Lore:Oghma

The Oghma Infinium

I am to be married, she said aloud. Xarxes, is this what I want? Or just what I must do?
He rose from her book in silence, measuring her worth.
Marriage joins two as one, he said. He wrote in the dirt with a dark oak staff, creating a river.
This is one, Xarxes said. He wrote again. The terrain changed, splitting the river in two as it flowed over a newly-formed cliff. He stepped to its edge and beckoned to her.
Two become one, he said softly in her ear, pointing over the edge at the twin falls joining together in a pool below.
Should I marry then?
One can travel quite far alone, or together. Which do you prefer?''
—Xarxes and Oghma.

Oghma, the Wife of All Enigma, is the wife of Xarxes, god of ancestry, secrets, hidden knowledge, and death. They are both present in Altmeri and Bosmeri religion. According to the Altmeri and Bosmeri tradition she was created by Xarxes from his favorite moments of history. She is associated with the Altmeri tradition of keeping records of one's life.

A tale recorded by Thandelieth presents the conversation between Oghma and Xarxes before they married. In the tale, Oghma asks Xarxes whether she wants or must marry him. He responded that "Marriage joins two as one" and created a river by writing on the ground with his oak staff. Soon afterward he split the river in two and beckoned Oghma to follow him towards the edge of the cliff. Two newly created rivers were becoming one as the twin falls joined together in a pool below the cliff. Upon witnessing that Oghma asked if she should marry. He gave her freedom of choice and said "One can travel quite far alone, or together. Which do you prefer?" Although this tale does not provide an answer whether she agreed to marry him or not, it is known that she ultimately agreed.

Gallery

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  A statue of Xarxes in Shimmerene holding a book

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  Xarxes, as depicted in Altmeri style, holding a book

Notes

• In Altmeri culture the term "Oghma" is also used to describe a group of journals also known as "everscriven scrolls". According to an ancient Aldmeri text written by Xarxes called the Aldmeriad, everyone possesses the Divine Spark, and thus the record of thy actions is believed to be a sacred duty.
• The name of the artifact Oghma Infinium tome comes from Oghma.
  • Ted Peterson recalls the origin for the book as having been based off a D&D campaign, where he created a quest to find a great tome called the Orcus Infinium authored by the demon Orcus. As "Orcus" was trademarked, the name was changed to "Oghma", a Celtic deity of wisdom.

See Also

Books

• Xarxes and Oghma by Thandelieth — A tale of a conversation with Xarxes and Oghma
• The Onus of the Oghma by Phrastus of Elinhir — A selection of quotes to emphasize the importance of recording one's life story

References

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.