Here is the complete breakdown.
In the cosmology of
The Elder Scrolls, Daedra worshipers follow powerful, immortal beings who are fundamentally tied to the primal force of Padomay(chaos and change), the opposite of Anu (order and stasis).
Anu and Padomay: The Primal Forces
Anu and Padomay are the two original, opposing concepts or "primal gods" that existed before the creation of the Aurbis (the Elder Scrolls universe).
- Anu is the personification of stasis, order, and light. From Anu came Anuiel (or Auri-El/Akatosh), the soul of Anu, who is a primary figure among the Aedra, the gods who sacrificed part of themselves to create the mortal world (Mundus).
- Padomay is the personification of chaos, change, and the Void. From Padomay came Sithis, the soul of Padomay, and the Daedra are generally considered to be formed of Padomay's "pure blood".
Most myths portray the Aedra as Anuic (orderly) and the Daedra as Padomaic (chaotic).
Daedra Worship
Daedra worshipers follow the Daedric Princes, who are powerful entities that reside in their own planes within Oblivion, the realm outside Mundus. Unlike the Aedra, who are seen as static or dead due to their sacrifice in creation, the Daedric Princes are active and can intervene directly in the mortal world, offering power, knowledge, and protection to their followers.
Reasons for Daedra worship vary:
- Power and influence: Daedric Princes can grant powerful artifacts and abilities to their champions.
- Specific spheres of influence: Followers might feel a connection to a specific Prince's domain, such as night and luck (Nocturnal), destruction (Mehrunes Dagon), or love (some aspects of Azura).
- Pragmatism: Some worshipers, like the Dunmer, see the Daedra as more potent and "hands-on" gods compared to the Aedra, or use them as a countervailing force against mortal tyranny.
While some Daedric Princes are viewed as benevolent by their followers (like Azura to the Dunmer), others are more malevolent and associated with domination or destruction.
The Relationship
The core connection is one of origin: Daedra originate from Padomay, the cosmic opposite of Anu. Therefore, a Daedra worshiper is aligned with the forces of change and chaos (Padomaic) rather than the forces of stasis and order (Anuic) represented by the Aedra (the traditional "Nine Divines" of the Empire).