Mephala

Mephala is a Daedric Prince whose sphere is obscured to mortals. She is associated with murder, lies, deception, and secrets, and is always weaving a web of intrigue and terror.

Mephala is also known as the Webspinner, Plot-Weaver, Androgyne, the Spinner, the Spider, the Teacher of the Secret Arts, the Queen of the Eight Shadows of Murder, The Silver Spider, the Spider God, the Dark One, the Whispering Lady, the Lady of Whispers, and the Queen of Oblivion. She is also referred to as the princess of secrets and she who weaves the sordid web of human affairs. Long, thin silver hair is a trait associated with Mephala's champions.



Mephala interferes in the affairs of mortals for her own amusement, and does nothing without purpose. Mephala thinks of the affairs of mortals as a weave; pull but one thread and the whole thing unravels. To her, the "web" of the Aurbis is an interconnected system of action and consequence, and she spins new threads to influence outcomes. In an essay analyzing the Daedric Prince, Divayth Fyr posits that Mephala likely doesn't see mortals as mere playthings, unlike some of her fellow Princes.

The Webspinner deals in secrets and hidden lore. She and her worshippers value secrets and mysteries above all else. Those who stumble upon one of Mephala's shrines or a place where an artifact of hers is hidden may find Mephala whispering forbidden secrets in their ears. Hermaeus Mora, the "Demon of Knowledge", is sometimes referred to as Mephala's sibling.



Hermaeus Mora collects knowledge of all sorts, but Mephala cares only about knowledge that is obscure and undisclosed. Not only is she secretive, Mephala also cares very little for the safety and well-being of mortals. The Spider takes great pleasure in strife. A ruined marriage, two peaceful factions erupting into bloody warfare over falsified evidence of treachery ... she finds all of these amusing.

Mephala is purportedly one of the "strongest of the recognizable spirits" that emerged soon after Akatosh formed and time began. Mephala's enemies include Ebonarm and Peryite. She was allied with Malacath at one point prior to the Warp in the West. The ancient Khajiit considered her an ally to Azurah, Boethra, and Lorkhaj. They also believed that she was Boethra's lover. Her summoning day coincides with the Witches Festival, which falls on the 13th of Frostfall.