Lore:Water Breathing

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Waterbreathing (Oblivion)

Water Breathing (also spelled as Waterbreathing)[1] is an alteration spell that lets the user temporarily breathe underwater. As the book, Breathing Water describes it, magicka flows through the user's entire body and is fueled by their chaotic and reversed perception of the universe around them, which is typically how the School of Alteration functions, as explained by Seryne Relas, the Third Era master of alteration in the book.[2] The spell can not only be cast on the wielder, but onto a specific or group of targets.[3]

Those who cannot naturally use it or use any kind of spells can attain water breathing via alchemy. Certain ingredients when mixed to create a potion of water breathing include a pearl, a hackle-lo leaf, a luminous russula,[1][4] an onion, and a water root pod pit.[5]

Further Information[edit]

Jewel of the Rumare (Oblivion)

For the seasoned traveler, potions, or any method of water breathing is handy to keep around.[4] Argonians, on the other hand, have the innate ability to breathe underwater.[6]

The Skraws, workers in the Marrow Sump of Umbriel inhaled vapors to breathe underwater and either harvest ingredients for the kitchens above them or bring up a newly born Umbrielian from the Drop, the deepest part of the sump. The vapors, despite their necessity, take a physical toll on the skraws and generally suffocate them. Once they ingest them, they must enter the water, but the in-between state after it wears out is also dangerous. The Lords and Ladies of Umbriel had an alternative to the vapors that allowed them to swim in the Marrow Sump with ease.[7]:Part 2, Chapter 2

Certain scrolls and artifacts are enchanted with water breathing. For the former, these include the Scroll of Daynar's Airy Bubble and the Scroll of Reynos' Fins.[1] Artifacts with this enchantment include the Deathbrand Helm; a Stalhrim light helmet worn by the infamous Merethic Era pirate,[8] Fin Gleam; a glass helmet that also grants night eye and detect life, the Jewel of the Rumare; a ring that also fortifies one's athletic abilities,[5] and Volsung; the corundum mask of the eponymous dragon priest.[8] Another artifact of interest is Cascadia; a sapphire ring of possible Maormer or Nordic origin, and failed attempt at a ring of water breathing.[9]

Variations[edit]

  • Buoyancy – An apprentice level spell that also grants feather[1]
  • Orum's Aquatic Escape – An adept illusion spell that also grants invisibility and night eye[8]
  • Vivec's Kiss – A spell that allows water breathing but for barely a second.[1]

History[edit]

Water Breathing has proven to be widely effective in war, with many historical accounts of its use. During the Alessian Slave Rebellion, the Ayleids of what became modern-day Bravil used water breathing among other alteration spells to hide from the invading Alessian army led by Teo Bravillius Tasus. This is seen today as some of the earliest appearances of alteration in history.[10] Years later in the Four-Score War, the Second Empire utilized a great spell of water breathing to march through Lake Coronati and successfully invade Ald Marak while Vivec was elsewhere.[3] The successful siege was a turning point in the war as not long after, Prince Juilek and the Tribunal signed the Cervant Truce and promptly ended the war.[11]

Interestingly, Vivec supposedly used a similar tactic for the Second Akaviri Invasion. A legend perpetuates that they taught all of Morrowind "how to breathe water for a day" so he could flood the entire province and kill the invading Akaviri.[12]

In his youth, Prince Hubalajad attempted to learn water breathing but found himself breathing nothing but water. His petty-vizier, Hafzifeh al-Yath blamed him for inverting the fifth and sixth syllables of his incantation. Since then, the prince had banned magic in his palace in Abah's Landing and the petty-vizier would mention this in his book, Prince Hew and the Haj Mota Chariot.[13]

Gallery[edit]

  • Water Breathing (Morrowind)

  • Fin Gleam (Oblivion)

  • Nistor's Boots (Oblivion)

  • Volsung's mask (Skyrim)

  • Deathbrand Helm (Skyrim)

  • Viriya's Charm (Skyrim)

  • Cascadia (Blades)

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Water Breathing in Morrowind
  2. ^ Breathing Water — Haliel Myrm
  3. ^ a b The Siege of Ald Marak — Siege-Master Germia Demetrius
  4. ^ a b The Alchemist's Formulary
  5. ^ a b Water Breathing in Oblivion
  6. ^ Argonian in Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim
  7. ^ The Infernal City — Greg Keyes
  8. ^ a b c Waterbreathing effect in Skyrim
  9. ^ Cascadia item description in Blades
  10. ^ Daughter of the Niben — Sathyr Longleat
  11. ^ 2920, MidYear — Carlovac Townway
  12. ^ Varieties of Faith... — Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
  13. ^ Prince Hew and the Haj Mota Chariot — Petty-Vizier Hafzifeh al-Yath
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