How a Single Elder Scrolls Character Defines the Lore of Three Games

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Summary

  • Mannimarco is a complex necromancer in The Elder Scrolls with multiple timelines due to a Dragon Break.
  • Mannimarco appears in Elder Scrolls Online, Daggerfall, and Oblivion, aiming to achieve godhood.
  • Mannimarco plays a major role in Elder Scrolls lore, involving the Mages Guild and multiple versions of himself.

In terms of gameplay complexity, The Elder Scrolls series allows players to determine their own level of involvement. On a basic level, these games are straightforward, but delve deeper and you’ll find an intricate lore that rivals other role-playing games in video gaming.

One pivotal figure embodying the intricacy of The Elder Scrolls’ narrative is Mannimarco, also known as The King of Worms. He’s a powerful necromancer hailing from the high elven race, and due to the Dragon Break at the end of The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall, he exists in multiple simultaneous timelines. His notable accomplishments in ascending to lichdom and then apotheosis make him a recurring character across various Elder Scrolls games that span over centuries.

Who is Mannimarco in The Elder Scrolls?

In the realm of The Elder Scrolls, I’m captivated by none other than Mannimarco, a name synonymous with dark magic and necromancy. He might just be one of the oldest souls in Nirn, his legend stretching far and wide. Unlike the Mages Guild, he views them as personal adversaries, given their founder was his sworn enemy. Throughout Tamriel’s history, Mannimarco has left an indelible mark on major events, primarily driven by his quest for godhood, but also fueled by his feud with the Mages Guild. His entanglement with the Warp in the West has made his timeline a puzzle, and he exists in various forms – from a necromancer deity to a mere mortal man.

Elder Scrolls Online

In the lore of The Elder Scrolls series, Mannimarco makes his initial appearance in Elder Scrolls Online, set approximately 700 years before he is seen again in Daggerfall. During this time, Mannimarco plays a significant role and functions as a primary adversary within the main storyline of ESO. In the earlier game, Mannimarco had already founded his cult, the Order of the Black Worm, which remains active within the ESO universe. It’s disclosed that Mannimarco entered into an agreement with Molag Bal and contributed to Molag Bal’s planemeld, a catastrophic event leading to Molag Bal’s invasion of Tamriel. However, Mannimarco harbored plans to deceive the Daedric Prince in his own quest for divinity.

Mannimarco’s Appearances in The Elder Scrolls Games

The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall

In the storyline of Elder Scrolls Online, Mannimarco’s scheme is thwarted and he’s confined to Coldharbour for his betrayal against Molag Bal. However, by the time of Daggerfall in 3E405, Mannimarco had already managed to break free from Coldharbour’s prison. In an attempt to attain apotheosis once more, he sought the Totem of Tiber Septim. To acquire this artifact, Mannimarco enlisted the help of an Agent. The climax of Daggerfall triggered the Warp in the West, marking it as the latest Dragon Break within the Elder Scrolls universe.

The Dragon Break led to various depictions of Mannimarco, all of which are deemed valid within the storyline. One portrayal shows him achieving his ambition for apotheosis and becoming the Necromancer’s Moon. At the same time, there exists a mortal version of Mannimarco that can be found in the game “Oblivion.

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

In the game “Oblivion”, Mannimarco is next encountered within the Mages Guild’s main storyline. During the creation of black soul gems, an entity known as The Necromancer’s Moon, a representation of Mannimarco, becomes present. However, his physical, mortal form makes an appearance later in the questline as the final boss. Here, the player is tasked with thwarting him to prevent his invasion of Cyrodiil and the subsequent overthrow of the Mages Guild.

In the game Oblivion, the Order of the Black Worm is operational. Disillusioned necromancers who departed from the Mages Guild due to the Archmage’s prohibition on necromancy are drawn towards the King of Worms. Contrary to his menacing persona in ESO, Mannimarco in Oblivion is not as formidable and defeating him is relatively straightforward. Interestingly, Mannimarco’s demise in Oblivion has no impact on the black soul gems produced by the Necromancer’s Moon; they can still be created using this source.

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2025-05-19 17:35