| Emer Dareloth | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race | Unknown | Gender | Male |
Emer Dareloth was a guildmaster of the Thieves Guild in Cyrodiil during the Third Era. According to legend he was the thief who stole the Gray Cowl of Nocturnal from the Daedric Prince herself, resulting in him becoming the first person to assume the mantle of the Gray Fox. As a result of stealing the cowl, a curse was placed upon it by Nocturnal that meant the name of cowl's owner would be lost to mortal memory. "Whosoever wears it shall be lost in the shadows. His true nature shall be unknown to all who meet him. His identity shall be struck from all records and histories. Memory will hide in the shadows, refusing to record the name of the owner to any who meet him. He shall be known by the cowl and only by the cowl."[1]
HistoryEdit
Emer Dareloth assumed the role of the Gray Fox after stealing the Gray Cowl and receiving Nocturnal's curse some time before 3E 133.[2] Some believed that because of the curse, Dareloth was unable to operate in the normal world of business and society and could only act as the guild's figurehead. This was said to have resulted in a period of misfortune for the Thieves Guild. Emer Dareloth died shortly after stealing the cowl, but another thief in the guild picked up the cowl and assumed his identity and the curse, however no one in the guild realised that their guildmaster was a different person. Over the centuries dozens of individuals assumed the mantle of the Gray Fox, which gave the world the impression he was immortal and unchanging.[3]
By 3E 433, the cowl was in the possession of Corvus Umbranox, the count of Anvil. He had worked for over ten years researching how to break the curse and regain his identity, and was eventually successful after using the power of an Elder Scroll. History was rewritten as a result and the guild's misfortune was reversed.[4]
LegacyEdit
Although Emer Dareloth's identity was largely lost due to the curse, some remnants of his legacy remained. The Garden of Dareloth in the Waterfront District of the Imperial City once belonged to him and was used by the Thieves Guild as a meeting place.[5] After the curse of Nocturnal was lifted, history was rewritten and his old house on the Waterfront was no longer in ruin but rather an active guildhall for the Thieves Guild.[4]
NotesEdit
- Jakben's diary tells the tale of his thief partner, who "dared to steal from Nocturnal herself". Although this almost certainly refers to Dareloth, Jakben is unable to recall his name due to Nocturnal's curse.
GalleryEdit
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Gray Cowl of Nocturnal
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The restored Garden of Dareloth circa 3E 433
See AlsoEdit
BooksEdit
- Purloined Shadows by Waughin Jarth — A chill tale recounting the theft of Nocturnal's cloak
ReferencesEdit
- ^ Instructions: the Gray Cowl — Office of the Unseeing Eye
- ^ Rumors from Thieves Guild members in Oblivion
- ^ Gray Fox's dialogue in Oblivion
- ^ a b The Ultimate Heist quest in Oblivion
- ^ May the Best Thief Win quest in Oblivion