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Which God Hates the Undead in Skyrim? An Expert’s Take

Without a doubt, the deity most vehemently opposed to the undead in Skyrim is Stendarr, the God of Mercy, Justice, and Righteous Rule. While other deities certainly frown upon necromancy and its abominations, Stendarr’s animosity is particularly pronounced, forming a core tenet of his worship. He is the patron god of paladins and holy warriors who dedicate their lives to eradicating evil, and the undead represent a perversion of life that directly contradicts his divine will. Stendarr is one of the Eight Divines (formerly Nine), revered across Tamriel, and his followers actively hunt down and destroy undead creatures wherever they find them.

Stendarr’s Opposition: More Than Just Dislike

It’s not merely a matter of disliking the undead. Stendarr’s hatred stems from the undead’s inherent corruption of the natural order. His followers believe that life is sacred and that raising the dead through necromancy is a heinous act that violates this sanctity. This belief fuels their relentless crusade against all forms of undead, from simple skeletons and zombies to powerful liches and deathlords. This isn’t just a theological stance; it’s a call to action.

Evidence of Stendarr’s Hatred in Skyrim

Numerous pieces of evidence within Skyrim showcase Stendarr’s deep-seated aversion to the undead:

Dialogues with Vigilants of Stendarr: These religious warriors, dedicated to Stendarr, constantly express their disdain and animosity towards the undead. Their primary mission is to seek out and destroy any undead threat.
The Vigilant of Stendarr Armor: The armor worn by Vigilants of Stendarr often carries enchantments specifically designed to aid in the fight against undead creatures, showcasing their focus.
The Vigilant Hall: Before its destruction by vampires, Vigilant Hall was a central hub for the Vigilants, demonstrating their organized opposition to the undead.
Quests and Encounters: Many quests and random encounters involve assisting Vigilants of Stendarr in their battles against undead.
Religious Texts: Lore found within the game’s books highlights Stendarr’s teachings on the importance of purity and the abhorrence of necromancy.

Other Deities and Their Views on the Undead

While Stendarr is the most vocal and active opponent of the undead, other deities in the Skyrim pantheon also hold negative views towards necromancy and its creations.

Arkay: As the God of the Cycle of Life and Death, Arkay naturally opposes the disruption of this cycle caused by necromancy. Undead are seen as an affront to his divine purpose.
Mara: As the Goddess of Love and Compassion, Mara likely disapproves of the pain and suffering inflicted by necromancy, both on the resurrected and those affected by them.
Zenithar: While primarily concerned with commerce and labor, Zenithar likely views necromancy as an unproductive and wasteful practice, as it undermines the natural flow of life and work.

However, it’s important to note that the degree of opposition varies. While Arkay’s priests might offer blessings to protect against the undead, they aren’t as proactively hunting and destroying them as the Vigilants of Stendarr.

Why Stendarr’s Hatred Matters in Gameplay

Understanding Stendarr’s hatred of the undead has several implications for gameplay:

Roleplaying: Players can choose to align themselves with Stendarr and roleplay as Vigilants, actively hunting down undead and promoting his values.
Quest Choices: Certain quests may present choices that align with or contradict Stendarr’s teachings, impacting the player’s reputation with his followers.
Combat Strategies: Knowing that certain characters and factions are particularly vulnerable to undead can inform combat strategies.
Moral Considerations: The game encourages players to consider the ethical implications of necromancy and its impact on the world.

Furthermore, delving into the lore of Stendarr and his Vigilants adds depth to the Skyrim experience, turning simple dungeon crawls into meaningful explorations of morality and religious conflict. You can explore these themes further by joining discussions on game-based learning at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to the deities and the undead in Skyrim:

Are all the Eight Divines against necromancy? Most of the Eight Divines are implicitly against necromancy because it interferes with the natural order or inflicts suffering. However, their opposition isn’t as actively demonstrated as Stendarr’s.
Who are the Vigilants of Stendarr? The Vigilants of Stendarr are a religious order dedicated to eradicating daedra, undead, and other abominations from Tamriel. They are fervent followers of Stendarr and view these creatures as a threat to the innocent.
Where can I find the Vigilants of Stendarr in Skyrim? Before their hall was destroyed, the primary location was Vigilant Hall, located south of Riften. After its destruction, surviving Vigilants can be found scattered throughout the world, often on patrol or investigating undead activity.
Can I join the Vigilants of Stendarr? Sadly, there is no formal way to join the Vigilants of Stendarr as a faction within the base game. Mods, however, do exist that allow players to join their ranks.
What is the significance of the Dawnguard in relation to the undead? The Dawnguard is an ancient order of vampire hunters who primarily focus on eliminating vampires, who are a specific type of undead. They are similar in purpose to the Vigilants, but more focused on a specific threat.
Does Arkay have priests in Skyrim? Yes, priests of Arkay can be found in various temples and halls throughout Skyrim. They offer blessings and services related to death and burial, and are generally respected figures in society.
How does necromancy affect my standing with the gods in Skyrim? The game doesn’t explicitly track your standing with individual gods based on your actions. However, engaging in necromancy will likely be frowned upon by followers of deities like Stendarr and Arkay, and roleplaying as a devout follower of these gods while practicing necromancy would be contradictory.
Are there any gods who support or condone necromancy? No, there are no explicitly good or neutral deities who support or condone necromancy in Skyrim. It’s universally viewed as a negative practice.
What is the Book of Life and Service and why is it important to Stendarr? The Book of Life and Service is a key text for followers of Stendarr. It outlines his teachings on mercy, justice, and righteous rule, and serves as a guide for living a life dedicated to his principles.
Why was Vigilant Hall destroyed? Vigilant Hall was destroyed by a vampire attack led by a powerful vampire named Volkihar. This event significantly weakened the Vigilants’ presence in Skyrim.
Can I still find Vigilants of Stendarr after Vigilant Hall is destroyed? Yes, even after the destruction of Vigilant Hall, you can still find individual Vigilants of Stendarr scattered throughout Skyrim, continuing their fight against evil.
What kind of enchantments do Vigilants of Stendarr use on their weapons? Vigilants of Stendarr often use enchantments that are particularly effective against undead creatures, such as Turn Undead or enchantments that deal extra damage to undead.
Is there a connection between Stendarr and the Silver Hand? While both groups oppose dangerous creatures, the Silver Hand focuses specifically on werewolves and doesn’t have any explicit connection to Stendarr or his teachings. Their methods are also often considered barbaric, contrasting with Stendarr’s emphasis on justice and righteousness.
How does the Dragonborn’s actions affect the balance of power between the gods and the undead? The Dragonborn’s actions can significantly affect the balance of power. Siding with the Dawnguard strengthens the forces opposing vampires, while embracing necromancy and raising powerful undead allies can shift the balance in the opposite direction.
How does the Games Learning Society relate to understanding lore like this? Exploring game lore, like the religious aspects of Skyrim, can be a fantastic educational experience! The Games Learning Society promotes the use of games in education to enhance learning, promote critical thinking, and foster collaboration. Learning about game lore can improve literacy, comprehension and critical thinking, all ideals championed by Games Learning Society.

Hopefully, this in-depth look at Stendarr’s hatred of the undead and the related FAQs have provided valuable insights into the rich lore of Skyrim. Remember, understanding these details can enhance your gameplay experience and allow you to appreciate the game on a deeper level.

Which God hates the undead in Skyrim?