Mephala

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Mephala is one of the seventeen Daedric Princes, the most powerful of the daedric beings. While Mephala presumably has a sphere of influence, like all other Daedric Princes, his sphere is obscured from mortals. Mephala is alternatively known as the Webspinner.

[edit] Description

Mephala, by his nature, is typically obscured or hidden from mortal sight. However, when he is depicted in images or sculpture, he typically takes the form of a tall, very thin woman, in very concealing garb (unlike the typically revealing garb of, say, Azura). In some cases, he is depicted in front of a spiders web, though this may be simply a conceit of the Morag Tong. In almost all descriptions of Mephala, he is a hermaphrodite, and indeed many images show grossly exaggerated male and female genitalia.

Mephala's true aspect is not known to mortals, but certain elements of it can be gleaned from his behavior. Mephala is often seen as containing the essence of contradiction, encompassing two opposites within the same being. His depiction as a hermaphrodite is a reflection of this. Much of Mephala's dealings with mortals contain contradictory aspects; for example, Mephala is often considered the patron of assassins, an act which contains both the subtlety of espionage and the violence of murder.

The one constant across Mephala's interference in mortal affairs seems to be causing chaos and disruption, often through subterfuge, purely for his own amusement. A good example of this is Mephala's quest given to the Champion of Cyrodiil: to create strife among two otherwise peaceful clans by framing each for the murder of the other's patriarch.

[edit] Influence on the Dunmer

Mephala is not usually given as much attention by the races of Tamriel as the other, less subtle Daedric Princes such as Sheogorath or Mehrunes Dagon. However, he plays a pivotal role in the development of the Dunmer race. While Azura and Boethiah are usually credited with showing their small group of Altmer followers how and why the should separate and become the Chimer, it is Mephala who actually showed them what to do to survive. He helped implement many of the teachings of the Chimer, including the clan system that dominates their politics. He is also usually credited with teaching the Chimer the ways of murder, which the fledgling race needed in order to survive their birth. This is probably the reason why the Morag Tong consider Mephala as their patron deity.

He is considered one of the three Anticipations of the Tribunal, specifically, the Anticipation of Vivec. Like Mephala, Vivec is hermaphroditic, and his behavior contains many contradicting aspects, including his most common title of Warrior Poet. The Dunmer appear to treat Vivec as an "improvement" over Mephala, in that they rarely associate him with any evil counterparts to his generally positive behavior. However, even before the Tribunal came to power, the Chimer and Dunmer considered Mephala one of the "good" Daedric Princes, along with Azura and Boethiah, and clearly distinct from the "evil" Princes.

[edit] Daedric Artifact

Mephala's daedric artifact is the Ebony Blade, a fairly strong sword with some pretty decent enchantments. To acquire it you must complete the Shrine of Mephala quest.