Daedra (/diː.dɹə/ or /deɪ.dɹə/) are divine beings that did not take part in the creation of the Mundus, and thus retain the full breadth of their power. They have a very real impact on the mortal realm; in one way or another, Daedric influence touches everyone on Tamriel.
The word "Daedra" is of Aldmeri origin, and its exact meaning is "not our ancestors", as opposed to Aedra - "ancestors". Technically, only the plural is written "Daedra", but this word is frequently used in singular as well. The proper singular form is "Daedroth", but that has come to refer to a specific species of Daedra. Different cultures have their own myths and names for Daedra. For instance, the Khajiit rarely speak of the "Dro-m'Athra", dark spirits that are believed to be Daedra by another name.
Daedra are often referred to as demons, but this is misleading. All Daedra have a penchant for extremes and are therefore capable of tremendous acts of devastation, but their different spheres make them apply their power in different ways, and their infinite diversity makes speaking about them generally difficult. Thus, it is often impossible to accurately label them as "good" or "evil"; the one thing that can be stated with certainty is the Daedra are beyond mortal comprehension (as mortals seem to be beyond Daedric comprehension).
Daedra come in many forms. Undoubtedly there are true Daedra, such as the Daedra Princes and highly intelligent Dremora. There are many lesser beings known to be in league with these greater powers, but whether each type constitutes actual Daedra is unknown.
A Daedroth's physical form can be ruined, but it cannot be truly killed; the soul or Animus of a slain Daedroth returns to the void of Oblivion until it manages to coalesce into a physical form again. A slain Daedroth is often said to have been "banished" or "purged" instead of "killed" to reflect this. Daedra are the undisputed masters of craftsmanship, creating seemingly indestructible armors and the mightiest of weapons through dark rituals. Daedric weaponry is said to be forged from the highest quality of raw ebony. The objects get their power from a Daedric soul forged into the ebony.
Daedric Princes
- REDIRECT Lore:Príncipes Daedricos
Lesser Daedra
The Daedric Princes are only the most powerful of the Daedra, and many of them have many servants known generally as lesser Daedra (not to be confused with Lesser Daedra, a specific type of Daedra similar to Daedroths). Even though many lesser Daedra are associated with a Daedric Prince in particular, in reality, any individual Daedroth can serve any Daedric Prince by taking part in an "Oath Bond" while others stay unaligned, though the specifics are characteristically unknown. Some are in service to mortals. For example, the Dunmer are known to use Daedra as servants and instruments, as have many other cultures, and the Ayleids employed entire armies of Daedra in their wars against men. Daedra are often summoned and used in the study of magic; of course, the school of conjuration deals specifically with connecting one's mind with a Daedroth and compelling its appearance in the mortal plane. For information on mortals summoning such Daedra, see the book Darkest Darkness.
See Also
- For game-specific information, see: Daggerfall • Battlespire • Morrowind • Oblivion • Skyrim • ESO
Bestiary
- Atronachs (Elemental Daedra)
- Aurorans
- Banekin
- Clannfear
- Daedra Seducers
- Daedric Titans
- Dark Seducers
- Daedrats
- Daedroths
- Dremora
- Fiendroth
- Fire Daemons
- Golden Saints
- Grievous Twilights
- Harvesters
- Hell Hounds
- Hernes
- Hungers
- Knights of Order
- Lesser Daedra
- Lurkers
- Morphoid Daedra
- Nightmare Coursers
- Nocturnals
- Ogrims
- Scamps
- Seekers
- Spider Daedra
- Spiderkith
- Spiderlings
- Vermai
- Watchers
- Winged Twilights
- Xivilai
- Xivkyn
Books
- Aedra and Daedra — Visão geral das diferença entre Deuses, Demônios, Aedra e Daedra
- The Amulet of Kings de Wenegrus Monhana — Chronicles the creation of the Amulet of Kings
- The Book of Daedra — Excerpts from a lengthy tome describing the nature of each of the Daedra
- Darkest Darkness — A description of various Daedra
- "Death" of Morphotypical Entities de Doctor Rhythandius — Academic musings on the "death" of Daedric beings
- The Doors of Oblivion de Seif-ij Hidja — The chronicles of Morian Zenas' journey through the realms of Oblivion, penned by his apprentice
- Feyfolken de Waughin Jarth — The Great Sage tells a story of Artaeum, Psijics, and Robotic Enchanters
- Letters for the Battlespire Hero de Vatasha Trenelle and Josian Kaid — A series of letters from two Battlemages to anybody who might be following in their path.
- Modern Heretics de Haderus of Gottlesfont — An account of one researcher's visit to the shrine of the Daedric Lord Azura
- The Monomyth — Um livro teológico contendo mitos comuns da criação
- The Oblivion Crisis de Praxis Sarcorum, Imperial Historian — A summary of the events stemming from the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII
- On Oblivion de Morian Zenas — A guide to Oblivion and the Daedra
- Saints and Seducers de Andoche Marie — Sentinels of the Isles: A treatise on Golden Saint / Dark Seducer culture and history within the Shivering Isles
- Spirit of the Daedra — A look into the Daedric mindset
- Varieties of Daedra de Aranea Drethan, Healer and Dissident Priest — An analysis of Daedra forms, focusing primarily on the Dremora
- Varieties of Faith... de Irmão Mikhael Karkuxor — Uma lista expansiva dos panteões e espíritos divinos associados das culturas dominantes de Tamriel.
- Vernaccus and Bourlor de Tavi Dromio — How a short-tempered Daedra tries to make something of himself