The Form of the Atronachs

As commonly known, Atronachs are a form of Daedra who are physical manifestations of their particular element, the most prevalent examples being frost, flame, and storm. They are favored by conjurers as they seem less ambitious or malevolent as other daedra, and with no individual loyalties to a Daedric Prince they are overall easier to control. An interesting phenomena is the various reported outward appearances of these elemental atronachs, which seem to change based on the province they are summoned into. Considering that these atronachs are essentially just elemental powers given manifestations, it is unlikely that they have a set preference on how they wish their summoned form to appear, as long as they are true to their nature aesthetics wouldn’t be a concern. I posit what shape and characteristics an atronach takes on is determined by the predominant cultural view of that atronach’s element. Put simply, an atronach appears to look like whatever the local people feel it should look like. This relationship is most clear when comparing flame or frost atronachs, particularly with Tamrelic provinces with radically different climates.

First let us examine the Flame Atronach’s appearance in Morrowind. Here we see a clearly masculine figure, aggressive in its stance and demeanor. This flame atronach has sharp features, the blocky spiked armor creates a definite aura of immediate danger. His movements are deliberate and forceful, moving across the ashlands with a confident sense of belonging. All of these qualities mirror how the Dunmeri people view the element of flame, especially those who lived on the island of Vvardenfell. Those who lived in the shadow of Red Mountain knew that fire could be an hostile and persistent force. Groups who traveled across Vvardenfell consistently braved intense heat and open lava, in addition to the ever-present threat of full eruption. Even though the Dunmer had grown accustomed to fire, it was not seen as a comfort but as a threat.

These feeling on the nature of fire contrast sharply with the views of the Nords in Skyrim, and non-coincidentally so too does the manifestation of the Flame Atronach. An obvious difference in the Skyrim variant is its gendered characteristics, distinct feminine features are undeniably present. Not seen here is much of the bulky straightforwardness of Vvardenfell atronach, armor is sparse, creating not much more than a silhouette. Some horns are present, but nothing directly threatening. The appearance brings with it a change in presence, Skyrim’s flame atronachs move with a distinct grace, literally floating over the terrain. As inappropriate as it may sound, the Skyrim atronach’s movements suggest an intentional allure, with flips and twirls that serve no non-aesthetic purpose. This perfectly reflects the Nords’ covetous relationship with fire, in the coldest land in Tamerial in is understandable that warmth is a desirable thing. The atronachs flighty and quick movements over the ground could be representing the fleeting nature of heat in the frozen wastelands. So here, in contrast to the harsh and fierce eastern flame atronachs, Nord culture produces an atronach that while still clearly dangerous shows the seductive comfort inherent in the element it represents.

Interestingly enough the flame atronachs seen in Cyrodiil seem to be a blend of aspects of Skyrim’s and Morrowind’s atronachs. While still female in appearance, the Cyrodilic flame atronach is missing much of the elegance found in the Skyrim variant. This can easily be explained by Cyrodiil’s temperate climate, the Imperials know not the adversarial relationship with fire brought by proximity to Red Mountain, nor the deep necessity for fire felt in the colder provinces.

Moving on to frost atronachs, with these creatures the cultural divergences are even more apparent. The Morrowind frost atronach while quite intimidating, does not denote a culture possessing profound familiarity with the element of ice. Other than the few icicle spikes and the vapor aura, there is little that represents this atronach’s element. In Vvardenfell there are not many places one would encounter natural ice, and would more likely come across it as an offensive weapon of some monster or man. So the ice atronach reinforces that link, portraying itself as little more than a warrior of ice.

Skyrim’s frost atronach is a sentient mountain of ice. There is almost no characterization of the ice, because it is not necessary. The Nords have understanding of cold, they spend their whole lives fighting against its ravages, this intimacy produces a form that is little more than an animation of what already exists.

Again, Cyrodiil experiences a balance between the two extremes, having more experience with ice than Morrowind the atronachs incorporate appropriate shapes, but Imperials lack the total acceptance of the cold that allows the the Nords to see frost atronachs without humanization.

If this theory of societal belief and interpretation effecting an atronach’s physical forms is correct, then it would be an interesting barometer used to determine a culture’s relationship with their environment. For example, would the Bosmer of the heavily forested Valenwood create flame atronachs that echo the vulnerability they might have with fire? Could the Red Year of warped the Vvardenfell flame atronach into an even more ferocious creature for the Dunmer, or would their exodus to Solstheim move their collective view of flame closer to the longing of the Nords? And one final supposition, could an individual’s emotions towards an element be powerful enough to overwhelm the views of their people, and summon forth an atronach that assumes a form representing what this element means to specifically that individual?