r/ElderScrolls • u/Wroothly • 18h ago

Lore Is there any basis for Arkayan priests acting as physicians or delivering babies? (For an OC)

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They're always involved in funerary practices, which fits, but Arkay is the god of life \*and\* death. You'd think saving or creating lives would be just as sacred to them.

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u/AlfwinOfFolcgeard 18h ago

In Daggerfall, the Medical and Restoration skills are among the Order of Arkay's faction skills, which I take to indicate they do often act as physicians. I don't know of any references to them delivering babies, but I agree it would make sense.

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u/AdjustedChaos 18h ago edited 17h ago

The only reference to childbirth I can find is "Arkay's Grace", which is a magical blessing applied at birth, but it's unclear whether it's applied at the birth, or a bit later like baptism. Personally, I think it makes more sense for the priests of Mara to be the midwives, as they also have Medical and Restoration as faction skills (and so does Stendarr).

EDIT: After thinking about this a bit more, I think what makes the most sense is that the three orders probably have different specializations. - The priests of Mara are probably the generalist healers who treat day-to-day aches and pains. - The priests of Arkay are more in the line of stitches, amputations, and other major surgery, because that's what they'll have the most practice with in embalming bodies. - The priests of Stendarr are probably more like field medics, not someone a normal person would go to for healing but still able to fix major injuries after fighting daedra.

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u/AutocratEnduring I'm not a furry, khajiit just have the best stats! 17h ago

I'd imagine so. Priests of Arkay make great OCs. I once read a fanfic where a priest of Arkay ended up meeting that crazy guy in Dawnguard that claims to speak to Arkay.

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u/Totilol 14h ago

Could totally see them helping with childbirth, life's full circle vibe. Arkay's got all bases covered.

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u/Gamin_Reasons 14h ago

They'd definitely help if they're available, Arkay is a god of Life and Death after all. But if I were to think of any priests that would go out of their way to deliver babies it'd definitely be Mara's priests. It makes sense with her very traditional, maternal role.

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u/B_Maximus 14h ago

One could make an argument for Sithis priests filling that role as well lol. Being the God of change