Role-play: The Telvanni Daedrologist

Danae

• 12 min read
Role-play: The Telvanni Daedrologist
Telvanni Banner by XeroFoxx

Character Sheet

Race: Dunmer
Birthsign: The Atronach / The Mage
Class: The Daedrologist is not a devotee of Daedra, but a rationalist who sees Oblivion as a fractal map of alternate realities and cognitive truths. Through conjuration, mysticism, and the mechanics of illusion, she experiments with perception, mortality, and volition. Her approach to danger is surgical: anticipate, manipulate, survive.
Starting scenario: join House Telvanni
Character Background: Blood of the Dremora

Motto: "In doubt, seek the truth; in truth, find the self."

Backstory

I was born into a minor branch of House Telvanni, where power was earned through magical mastery. My life was defined by rigorous study and unspoken competition. Everything changed the day my twin sibling vanished during a forbidden Daedric summoning ritual. While others believe they are dead, I refuse to accept this. How can I trust what others say when my own senses have failed me? If the soul is truly the essence of a person, how can it simply vanish?
This doubt, this refusal to accept anything without proof, became the foundation of my search for truth. I believe my sibling’s soul was displaced to another plane, not destroyed. I must question everything—what I know, what I’m told, and even what I believe to be true. Only through doubt can I uncover the true nature of existence.
As my search deepened, my doubt extended to the gods themselves. The Tribunal, once revered as divine, seemed no different from mortal beings, driven by illusions of power. Their divinity felt more like a construct, maintained by faith, not truth.
Now, I wander Vvardenfell, free from the constraints of tradition, seeking forbidden knowledge and the secrets of immortality. I aim to uncover the truths that others fear and, if fate allows, recover what I have lost.

Religion

I view the gods as beings who achieved a higher state, but their power is not beyond study. They are not infallible, and their divinity is an illusion maintained by faith.

Affiliations

  • House Telvanni – As a born member, I embrace the House's emphasis on individual power and magical achievement.
  • Mages Guild – I maintain superficial membership to access their libraries, while hiding my more controversial research.
  • The Arcane Watch – Their interest in Daedric matters aligns with my research into planar boundaries and immortality.
  • The Illuminated Order – Their interest in lichdom warrants study.
  • The Astologian Guild - Their study of the Dwemer could reveal interesting truths.
  • The Imperial Dwemer Society - Their study of the Dwemer could reveal interesting truths.

Interests and goals

  • Daedric Shrines – Study them as focal points of extraplanar power and potential gateways to other realms.
  • Soul Gems and Immortality – Research soul gems as keys to understanding mortal essence, collect and study souls of creatures and mer.
  • The Dwemer – Investigate their ruins to uncover secrets of transcending mortal limitations and determine whether they transcended or perished.
  • Remains – Collect samples from various species for comparative immortality research.
  • Explore forms of immortality - vampirism, lichdom, ...?
  • The Tribunal and Dagoth Ur – Investigate the source of their power. Kill them to prove they are not gods.
  • CHIM – Explore the concept of perfect self-awareness and transcendence.

Worldviews

Imperial Rule vs. Dunmer Autonomy: "A lie wrapped in robes is no different than a lie in armor."
I value the autonomy of the Dunmer butTribunal is flawed as is the traditional worship of the Ancestors. However, I do not trust the Empire’s motivations. Their influence is tainted with hypocrisy, and their attempts to impose order seem rooted more in control than in understanding.

The Tribunal’s Decline: "Divinity that bleeds was never divine. That they fall proves they were never above us."
The Tribunal’s decline represents the unraveling of their façade. They claim divine authority, but I see only flawed, self-serving beings. They are not gods; they are mere mortals who have cloaked themselves in power and illusion.

The Nerevarine Prophecy: "Prophecy is myth seen through the eyes of hope, no reason."
The Nerevarine prophecy is little more than superstition to me. I question the very notion of prophecy as something immutable and true. I reject the blind faith that people place in these narratives. Knowledge and understanding—based on reason, not belief—are what will lead to true liberation.

Ashlanders: "That they doubt the Tribunal is wise. That they worship Daedra and the Ancestors without question is not."
I see the Ashlanders’ ways as primitive. While they seek to preserve old traditions, their beliefs are rooted in superstition and a refusal to question the world around them. Their marginalization is a natural consequence of their refusal to evolve.

Dagoth Ur’: "Is the dream the path to clarity?"
Dagoth Ur’s rise and the creation of the Sixth House appear to be an attempt to break free from the established order, a goal I can understand.  I share his desire to transcend mortality and divine constraints. However, disfiguring the body and obliterating the mind—seem at odds with the clarity I seek. I do not condone fanaticism (in any faith).

Vampirism, Necromancy: "They walk paths forbidden not by law, but by fear. I do not condemn them, I observe."
They seek to preserve life beyond its natural limits. I view these practices not as morally wrong, but as incomplete. True immortality can only be achieved through mastery of the soul, mind, and reality, not through the crude manipulation of life force.

Modlist - chargen and skills

Modlist - Main Quest

Modlist - Tribunal main quest

Modlist - Mages Guild

  • Imperial Factions by Danae - for the Mages Guild content
  • Mages Guild Stronghold - Nchagalelft by Glittergear - A Mages Guild stronghold that is a customizable Dwemer ruin. Dozens of combinations are possible!
  • Magical Missions Recharged by VonDjangos - A revamped version of my old mod, where members of the Mages Guild can now deliver a coded message, solve a murder, investigate a heist, barter with the Telvanni and retrieve a tome of dark power for the Master Wizard of Caldera.
  • Mages Guild Overhaul - Main Quest by Glittergear - Reworks the rewards for the Mages Guild quests, adds new pre-rewards and new variations of the Wizard Staff. Rebuilt from scratch in v2.0 for compatibility.
  • Mages Guild Overhaul - Miniquests by Glittergear - Adds Daggerfall-inspired, optional miniquests to the Mages Guild
  • Ajira's Alchemy Reports Randomised by Merlord and Danae - Look for Ajira's stolen reports once again: their location changes every time
  • The Journeyman Report by Karpalo - Adds a simple quest where the player writes a report to advance in the Mages Guild.

Modlist - Gameplay and combat

  • Devilish Vampire Overhaul by DetailDevil - in case your character decides to explore vampirism.
  • Beware the Sixth House (Sixth House Overhaul) by Mort - The Sixth House makes for the most challenging content in the game.
  • Tribunal Rebalance by Mort - Rebalances Tribunal as if it shipped with Morrowind. Intended to be used with Beware the Sixth House.
  • Distraction by Mort - use your wits in fights
  • Frenzy n'wahs by Archimag/AxeMagister - The Frenzy spell now works as intended: a frenzied npc will attack the nearest target.
  • Seph's NPC Soul Trapping by Sephumbra - A MWSE mod that lets you soul trap NPCs.
  • Way of the Necromancer Redux by Balathustrius Danae + Cannibals of Morrowind - Updated - A simple way to create undead minions if you have the right ingredients + Cannibals gives NPCs body parts (ingredients) based on their class, idea for studies.
  • Magic Stave by Merlord - WIP mod: all staff weapons give a magicka bonus based on the staff's quality. MUST ADD LINK LATER
  • Daedric Intervention Spell by OperatorJack & Danae - After completing any of the Daedric Princes' quest, you are granted the Daedric Intervention spell.
  • Trophy Taker by Revacholiere - Trophy Takers is an MWSE mod that allows you to take trophies from your defeated enemies.
  • Versus Vivec by trainwiz - if you want a proper challenge

Modlist - Daedric Princes

There are tons of mods, if you only want a couple, I'd focus on the Hermaeus Mora mods: Demon of Knowledge and Prince of Fate. I'd thow in Baal Duun because it's <3.
  • Daedric Shrine Overhaul FULL by Glittergear - A complete/merged version of the Daedric Shrine Overhaul mods
  • Something in the Water -- A Peryite Daedric Quest by GlitterGear & DetailDevil - There must be something in the water... Everyone who drinks out of a certain well in Pelagiad ends up sick!
  • Greymarch Dawn - Whispers of Jyggalag by Veloths Virtuosos  Plunge into an engaging prequel to the events of the TES4:Shivering Isles expansion as the world shivers with Whispers of Jyggalag.
  • The Hand by JackimoffWackimoff - A short quest involving a strange gauntlet. Ask about rumors in Vivec to start.
  • Dawnbreaker - The Lady of Light - This mod adds in Dawnbreaker as well as a full quest with a unique and lore friendly story, new npcs, and a shrine to Meridia.
  • Goldbrand Reforged - The Quest for Eltonbrand - Brave the dangers of Vvardenfell in this lore-friendly quest mod to reforge Goldbrand into the mysterious Eltonbrand.
  • Aspect of Azura by MelchiorDahrk  - Adds a Daedric helm bearing the aspect of Azura which you can acquire through a new quest which starts at the Holamayan Monastery near the Shrine of Azura.
  • Coldharbour - Palace of Menta Na by Markond - Expands Menta-Na's chamber in Kora-Dur into its own short pocket realm of Oblivion.
  • Skeeve Den Cult of Namira Lord Zarcon - A new Daedric dungeon built within the depths of a blightened egg mine.
  • Shrine of Boethiah Expansion by TelShadow - Explore the sunken and lost shrine of boethiah with the exterior getting a face.
  • Pimp My Shrine - The Daedric Legend of Vernaccus by Scuttling Scribs - A lore-friendly quest mod based on an in-game book brought to life, with dungeons, mind-bending puzzles, quests, Daedra, and the power to summon items from oblivion.
  • The Demon of Knowledge by Sexy Sloads - A mysterious book has fallen into your possession… How did it get there? Who does it belong to? Follow the clues, as you find yourself taken away by a detailed, multilayered story steeped in TES Lore.
  • Vaermina's Quest - Dreams of the Escaped by The Tenacious Templars - Journey through ancient legendary dreams and events to try and piece together a mystery on behalf of the Prince of Dreams and Nightmares, Vaermina.
  • Shrine of Nocturnal by Yeest McFouster - adds a new Daedric ruin complete with treasures to aquire and some new enemies to battle.
  • Prince of Fate by Remiros - Seek out an old hermit and explore the sunken shrine of Hermaeus Mora, deep within the Sea of Ghosts
  • Justice for Khartag (J.F.K.) by Vegetto &RandomPal - Changes Khartag Point making it the high peak described in the in-game dialogues.
  • The wabbajack by Greatness7, MattTheBagel & VvardenfellTribes - Adds a new artifact to the game, the Wabbajack! Including a small quest and a unique dungeon to acquire it from.
  • The Sanguine Rose by Melchior Dahrk - The Sanguine Rose adds a fully featured Daedric Quest for Sanguine, the prince of hedonistic revelry, debauchery, and passionate indulgences of darker natures.
  • Wishmaster - A Clavicus Vile Daedric Questline by Glittergeat - Complete a variety of quests that slowly enmesh you into the cult of Clavicus Vile.
  • Tyrant and Usurper - A Clavicus Vile Daedric Questline by Glittergear - Travel to a new Oblivion Realm and decide its Fate.
  • Baal Duun Cursed Isle of the Four Corners by Juidius - Melchior Dhark - Seelof - Embark on a journey to the cursed isle of Baal Duun in a quest to uncover the secrets hidden within the depths of a mythical Daedric island.

Modlist - Dwemer

  • Astrologian's Guild by BillyFighter - Join a fully playable guild and gain ranks to the top. The Astrologians are a small scale guild, with just a handful of guild members started by an Altmer named Nelangoth, who was previously part of the Mages Guild and still holds ties to them. Includes several new dungeons, items, quests and locations.
  • Better Dwemer Interiors + BDI - Nchuleft  by Pavel - Overhauls Dwemer ruins so that they are more memorable, more fun to explore.
  • Dungeon Details by Glittergear - 20 Dwemer Ruin Arknghand + 201 Arknghand - BDI patch + 21 Dwemer Ruin Aleft + 30 Sixth House Hassour + 31 Sixth House Assemanu + 32 Sixth House Yakin
  • Dwemer Sky Fortress by Billyfighter - Towering over the Grazelands to the south, Arkngchend-Nchumez is inhabited by adventurers and villains trying to uncover its secrets.
  • The Imperial Dwemer Society by The Mythical Beasts - Join the Imperial Dwemer Society and help research the Dwemer. Use Dwemer machinery, create unique items, restore an old teleportation system, add new exhibits to the guild's museum...
  • Dwemer Legacy Reforged - Arkngthunch-Sturdumz by Demanufacturer87 - Expansive overhaul for Dwemer Ruins of Arkngthunch-Sturdumz.
  • Dwemer Scholarship by Bronzebone MODs - Ma'Dar Has-No-Master, a released Khajiit slave, has taken up the study of the Dwemer, and his current subject is the Centurion Sphere; however, he needs help.
  • Of Eggs and Dwarves - Gnisis Eggmine and Bethamez Overhaul by Seelof. - This mod rebuilds and expands the Gnisis Eggmine complex from scratch, which includes the Eggmine, the Lower Eggmine, the Underground Stream, and Bethamez. It also adds a quest.

Modlist - Magic and Companions

  • Caswyn - A Nightmare's Favor - A grumpy, arrogant, talkative, low-ranking mage whose questline sends you Dreamwalking through the nightmares of others.
  • Friends and Frens by Danae - Find Carawen Tiar (Telvanni sharpshooter with keen interest in the Daedra), Edacsacl Lun (Breton Battlemage interested in Black soul gems) around Telvanni settlements and Cornelius (Redguard Artificer researching the Dwemer)  in front of Dwemer ruins.
  • Illuminated Order Improved  + Even More Illuminated Order Improved Fixes by Charles J DeVito & Mort - Join a cult of necromancers, wizards, vampires, and adventurers, and become a lich.
  • Belial -- A Dismal Daedric Companion by HangHimHigher - Belial is a Daedric companion with unique dialogue, who will try to persuade you that the world is a bad place.
  • Sorcerer of Alteration by Kindi - Journey through this quest mod to improve your alteration magic.
  • The Arcane Watch -- FULL by Glittergear - The Order of the Arcane Watch is an organization of unlikely alliances, tenuous relationships, and opposing motivations, held together by just one interest: aberrant magic.
  • Salt Gems of Bensamsi by Melchior Dahrk - His methods are atypical, but an Argonian in the Sixth House base of Bensamsi has discovered a way to create soul gems from ash salts.
  • The Plague Doctor by Katya Karrel - The plague doctor a dark alchemist of ill repute has come to Vvardenfel and brought his morbid experimentations with him. He hides away in a new cave within the Bitter coast.

Modlist - Homes

  • Uvirith Legacy by Stuporstar - A much-improved stronghold with a library, staff and services. – probably all the home you need, but read on for more options
  • Tel Chendzel by Walker Horton and Bradford Horton - Adds a furnished, uncluttered Dwemer/Telvanni tower to the south of Sadrith Mora. Perfect for mages, scholars, or anyone who likes to squat in ancient ruins.
  • Telvanni Council House Lounge Room by RandonPal - Adds a new room in the Telvanni Council House where the player, and the other npcs, can relax, sleep and eat.
  • The Archmagister's Abode by Kalinter - Adds a new manor turret and overlook platform/Skyport to the top of Tel Uvirith that grow automatically after becoming the Archmagister of Great House Telvanni.
  • Arnchenzel - Dwemer Underwater House by Katya Karrel & Ruffin Vangarr - This mod adds a house to the southwest of Tel Branora. Maybe you'll even find a cool dwemer helmet too!
  • Tel Raloran by Corsair/Naufragous77 and Merlord  - A Telvanni mushroom house with MWSE functions.

Modlist - gear

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