CHIM is the term for the metaphysics of how timelines in the universe work

in the elder scrolls universe there are infinite parallel and cyclical timelines

the redguard old magic allowed them to use chim to hop timelines and why they exist in the timeline we know from the games. their race actually comes from a COMPLETELY different cycle of time/universe.

vivec reached an understanding of chim, and its why he doesnt fight the player in morrowind when confronted (he basically says him killing you in your past life was a mistake and he will step down from being a mortal god).

the player character in every game has control of chim, which gives them the power to save/load the game