Talos

Talos, also known as Tiber Septim, Ysmir, Dragonborn, and the heir to the Seat of Sundered KingsVarieties of Faith in the Empire, is the most important hero-god of Mankind.
Much of his life as the mortal Tiber Septim is shrouded in legend and hearsay, but one feat is undisputed: he became the first person to successfully unite all of the nations of Tamriel under a single Empire.Varieties of Faith in the EmpireLoading Screen in Talos is worshipped as the protector and patron of just rulership and civil society, and his Nordic aspect of Ysmir is also seen as the patron of questing heroes."Tiber Septim" dialogue topic in 
==Background==
Tiber Septim conquered all of Tamriel and founded the Third Empire and the Septim Dynasty that would rule it for centuries, marking the beginning of the Third Era. Upon his death, he is believed to have ascended to godhood"latest rumors" dialogue topic in The Talos MistakeDialogue with The Prophet during "The Blessing of Talos" as the most important Hero-God of Mankind. The Talos Cult has since then been included in the Eight Divines of the Imperial Cult,"Morrowind History" dialogue topic in and is largely followed by members in the Imperial Legion."Talos Cult" dialogue topic in Tiber Septim was already venerated in Nibenay prior to his death, however, since the Cult of Tiber Septim was followed in Nibenay 70 years before Tiber Septim died.Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Cyrodiil
One theory presumes that Talos absorbed the essences of most Dragons when he became a deity, resulting in Dragons becoming nearly extinct in the Third Era.There Be Dragons Talos' own priesthood, however, claims that his divinity was a reward from the Gods themselves upon his death,Dialogue with HeimskrDialogue with Jora a belief shared with some of the Nords within Skyrim.Dialogue with Thongvor Silver-Blood A considerable number of Imperials are followers of the Talos cult, which in general is popular among soldiers of the Imperial Legion, colonists, and assimilated foreigners. They follow the cult openly, and hold a strong, and personal, connection to the cult.Reflections on Cult Worship
Talos is also referred to as the "One" in the "Eight and One". Some followers of the original Divines follow the old ways of honoring the Eight, while also giving due to Talos, the "One" who ascended.Dialogue with The Prophet during "Pilgrimage" The Nordic aspect of Talos, known as Ysmir, is included in the Nordic Pantheon. After Tiber Septim withstood the Voices of the Greybeards to learn one of their prophecies, many Nords could not look upon the Dragonborn without seeing a Dragon.
Another aspect of Tiber Septim is known as Wulf, who appeared on Vvardenfell in 3E 427.Events of "A Lucky Coin" Wulf, at the time, was suspicious regarding the state of rulership in the Third Empire. He stated that both the Empire and the Emperor were old, and was uncertain how much longer the Emperor would hang on. He was suggesting a change in rulership needed to take place, and feared it could get messy.Dialogue with Wulf This change would eventually take place with the rise of Titus Mede I.Rising Threat, Vol. IV
==History==
===Third Era===
During the Third Era, Talos would take a role in history several times. During 3E 427, his avatar of Wulf appeared when the Nerevarine was on his way to defeat Dagoth Ur. Wulf offered the Nerevarine a coin, which would offer increased luck when accepted.Events of "A Lucky Coin"
Talos' influence would become more apparent during the Oblivion Crisis. In order to recover the Amulet of Kings from Mankar Camoran, the blood of a Divine was required. As no blood of the Eight Divines existed, the encrusted blood on the Armor of Tiber Septim was used in order to meet the requirement.Events of "Blood of the Divines" The divinity of Talos would provide more than just this during this time period, however. As Umaril the Unfeathered had returned to Tamriel, the next Divine Crusader had to follow the Pilgrim's Path of the Divines to speak to Pelinal Whitestrake. Talos' wayshrine had to be prayed at, proving his divinity.Events of "Pilgrimage" Likewise, where as Pelinal had failed to successfully beat Umaril due to Pelinal's limited power, the Blessing of Talos provided the Hero of Kvatch with the means to chase Umaril into the spirit realm and truly defeat him.Events of "The Blessing of Talos"Events of "Umaril the Unfeathered"
===Fourth Era===
During the Fourth Era, a war broke out between the Aldmeri Dominion and the Third Empire, and this war came to be called the Great War. The war concluded with the signing of the White-Gold Concordat. Two provisions in the treaty had serious impacts on what remained of the Empire, but one of the terms banned the worship of Talos.The Great War
Following the Markarth Incident, the Emperor was forced to permit the Thalmor entry into Skyrim,Dialogue with Alvor as the treaty terms had been broken due to the Empire's open acceptance of free Talos worship.Dialogue with Igmund The Thalmor Justiciars within Skyrim were tasked with stamping out Talos worship within the land,Dialogue with Ondolemar during "Diplomatic Immunity" as they were treaty enforcers.Conversations between Thalmor Soldiers Due to the Talos ban being enforced, a civil war would break out within the province.Nords Arise! Within the city of Solitude, the shrine of Talos was removed due to the Concordat,Dialogue with Freir and within Whiterun, Riften and Windhelm, the priests of Talos supported Ulfric.Dialogue with Nura Snow-Shod Many Nords within the land still revere Talos. If the Stormcloaks win the civil war, Talos worship will be permitted within the province again.Aftermath of "Siege of Solitude"
An Imperial Liason to the Aldmeri Dominion wrote a book in which Talos worship was outlawed due to sincere beliefs. However, as a Liason, their job is to keep relations between the Empire and Dominion intact. Contrary to the claim in the book that the Empire and Thalmor want centuries of peace, it is contradicted by both members of the LegionDialogue with Imperial LegatesDialogue with General Tullius following the "Battle for Windhelm" and the Thalmor.Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak
In their persecution of Talos worshippers, agents of the Thalmor are required to provide evidence to the local ruler of a person's worshipping of Talos, after which said person is arrested by the Thalmor.Events of "Search and Seizure" These worshippers are then detained and interrogated by the Thalmor until they renounce their faith in Talos.Dialogue with Aranande during "The Forbidden Divine" Sometimes members affiliated with the Stormcloaks are detained by the Thalmor, and interrogated until they confess to worshipping Talos.Dialogue with Thorald Gray-Mane during "Missing in Action" The Thalmor also perform illegal raids on Talos worshippers in the wilderness, aiming to kill the worshippers instead of converting them.Random encounter with Thalmor Justiciars in Lorcalin's Orders
==Trivia==
*The name Talos is of Cretan origin, and means "sun." In ancient Greek mythology, Talos was the name of the legendary living bronze statue on Crete built to guard the island at the command of Zeus (who was worshipped as Zeus Tallaios in Crete). In addition, Talos is similar to another Greek figure, Heracles, as he too was a mortal who ascended to divinity. According to Michael Kirkbride, the name "Talos" was directly inspired from Greek mythology.Michael Kirkbride's comment on Reddit
*Talos is also the name of a deity in Forgotten Realms, a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.
**The Talos of Forgotten Realms is also known as The Storm Lord. The name Talos Stormcrown may be referential to this title.
==Gallery==
Talos Shrine - Front.png|Shrine of Talos near Windhelm.
Talos Shrine.jpg|Concept art of the Shrine of Talos.
Amulet of Talos Concept art.png|Concept art of the Amulet of Talos.
Inside Temple of Talos.png|The Temple of Talos in the city of Windhelm.
Shrine of Talos Riften.png|The Shrine of Talos near the graveyard in Riften, Skyrim. Nura Snow-Shod, the priestess of Talos is praying in front of it.
Talos Stained Glass Circle.png|A stained glass symbol dedicated to Talos seen in chapels in .
Chapel of Talos.png|The Great Chapel of Talos in the city of Bruma.
Tiber Septim Imperial City Statue.png|A statue of Talos in the Arboretum of the Imperial City, surrounded by the other Eight Divines.
Temple of Talos Blades.png|Temple of Talos near the town.
TESV Shrine Talos.png|A Shrine of Talos, as seen in .
==See also==
*Blessing of Talos
*Altar of Talos
*Great Chapel of Talos
*Wayshrine of Tiber Septim
*Blood of the Divines
*Amulet of Talos
*Shrine of Talos
==Appearances==
* (as Wulf)
** Generic dialogue with Imperial Cult members
** 
* Ten Commands: Nine Divines
** Dialogue with The Prophet
* 
** 
==References==
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Category:Nine Divines
Category:Lore: Males
Category:Deities
Category:Lore: Characters