Here is a splendid little book I came across while perusing the library in the Sacellum. It is a most entertaining treatise written by some fool who thinks he understand the truth of the world. Hah! A fool. His inspiration is unfounded and completely uncreative. Though reading it makes for a good laugh. Which is why I am writing about it! ~ Commentary on the Ten Commands of the Nine Divines By, Brelim Drodhim Glory be to the Nine! This is a treatise on the text "Ten Commands of the Nine Divines" authored by an unknown hand. Assumingly, this text is the work of a monk or priest who wished to record the teachings of the Nine to pass down through the generations. This text has been in circulation within Cyrodiil for many centuries and is recognized as the main text of the Nine and Their followers. It outlines ten basic "rules" for which a follower of the Nine must live their life by in order to maintain a solemn connection with the Holy Nine. Opening Regards This opening paragraph outlines the reason as to why these teachings were passed down to the priests of the Nine. It can be assumed that these testaments to the Will of the Nine have always existed in some form or another and only more recently have they been written down for the convenience of mortals. The first paragraph contains a particularly interesting passage regarding the teachings themselves. To convey to man's mind all the manifold subtleties of truth and virtue may not be done, were all the seas ink, and all the skies the parchment upon which Their wisdoms were writ. This passage outlines the fact that the teachings of the Nine are obvious for those who seek them with faith and determination. This truth becomes evident in the following passage were it explains how Akatosh understood that not every mortal would be capable of reaching these truths on their own. Yet Akatosh, in His wisdom, knowing how impatient is man, and how loathe he is to travel upon the hard roads of truth, has allowed these ten simple commands to be made manifest with powerful clarity and concise definition. The Great Akatosh understands that not all mortals have the patience in order to learn the Truth on their own and require a helping hand to guide them down the right path. He gave these Ten Commands to mortals for their benefit and upon doing so allowed even the most unwilling to see the Truth before them and follow the path of the righteous. The Commands 1. Stendarr says: Be kind and generous to the people of Tamriel. Protect the weak, heal the sick, and give to the needy. Stendarr, god of Mercy, beckons mortals to live through compassion and kindness towards others. He reminds us to be generous and willing to give of ourselves for the betterment of others. We, as the Nine's children, must do what is necessary to defend all those who come under attack from the forces of evil and prevent anyone from falling into the grasp of the selfishness and egoism. 2. Arkay says: Honor the earth, its creatures, and the spirits, living and dead. Guard and tend the bounties of the mortal world, and do not profane the spirits of the dead. Arkay, god of birth and death, beckons mortals to respect the natural order of life. He reminds us that we must protect the living and respect the dead. We must never profane or upset the balance between the mortal world and the spirit world. To desecrate a burial site or to invoke a spirit is to violate the order as defined by Lord Arkay. 3. Mara says: Live soberly and peacefully. Honor your parents, and preserve the peace and security of home and family. Mara, the mother goddess, who gave birth to all creation, beckons mortals to live life with a clear mind and open heart. She reminds us that we must not allow ourselves to become intoxicated on the wiles of mind-altering substances, for they bring only ruin. We must always honour our parents and strive to preserve the unity and love found within the family. 4. Zenithar says: Work hard, and you will be rewarded. Spend wisely, and you will be comfortable. Never steal, or you will be punished. Zenithar, god of wealth and commerce, beckons mortals to labour for their desires. He reminds us that we must work hard if we are to achieve what we seek. We must be modest with our money and spend it only on things we require to live comfortable lives. We must never steal, for what is not earned, is not deserved. Modesty and thrift are key to living a happy life. 5. Talos says: Be strong for war. Be bold against enemies and evil, and defend the people of Tamriel. Talos, the Dragonborn and god-king of Tamriel, beckons mortals to be courageous in times of conflict. He reminds us that we must protect our communities and ourselves from evil. We must give of ourselves for our nation. The utmost importance is that we defend where evil may strike, quickly and precisely with a deft hand guided by the will of the Nine. 6. Kynareth says: Use Nature's gifts wisely. Respect her power, and fear her fury. Kynareth, goddess of the heavens and the winds, beckons mortals to respect and be humble in the face of Nature. She reminds us that we must take advantage of the gifts we have been blessed with. We must respect everything that Nature gives to us and fear what she may do if we are to take advantage of her generosity. 7. Dibella says: Open your heart to the noble secrets of art and love. Treasure the gifts of friendship. Seek joy and inspiration in the mysteries of love. Dibella, goddess of love, beauty and sex, beckons mortals to seek the truth of love in one's heart. She reminds us that we must be open to the affection we give to and receive from others. We must attempt to harness the power and noble secrets of the aesthetics inherent to our creative minds. We must always hold dear our friends and give them all the humblest of blessings, for they will always be there for us. We must seek to find the ultimate bliss and musings that the mysteries of the romantic heart give to us and understand how they make us whole. For to ignore the blessings of Dibella, is to live a life of sadness and emptiness. 8. Julianos says: Know the truth. Observe the law. When in doubt, seek wisdom from the wise. Julianos, god of wisdom and logic, beckons mortals to always strive to obtain the truth. Inherent to the teachings of the Nine, he reminds us that we must always seek the wisdom They confer to us and feel blessed in Their glory. We must always have respect for the law, for it is tantamount, and it is the order that keeps society as a whole from falling to pieces. We must always look to our elders and respect their wisdom, for they have experienced more than us and will always be willing to help us reach their level of understanding. 9. Akatosh says: Serve and obey your Emperor. Study the Covenants. Worship the Nine, do your duty, and heed the commands of the saints and priests. Akatosh, god of origins, beckons mortals to serve the Emperor and defend the legitimacy of his power. We must always protect the Dragonborn, for if they fall, so does the likes of mortals. We must study the Nine's teachings and worship them, for they have blessed us with all that we know and cherish. We must always pay respect to and follow the guiding of Their saints and priests, for their wisdom is inspired by the Nine themselves. They work for us as intermediaries and always do their best to relate the blessings of the Nine unto us. 10. The Nine say: Above all else, be good to one another. The Nine, the most blessed of all, beckon mortals to do good unto one another, for this is the cornerstone of the world and without it, the order which has been constructed by the Nine would crumble. Closing Regards These ten commands outline how every mortal must live their life if they are to fully understand the truth. To strictly follow these commands, as this text plainly demonstrates, would be a path of humility and compassion. The text here in the final lines closes by mentioning the obedient and humble man in contrast to the wicked and ignorant man. A man who pays glory to the Nine will receive their blessings and knowledge. A man who offends the Nine by ignoring Their teachings, violates the laws of Nature and defiles Their names, will pay a heavy price for his sins and will never receive the blessings and knowledge. However, glory be to Them, there is still hope. Being the epitome of boundless compassion and forgiveness, They are willing to bless and receive the wicked that repent for their crimes. Recompense those you have wronged and redeem your infamy through shining deeds. All mortals can become one with the Nine, only through these teachings and following them can one receive the truth into their hearts. ~ Amazing, is it not!? This man is most definitely mad, yet his inspiration of madness is not the work of my hand... at least I do not think it is. And even funnier, there are some notes written into the back pages! A prayer that must have been written by him to his goddess. So funny. ~ My love unto Dibella, Thank you for your gifts, Your guidance, And your acceptance. You have given unto me, All things beautiful, All things lovely, And all things romantic. Your grace be glorified, For we must revel in passion, In affection, And pleasure. Bless me in my time of need, Grant me the strength to give of myself, To shower my love in affection and kindness, And to satisfy her every desire. O Great Dibella, Bless my love, And my heart, For it serves your will. May I find the love I seek, And manifest your glory, Unto her forever, And for all eternity.

Well... where to begin? Begin to go where? I do not know. As the new Madgod, I sit here upon my throne, wondering wherever did Jyggalag and the old Me head off to? Back to the seas of Oblivion? Forward to the oceans of Creation? I hate water. Especially salty water. Makes my mouth dry. Madness. What is it? Two of one or one of two? Both Dementia and Mania sit side by side in My realm constantly bickering amongst one another. Trying to gain favour they are! But the realize not how to gain favour the rightly way. For favour only comes about to those who do not actively seek it! Har, those fools in the Sacellum Arden-Sul. What were their names again? Arctus of Mania and Dervenin of Dementia was it? Or was it Arctus of Dementia and Dervenin of Mania? Who cares. Regardless my champions, for it is time for me to begin my succinct treatise on Madness. Madness. Giver. Taker. Lover. Hater. Two sides. One coin. Both heads. No tails. Madness. There you have it. Meditate on what I have given you. Seek out and pester My Mazken and Aureal... they enjoy being taunted. Throw rocks at them! They LOVE that! Make sure to hit them on the head, CLANG their helmets will ring! Hah! Wabbajack, Wabbajack, Wabbajack!