Lore:Hollowjack

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Lord Hollowjack
ON-event-Witches Festival 2024.jpg
Lord Hollowjack
Type Daedra Lord (Pumpkin Spectre)
Realm Detritus
Spheres Mortal Fears, Fear Daedra
Servants Cats, Pumpkin Spectres, Scarecrow Spectres
Appears in

ESO

"Chop and amputate and hack, Happy work for Hollowjack."The Hollowjack Cantor[1]

Hha-Lugh-Zhek, more commonly known as Lord Hollowjack, or the Hollowjack Spectre,[2] is a dread Daedra Lord who rules over the demi-plane of Detritus. He is also known as the Lord of Mortal Fears and the Fear Daedra.[3] Hollowjack also was known to go by the alias Khal H. Hughez, which is an anagram of his name, Hha-Lugh-Zhek.[4]

He is a unique Greater Daedra, a Pumpkin Spectre[2] who derives supernatural power by metaphysically feeding on the terrified whispers of all Men and Mer who are driven by fear to pray for divine intervention. It is in this moment of dread that Hollowjack appears, speaking softly or in whispers from a mouth full of long, sharp teeth in order to carry out this "fear feeding". He has long, slender, and agile fingers tipped with sharp talons that can slash or puncture, but which are usually used to gently emphasize what the voice behind them is saying.[3] Other Pumpkin Spectres and Scarecrow Spectres are his servants.[5] Those afflicted with paranoia by him are referred to as the Hollowjack Broken.[6]

Every year, during the Witches Festival on the 13th of Frost Fall, the portals between Nirn and Detritus open.[7] As such, Hollowjack is closely associated with that festival, and it has become tradition for celebrants to masquerade as Hollowjack during the event.[2] Hollowjack-style armor and weapons are crafted using pumpkin, black hawthorn, and amber marble.[1][8]

Hollowjack is associated with Jaque o' the Hollow, a malevolent headless spirit said to haunt a hidden hollow in Rivenspire. On the night of the Witches Festival, Jaque o' the Hollow curses riders all across Tamriel to ride headless throughout the night, clutching a carved pumpkin atop their mount.[9][10]

In Nibenay folklore, Hollowjack has a connection to house cats. In the case of houses where the owner was murdered, Hollowjack is said to send the spirit of the owner's cat back to haunt the house and torment the killer.[11] Those who earn Hollowjack's approval through a sinister rite may be gifted a Hollowjack Indrik supposedly capable of tormenting the dreams of others.[12]

History[edit]

Hollowjack disguised as Khal H. Hughez

There is a long literary tradition of personal accounts and folk tales detailing the mortal victims of Hollowjack who were driven mad with fear due to repeated visitations from the Daedra. The Psijic Order have gathered a collection of these accounts as part of their studies on Oblivion, and categorize these individuals as "Hollowjack's Haunted".[3] The eldest Haunted was a man by the name of Maxien Roudille, a priest of Stendarr. Hollowjack dined on his fear for ages, until a bargain was struck. As part of their agreement, the Lord of Fears would not torment Maxien so long as he lured a steady stream of bold heroes to become marked as Haunted, to which he complied.[13]

Circa 2E 582, Lord Hollowjack manifested on Nirn during the Witches Festival under his Khal H. Hughez disguise, which allowed him to travel among the revelers undisturbed.[4] He also subsequently attempted to feed off the fear of some of his Haunted. Members of the Undaunted were lured by Maxien Roudille, who was surprised that the adventurers remained unbroken. Finding people that could free him from his role as Hollowjack's lap dog, Maxien entrusted the Undaunted with the role of slaying Hollowjack.[14] They were successful, and Lord Hollowjack's head was subsequently severed and utilized by them as a trophy.[15] Though of course being a Daedric Lord, this defeat was only temporary, and Hollowjack would eventually reform.[13]

Gallery[edit]

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