The 7 Most Evil Daedric Princes in Elder Scrolls You Don’t Want to Cross

This video game series is vast, encompassing both single-player and multiplayer games. Its mythology features a variety of distinctive, potent deities. In the world of Tamriel, these gods are known as Daedric Princes and they aren’t typically depicted as benevolent higher beings.

The majority of the Daedric Princes are malevolent entities, often inflicting pain and torment upon humans, or playing with them in ways that are both sadistic and supernatural. Some are inherently evil in their desires and methods, while others pose a threat due to their very nature. Encountering these beings during gameplay in titles like Daggerfall, Oblivion, Skyrim, or Elder Scrolls Online typically means that they seek something, and attempting to escape is futile.

7. Namira

Ruler Of All Things Repulsive

Plane Of Oblivion: The Scuttling Void

It might be unjust to evaluate the Mistress of Decay solely on the basis of her fondness for creatures that slither and wriggle beneath the earth. On the contrary, she seems to find delight in the disgust her art evokes, suggesting a dark, pleasure-seeking aspect to this Daedric Prince.

Any interaction or encounters with Namira involve confronting her spirit creatures, such as slugs, beetles, worms, and followers who are typically cannibalistic humans residing within tombs and ruined structures. She may manifest from the earliest installments up to contemporary games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and ESO (Elder Scrolls Online).

6. Peryite

The Prince Of Pestilence

Plane Of Oblivion: Peryite’s Pits

Peryite, compared to the grandeur of Akatosh, is seen as a mere echo. Consequently, his followers frequently depict him as a dragon. His realm, Oblivion, has thus far been deemed inaccessible to humans, and those who have ventured to seek him out often find themselves ensnared in the Deadlands, a domain of the considerably stronger and dangerous Daedric Prince, Mehrunes Dagon.

Peryite, much like Namira, possesses a significant following, yet he’s known as the god of pestilence. This means that any sickness, plague, or infestation of locusts in the community could potentially be traced back to this enigmatic and malevolent Daedric Prince. However, despite his sinister methods, Peyrite is said to uphold order, a trait that his followers often point out as the basis for their devotion.

5. Vaermina

Dreams, Nightmares, And Dark Omens

Plane Of Oblivion: Quagmire, aka The Dreamstride

In most cases, Vaermina’s adventures revolve around dreams and nightmares, but she also stands as a potent emblem of magical prowess and is adept at curing afflictions such as vampirism and lycanthropy. Her realm, the Plane of Oblivion, perpetually changes, reflecting the volatile nature of dreams, memories, insanity, and psychological terror, much like turmoil in horror scenarios.

In real life, Vaermina is known for being so frightening that those who encounter her become fearless forever after. However, it’s unclear if this courage stems from true bravery or an indication of madness. She is frequently depicted wearing a robe and carrying a staff, symbols of her bond with the mystical deity Magnus. Characters can engage with her in games like ‘Oblivion’, ‘Skyrim’, and ‘ESO’.

4. Mephala

Creator Of Plots And Sower Of Discord

Plane Of Oblivion: The Spiral Skein

Mephala’s form, being part spider and part human, symbolizes the intricate deceits she weaves among humans across Nirn and Tamriel. As one of the three deities in the Dunmer Triumvirate, she often intervenes in human affairs, either to sabotage their schemes or sever their connections with each other.

In the realm of Tamriel, I’ve got a host of loyal followers, such as the Morag Tong, an assassins’ guilt trip, and the Dark Brotherhood, who whisper tales of the Night Mother’s voice echoing from the depths of darkness and mystery. My personal security detail? A legion of eight-legged warriors known as the Spider Daedra.

3. Boethiah

Conspiracy, Treason, Secrecy, And The Violent Overthrow Of Authority

Plane Of Oblivion: Attribution’s Share

Whenever mortals are enduring violence, it’s Boethiah who seems to find amusement – sometimes even joining in if given the chance. Known as the most aggressive and lethal of the Daedric Princes, Boethiah thrives on her cruelty, sharing this dark position with Mephala and Azura among the Three Gods revered by the Dunmer.

Boethiah, sometimes referred to using female pronouns, exhibits characteristics of both males and females without a clear preference, suggesting an absence of empathy. This deity is frequently cited as Tamriel’s most malevolent figure due to its extreme destructiveness. It’s said that Boethiah initiates nearly every conflict in history and organizes contests featuring deadly combat for its own entertainment.

2. Mehrunes Dagon

Destruction, Upheaval, Ambition

Plane Of Oblivion: The Deadlands

In the creation of games set within the world of Tamriel, developers frequently choose Mehrunes Dagon, a character known for his violent, ambitious, and aggressive nature, as their antagonist. Unlike many others who merely dabble in human affairs for leisure, Mehrunes Dagon actively pursues the conquest of Nirn with the ultimate goal of transforming it into his personal domain, the Plane of Oblivion.

In the storyline of Morrowind, we witness one of Mehrunes Dagon’s attempts to overpower a continent, and it was another such plot by him that initiated the Oblivion Crisis. Throughout the expansions in Elder Scrolls Online, he stands out as one of the primary villains.

1. Molag Bal

Domination, Enslavement, A Collector Of Souls

Plane Of Oblivion: Coldharbour

In various circles, this Daedric Prince is often referred to as the King of Conflict, the Master of Deception, and the Collector of Souls. His fearsome legacy as one of Tamriel’s foremost antagonists continues to loom large in the realm of ESO, echoing his chilling portrayals in the earlier standalone games. For those unacquainted with Molag Bal, the gripping questline in Markath’s haunted house within Skyrim serves as an excellent introduction to his notorious reputation, particularly focusing on one of his most infamous artifacts – the Mace of Molag Bal.

Molag Bal shares some similarities with Mehrunes Dagon in their shared goal of dominating Tamriel and incorporating it into their respective planes, Oblivion for both. However, unlike Dagon, Molag Bal’s approach involves capturing human souls and attempting to fuse Coldharbour with Nirn. He stands as a sworn enemy to Boethiah and is one of the Four Cornerstones of the House of Troubles, a group of deities who resort to violence, wickedness, and discord to achieve their desires.

2025-04-22 07:34