One of the most enigmatic lore and worldbuilding aspects ofThe Elder Scrollsis the nature of the Daedric Princes. The Daedric Princes have played a major role in the main storyline of most of the games inThe Elder Scrolls, with the notable exception ofSkyrim, which instead focused on the prophecy of Alduin, the World-Eater, with the Daedric Princes playing a minor role in side quests.
The Daedric Princes could return to a major role inThe Elder Scrolls 6, especially if one is spotlighted above the others and has a role to play in the main storyline. As the Daedric Princes are some of the most interesting characters inThe Elder Scrolls lore, with a diverse range of personalities, goals, powers, and domains, including their influence in the main storyline ofThe Elder Scrolls 6would be a return to tradition and have enormous potential for its main story.
The Daedric Princes in The Elder Scrolls Explained
While the Daedric Princes may feel more minor than the Aedra, they’re actually equivalent in power. The key difference between the two groups of deities is that the Daedric Princes have no worries about directly interacting with those who inhabit the plane of Mundus, or Tamriel, while the Aedra refrain from doing so. As a result, the Daedric Princes are far more involved in the events ofThe Elder Scrolls, and tend to either be evil or more morally gray than the Divines, althoughseveral of the Daedric Princes are considered to be good.
MorrowindandOblivionboth had major interference from the Daedric Princes, Azura and Mehrunes Dagon specifically. The Nerevarine was a result of a prophecy by Azura and her magic, while the events ofOblivionwere set in motion by Mehrunes Dagon attempting to invade Tamriel.Oblivion’s expansion pack,Shivering Isles, was centered around the Daedric Prince Sheogorath, and took place in his plane ofOblivion. All three Daedric Princes provided vastly different stories, with Azura providing a reincarnation storyline and giving guidance through dreams and visions, Mehrunes Dagon an action storyline centered around an invasion, and Sheogorath a study in identity and power.
How the Daedric Princes Could Appear in The Elder Scrolls 6
With such a variety of domains, personalities, and powers, theDaedric Princes offer a wealth of potential forThe Elder Scrolls 6’s story. The Daedric Princes are popular because their individual quests are often creative and stand out in every game, even setting aside the often powerful items that completing their quests rewards players. Translating that to a main storyline could makeThe Elder 6’s story more compelling than creating a more generic world-ending threat which, while giving the player reasons to stop it, can become boring.
Shivering Islesallowed players to build a relationship with Sheogorath and gave a more nuanced view of the Daedric Prince, beyond his role as the Daedric Prince of Madness. WhileThe Elder Scrolls 6doesn’t need to go as far as adoptingapotheosis or mantling asOblivionandShivering Islesdid, these are still some of the most interesting aspects and processes ofThe Elder Scrolls that haven’t been examined in-game, and it’s a gap thatThe Elder Scrolls 6can fill.
There are still plenty of Daedric Princes that haven’t been in the spotlight yet, such as Sanguine, Clavicus Vile, Jyggalag, Namira, or Peryite. Some of these Daedric Princes have domains considered disgusting, such as Namira, or are considered weak, such asPeryite, but could offer an interesting dynamic with a player character. And, because of the nature of Daedric Princes, they don’t have to be an antagonistic force. Like Azura and Sheogorath, they could be allies, or even play a more ambivalent role, such as the role Solas plays inDragon Age: The Veilguard, where it’s uncertain if they can be trusted.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim celebrates 10 years of adventuring in stunning detail. The Anniversary Edition includes a decade worth of content: the critically acclaimed core game and add-ons of Skyrim Special Edition, plus Creation Club content released on or prior to Jul 07, 2025.EPIC FANTASY REBORNSkyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose.LIVE ANOTHER LIFE, IN ANOTHER WORLDPlay any type of character you may imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.YOU ARE WHAT YOU PLAYChoose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities. The new character system allows you to play any way you want and define yourself through your actions.BATTLE DRAGONSBattle ancient dragons like you’ve never seen. As Dragonborn, learn their secrets and harness their power for yourself.
