Oblivion (dimension)
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Oblivion is the realm inhabited by Daedra. While Oblivion is most often described as "The Elder Scrolls version of Hell," the metaphor expressed in the game actually implies a complex supernatural cosmology. Oblivion is the void surrounding Nirn, the mortal plane of existence. The planets, nebulae and other astral bodies in the sky are the mortals' view of the spheres of the Daedra floating in that void. Stars are holes on the inner surface of Oblivion through which the energy of Aetherius shines into the mortal realm. This is also true of the sun, which is known as Magnus. The exception is the constellation of the Serpent, Sithis, which is made up of unstars (through which, presumably, the energy of Oblivion shines into Aetherius).
Each of the Daedra has a different personality and sphere of influence, much like the pantheon of gods in a polytheistic religion. Daedra act according to their qualities as personified forces of nature and shape their region of Oblivion to fit them. Some mortals will worship a given Daedra which exemplifies traits they consider to be virtues.
An afterlife or the mortal belief in one is sometimes referred to in The Elder Scrolls lore, but to date its exact nature has never been confirmed. Mortals do not "go to Oblivion" after death. For their part, Daedra are considered immortal, but if sufficiently weakened a Daedroth (singular) may be remanded to Oblivion, eventually to return to its own sphere.
The barrier between Nirn, the mortal realm, and Oblivion, have been protected in the past, and prevented from opening due to a series of barriers which, with each game, have been weakening; the death of the emperor and removal of the Amulet of Kings finally allows the barriers to be breached broadly. The main plot of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion involves the death of the Emperor, the subsequent opening of the gates, and the disastrous consequences as aggressive Daedra invade the mortal realm. At the end of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion the player closes the gates to Oblivion forever.
The realms of Oblivion best known to mortals closely resemble the common vision of Hell. Lava and fire are highly prominent, and the only structures consist of blackened, half-organic, half-artificial buildings jutting up from islands of black lava rock. These realms, however, are the works of Mehrunes Dagon. As the Daedra Prince of Destruction, these environments are much to his taste, but it is unlikely that the realms of the other Daedra Princes would bear any resemblance to these.
