Sotha Sil. : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:22 am

What did he do? Was he once like how Almalexia used to be? Sort of like charitable and caring? What was his personality like? I hear he cared a lot for his people but what did he do? I mean I thought he was mysterious or at least the most out of all of them. If he was, I supposed that he was quiet with his actions for his people that his people didn't get to know him.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:28 am

http://www.imperial-library.info/mwbooks/2920.shtml#1 might give some insights into his (and the other Tribunes) character. Great read as well

» Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:16 pm

http://www.imperial-library.info/mwbooks/2920.shtml#1 might give some insights into his (and the other Tribunes) character. Great read as well

Agreed, you should definitely read 2920.

In a nutshell, Sotha Sil (or Seht) was a wizard. Even before the apotheosis of the Tribunal he was a gifted wizard. As documented in 2920, he was affiliated with the Psijic order and seemed to be very respected. It was Sotha Sil's studying of Kagrenac's Tools and their relationship with the Heart of Lorkhan that allowed the Tribunal to discover the achievement of pseudo-divinity. In the later milennia, Seht enjoyed long walks in his clockwork city, which was either deep underneath the swamps of Southern Morrowind or in a small jar atop one of Almalexia's cabinets, hard to say. But Sotha Sil was always attached to machinery, and he died a part of the mechanisms that ran the aformentioned clockwork city.

» Sun Jun 20, 2010 11:21 pm

As I understand it, the three Tribunes got that way by helping eachoher murder Nevar and steal Lorhan's heart.

Seht provided the motive: he figured out how to become gods.

Vehk Planed out the dead, and instructed Alma

Alma killed Nevar, and together they stole Lorkhan's power.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:28 pm

was it Seth's intention though, to provide the motive? was it a part of his plan or something? i am not sure it was.

seems he is one of those iffy, pardon the lack of better adjective, characters. on one hand, he is a caring person, right(what with the people liking him and all and his actions did not seem to be those of a i wanna rule the world evil wizard type and all)? but this Nerevar thing cast a shadow on him that just cannot be denied either and suddenly he appears to be a manipulative? he's an enigma wrapped in a mystery, lol.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 12:15 pm

was it Seth's intention though, to provide the motive? was it a part of his plan or something? i am not sure it was.

seems he is one of those iffy, pardon the lack of better adjective, characters. on one hand, he is a caring person, right(what with the people liking him and all and his actions did not seem to be those of a i wanna rule the world evil wizard type and all)? but this Nerevar thing cast a shadow on him that just cannot be denied either and suddenly he appears to be a manipulative? he's an enigma wrapped in a mystery, lol.

You mean he was more of an 'oops, silly me, I should have known that Alma and Vivec would commit regicide, who cares about sacrilege and doing the same kinda thing we killed all the Dwemer for doing. Hmm - who cares that we promised our Daedric Patron not to do this. Well now that he's dead and can't interfere I will just take what I want without a care because this god-thing could be real useful to my studies sorta character?

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:14 am

I always had the impression that despite being the most reclusive and enigmatic member of the Tribunal, that Sotha Sil was still the more genuine and sincere person among them, and truly felt his actions promoted the greater good of the Dunmer people. This feeling is also expressed by in-game dialogue concerning him. Almost everybody except the insane and vengeful Almalexia has nothing but good things to say about Sotha Sil's moral character.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 2:46 am

I always had the impression that despite being the most reclusive and enigmatic member of the Tribunal, that Sotha Sil was still the more genuine and sincere person among them, and truly felt his actions promoted the greater good of the Dunmer people. This feeling is also expressed by in-game dialogue concerning him. Almost everybody except the insane and vengeful Almalexia has nothing but good things to say about Sotha Sil's moral character.

Stranglely I kinda agree with that Hairdo, but although they do say absolute power corrupts absolutely ... I also feel that is true only according to the nature of the individual affected

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:58 am

Stranglely I kinda agree with that Hairdo, but although they do say absolute power corrupts absolutely ... I also feel that is true only according to the nature of the individual affected

I'm glad you agree.

Some people construe his attachment to his machines and his isolation as a sign of apathy for Morrowind and its people..I'm skeptical though. He was said to be "reshaping the world".

Perhaps he was planning on using his City or its inhabitants to help the Dunmer people?

Perhaps he anticipated Landfall and was constructing a safe place for them to live? Perhaps the Fabricants were meant as a standing army to help fight off Daedra and Argonians? He was portrayed as too kind and selfless in almost all literature portrayals for me to believe he was as petty as his other siblings.

» Sun Jun 20, 2010 11:50 pm

I think it was odd that he was teaching the magic 101 class in the 2920 series. Firewalking at a luau seems like something Sotha would have his teaching assistant take care of while the he did something worthwhile.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:54 am

I think it was odd that he was teaching the magic 101 class in the 2920 series. Firewalking at a luau seems like something Sotha would have his teaching assistant take care of while the he did something worthwhile.

Therein lies the beauty of Sotha Sil, IMO. He didn't feel like he was too important for the little things. He personally came down from Red Mountain and comforted each and every one of his people about their red eyes and dark skin. I could imagine him taking the time out of his schedule to teach basic spells to little children. It seems to fit nicely with his image as the most likable and big hearted of the Tribunal.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 4:01 pm

Therein lies the beauty of Sotha Sil, IMO. He didn't feel like he was too important for the little things. He personally came down from Red Mountain and comforted each and every one of his people about their red eyes and dark skin. I could imagine him taking the time out of his schedule to teach basic spells to little children. It seems to fit nicely with his image as the most likable and big hearted of the Tribunal.

And if the look frozen on his face in Tribunal is any indication, he may have died the most horribly.

I think the reason Sotha Sil could hang on to his decency and generally human side when the other two became grade-A jerkasses is because he was a wizard and sort-of-Psijic already, and therefore had been psychologically prepared for an overly extended lifespan while the others were not.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 12:52 am

Therein lies the beauty of Sotha Sil, IMO. He didn't feel like he was too important for the little things. He personally came down from Red Mountain and comforted each and every one of his people about their red eyes and dark skin. I could imagine him taking the time out of his schedule to teach basic spells to little children. It seems to fit nicely with his image as the most likable and big hearted of the Tribunal.

And if the look frozen on his face in Tribunal is any indication, he may have died the most horribly.

I think the reason Sotha Sil could hang on to his decency and generally human side when the other two became grade-A jerkasses is because he was a wizard and sort-of-Psijic already, and therefore had been psychologically prepared for an overly extended lifespan while the others were not.

Or maybe he dealt with them so someone would remember him. All he left behind otherwise was a poorly designed clockwork city that only one person can visit and a minor army of easily beatable cyborgs. Might as well be remembered for scolding Nord children.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:52 pm

And if the look frozen on his face in Tribunal is any indication, he may have died the most horribly.

Alamalexia claimed he didn't make a sound, though. Either she was lying, or delusional, or he had been frozen in a catatonic state for some time.

Judging by his emaciated looking forearms and the length of his fingernails, I'd guess he's been "plugged in to the matrix" for a good 12 months by the time Almalexia bashed his skull in with her spells and weapons. He may have had that look on his face for a long time, although it's not clear to me why he was wearing his war mask. (partially broken by Almalexia's attacks, the "powerful energies" that the Nerevarine writes about in his journal)

Or maybe he dealt with them so someone would remember him. All he left behind otherwise was a poorly designed clockwork city that only one person can visit and a minor army of easily beatable cyborgs. Might as well be remembered for scolding Nord children.

http://www.imperial-library.info/obscure_text/sotha_sil.shtml

Just a note on Sotha Sil my friends....

That was not the entire City. No indeed. It was Master Sil's main hall within his hidden city of Clockwork madness. Just as, outside of the pearly gates in Mournhold, exists a crawling area of numerous homes, citizens, and vendors. Sotha Sil is quite expanse and houses many more inhabitants. I have seen them in person, and my, what a sight! In the case of the Nerevarine, I hear tale that when he was teleported in by Almalexia, the machina lift door behind him was caved in. For whatever reason (did Almalexia do it or did Sotha Sil?), this barred him from venturing further. Where the Nerevarine actually was, is Sotha Sil's workshop/lair.

Think about it though.... if this were a city, who could possibly call this place home? More intelligent fabricant type inventions? I dare not tell, although I have seen it with mine own eyes. Perhaps one day, the location will be openly known, and visitors can venture forth into the Clockwork City entire.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 3:02 pm

You mean he was more of an 'oops, silly me, I should have known that Alma and Vivec would commit regicide, who cares about sacrilege and doing the same kinda thing we killed all the Dwemer for doing. Hmm - who cares that we promised our Daedric Patron not to do this. Well now that he's dead and can't interfere I will just take what I want without a care because this god-thing could be real useful to my studies sorta character?

lol. i want to see him as a victim of peer pressure

, or something, so i can justify his darker deeds, i guess, i donno. but the following just gives some grounds to what i said, i think(hope):

I always had the impression that despite being the most reclusive and enigmatic member of the Tribunal, that Sotha Sil was still the more genuine and sincere person among them, and truly felt his actions promoted the greater good of the Dunmer people. This feeling is also expressed by in-game dialogue concerning him. Almost everybody except the insane and vengeful Almalexia has nothing but good things to say about Sotha Sil's moral character.

i am not going to deny that he did things though; hard to argue against facts. i am blaming the deeds on the personality changes

; promises of power corrupts.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 5:52 am

Seht provided the motive: he figured out how to become gods.

Vehk Planed out the dead, and instructed Alma

Alma killed Nevar, and together they stole Lorkhan's power.

According to Vivec, his mortal self was the one holding the knife that killed Nerevar, as he testified in The Trial of Vivec:

Vivec uses his water-face (a condition that makes him cannot lie) and says, "As Vehk and Vehk I hereby answer, my right and my left, with black hands. Vehk the mortal did murder the Hortator. Vehk the God did not, and remains as written. And yet these two are the same being. And yet are not, save for one red moment. Know that with the Water-Face do I answer, and so cannot be made to lie."

Unless his water-face is a load of codswallop...

And if the look frozen on his face in Tribunal is any indication, he may have died the most horribly.

I think the reason Sotha Sil could hang on to his decency and generally human side when the other two became grade-A jerkasses is because he was a wizard and sort-of-Psijic already, and therefore had been psychologically prepared for an overly extended lifespan while the others were not.

His "decency and generally human side" explains the frozen expression on his face - he may have been in touch with himself to the point where he still felt and understood the tragedy that his death would be. I can believe that he stayed silent however, as this goes along with his extensive wizarding/Psijic training and conditioning.

» Mon Jun 21, 2010 12:59 pm

According to Vivec, his mortal self was the one holding the knife that killed Nerevar, as he testified in The Trial of Vivec:

Unless his water-face is a load of codswallop...

well, the only source we have saying it keeps him from lying is Vivec himself, and therefore the safest and most logical assumption is that it is a lie. If a mortal wore it and found himself magically compelled to be honest, does that mean a god, even a false god who'se source of power and divinity had been taken from him, is also compelled so? Probably not. And even further, how honest? Does it need to be an objective or subjective truth? Can it be a half-truth, like the "mortal did, god didn't because they aren't the same?"

His "decency and generally human side" explains the frozen expression on his face - he may have been in touch with himself to the point where he still felt and understood the tragedy that his death would be. I can believe that he stayed silent however, as this goes along with his extensive wizarding/Psijic training and conditioning.

Or maybe, at last, Almalexia was right. Sotha Sil endured the pain of his own murder silently just to mock her. To drive her too mad to focus in battle against the Nerevarine.