Summary
- Martin destroys the Amulet of Kings to summon Akatosh, banish Mehrunes Dagon, and seal Oblivion Gates permanently.
- Martin's sacrifice ends the Septim lineage, fulfills the Dragonborn Prophecy, and sets the stage for the Thalmor conflict in Skyrim.
- There is debate whether Martin mantled Akatosh, but his actions led to a new covenant and self-sustaining barrier between Mundus and Oblivion.
This article contains end-game spoilers for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
The ending of the main questline in Oblivion is a sequence of events that has consequences that even affect Skyrim, which takes place hundreds of years later. Oblivion's ending sequence takes place in the heart of the Imperial City, at the Temple of the One. The ending happens very quickly, and the details of it can be confusing. Some of the lore involved in Oblivion's final battle is some of the most complicated but crucial of the franchise, and it has a lot to do with St Alessia's covenant with Akatosh, apotheosis in The Elder Scrolls, and the nature of Martin's sacrifice.
Upon Mehrunes Dagon's entering Mundus, the plane where Tamriel is located, Martin smashes the Amulet of Kings and becomes an avatar of Akatosh, which appears in the form of a dragon. Mehrunes Dagon and the avatar fight until Dagon is defeated and sent back to Oblivion. The avatar then turns into a stone dragon statue that becomes a permanent feature of the Temple of the One. Once the main quest is completed, Oblivion Gates cease to open in Cyrodiil, and bring the Oblivion Crisis to an end.
Oblivion Remastered: Level Scaling, Explained
The level scaling system in Oblivion Remastered closely resembles the original game's level scaling with some minor differences.
Why Martin Destroyed the Amulet of Kings
The key to Oblivion's ending is the Amulet of Kings and the role of the Septims as "dragon blooded", which implies that the Septim lineage are dragonborn. Because of the nature of the covenant with Akatosh, who created the dragonborn, only dragonborn can wear the Amulet of Kings, which was established when St Alessia made a covenant with Akatosh when the Amulet of Kings was created. With the Dragon Fires unlit, the covenant was unfulfilled, and Mehrunes Dagon could invade Tamriel.
When Martin destroys the Amulet of Kings, it reacts to him as a dragonborn and summons Akatosh to Tamriel in the form of a dragon created from fire. When Akatosh banishes Mehrunes Dagon, and with the destruction of the Amulet, the old covenant is destroyed, and a new one is made, making an invasion into Mundus by the Daedra impossible and forever sealing the open gates to Oblivion.
Akatosh Returned to Tamriel For Oblivion's Final Battle
Did Martin Septim Mantle Akatosh?
There is much debate in The Elder Scrolls community about the exact nature of Martin's sacrifice. The main points of contention are Akatosh's role and whether Martin mantled Akatosh in his final moments. Mantling in The Elder Scrolls is akin to apotheosis, where an individual transforms from a mortal to an existing god. This process is described as "walk like them until they must walk like you". Because Martin didn't mimic Akatosh in any way, there is a contention that he did mantle the dragon god. Despite the semantics of it, Martin did fully channel Akatosh at that moment, allowing Akatosh to appear as an avatar.
With Dagon's defeat and the physical appearance of Akatosh, the barrier between Mundus and Oblivion became self-sustaining and no longer requires the Amulet or Dragon Fires to be lit. In Skyrim, Sheogorath, who is strongly implied to be the Hero of Kvatch who witnessed the battle, references the events of Oblivion, and states that Martin "turned into a dragon god", implying that he did indeed become Akatosh at that moment. Martin's actions ended the line of the Septims, fulfilling one of the predictions of the Dragonborn Prophecy, setting up the war with the Thalmor, and the state of the Empire in Skyrim.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- April 22, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
WHERE TO PLAY
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ Remastered modernizes the 2006 Game of the Year with all new stunning visuals and refined gameplay. Explore the vast landscape of Cyrodiil like never before and stop the forces of Oblivion from overtaking the land in one of the greatest RPGs ever from the award-winning Bethesda Game Studios.
Rediscover Cyrodiil
Journey through the rich world of Tamriel and battle across the planes of Oblivion where handcrafted details have been meticulously recreated to ensure each moment of exploration is awe-inspiring.
Navigate Your Own Story
From the noble warrior to the sinister assassin, wizened sorcerer, or scrappy blacksmith, forge your path and play the way you want.
Experience an Epic Adventure
Step inside a universe bursting with captivating stories and encounter an unforgettable cast of characters. Master swordcraft and wield powerful magic as you fight to save Tamriel from the Daedric invasion.
The Complete Story
Experience everything Oblivion has to offer with previously released story expansions Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and additional downloadable content included in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
