Daedra The Daedra are a group of spirits in , who inhabit the realms of Oblivion . They are viewed variously as gods or demons by the inhabitants of Tamriel , although scholarly consensus discourages the use of the latter term . The most powerful of the Daedra are referred to as Daedric Princes or Daedra Lords , and rule over their own planes of Oblivion , which they shaped . Because they have no connection to Nirn , they cannot be permanently killed , only banished . Daedra can be summoned to Nirn through a variety of techniques , which forms the basis for much of the school of Conjuration magic . Various Daedra have , on several occasions , attempted to invade Nirn . The most famous events of this type are the Planemeld and the Oblivion Crisis . Lore . Etymology . The term " Daedra " is of mer ish origin . Its literal translation is " not our ancestors , " as opposed to Aedra - " our ancestors . " This harks back to their refusal to take part in the creation of Mundus , and as a result are not part of the Ehlnofey , the ancestors of men and mer . The term " Daedra " can be used for both plural and singular forms , although the latter is more correctly " Daedroth , " not to be confused with the species of lesser daedra that go by the same name . Origins . Several different religions and cultures explain the Daedra and their Princes in different ways , making the distinction difficult to properly define , especially due to certain Daedra discrediting some explanations . In many cultures , Daedra are considered to be " Padomaic " beings , as described in " The Annotated Anuad " , which claims that the Daedra were formed of the blood of Padomay , prior to the creation of Nirn . This is contradicted by the fact that Meridia , a Daedric Prince , was once Merid - Nunda , one of the Magna Ge ( including Magnus ) that withdrew from the world as it was being created . Since these beings were considered " Anuic " beings in the same myth , it would mean that Meridia was formed of the blood of Anu instead of Padomay , despite being classified as a Daedric Prince . Other accounts describe the Daedric Princes as those Et ' ada who , when Lorkhan proposed the creation of Nirn , outright refused to take part . Malacath ' s very existence discredits this , as he was once Trinimac , one of the Aedra , who was corrupted by Boethiah ( this process is often said to consist of his literal consumption and eventual excretion by Boethiah ) . In both cases , however , the conversion of Merid - Nunda and Trinimac into Daedric Princes are both the result of the influence of other Daedra , with the former being " cast down " after consorting with them , and the latter changed by one in some fundamental way . It should be noted , however , that it is said Malacath is not considered a true Daedra Lord by his peers , who despise him . " The Monomyth " provides a slightly clearer definition , stating that the Daedra and the Daedric Princes are all members of the Et ' ada that formed with closer ties to Oblivion , stated to be closer to the Void from which they reincarnate new forms upon their deaths , which could account for Meridia ' s later reclassification . Lesser Daedric entities were mostly created by the Princes , but the " Spirit of the Daedra " implies that a few types were formed naturally , which may account for the Daedra that do not claim loyalty to any particular Prince , such as the Atronachs . The Monomyth states that the Daedra consisted of both " spirits and Gods , " further implying that some Lesser Daedra were formed alongside the Princes . Ancient history . When Lorkhan proposed to the Et ' ada the creation of the mortal plane , Mundus , the Daedric Princes felt it foolish to sacrifice so much power unto a world , and chose instead to create worlds of their own . These " Daedric Realms , " created in the chaos of Oblivion , used their own essences to create them , but did not cut that power and matter off from themselves as the Aedra did , allowing them to retain full power and maintain full control over their worlds . Lesser Daedra created by the Princes served as servants and worshippers , and often as playthings , and the Daedra Lords were content and mostly happy with their realms . Finding the activities of Mundus ' mortal races to be far more piquing , the Daedra began to meddle with mortal life , seducing the most promising individuals to spite the Aedra . Classification of Daedra . Daedra appear in many different forms . The most important are the Daedric Princes , among the oldest and most powerful of their kind . The rest are the " Lesser Daedra , " beings who inhabit Oblivion and may or may not be in league with these greater powers . Daedric Princes . There are considered to be either 16 or 17 Daedric Princes , although records on this vary . Each Daedra prince has a concept or set of concepts associated with them , termed their " sphere . " Note that this does not necessarily mean that each Daedra has control over their sphere ; rather , they are their particular areas of concern or interest . Not all of the Princes were always so . Malacath was once Trinimac , champion of Auri - El , but became Malacath after being eaten by Boethiah when he tried to stop the Chimer from leaving Summerset Isle . Meridia was once counted among the Magna Ge , but became a Daedric Prince when she bent the light of Magnus through herself , carving out her own realm of Oblivion in the process . A list of most of the Daedric Princes , their titles , realms and their spheres are listed below : Lesser Daedra . There are many types of lesser Daedra , most of which were created by the Princes as warriors , servants , playthings and worshipers . It should be noted that the descriptions of appearances given here are not necessarily always accurate , as to many Daedra , appearance is a matter of choice . Belonging to a particular grouping is , however , said to shape their bodies and minds , and thus common traits are established . Humanoids . Many Daedra of greater mental capacity have a humanoid shape and appearance . The Daedric Princes and their servants are usually among them . Daedra who usually have a humanoid form are : Reptilians . Daedra have amongst their ranks some reptilian creatures , outlined below . Atronachs . Atronach are Daedra associated with a particular element , substance or natural phenomenon . They are not nominally aligned with any Prince , and serve them according to opportunity , fancy and circumstance dictate . Their types are : Although nominally unaligned , these Daedra may have home planes , as Flame Atronachs are noted to originate from a plane known as " Infernace . " The home planes of other atronach are currently unknown . There also exist Flesh Atronach s and Iron Atronach s , which are creations of mortals , and more correctly golems than any kind of Daedra . Daedric artifacts . The spirits of Daedra can be summoned and reshaped into items on a short - term basis , to create bound weapons , or permanently , to create Daedric artifacts . The text is not clear on whether the Daedric Prince who is lord over the spirit creates bound weapons in Oblivion , which is then summoned to Mundus , or whether the summoner reshapes the Daedra in question . Daedric artifacts can be either made by a Daedra Prince , such as the Masque of Clavicus Vile , or infused with the spirit of a Daedra , as with the case of the quill Feyfolken . Still other artifacts become associated with the Daedra over time , despite no known connection to the Daedra , such as Volendrung , which was crafted by the Rourken Clan of the Dwemer but later became to be associated with Malacath . A list of known Daedric Artifacts , their forms and their associations , given here : Appearance and invocation . Daedra can appear on Nirn through summonings by both worshippers and conjurers . These can be either short - term summonings , or rituals or pacts designed to bind the Daedra to Nirn on a more permanent basis . There are claims that this art originated with the Direnni clan in the First Era , but the exodus of the Daedra - worshipping Velothi from Summerset Isle in the Merethic Era means this is in all likelihood false . There are no definite restrictions on when or where Daedra may be summoned , although certain dates and circumstances either make this easier or are the conventional times that Daedra - worshiping cults do so , and a summoning is less a command and more an invitation in the case of more powerful Daedra . Daedra of sufficient power may also be able to manifest on their own , although this may also be summoned Daedra who have escaped their bindings . It was theoretically impossible for both lesser Daedra and Daedric princes to manifest while Alessia ' s covenant with Akatosh was in force . However , Daedric summoning has been possible throughout Tamriel ' s history , indicating this was not the case . The extinguishing of the Dragonfires in 3E 433 did however allow Daedra to manifest Oblivion Gates on Tamriel , allowing large scale Daedric entrance onto Nirn , and for Daedric Princes to appear unimpeded on Nirn . This was remedied when Martin Septim broke the Amulet of Kings and became the avatar of Akatosh , defeating Mehrunes Dagon and sealing the Oblivion Gates . However , small - scale Daedric summonings are still possible . Characteristics and behavior . Though all Daedric races have their own characteristics and behavior , there are many traits consistent throughout almost all of them , partially described in " Spirit of the Daedra " . Firstly the book states that Daedra do not truly fear death or dying , for their " Animus , " that conscious essence that could be considered their " spirit , " is cast into the Void and reincarnates a new vessel for itself . Due to this , they have no fear of death , but they do have other fears . Many Daedra refer to the Void as the Darkness , and some admit to the shared fear of it that the Daedra have , and they hate it , though the reasons why are unknown . Daedra are also stated to feel pain , shame , failure , and loss , and so fear all of these things . Daedra of lesser intellect , such as Scamps , have very little capacity for fear , while mindless Daedra like Vermai cannot fear at all . Daedra such as Dremora , Golden Saints , and Dark Seducers , all have higher intelligence and the capacity for deep thought , and so can only master the fears they have to overcome them . Daedric spirits , whether or not they were created by Princes or existing alongside them , are not biologically related to each other , but shape themselves in accordance to the " clan - form . " This powerful force causes the bodies their spirits incarnate into from the Void , giving form to the thought , and possibly influencing their psychological states . The clan - form is the cause of differentiation , with the clan - form of a race like the Dremora triggering the reformation of the spirit as a Dremora and the clan - form of the Aurorans causing the reformation as an Auroran . By this reasoning , a Daedra that ends one life as a Dremora " could " reform as an Auroran , and vice versa . Due to the implication of minds being altered , and the Daedric belief that the clan - form gives them meaning and strength , such a decision is very unlikely to be made . Daedra return from the Void through " cynosures , " conduits of power that allow the reincarnating Daedroth to return to its realm of residence , and retake its body , shaped in the clan - form . In their fear of the Void , Daedric spirits use the conduits as beacons , to find their way back to their home worlds . Without access to a cynosure , a Daedra in the Void will simply reside there until the cynosure reopens , or a new and compatible one opens for them . Examples of such structures include the Wellsprings of the Aureals and the Mazken , and the obelisks of the Knights of Order . While the deactivation of an obelisk does not affect an incarnated Knight of Order , the sealing of the Wellsprings caused either the Golden Saints or the Dark Seducers to instantly die , returning to their bodies when the obstruction was removed . This could be due to the manner of the sealing , using the Daedric crystals of Order , or a characteristic that the two of Sheogorath ' s races have , and do not share with the Knights . No Daedra is truly bound to a Prince or other powerful master . Instead they seek out who they perceive as the strongest and greatest amongst the powerful , mostly so that they can be protected by a strong master . The Daedric races serve their masters by clan tradition , but traditions have been known to change , and one individual Daedroth serving a master unlike their race ' s own is not unheard of . For example , Dremora as a whole have chosen to be in the service of Mehrunes Dagon , but have not always done so , and particular groups of Dremora serve other masters instead . Practice is also known to change based on the " oath - bond " between the Prince and its servants , and when this bond is weak , the Lesser Daedra are subjected to their fears . Most of the Daedra and their Princes have little heed for mortals , viewing them as little more than toys , and considering themselves to be the huntsmen and the mortals as prey . Daedra of lesser intellect are seen as hounds and work animals to those of higher intellect . Some consider the taste of mortals to be pleasant , and to torment them is seen as " diverting , " possibly implying that Daedra toy with mortals as a distraction or to relieve woes and stress . Despite their callous torment of mortals , Daedra and their Princes have been known to truly admire mortals at certain times , and feel displeasure when they finally fail . Some will secretly , or even openly , give praise those that can foil their plans and resists their seduction , and even applaud when mortals can find a way to slay them . They acknowledge the frailty and gradual decay of mortals , and consider their victories small things that only require temporary reconstitution at the worst , though even the risk of that makes their torment of Mundus all the sweeter . But the Daedra do sometimes consider mortals a mysterious thing , for they live mostly content lives , despite all the horrid things that they experience , such as failure , death , and loss . Most , if not all , of the Daedra cannot comprehend how mortal races , despite their doom of suffering being painfully obvious , are not consumed by despair when the Daedra , who never experience death and cannot truly understand the concept , despair at failure and pain . Nevertheless , many of the Daedra find this mystery to be one of the most enticing things about mortals , giving them more cause to meddle in their affairs and take interest in their lives . Daedric alphabet . The script used in the games is referred to as the " Daedric alphabet . " It appears to be most frequently used in relation to magical texts ( such as spell scrolls as they appear in ) , or esoteric works like the Mysterium Xarxes . Daedra worship . Daedra are worshiped in a variety of ways across Tamriel . The most common of these are detailed below . Daedra cults . This is the most common way Daedra are worshiped on Tamriel for most of history , because there have been times where such worship has been prohibited in many provinces , and even when it is legal , such as in Cyrodiil during the Third Era , it is generally not approved of by most of society . However , even if their worship is not condoned , it appears that the celebration of their feast days by non - adherents on some occasions . These cults typically focus on a single Daedric Prince as their prime deity , although given the nature of the cosmos such cults should probably be described as henotheistic or monolatristic , rather than truly monotheistic . These groups are typically quite small and inconsequential because of their size and isolation . However , in the late Third Era , the Mythic Dawn , a Daedra cult dedicated to the worship of Mehrunes Dagon , assassinated Uriel Septim VII and precipitated the Oblivion Crisis . The Dunmer . The Dunmer as a culture have worshipped the Daedra at various points in their history . This has changed over time , and this progression is discussed below . Chimeri Daedra worship . The Chimer were led away from Summerset by Veloth and Boethiah , who ate Trinimac to aid their exodus . He was joined by Azura and Mephala in leading the Chimer to Vvardenfel , and accompanied by Malacath , Mehrunes Dagon , Molag Bal and Sheogorath . Azura , Boethiah and Mephala are credited with bringing a particular form of advancement to the Chimer , Boethiah in areas as diverse as philosophy to architecture , Mephala in devising the House system that would define later Chimer and Dunmer society , and Azura taught them how to be different to the Altmer . These are seen as the " Good Daedra " in much Dunmeri folklore . The other four Daedra are traditionally seen as testing and opposing figures , although this may be a later elaboration originating during the Tribunal period . The Anticipations and the House of Troubles . Following the apotheosis of the Tribunal , Daedra took a lesser role in house Dunmeri society , and their worship was prohibited by the Tribunal Temple because it they claimed the Daedra were unworthy due to their inconstant and dangerous natures . This led to a decline in Daedra worship among the Great Houses , although the Ashlanders carried on worshipping the Daedra as they had always done . Azura , Boethiah and Mephala allegedly consented to be replaced , and became the " Anticipations " of the Tribunal , sharing certain aspects with the Tribunal member who replaced them . Almalexia replaced Boethiah , Sotha Sil replaced Azura , and Vivec took the place of Mephala . The other four Daedra previously worshiped by the Chimer did not accept this however , becoming the Four Corners of the House of Troubles . Their roles as testing figures and obstacles to be overcome was solidified at this point . The Reclamations . Following the events of the Red Year in 4E 5 , the Dunmer began to lose faith in the now missing Tribunal , and schisms broke out within the Temple . Eventually the Dissident Priests emerged predominant , and re - instituted the worship of the three Good Daedra , with the Tribunal venerated as saints . As part of this , they were named the Reclamations , and the Ashlanders heralded as the guardians of the truth path of worship . The Khajiit . The Khajiit recognize the Daedra as one of two " litters " of spirits created by Ahnurr and Fadomai . The Daedra do not differ much from their portrayals in other faiths , but the Khajiit believe that they were created by Azurah out of a single line of " forest people , " some of whom were later corrupted by Y ' ffer to become the Bosmer . The Orcs . The orcs are derived from the changed followers of Trinimac , after he was turned into Malacath by Boethiah . Orcs typically follow their changed god exclusively , and his laws form the Code of Malacath , which lay down the basic rules for orc society . This was only different in Gortwog ' s Orsinium , where some orcs worship Trinimac in his original form , considering Malacath a demon and an imposter , much to the displeasure of orcs elsewhere . The Ayleids . The now - extinct Ayleids of Cyrodiil worshipped the Daedra alongside the Aedra , forming a variety of cults to worship many Princes . However , they seem to hold Meridia in particular reverence due to her association with light , which the Ayleids considered one of the prime elements of creation . Some claim that they revered Meridia above all other gods .