shape the world.

The song The Fool of Fargrave was commissioned by Madam Whim and written by the bard Tirasie Mirel. Intended to be a humorous and mocking portrayal of the Anchorite, the song was meant to belittle her. However, Tirasie Mirel, while adhering to Whim's instructions, did her best to balance the humor with a certain respect for the "darling of the alleys." In the end, despite the mocking tone, the bard found a way to honor the Anchorite's impact on the streets of Fargrave.

At one point, Mairead befriended Tilgo, a Breton who later joined the Waking Flame cult, though he ultimately changed his mind. She was known to regularly check on her charges throughout the city, ensuring that she met the needs of those who found themselves in Fargrave and offering her assistance.

Dagon Crisis

"Mairead. Have you come to fulfill your purpose?" —Mehrunes Dagon

By 2E 582, the Anchorite had come into conflict with the Waking Flame cult, which had become active in the city. Initially, the cult merely proselytized in the plazas, but soon their methods grew more dangerous. Their votive runes were known to infect mortals with dark magic, and the Anchorite made it her mission to eliminate them. However, her enemies were setting up their dangerous contraptions much faster than she could counter them.

Elegian, the creator of Mairead's Mask

This growing threat led the Anchorite to agree to cooperate with Lyranth. She had been unable to convince the Grasp of the Structure that the situation was serious, as the votive runes had no effect on the Daedric inhabitants of Fargrave.

With help from Tilgo, who had since switched sides and acted as a double agent for the Anchorite, and Madam Whim, an information broker, the Anchorite and her ally uncovered Celdina's plot to use the votives to conquer Fargrave. During their investigation, they met with Lyranth, who shared their goals. Together, they discovered Celdina and her minions operating beneath the old bathhouse in the Shambles. The group destroyed the votive runes beneath the bathhouse, thereby sabotaging Celdina's efforts in Fargrave. However, Celdina escaped through a portal, leaving behind an encoded note.

Soon after, they visited Gazmod the Collector, a powerful Fargravian watcher, to decode the message. Lyranth, who accompanied the Anchorite, hoped to borrow a Dagonic codebreaker, Arox, from his collection. However, Gazmod became intrigued by the Anchorite's mask and wanted to add it to his display. Eventually, the Anchorite, Lyranth, their ally and Arox, and the others managed to escape Gazmod’s villa and found refuge at Madam Whim's establishment.

By then, Arox had successfully deciphered the code and learned that Daedric troops from Burning Gyre Keep in the Deadlands were preparing to invade Fargrave. The group then traveled to investigate the Burning Gyre Keep, where they discovered that Celdina planned to create an army of powerful Daedra called Incarnates to fulfill her goals. They defeated one of the Incarnates stationed there before leaving the Keep.

Nokvroz takes the Anchorite captive in Deadlight

As a result of Gazmod's investigation into the mask, the Anchorite experienced another memory. Lyranth, noticing the shift in the Anchorite's memories, had an idea inspired by Gazmod’s interest in the mask. Instead of attempting to remove it, she tried to suppress its enchantment with her magic. The Anchorite spent some time reflecting recalling more details about Elegian, particularly his name.

Soon, the group ventured to the Blood Pit, where, according to Arox, the forces of Dagon were holding Elegian. They managed to break into his cell, only to find him with a broken mind. Using elixirs, they temporarily restored his mental clarity. During this brief moment of lucidity, the Anchorite relearned that Elegian had been behind the creation of her mask and the Riven Catalyst. He also revealed that he had been saving a special amulet for her, a gift she had never received. Although this meeting did not provide the Anchorite with all the answers she sought, it still offered crucial insights. Elegian disclosed the location of the Riven Catalyst- the Annihilarch’s Summit, and explained the meaning of the mask. They were unable to free Elegian from his captivity, but with the newfound information, they were prepared to continue their mission.

Joining forces with the Bladebearer Clan at the Wretched Spire, the group planned an assault on the Annihilarch's Summit, believing it to be Celdina's hideout. With the combined strength of their allies and the Bladebearers, they made their way to the summit, only to find a portal leading back to Nirn. Lyranth sensed that the portal was tampered with, designed to disintegrate her if she tried to pass through it. She ended up at Fort Grief on Nirn instead. The Anchorite, the Vestige, and Rynkyus then ventured through the portal to confront Celdina. They uncovered the location of another stronghold in the Deadlight, defeated the Incarnate, and destroyed the device. However, both Celdina and Valkynaz Nokvroz managed to flee. Shortly after, they decided to search for the precise location of the Deadlight.

After the Anchorite's visit to the Fort Grief the strange visions returned, marked by loneliness and darkness. These visions were awakened soon after she used her powers to disrupt the Cataclyst. Eventually, her allies discovered the portal to the Deadlight. Together with the Vestige, she ventured there, as the realm was shielded from external Daedric interference. Therefore, only the Vestige and the Anchorite could infiltrate the realm. There, they uncovered numerous documents and evidence that confirmed many events from the Anchorite's past. In the Deadlight Citadel, at the shrine dedicated to Mehrunes Dagon, she used her amulet. Thanks to other items found there, she was able to rediscover parts of her past. The Reachblood Totem revealed a memory of when Celdina had escorted Mairead to the Deadlight for further training, revealing that she was Mairead's mother. The Starry Globe, a Magna-Geode revealed a memory in which Celdina shared her philosophy on Magnus with Mairead. The Last Hope Mural unveiled a memory of Celdina discussing her intentions for Mairead and her hopes for Mairead to be the one to ultimately unmake the world. Finally, the Anchorite's Amulet revealed a final memory of Elegian helping Mairead escape the Deadlight and make her way to Fargrave. Soon after they discovered these visions, the Valkynaz Nokvroz's Daedra attacked the Deadlight. In the ensuing chaos, the Vestige and the Anchorite were able to defeat Celdina, killing her in the process. However, Nokvroz seized the opportunity and kidnapped the Anchorite, who left behind her amulet, which the Vestige then took to Fargrave. Nokvroz needed her blood to perfect the Cataclyst, prompting the Anchorite's allies to begin strategizing an assault on the grand fortress of Ardent Hope.

The Perfected Cataclyst

Mairead using Mehrunes Dagon's egonymic to banish him from Nirn

They found a way to infiltrate the Ardent Hope as Madam Whim secured the portal, and Rynkyus led his Bladebearers as a distraction, allowing Arox and Lyranth to assist Vestige in reaching the fortress. There, they discovered that Bloodlord Zavak had taken Anchorite to the Xarxes Crucible. She was rescued, but not before Nokvroz obtained her blood, using it to perfect the Cataclyst and transform into the perfected Incarnate. With the help of her allies, Anchorite managed to destroy the perfected Cataclyst and slay Nokvroz. However, shortly after, Mehrunes Dagon himself appeared, revealing his plans for Mairead and intending to kill her allies. In the end, Lyranth was able to teleport them safely to Fargrave, where they were welcomed as triumphant heroes, thanks in part to the efforts of Madam Whim.

Although Nokvroz and Celdina were defeated, the threat of Dagon was far from over. Soon after the their return to Fargrave, Madam Whim, alongside Lyranth, attempted to perform a ritual to uncover more of the Anchorite's memories. However, the ritual was interrupted by Eveli Sharp-Arrow, who couldn't bear to see Anchorite in pain. As the ritual progressed, they discovered that Emperor Moricar's soul, Mairead's father, was imprisoned in the Brandfire Reformatory. Following the wisp conjured by Mairead's amulet, they arrived at the Reformatory Forge, where the souls of all three Longhouse Emperors were trapped: her half-brother Leovic, her father Moricar, and her grandfather Durcorach.

Anchorite attending the celebration in Leyawiin

It was there that Moricar revealed to Mairead that she was, in fact, the Fourth Ambition—a truth that had been hidden from her until that moment. Sombren, who had arrived with Calia, Lyranth, and Eveli, interrupted the meeting by temporarily destroying the souls of the Emperors. Before this happened, Moricar shared that he had prepared a contingency plan, instructing Mairead to seek out the Isle of Joy, a place he once visited in the Deadlands. However, Mairead did not visit the Isle as instructed, but instead chose to follow Sombren despite Lyranth's protests. He claimed to have the means to answer many of her questions. The Vestige and Eveli ventured to the Isle, where they found a journal that revealed Moricar's plan to defeat Dagon by using egonymic, his true name. The journal also contained a map and a ring similar to Anchorite's amulet. They then returned to Doomvault Vulpinaz, Mairead's former home, where they used the ring to open the entrance to her old living quarters where they discovered a relic and old journals of Mairead. As they explored the area, Lyranth appeared to inform them that Sombren had abducted Mairead and Calia after they followed him. During their investigation, Sombren began to show signs of wanting to seize control from both Calia and Mairead. Ultimately Mairead realized that Sombren had become increasingly obsessed with the Mysterium Xarxes, eventually turning to Dagon's side. He took them to the Ambition's End at the Annihilarch's Summit, where he conjured a memory of the deceased Destron to fight the adventurers and managed to steal Calia's powers. However, Mairead resisted his influence, forced Sombren to retreat, and returned to the House of Whims with Calia shortly after.

Using the relic her allies discovered in her old vault, Mairead gained the knowledge of how to use egonymic against Dagon from a projection of her father. Now that she understood its power, she could feel it coursing within her. Lyranth then revealed her plan—to send Anchorite to steal power from Sombren so that Mairead could properly wield the strength of the Four Ambitions against Dagon and banish him once and for all. While their allies launched an assault on Dagon's capital, Destruction's Solace, Anchorite and their ally pursued Sombren. Together, they chased Sombren through Dagon's fortress in the Deadlands and followed him through a portal to the Sundercliff in Nirn. Upon arriving in Tamriel, Dagon began using the power of the Ambitions to merge his realm with Nirn. His plans, however, did not come to fruition. During the ensuing battle, Mairead was able to steal powers from Sombren, using Dagon's egonymic to bind and weaken the Prince. With the Vestige's assistance, Dagon's physical form was destroyed, and he was banished to the furthest corner of the Deadlands through his egonymic. With Sombren's death, the Anchorite gained control of the full power of all four Ambitions. However, immediately afterward, Lyranth took the Ambitions' power from Mairead and escaped.

Soon after the party found rest following their victory, Mairead expressed her desire to see more of the world, feeling that a chapter of her life had come to a close. She took some time alone to reflect, but eventually joined the celebrations in Leyawiin, which followed their triumph over Mehrunes Dagon. By the time the ceremony began, rumors had already spread, and the deeds of the Anchorite and her allies had become widely known to the public. In the end, Mairead chose to travel the world alongside Calia, though she also admitted that she might want to visit Fargrave again at some point. They chose to journey across Tamriel together, exploring a world that was entirely new to them both, having grown up in isolation and gradually developing a sisterly bond. While little is known of their future fate, their allies, Eveli and the Vestige, were confident that they were making the most of their journey and thoroughly enjoying the adventure.

See Also

• For game-specific information, see the Elder Scrolls Online article.

Books

• Mairead's Diary by Mairead — Entries from Mairead's Diary
• Partially Hidden Journal by Moricar — A journal noting measures made against the Prince of Destruction
• Meet the Character - The Anchorite by Nathyn Farandas — A Saraathu Tong report on a mysterious mortal in Fargrave
• The Fool of Fargrave — The lyrics of a song about Fargrave's Anchorite