The Guardian |
Among the many mysteries that surround Kråke, the Guardian is one of the more extreme. The Evergloam is filled with many odd creatures of shadow, such as talking birds and the ever fiercesome Wraiths of Crows, but there is one that the original Clan recognize above all others uniquely to them.
Simply dubbed Vergen--or "Guardian" in the common tongue--it is a great bird that borders on deification to the Clan, though to simply call it a bird would be too humble.
Simply dubbed Vergen--or "Guardian" in the common tongue--it is a great bird that borders on deification to the Clan, though to simply call it a bird would be too humble.
Resembling more of a phoenix, the Vergen is made up of pure shadow, a sliver of the deepest and darkest parts of the Gloam. While its feathers are always deep black, in daylight it may appear as though "on fire" in reds and oranges, while in the Gloam or within Blackreach its fires appear blue and/or pitch black. Whether a fire so hot it can melt the flesh off a mortal, or shadows so deadly cold it only feels that way, the power of the Vergen is very real and very dangerous.
Yet despite this, this particular Daedra is not altogether malicious nor seeks destruction for the sake of it. Aptly named Guardian, this Daedric bird is seen as a protector of the Clan, a final measure of security against anyone who would threaten them or their existence. It is for this reason as well that no matter the capabilities of those who may have stumbled on the Clan in the past, none have made it back to the surface to report on it. It is also the Guardian's job to destroy traitors and |
deserters within the Clan's own ranks, for similar reason, as secrecy and living outside the knowledge of others is the Clan's top priority to survival.
The Guardian and the Oracle of the Clan--one gifted with sight that transcends time--are closely intertwined, as are their roles of protection for the Clan. The Oracle exists to foresee threats coming towards the Clan and those who might turn traitor, and seeks to avoid both, but when these things cannot be avoided, it then becomes the Guardian's job to eliminate the threat.
One would likely think it strange that this Gloam creature would serve as a protector, much less be granted by Nocturnal to the Clan simply based on their faith in her as their patron alone, and someone would be right to question it. The Vergen is not a creature granted merely out of Nocturnal's generosity, but is part of a long-standing pact with the Prince.
The Vergen does not simply come from the Gloam to the Clan, but rather is a Clansmen transformed by Nocturnal's magic, the form given to one of her Champions long ago. With her Champions' eventual passing, the form was passed on to another within the Clan, until such became tradition every few generations. One of the Clan are granted the form of the Guardian (only ever one at a time), and in exchange become one of her Champions, ready to answer her call whenever she needs them.
While leadership of the Clan is not a requirement to becoming the Clan's Guardian, its not unusual for them to take the mantle either. In many cases, the Guardian will be someone else of respectable station within the Clan's ranks, due to some of its drawbacks.
Although powerful and generally benevolent to Clan members as far as Daedra go, the Guardian is deeply susceptible to stress when it comes to internal tensions, infighting, or any perceived threat. If the stress grows too high, a Guardian can lose control until it eradicates whatever the source of that stress is. Its for that reason that the Guardian and Oracle
The Guardian and the Oracle of the Clan--one gifted with sight that transcends time--are closely intertwined, as are their roles of protection for the Clan. The Oracle exists to foresee threats coming towards the Clan and those who might turn traitor, and seeks to avoid both, but when these things cannot be avoided, it then becomes the Guardian's job to eliminate the threat.
One would likely think it strange that this Gloam creature would serve as a protector, much less be granted by Nocturnal to the Clan simply based on their faith in her as their patron alone, and someone would be right to question it. The Vergen is not a creature granted merely out of Nocturnal's generosity, but is part of a long-standing pact with the Prince.
The Vergen does not simply come from the Gloam to the Clan, but rather is a Clansmen transformed by Nocturnal's magic, the form given to one of her Champions long ago. With her Champions' eventual passing, the form was passed on to another within the Clan, until such became tradition every few generations. One of the Clan are granted the form of the Guardian (only ever one at a time), and in exchange become one of her Champions, ready to answer her call whenever she needs them.
While leadership of the Clan is not a requirement to becoming the Clan's Guardian, its not unusual for them to take the mantle either. In many cases, the Guardian will be someone else of respectable station within the Clan's ranks, due to some of its drawbacks.
Although powerful and generally benevolent to Clan members as far as Daedra go, the Guardian is deeply susceptible to stress when it comes to internal tensions, infighting, or any perceived threat. If the stress grows too high, a Guardian can lose control until it eradicates whatever the source of that stress is. Its for that reason that the Guardian and Oracle
are closely associated, with the Oracle being able to root out internal problems within the Clan fairly easily and solve those problems before they become a matter for the Guardian to deal with, as well as having access to an item that helps monitor the internal state of the Guardian, to help manage and prevent any loss of control.
Previously, the title of Guardian and Champion of Nocturnal was a close associate to the Clan Head six generations prior, then passed to Alekt, while his half-brother is the current Oracle. Alekt however would be the first of the Clan's Guardians in any known recollection to take on the Guardian form away from the original Clan, as well as away from the Oracle, which carries with it a lot of risk. |