The Nerevarine’s Race: A Deep Dive into Morrowind’s Chosen One

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Yes, the Nerevarine can be any race. The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind deliberately leaves the race, gender, and backstory of the Nerevarine entirely up to the player. This allows for unparalleled role-playing freedom, making the experience deeply personal and engaging. While certain fan theories and in-game biases exist, the canonical answer is that the Nerevarine’s race is determined solely by the player’s choice during character creation. This player agency is a core tenant in The Elder Scrolls series.

Understanding the Nerevarine Prophecy

The core of Morrowind‘s narrative revolves around the Nerevarine Prophecies, a series of ancient predictions foretelling the reincarnation of the Dunmer hero, Indoril Nerevar. These prophecies outline certain trials and events that the Nerevarine must fulfill to defeat Dagoth Ur and save Morrowind. Crucially, the prophecies never explicitly state that the Nerevarine must be a Dunmer (Dark Elf).

The Importance of Choice

The game actively encourages players to embrace their chosen race. NPCs react to the player character based on their race, and different races have unique starting skills and attributes that can influence gameplay. While a Dunmer Nerevarine might feel thematically appropriate due to the setting and lore, the game never forces this upon the player. A skilled player can easily overcome any racial disadvantages and thrive in the game.

Beyond Gameplay: The Metanarrative

The open-ended nature of the Nerevarine’s race contributes to a broader metanarrative about faith, prophecy, and free will. Is the player character truly the Nerevarine, or are they simply fulfilling the prophecies due to circumstance and player agency? This ambiguity is a key aspect of Morrowind‘s storytelling, prompting players to question the nature of destiny and the power of individual choice. For more information on the impact of games and learning, visit Games Learning Society.

Nerevarine Race FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the discussion of the Nerevarine’s race and related topics:

1. Is the Nerevarine canonically male? No, the Nerevarine has no canon gender. Any references to the Nerevarine as “he” are simply mistakes or generalizations in the script. The player determines the Nerevarine’s gender during character creation.

2. Is the Dragonborn canonically a Nord? While the promotional material for Skyrim often depicts the Dragonborn as a Nord, there is no canonical race. The Dragonborn, like the Nerevarine, can be any race.

3. Can the Dragonborn be the Nerevarine? It is possible to roleplay as the Nerevarine in Skyrim, particularly if you create an Elven character. Elves have long lifespans, so an elf could have been the Nerevarine and be present in Skyrim during the Dragonborn crisis. However, this is purely a role-playing choice, not a canon event.

4. Is the Nerevarine immortal? The Nerevarine’s potential immortality is debated, and stems from the Corprus disease, which grants immunity to aging and disease. While Divayth Fyr can cure the detrimental effects of Corprus, the lasting benefits may remain, potentially rendering the Nerevarine immortal.

5. Did the Nerevarine become immortal? Due to the Corprus cure, it’s believed the Nerevarine doesn’t age or die from natural causes. He or she could still be killed, of course.

6. What race is the Hero of Kvatch? The Hero of Kvatch, the protagonist of Oblivion, has no canonical race. However, promotional materials often depict the Hero of Kvatch as an Imperial male.

7. Is the Nerevarine a Shezzarine? No, the Nerevarine is a reincarnation of Indoril Nerevar, while Shezzarines are reincarnations of Shor (also known as Shezzar). These are distinct beings with different roles in Elder Scrolls lore.

8. How old would the Nerevarine be in Skyrim? If the Nerevarine survived and remained in Tamriel, they would be at least 207 years old by the time of Skyrim.

9. Is the Nerevarine the strongest protagonist in the Elder Scrolls series? Many fans consider the Nerevarine the most powerful protagonist due to their defeat of Dagoth Ur and the numerous divine beings encountered in Morrowind. The GamesLearningSociety.org website has resources to further research game lore.

10. What is the religion of the Nerevarine? The Nerevarine follows whatever religion the player chooses to role-play. But the Prophecies tie Nerevarine to Dunmer faith and reclaiming the virtues and traditions that the Tribunal Temple had distorted.

11. Is the Nerevarine good or bad? The Nerevarine’s alignment is up to the player. They are tasked with fulfilling a prophecy, but their methods and motivations are determined by the player’s choices. They are not inherently good or evil.

12. What race is Miraak? Miraak is a Nord, as suggested by his connection to the dragons of ancient Skyrim.

13. Is Hero of Kvatch stronger than Dragonborn? The Hero of Kvatch, having become Sheogorath, is often considered far more powerful than the Dragonborn. As a Daedric Prince, Sheogorath possesses immense power that surpasses even that of a Dragonborn.

14. Which house is Nerevarine in? The player can choose to join any of the Great Houses of Morrowind, or remain independent. There is no canonical House for the Nerevarine.

15. Is the Nerevarine a God? The Nerevarine is not a God, though some might view them as a messianic figure.

Embracing the Player’s Journey

Ultimately, the beauty of Morrowind lies in its ability to empower the player. The Nerevarine is a blank slate, a vessel for the player’s imagination and choices. Whether you choose to play as a noble Dunmer, a cunning Argonian, or a stoic Nord, the story of the Nerevarine becomes your own. The open-ended nature of the Nerevarine’s identity and the player’s free will have created a powerful role-playing experience, making the narrative a memorable and replayable adventure.