Respect Morian Zenas

Morian Zenas is a fairly obscure character from the Elder Scrolls universe. He is one of Tamriel's foremost scholars on the realms of Oblivion, possibly the greatest Mage of his time.In order to create this respect thread, I primarily drew on the Imperial Library as a resource, which is the most comprehensive and accurate database of Elder Scrolls lore on the internet. It is so reliable the author of official Elder Scrolls novels, Greg Keyes, used it while doing research for said novels. I recommend reading On Oblivion and then The Doors of Oblivion for his work on researching the Daedra.

Renowned Mage, Scholar of Oblivion

Morian Zenas at roughly the age of 40, helped found the Arcane University.

“He seemed twenty years younger, and I suddenly saw him as he must have been in his prime, when he first came to the Imperial City to help found the Arcane University.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/racial-motifs-4-nords

Morian Zenas was the Professor of Transliminal Studies at the Arcane University, celebrated among Mages.

“In this initial effort I have benefited from the advice of the celebrated Morian Zenas, Professor of Transliminal Studies here at Arcane University.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/racial-motifs-1-high-elves

Morian’s expertise in Daedra stems from diaries, journals and guides from the first era regarding encounters with Daedra, as well as personal experience speaking to Daedra that he has summoned and bound.

“The written record is not, after all, the best way to research Oblivion and the daedra that inhabit it. Those who, in the words of the Alessian Doctrine, "traffic with daimons" seldom wish it to be a matter of public record. Nevertheless, scattered throughout the literature of the first era, are diaries, journals, notices for witch burnings, and guides for daedra-slayers which contain only a few contradictions. These I have used as my primary source material.

They are at least as trustworthy as the daedra lords I have actually summoned and spoken with at length.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/oblivion

Morian does not find it difficult to summon the Daedra, and has “good relations” with some Daedric Princes, allowing him to summon them without needing to perform for them.

“Summoning daedra is not a difficult proposition, but it is usually an expensive one. Most Mages Guilds have a summoning room, but this is most often reserved for the highest echelon of guildmembers. Witches covens are much less class sensitive, and the Necromancers, the Dark Brotherhood, and many secretive kings and queens of Tamriel have private summoning rooms. Daedra princes usually demand some sort of service of those who summon them, though I am fortunate enough to have good relations with some and need not perform.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/oblivion

As per his apprentice, Seif-ij Hidja, Morian Zenas is “the greatest mage who ever lived.” He authored “the standard text” on all matters Daedric, was asked many times to update his “classic” book, but chose not to despite making “new discoveries and theories.”

“The greatest mage who ever lived was my master Morian Zenas. You have heard of him as the author of the book 'On Oblivion,' the standard text for all on matters Daedric. Despite many entreaties over the years, he refused to update his classic book with his new discoveries and theories because he found that the more one delves into these realms, the less certain one is. He did not want conjecture, he wanted facts.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

The Imperial Geographical Society encouraged interested scholars to read Morian’s works on the Daedra, further reinforcing his universal recognition as the foremost expert on Daedra.

“It is beyond the scope of this pamphlet to describe the Daedra Principalities in any detail. Interested readers are encouraged to seek the works of Master Zenas of the Mages Guild or the Imperial Geographic Society's own Census of Daedra Lords.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/pocket-guide-empire-third-edition-void-oblivion

Morian spent decades compiling a vast library on the subject of Oblivion. He divided his time between research and personal Magicka growth, in an attempt to become powerful enough to defend himself in Oblivion.

“For decades before and after the publication of 'On Oblivion,' Zenas compiled a vast personal library on the subject of Oblivion, the home of the Daedra. He divided his time between this research and personal magickal growth, on the assumption that should he succeed in finding a way into the dangerous world beyond and behind ours, he would need much power to wander its dark paths.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

Morian’s apprentice was a Master of Conjuration, like himself. Morian was also a master of “all known and unknown Schools” of Magicka. He summoned Daedra to interview and used his assistant to make certain the process went without incident.

“Twelve years before Zenas began the journey he had prepared his life to make, he hired me as his assistant. I possessed the three attributes he required for the position: I was young and eager to help without question; I could read any book once and memorize its contents; and, despite my youth, I was already a Master of Conjuration.

Zenas too was a Master of Conjuration - indeed, a Master at all the known and unknown Schools - but he did not want to rely on his ability alone in the most perilous of his research. In an underground vault, he summoned Daedra to interview them on their native land, and for that he needed another Conjurer to make certain they came, were bound, and were sent away again without incident.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

Morian could connect his mind with that of a Daedra, and much more strongly than a lesser caster.

“Conjuration, for the layman unacquainted with its workings, connects the caster's mind with that of the summoned. It is a tenuous link, meant only to lure, hold, and dismiss, but in the hands of a Master, it can be much stronger. The Psijics and Dwemer can (in the Dwemer's case, perhaps I should say, could) connect with the minds of others, and converse miles apart - a skill that is sometimes called telepathy.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

Morian found a very old, reclusive mage called Divayth Fyr, one of the rare few still living who could access other realms. Divayth was reluctant to help Morian access Oblivion, but eventually taught him because he was impressed enough by Morian’s knowledge of the lore.

Throughout history, there are examples of mages who seemed to travel to the realms beyond ours seemingly at will. Many of these voyagers are long dead, if they ever existed, but we were able to find one still living. In a tower off Zafirbel Bay on the island of Vvardenfell in the province of Morrowind there exists a very old, very reclusive wizard named Divayth Fyr.

He was not easy to reach, and he was reluctant to share with Morian Zenas the secret Door to Oblivion. Fortunately, my master's knowledge of lore impressed Fyr, and he taught him the way.

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

At the time Morian began working with Divayth Fyr he was at least 60, meaning he had a wealth of experience as a Mage by this point in time.

“In truth, I find the dark sorcerer from Vvardenfell exerts a strangely compelling attraction. He doesn't seem old, but he referred to Morian, who is at least sixty, as a "young man."”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/racial-motifs-2the-dark-elves

In order to enter Oblivion, Morian had to master an advanced ritual.

Though I confess, I'm more worried about Morian. His experiments with Divayth are reaching their climax, when Morian will open a gate and personally make a visit to Oblivion. He says he's going to try for Azura's realm of Moonshadow, as he says that ought to be relatively safe. Safe! I'm as anxious as a scrib on a griddle. I dearly want to see Morian before he goes, but he says he must concentrate on mastering the ritual and can't be interrupted.

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/racial-motifs-8-orcs

Morian withstands the Ashpit of Malacath and Coldharbour of Molag Bal.

'Dust,' he whispered to me on the first day of his voyage. Despite the inherent dreariness of the word, I could hear his excitement in his voice, echoing in my mind. 'I can see from one end of the world to the other in a million shades of gray. There is no sky or ground or air, only particles, floating, falling, whirling about me. I must levitate and breathe by magickal means...'

Zenas explored the nebulous land for some time, encountering vaporous creatures and palaces of smoke. Though he never met the Prince, we concluded that he was in Ashpit, said to be the home of Malacath, where anguish, betrayal, and broken promises like ash filled the bitter air.

'The sky is on fire,' I heard him say as he moved on to the next realm. 'The ground is sludge, but traversable. I see blackened ruins all around me, like a war was fought here in the distant past. The air is freezing. I cast blooms of warmth all around me, but it still feels like daggers of ice stabbing me in all directions.'

This was Coldharbour, where Molag Bal was Prince. It appeared to Zenas as if it were a future Nirn, under the King of Rape, desolate and barren, filled with suffering. I could hear Morian Zenas weep at the images he saw, and shiver at the sight of the Imperial Palace, spattered with blood and excrement.

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

Morian is granted an audience with Azura herself, who would only grant an audience with profoundly important/powerful/intriguing mortals. She even divulges the coming of the Nevevarine to him.

Zenas was right, and astonishingly, he even had audience with the Queen of Dusk and Dawn in her rose palace. She listened to his tale with a smile, and told him of the coming of the Nevevarine.

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

Apocrypha

Morian Zenas navigates the endless library of Apocrypha, the realm of Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora, where he spent at least 8 years devoted to research. Due to a pact made between Divayth Fyr and Hermaeus Mora, Hermaeus entranced Morian, causing him to become obsessed to the point of insanity with his research.

He closed his mind to his apprentice easily, when she tried to communicate with him telepathically, whereas she could not silence his constant whispers to her over the years, suggesting a large disparity in mental fortitude. He also resisted her attempts to summon him to Nirn like a Daedra.

Gradually his thoughts became less telligible, until they were totally intelligible in any language. It was speculated he was lost, but happy, until he eventually lost his sanity.

I found only a book, open on his desk, a book titled "Fragmentae Abyssum Hermaeus Morus." It was open to what seemed to be a summoning ritual for the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora, specifying that "whatever price is named shall be met."

A ritual to Hermaeus Mora. The Lord of Apocrypha.

I ran to Morian's laboratory. It was looted, ransacked. The only thing of interest was a crumpled note. It read, "When thou enterest into Oblivion, Oblivion entereth into thee."

Morian is gone. Gone to Apocrypha. Where he stays.

And so I walk, from district to district. Wondering. What price had the Lord of Apocrypha named to Divayth Fyr?

What price for the entrancement, the captivity of Morian Zenas?

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/racial-motifs-10-imperial-cyrods

I heard him laugh, 'I feel like I'm home now.'

Morian Zenas described to me an endless library, shelves stretching on in every direction, stacks on top of stacks. Pages floated on a mystical wind that he could not feel. Every book had a black cover with no title. He could see no one, but felt the presence of ghosts moving through the stacks, rifling through books, ever searching.

It was Apocrypha. The home of Hermaeus-Mora, where all forbidden knowledge can be found. I felt a shudder in my mind, but I could not tell if it was my master's or mine.

Morian Zenas never traveled to another realm that I know of.

Throughout his visits to the first four realms, my master spoke to me constantly. Upon entering the Apocrypha, he became quieter, as he was lured into the world of research and study, the passions that had controlled his heart while on Nirn. I would frantically try to call to him, but he closed his mind to me.

Then he would whisper, 'This cannot be...'

'No one would ever guess the truth...'

'I must learn more...'

'I see the world, a last illusion's shimmer, it is crumbling all around us...'

I would cry back to him, begging him to tell me what was happening, what he was seeing, what he was learning. I even tried using Conjuration to summon him as if he were a Daedra himself, but he refused to leave. Morian Zenas was lost.

I last received a whisper from him six months ago. Before then, it had been five years, and three before that. His thoughts are no longer intelligible in any language. Perhaps he is still in Apocrypha, lost but happy, in a trap he refuses to escape.

Perhaps he slipped between the stacks and passed into the Madhouse of Sheogorath, losing his sanity forever.

I would save him if I could.

I would silence his whispers if I could.

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/doors-oblivion

“And as I can now hear the Professor's voice whispering in my ear almost constantly, it is time to conclude these notes and move on to telling the story of his travels through the doors of Oblivion.”

[...]

“Yes, Professor, I believe that is enough—for now, at least. I have done my duty to the good doctor. I am sitting in your study, and I am listening. Tell me again of Moonshadow.”

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/racial-motifs-14-daedric

Morian created 14 volumes of work, summarising “truths learned in Apocrypha” which Morian himself refused to believe. It was titled “Studies In Apocrypha.” This book was found in the Library of Dusk in Coldharbour, in a vault that contained “rare books” which were classed as “FORBIDDEN.”

Vault Twelve: Rare Book Collection

Access FORBIDDEN

[...]

"Studies in Aprocrypha" by Morian Zenas

— A summary of truths learned in Apocrypha that Zenas refuses to believe. In fourteen volumes.

https://www.imperial-library.info/content/library-dusk-rare-books