   EmpressClivia Tharn | |
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 Clivia sitting the Ruby Throne as regent - by Nuare Studio; ©ZeniMax | |
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| Race | Imperial |
| Culture | Nibenese (Imperial) |
| Born | In the 2E 500s |
| Died | In 2E 582 (presumably) |
| Father | Abnur Tharn |
| Mother | Abnur Tharn's seventh wife |
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Clivia Tharn was the Empress Regent of the Empire of Cyrodiil during the Interregnum of the mid-Second Era, and a member of the influential Tharn family. She was the consort to both Emperor Leovic I Longhouse and Emperor Varen I Aquilarios, and assumed the role of regent following Varen's presumed death during the Soulburst. She oversaw the maintenance of the rapidly-crumbling Empire, yet in the end did little to stop it due to the influence of her close adviser and puppet-master, Mannimarco. Through Clivia the King of Worms effectively ruled the Empire, paving the way for his own master, Molag Bal, and the ongoing Planemeld.
Sometime into Clivia's rule she was secretly abducted and replaced with a daedra known as Molag Kena, who used a glamour to give herself the appearance of the Empress Regent. This duplicity was uncovered in 2E 582, and Clivia was presumed dead after a search for her uncovered nothing of her whereabouts. It is also possible that the imperial nobility were not interested in Clivia's return, as she was not a legitimate Empress Regnant to begin with, and was originally sympathetic with Mannimarco and his Worm Cult.
Appearance and Character[]
Clivia had pale skin, light grey eyes, and bright brown hair. She had a harsh, hard, yet beautiful face which many claimed was a perfect combination of her father and mother. Ever-poised and proper, Clivia embodied all that was expected of a lady in Imperial high society. With the aid of her father, Abnur Tharn, she successfully married into high positions and secured copious amounts of power for her family, as well as herself.
According to Abnur Tharn himself, Clivia grew into a shrewd and ruthlessly ambitious woman, traits which were apparent even in her youth. She yearned for power, and even after her plans to become empress were foiled with the deaths of her imperial husbands, she clung to power as Empress Regent for as long as she could. It is suspected she might have even attempted to declare herself Empress Regnant, if not for her untimely disappearance, showcasing the heights of her ambitions.
Despite her shrewdness, Clivia was easily swayed by Mannimarco, indicating that she could easily be bought with promises of power and glory. During her short rule of the Empire she also made little attempt to repair the fracturing realm, as her allegiance belonged squarely with the King of Worms and his plot to merge Tamriel with Coldharbour. In this sense it is difficult to say she would have been a good ruler, even under calmer times, as she routinely put her own advancement above the well-being of her subjects and Empire.
History[]
Early Life[]
Clivia commanding troops into battle; ©Bethesda Softworks
Family[]
Quotes about Clivia[]
Ah, fair Clivia. My charming girl grew to be a ruthlessly ambitious woman. I taught her well.
—Abnur Tharn about Clivia
She is comfortably lodged in Mannimarco's pocket, along with my nephew, Javad. I doubt they've given my disappearance a second thought.
—Abnur Tharn about Clivia's allegiance to Mannimarco