Elder Scrolls Online dev seeking "proper resolution" over stolen art claim

By Tom West,

ZeniMax Online Studios has confirmed that it's looking for a "proper resolution" with an artist after using art created by a fan for paid cosmetics in The Elder Scrolls Online without permission.

It appears that Zenimax has used fan art created by Relan Daevath without their permission for the Mercymother's Body Art skin — a paid-for cosmetic item in The Elder Scrolls Online. Zenimax says it is now looking to find a "proper resolution" with Daevath.

The Elder Scrolls Online's Mercymother's Body Art features work from Relan Daevath


After seeing the Mercymother's Body Art cosmetic appear in The Elder Scrolls Online's Crown Store, the in-game shop for its premium currency, artist Relan Daevath highlighted that some of the work featured is almost certainly their own fan art. In a blog post on their Tumblr account (via PC Gamer), Daevath said: "I am a bit shocked. July 19th, 2020, I posted this fanart with Sotha, Vivec, and Almalexia. Now I see my very version... in an ESO Crown skin.

"I would be flattered by such an assessment of my work if I were asked. But I wasn't."

Looking at Daevath's artwork of Sotha Sil and the Mercymother's Body Art, it certainly appears Daevath's claim is correct. In a post on Twitter, ZeniMax said: "We are aware of the situation with the ESO Fan Artist. It was never our intention to include any community fan art without proper credit. We are in contact with the artist and will work with them to make sure that there is a proper resolution."

Following the tweet, Relan Daevath has also updated their Tumblr post to confirm that contact has been made and that ZeniMax has assured them "that there was a mistake and they never wanted to use fan arts without permission" and have "exchanged quite friendly messages."

"So, thanks to the community, I was noticed and contacted by The Elder Scrolls Online's team," Daevath wrote. "Thank you, people, really, I am a small artist, and my chance to be noticed was little without your reposts and reaction."

Have you been using the Mercymother's Body Art? Drop a comment below and let us know!
Tom West
Written by Tom West
Tom has been playing video games since he was old enough to hold a controller, experimenting with systems like the Nintendo 64 and Playstation until he eventually fell in love with the Xbox 360. With a passion for the platform, he decided to make a career out of it, and now happily spends his days writing about that which he loves. If he’s not achievement hunting, you’ll likely find him somewhere in The Elder Scrolls Online.
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