"Talos says: Be strong for war. Be bold against enemies and evil, and defend the people of Tamriel."
“Let me show you the power of Talos Stormcrown, born of the North, where my breath is long winter. I breathe now, in royalty, and reshape this land which is mine. I do this for you, Red Legions, for I love you.”
The life of Tiber Septim, while regarded with respect and reverence all over the Empire, is still a story of mystery. Much of his tale has been lost to time, and there are two prevailing stories that are argued over which is the true tale and which is heretical falsehood.
- The first story tells of a man, named Hjalti Early-Beard, a Nord born in the High Rock kingdom of Alcaire, joining the military of the Akaviri Potentate. Then, in the aftermath of the assassination of the last Potentate, he took on the name Talos Stormcrown and was raised to the rank of General in the service of a man named Cuhlecain, a king in Falkreath. Forming a friendship, Talos led Cuhlecain's men and united the Bretons and Nords in the Jerall and Druadach Mountain regions of Falkreath in Skyrim and Ephesus in High Rock, and then down into the Colovian Highlands of Cyrodiil. A lack of clarity arises here where it is unsure if Talos was Cuhlecain's successor when he died, or if Talos usurped Cuhlecain's position and from there, continued on his escapades of uniting all the lands of Tamriel and instigating a new Empire under his leadership. Upon his ascension, to the throne of Emperor, he then takes the name Tiber Septim.
- The second story differs only in a few cases. In this case, Talos was born in Atmora and came to Skyrim and lived much of his life there before becoming a General of Cuhlecain. Many of the battle stories involved in this rendition of his life are more colored and flavorful, giving a more fantastic idea of his conquests. While Talos was Dragonborn and thus some of these tales could be true, they still seem steeped in fantasy and flamboyance. In either case, he still takes over Cuhlecain's position in time and eventually becomes Emperor of a new Tamriel-wide Empire.
Which of these is true is still argued, however, most people believe the second story to be the truth, calling him Talos of Atmora, but there is still evidence that implies he also still held the name Hjalti Early-Beard so the mystery persists.