Lore:Y'ffre
- "Feel the solidity of the ground under your feet, and taste the wind. By his will is our world manifest, and the rocks, and the trees, and the birds in the sky. Y'ffre is with you at every turn, in every moment."—Bones of the Forest
Y'ffre(also spelledY'frre,or known asJephreorY'ffer),[1]theSinger,theStoryteller,theGod of Song and Forest,and theSpirit of the Now,is the most important deity of theBosmeripantheon, also worshipped by theAltmer,Bretons,andSnow Elves.[2][3]He (occasionally she)[4][5]was one of the strongest of the recognizable spirits that crystallized shortly after the beginning of time, and played an important role in the coalescing of the physical world during theDawn Era.[6]
He is said to have been the first to transform himself into theEhlnofey,or Earth Bones, giving rise to the rules and principles of nature and life onNirn.[7][8]He thus formed the frame upon which nature is woven, loomed through with his own song-echoes and sight-perception for mortals to interpret through study of the Sea's mystery, but seeing and hearing nothing himself. Day, night, and the places between are the manifestation of his interpretation of the time-lawAnui-Elis said to have established within Nirn.[9]
Y'ffre is known to send wisps to herald the storms of Rain's Hand. To see one is to see the promise of new growth, new life, and a new chapter in nature's cycle.[10]
The Storyteller[edit]
—The Green Singing
Y'ffre is strongly associated with songs and stories, as a mythical expression of his role in shaping the story of nature. His acts of creation are described as "tales",[4]and he is said to have given the first name to every living creature, solidifying their place in the world.[11]Y'ffre sang toAetherius,weaving songs so beautiful that stars were compelled to dance and sway, continuing to wink and blink afterward in memory of that song.[9]Y'ffre's priests, calledSpinners,also experience life as one long story, as they not only keep the histories and laws of their people, but also narrate events that have yet to occur.[12]As Y'ffre instructed the world and the first Bosmer through tales, so too do the Spinners elucidate and educate their kin through elaborate, sometimes befuddling, metaphors, that nonetheless always contain an essential truth.[13]Spinners can use their "narrative magic" to profoundly alter the stories of others, even altering their memories of past events.[14]
Worship[edit]
Altmer[edit]
Indriksare magical creatures that bear some relation to Jephre.[15]They seem to draw strength from the bones of the earth beneath their hooves.[16]They can be found within the forests ofSummerset Isle,though they are very elusive.The equipment of Jephrine Paladins is modeled after Indriks. All that is known ofJephrine Paladinsis that they are protectors of the wilds.[17]Unlike the Bosmer, Altmer demand obedience and perfection from the nature, shaping it to fit their needs to improve it to make it more artistically perfect forcefully - be it through magical or mundane means, despite their appreciation for nature.[18][19]
Bosmer[edit]
The Bosmer believe that out of the primordialOoze,he first brought forth the Green, consisting of all plant life in the forests of Valenwood, from mosses to the mightygraht-oaks,teaching the birds to sing and the waves to lap against the beach and gaining sight-perception of all that occurs within the sight of birds and the reflection of waters.[4][9]Next to materialize were Y'ffre's people, the Bosmer. He instituted theGreen Pactbetween the Bosmer and the Green, which forbade any harm to the plant life of Valenwood. In exchange, the elves could request the forest shape itself to their needs, providing food and shelter, and also were able to tap into certain atavisticforces of nature,reflecting their chaotic origins.[20]Bosmeri legend holds that any who break the terms of the Pact will be consigned back into the Ooze, their song in the world replaced with silence.[4]In modern times, the Pact is enforced by regional "treethanes", who are responsible for a certain jurisdiction and dedicated to the preservation of the natural resources therein.[21]Ring of the Wild Huntis Bosmeri artifact associated with Y'ffre.[22][23]
Breton[edit]
To the Bretons, Jephre (also known as Jeh Free)[24]is theGod of the Forestand the spirit of the "now". He is typically considered an elven god, and is understood to have turned himself into the Earth Bones and establishing the laws of nature.[8]He is still revered by some Breton hunters and farmers.[25]Bretons respect the Vicars of Jephre, a group of his adherents who are known defenders of the natural world.[26]TheBeldama Wyrdare a witch coven attuned to nature, and are also known to venerate the ancient forest and commune with Jephre the Storyteller.[27]They are guided by elemental spirits known as the Guardians,[28]which are among the extinctEhlnofeywho claim they were once Y'ffre.[29]When theFirst Empire,took control ofHigh Rockthey forced the Bretons to convert to the worship of theEight Divines,however, the worship of lesser deities still persisted and Jephre continued to be worshiped.[25]
To theDruids,they refer to the same entity as Y'ffre, theGreen-King,theSlumbering Father of Nirn,[30]or theGreen Man.[31]Bretondom originated fromNedesandAldmerinterbreeding.[32]Their Nedic[33]ancestors were known as theDruids of Galen,[34]who adhered to the True Way in which one is to lead a life connecting with and valuing the natural world.[35]Naturally, Y'ffre took the forefront of their faith. These Nedes survived in ancientHigh Rockby tapping into, nurturing, and terraforming nature.[30]When the Druids of Galen experienced the "three mornings of sail" sometime after settling on theSystres,three sects developed, each with their own interpretation of Y'ffre's will; the Stonelore, Eldertide, and Firesong Circles.[36][37]
Khajiit[edit]
Y'ffer is theKhajiitiname for Y'ffre, and he is often linked withNirni.In older traditions, Nirni chose Y'ffer overHircineas her mate after Y'ffer created the first flower for her and fathered many of her children.[1]Heartbroken, Hircine slew theGraht-Elk,champion of Y'ffer, and took to wearing its head as a trophy. Eventually Y'ffer became corrupted byNamiira,who then struck and killed Nirni. Hircine, along withAzurahandKhenarthi,slew Y'ffer and made a cairn out of his bones for their beloved sister.[1]In more recent stories, such as those attributed toClan Mother Ahnissi,this aspect of their relationship is downplayed. Y'ffer is portrayed as snooping spirit that cannot keep secrets, eavesdropping on Azurah's creation of the Khajiit and promptly telling Nirni what he overheard. In gratitude, she allowed Y'ffer to alter some of her children in the same manner, which became the first Bosmer.[38]These same stories also hold Y'ffer responsible for "Fadomai's Children" (i.e. Daedric Princes) being able to cross the Lattice and enter Nirn.[38]Despite his appearance in Khajiiti myth, he is not considered a figure of worship. Prior the Riddle'thar Epiphany, he was recognized as a bastard son of Ahnurr, though his temperament was the opposite of his father's.[1]
Other[edit]
AnArgonianheresy relating to Y'ffre emerged among the refugees who fled to Valenwood fromBlack Marshafter the creation of theEbonheart Pact.Having severed their ties to theHist,many of these Argonians turned to Y'ffre and the trees of Valenwood in the hope that he could allow them to reproduce. This heresy was potentially ended in2E 582when ex-Shadowscalerefugees assassinated those responsible for abandoning the Hist.[39]
TheImperialswere strictly prohibited from worshiping Y'ffre due to theAlessian Empire's religious laws. Its unknown if the ban remained in place after the fall of the Alessian Empire.[25]
AlthoughAyleidsfollowed the Daedra, the Aedra of Elven pantheon were still widely revered, with probably a majority of the Ayleids continuing to pay them homage, but cults devoted to the various Daedric Princes sprang up across Cyrodiil, tolerated and then celebrated.[40]Eventually the Aedra worshipping Aylieds were driven out of Cyrodiil, with some taking refuge in western Black Marsh.
Notes[edit]
- TheDark Elvesbelieve in Jephre to some capacity, as he appears in their mythos. According to legend, Jephre walked the land on the first day and swayed the stars with a beautiful symphony. Some of the stars wink and blink to this very day, in homage to the song of night and darkness.[3]
- Early design documents forDaggerfallnamedJeh Freeas the god of languages with followers such as The Society of Jeh and The Encyclics,[41]before changing his name to Jephre in the final version.[42]The name Jeh Free still appeared in the final game when mentioned inKing Edward,whereMoraelynis described as being so skilled in music that Jeh Free andJhim Seicould have taught him.[24]
Gallery[edit]
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A Galen Wisp, said to be directly from Y'ffre
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An indrik, a creature believed to have close ties with Y'ffre
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A temple to Y'ffre
References[edit]
- ^abcdThe Worldly Spirits—Amun-dro,the Silent Priest
- ^Knight-Paladin Gelebor's dialogue inSkyrim
- ^abOf Jephre— Anonymous
- ^abcdThe Ooze: A Fable
- ^The Elder Scrolls: The Official Survival Guide to Tamriel—Tori Schafer
- ^The Monomyth
- ^Dringoth's dialogue inESO
- ^abVarieties of Faith...—Brother Mikhael Karkuxorof the Imperial College
- ^abcGirnalin's dialogue inESO
- ^Galen Wispcollectible description inESO
- ^Wyresses: The Name-Daughters—Glargargil the Speaking Oak
- ^Spinning a Story—Cirantille
- ^The Spinners of Y'ffre—Cirantille
- ^Gwaering Answers Your Questions—Gwaering
- ^Y'frre's Sparkling Steeds—Melobrian
- ^Dawnwood Indrikmount description inESO
- ^Eat Cake & Earn Bonus Rewards During The ESO Anniversary JubileeshowcasingJephrine Paladin Styleon the officialESOwebsite
- ^Saltspray Cave's loading screen inESO
- ^Riliadir, viewing gardens in Auridon—Riliadir
- ^The Green Pact and the Dominion
- ^Wood Elf Etiquette: An Imperial Perspective—Kerandas Calvus,in the year2723
- ^Ring of the Wild Hunt's description and bonus inESO
- ^Ring of the Wild Hunt'scodexentries inESO
- ^abKing Edward, Part 2— Anonymous
- ^abcThe Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: High Rock—Flaccus Terentius,2E 581
- ^Priest of the Greencostume description inESO
- ^Witch Cults of Northern High Rock—Wafimeles Masteret(Lorekeeper)
- ^Wyress Ileana's dialogue inESO
- ^Guardian of the Earth's dialogue inESO
- ^abWyrd and Druid— Archdruid Barnabe's Discourse with Mainlanders, 2E 553
- ^Druidic Kettle Spoutantiquity codex entry inESO:High Isle
- ^Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: All the Eras of Man, A Comprehensive History of our History—Imperial Geographical Society,3E 432
- ^Count Damard Dufort's dialogue inESO
- ^Race Description of Breton in TES:Arena
- ^Druid Audrine's dialogue inESO
- ^Druid Ryvana's dialogue inESO
- ^Systres History: Volume 1—Trilam Heladren,Associate Dean of Eltheric History,University of Gwylim
- ^abWords of Clan Mother Ahnissi—Clan Mother Ahnissi
- ^Scars Never Fadequest inESO
- ^Daedra Worship: The Ayleids—Phrastus of Elinhir
- ^Files fromDaggerfall Preview
- ^Shrinelocations inDaggerfall
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