The Enigma of Mankar Camoran in Oblivion Remastered

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Amongst numerous villains found within “The Elder Scrolls”, none are as shrouded in mystery as Mankar Camoran, portrayed particularly enigmatically in “Oblivion Remastered“. He leads the Mythic Dawn cult, a faction responsible for assassinating Emperor Uriel Septim and seizing the Amulet of Kings. Their aim was to bring about the destruction of Nirn, as they believed Mehrunes Dagon would invade through Oblivion portals. In “Oblivion”, it falls upon the Hero of Kvatch to ensure that Mankar Camoran’s plans ultimately fail.

However, Mankar Camoran might appear less enigmatic at first glance, but there’s an unusual side to him that’s hard to ignore. Despite being a devotee of Mehrunes Dagon, a god known for his destructive nature, Mankar exudes an unflappable composure and unwavering self-assurance. This contrast seems peculiar for someone aligned with such a chaotic deity. There are many layers to Mankar that remain unexplored – his motives for wishing to bring ruin upon Tamriel, the true nature of his allegiances, and the real extent of his merit.

The Strange Origin Story of Mankar Camoran

Mankar Camoran, a Bosmer (Wood Elf), was born in the year 3E 267 to Haymon Camoran and his Bosmer companion, Kaalys. This birth took place amidst the siege of Dwynnen, High Rock’s city. Details about Mankar’s childhood are scarce, except that his mother foretold disaster by shouting his name before he was born. Haymon Camoran, Mankar’s father, was a potent warlord hailing from Valenwood, infamously known as the Camoran Usurper, causing much turmoil during the Third Era.

In a disorganized family background, it remains unclear what transpired in Mankar’s life next, but at some stage, he became engrossed in the study of Daedra worship. Eventually, he was selected by Mehrunes Dagon, the Prince of Destruction, who bestowed upon him one of his formidable Daedric artifacts, The Mysterium Xarxes.

Following a thorough examination of Dagon’s present, Mankar found striking similarities between Tamriel and Oblivion. This realization led him to write the Mythic Dawn Commentaries, expressing his beliefs and resonating with many who felt adrift in life. As his following swelled, Mankar put his plan into motion, orchestrating the assassination of Uriel Septim within the Imperial City’s sewers, thereby snuffing out the Dragonfires that safeguarded Tamriel from Daedric intrusion.

Spoilers for Oblivion’s main quest immediately ahead

Why Would Mankar Camoran Want to Invade Tamriel?

Instead of being your typical cackling world-destruction obsessed villain, Mankar Camoran’s objectives might initially appear quite peculiar. However, upon examining his commentaries and listening to his conversations, a distinct philosophy emerges. At the heart of Mankar’s beliefs lies the conviction that Tamriel is an extension of Oblivion, and its ruler is the deceased god Lorkhan.

In the Elder Scrolls series, not all players may recognize the figure of Lorkhan or understand his immense importance. Given that he’s a deceased deity, this is reasonable. Lorkhan doesn’t actively participate in the game’s narrative and isn’t part of the Imperial pantheon known as the Nine Divines. However, Lorkhan plays a pivotal role in the Elder Scrolls universe, with players who ventured through Morrowind recalling the Heart of Lorkhan nestled within Red Mountain.

“This heart is the heart of the world, for one was made to satisfy the other.”

In Mankar’s perspective, the Aedra, often referred to as the Divines, allegedly deceived Lorkhan when they created the world together. However, despite killing him, they couldn’t completely eliminate him from existence. This idea, according to Mankar, implies that Lorkhan is akin to the Daedra, who can’t be truly destroyed. When a Daedra dies, its spirit returns to its origin realm, and in the same vein, Mankar believes that the continuous beating of Lorkhan’s heart within Red Mountain shares this quality. He postulates that Tamriel is essentially a Daedric domain within Oblivion.

Instead of summoning Mehrunes Dagon with the intention of destroying the world, Mankar sees his actions as a form of liberation. In his perspective, the Daedra are the genuine deities, while the Divines act as timid rulers. To Mankar, Mehrunes Dagon’s dominion transcends destruction; it encompasses transformation, revolution, and even optimism. The name Mythic Dawn signifies Tamriel’s initial phase, the Dawn Era, when Lorkhan created the world, and Mankar aims to revert it back to that time.

How Mankar Camoran Changed His Race, and Possibly Became Dragonborn

Previously hinted, Mankar’s Camoran, despite being a Bosmer by birth, presents himself as an Altmer, or High Elf, in the game. It’s important to note that Elves, similar to humans in Tamriel, have distinct races that do not alter. Regardless of where they reside, their race remains constant. Interestingly, Mankar manages to don the Amulet of Kings, a relic exclusively worn by a Dragonborn, symbolizing true sovereignty over the Empire.

Many theories circulate about Mankar’s unique characteristics, particularly the idea that he utilized the Daedric artifact Mehrunes Razor to penetrate his spiritual essence and modify his traits. It’s proposed that Mankar did not inherently possess Dragonborn status but acquired it later through the use of the Razor, and similarly, he may have bestowed the same transformation on his race. Some observers note a striking similarity between Mankar’s Paradise, Gaiar Alata, and the Ayleid ruins scattered throughout Cyrodiil, which leads some to speculate that he might have even metamorphosed into an Ayleid.

In the end, Mankar’s scheme to rebuild Tamriel fell apart, yet his influence persists. In the game of Skyrim, a museum named Mythic Dawn, humorously or purposefully situated in Dawnstar, recounts the tale of a family that has remained steadfast in their loyalty to the cause, taking pride in their part in Tamriel’s invasion. Nevertheless, with the Dragonfires rekindled and Mehrunes banished from Tamriel for good, it appears that they will never see their wish fulfilled, and Mankar’s vision will never materialize. However, Mankar Camoran has left an indelible mark as one of The Elder Scrolls’ most formidable villains. Now, with the release of Oblivion Remastered, a larger number of players will be introduced to his tale.

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2025-05-01 06:35