Skyrim is in no way a stranger to formidable and oftentimes legendary weapons. However, even among them, the Wuuthrad stands out, not only for the might it possesses but also for the acts committed with it.
Once the axe was in the hands of a mighty hero, and it played a pivotal role in establishing human domination in the lands of Tamriel. However, times have changed now, and it’s the Dragonborn who ends up getting it from the Companions.
How the Wuuthard is a controversial weapon
The fabled great axe Wuuthrad, was wielded by Ysgramor the “First man.” With this weapon, he led the Companions to drive the Elves from Skyrim and Solstheim reclaiming lands for the humans. It is said that Ysgamor’s axe fell on the Elves with a great wrath, and led to what can only be considered as genocide of the Elven race.
The lore behind Wuuthrad adds an uncomfortable layer to Skyrim’s rich history. It carries the weight of racial animosity between the humans and the elves. A weapon that is built specifically to kill elves inevitably brings racism within the game world into question.
Ah, yes. Racism manifested into a physical object.
byu/AustinDream inskyrim
In Skyrim, the Wuuthrad is visually striking, with the intricate carvings reflecting the grim history it has carried out. In the hands of the Dragonborn, this weapon serves the purpose of being particularly deadly to all Elven enemies dealing 1.2x or 20% damage. Perfect for helping players roleplay as a “True Nord”, or even Ysgramor himself.
Themes of racial problems in the world Tamriel is not something that was new when Skyrim was released. There have been other great heroes of mankind in Tamriel like Pelinal Whitestrake who also grapple with similar themes.
Known as the “Divine Crusader”, Pelinal was an immortal hero infamous for his deep hatred of the Elves. His legacy in The Elder Scrolls is complex being regarded both as a savior and a killer.
There is complex morality in the Elder Scrolls Lore
One thing that the Elder Scrolls Series is its richly woven lore that defies simplistic black-and-white morality. Even the Elves that are often being racially targeted have their own morally ambiguous history. Ysgramor’s campaign against the Elves, for instance, was preceded by the “Night of Tears”.
To eliminate all humans from Skyrim, the Elves had massacred the human settlement of Saarthal leaving only Ysgramor and his two sons as survivors. Similarly, Pelinal Whitestrake began his crusade to help the Alessian Slave Rebellion fight against their Elven oppressors.
The lore of Tamriel is filled with many other complex topics such as slavery or the concept of living gods in Morrowind . In the present day, any of these topics would have sparked controversy. The Elder Scrolls lore is handled with a sense of maturity making the lore complex and more unique.
Due to this, weapons like the Wuuthrad become larger than life, making them more than just weapons- they become a message about race, morality, and the impact of prejudice in both fictional and real-world contexts.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
