The air grows thin, Champion, and the veil between worlds thins with it, but my purpose remains. Jagar Tharn’s treachery ripped me from life, yet it only solidified my resolve to see the Emperor freed and Tamriel restored. You are the blade forged in his deceit, the only one capable of reassembling the Staff and striking him down. Each whisper, each vision I send, saps more of the essence that keeps me bound to this mortal coil. My form flickers like a dying candle, yet my spirit burns brighter with the hope you carry. Find the fragments, piece them together; the fate of an Empire rests upon your every step. Go now, my Champion, and when the final blow is struck, know that my sacrifice was gladly made.
Summary
Ria Silmane was a pivotal figure in the events of The Elder Scrolls: Arena, serving as the spectral guide to the Eternal Champion during the Imperial Simulacrum. Once a respected Imperial Battlemage and apprentice to Jagar Tharn, her life was tragically cut short, but her spirit persisted to combat her former master's treachery.
Backstory
Ria Silmane was an Imperial sorceress and the senior apprentice to Jagar Tharn, the Imperial Battlemage. She was also made the head of the Elder Council as a cover by Tharn. She eventually uncovered Tharn's plot to imprison Emperor Uriel Septim VII in a dimension of Oblivion and usurp the throne. Upon discovering his treachery, she attempted to warn the Elder Council but was brutally murdered by Tharn in 3E 389, possibly with the Staff of Chaos itself. Despite her death, Silmane, a powerful mage, used her sorcerous abilities to bind her spirit to the mortal plane, remaining in a corporeal state between life and death. This act, however, caused her magical reserves to constantly drain.
Personality
Ria Silmane is generally characterized as kind, intelligent, and resourceful, with a strong command of magic. She displayed unwavering loyalty to the Empire and to stopping Jagar Tharn. In terms of personality typing, she is often considered an INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging), suggesting deep empathy, an idealistic vision, and an intuitive understanding of human behavior. Her Enneagram type is commonly recognized as 5w4, "The Investigator," which points to her being analytical, curious, and independent, driven by a desire for competence and a fear of being helpless.
Motivations
Silmane's primary motivation was to rectify the devastating consequences of Jagar Tharn's usurpation. She sought to free Emperor Uriel Septim VII from his Oblivion prison, defeat Tharn, and restore peace to Tamriel. Her actions were fueled by a deep sense of loyalty to the Emperor and the Empire, as well as a desire for revenge against Tharn for his betrayal and her murder. Her underlying fear of incompetence and a core desire to be capable also drove her persistent efforts.
Actions
After her murder, Ria Silmane, existing as an incorporeal spirit, first appeared to the imprisoned Eternal Champion in the Imperial sewers. She informed the Champion of Tharn's betrayal, freed them from their cell, and established a magical link to communicate through their dreams and visions. She then guided the Champion on their arduous quest to locate and reassemble the eight shattered pieces of the Staff of Chaos, the only artifact capable of defeating Jagar Tharn. Throughout the Champion's journey, Ria offered advice and knowledge of the staff pieces' whereabouts. In a final act of sacrifice, after the Champion gathered all eight pieces, she used the last of her dwindling magical energy to cast an Illusion spell, altering the Champion's appearance to allow them to infiltrate the Imperial Palace undetected. Following this, her spirit finally passed on to the afterlife. She also managed to convince King Eadwyre and Queen Barenziah to distract Jagar Tharn, buying time for the Champion to escape the dungeons.
Relationships
Ria Silmane's most significant relationships include:
- Jagar Tharn: Her former master and mentor, who ultimately betrayed and murdered her. Their relationship transformed from apprenticeship to one of bitter opposition.
- The Eternal Champion (Talin Warhaft II): She became the Champion's spectral mentor and guide, entrusting them with the crucial task of defeating Tharn. It is strongly believed they knew each other as part of the Imperial Court before her death.
- Emperor Uriel Septim VII: She was a loyal subject of the Emperor and dedicated her existence beyond death to freeing him.
- King Eadwyre and Queen Barenziah: She contacted and persuaded them to aid the Eternal Champion by distracting Jagar Tharn.
Lore
Ria Silmane's lore is primarily established in The Elder Scrolls: Arena. She is a key figure in the "Imperial Simulacrum," the ten-year period during which Jagar Tharn impersonated Emperor Uriel Septim VII. While her race is never explicitly stated, she is widely assumed to be an Imperial, or possibly a Breton, given her magical prowess and affiliation with the Imperial Court. Beyond Arena, her existence and role are mentioned in later Elder Scrolls titles, solidifying her place in the history of Tamriel. Some fan theories even speculate that Ria Silmane could be an avatar of the Daedric Prince Meridia, due to her ability to control timelines and her role in uniting Tamriel.
Quotes
Ria Silmane's quotes often reflect her determined resolve, her waning power, and her role as a guide:
- "It is too late for me, for I am already dead. Only my powers as a Sorceress keep me between this life and the next. That power, however, is waning."
- "You are my last and best hope."
- "Do not fear, for it is I, Ria Silmane. Listen to me, there are no others left to carry on this fight. You have been left in this cell to die. Jagar Tharn, Imperial Battlemage of Tamriel, has taken on the guise of the true Emperor."
- "I will gladly sacrifice myself, however, so that Tharn can pay for his betrayal."
Emotional States
Throughout her spectral appearances, Ria Silmane consistently conveys a sense of urgency, determination, and a melancholic awareness of her own fading existence. Her initial communications with the Champion are resolute, immediately establishing the gravity of the situation and the Champion's vital role. As her magic dwindles, her messages become shorter, reflecting her weakening state, yet her resolve to see Tharn defeated never wavers. Her final act of self-sacrifice, coupled with her explicit statement about gladly sacrificing herself, demonstrates a profound commitment to her cause, overcoming any personal fear of final death in favor of Tamriel's salvation. Her emotional journey is one of steadfast conviction in the face of dwindling hope and personal cost.
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