Forsworn

The Forsworn are a rebellious group primarily composed of the native Reachmen of The Reach in Skyrim. The Forsworn were formed following the Markarth Incident in 4E 176.
==History==
===Background===
In 4E 174, the Third Empire was engaged with the Third Aldmeri Dominion in a conflict known as the Great War, in which Cyrodiil and Hammerfell were the main provinces involved.The Great War During this war, the Empire all but turned a blind eye to the other Imperial provinces.Dialogue with Igmund As a result, the Reach was drained of its Imperial garrison, which was conscripted to fight in the War. As a result, the native Reachmen took up arms and conquered the Reach, forming the Forsworn Kingdom in 4E 174. The Reachmen were said to have been generally fair rulers, despite commiting crimes against former Nord landowners, especially the ones who had mistreated the natives prior.The Bear of Markarth During this time, Hagravens are implied to have been able to walk around freely in Markarth.The Keepers of the Razor
The Reachmen would continue to rule their lands until 4E 176, when Ulfric Stormcloak reclaimed the Reach at the request of Jarl Hrolfdir. With his militia, and the power of his Thu'um, Ulfric reclaimed the city of Markarth from the natives in battle.Dialogue with Thongvor Silver-BloodDialogue with Kibell After the conflict, however, both Jarl Hrolfdir and Ulfric were said to have been merciless against the people within the city. Ulfric was said to have killed any who did not take up arms against the Forsworn, and even those who had only spoken to the King of the Reachmen, Madanach, were scheduled for execution by the Jarl.Dialogue with Braig during "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine" King Madanach himself was also scheduled for execution, but was ultimately spared by the request of Thonar Silver-Blood, who would use Madanach's influence for his personal gains.Thonar's Journal Those who did not run were executed, excluding Madanach and a handful of others.Dialogue with Nepos the Nose during "The Forsworn Conspiracy" Ulfric Stormcloak and his men chased the rest of them out of the city.Dialogue with Eltrys during "The Forsworn Conspiracy"
===Post 4E 176===
Since the Markarth Incident, the Forsworn have made travel in the Reach perilous and dangerous,An Explorer's Guide to Skyrim the Imperial Legion considers the Forsworn as little more than brigands based on their frequent raids and ambushes within the Hold.The Madmen of the Reach The Forsworn, likewise, consider the Empire an enemy, and do not hesitate to attacks its Legionnaires when encountered in the wild.The Holds of Skyrim Back when communnications with the Forsworn were possible, Jarl Hrolfdir attempted to negotiate for peace with their leaders, but was killed by the Forsworn instead.Dialogue with Igmund during "Recover Hrolfdir's Shield" The Forsworn were bold enough in 4E 201 to actually take over the gold mine known as Kolskeggr Mine from the miners working the location,Events of "Kolskeggr Mine" resulting in fear at Left Hand Mine for a similar attack.Dialogue with Skaggi Scar-FaceConversation between Daighre and Skaggi Scar-FaceDialogue with Sosia Tremellia A similar raid occured at Karthwasten, resulting in Silver-Blood Mercenaries being sent out to the site in an attempt to force the owner, the Reachman Ainethach, to sell the mine to the Silver-Blood family.Events of "Sanuarach Mine"
Jarl Igmund also frequently places bounties on the heads of Forsworn leaders, which are commonly used by mercenaries as a means of income in the Reach.The City of StoneEvents of "Bounty: Forsworn" Ambushes by the Reachmen are common within the Reach, though large sums of gold are often left behind by the Forsworn. Many seek death in battle over capture by their enemies. At the same time, traders and caravans are ambushed by the Forsworn,Random Encounters in and goods are taken after the raid.Events of "Lisbet's Missing Shipment"Dialogue with LisbetConversation between Imedhnain and ]LisbetConversation between Cosnach and KlepprConversations between Raerek, Kaleen, and Igmund The Forsworn are also known to kidnap people.Events of "The House of Horrors"Events of "The Heart of Dibella"
Since the Markarth Incident, the Forsworn no longer function as a unified force, instead having each tribe govern itself. Communications between the tribes does occur, but there is no solidified Forsworn force. Conflict exists between the Forsworn in regards as to how they should fight.Forsworn Missive Even their revered Hagravens have conflicts, resulting in the Forsworn getting involved in the mix.Events of "The Affairs of Hagravens" Due to a lack of a centralized body, the Forsworn struggle to organize assaults. Despite holding the eastern slopes of the Reach, and only needing to take over Fort Sungard to solidify their position, some Forsworn refuse to act and summon the tribes to cut off the retreat of their enemies.Forsworn Note at Serpent's Bluff Redoubt Other tribes are ready to fight, having trained and inspired themselves for battle, but refuse to engage in combat without the approval of their matriarch.Forsworn Note at Deepwood Redoubt
Within Markarth, Madanach sent out orders to one of his allies, Nepos the Nose. Madanach gave passion to the downtrodden within Markarth, directing them to kill the enemies of the Forsworn in their name. Such attacks were frequently organised to target the enemies of Thonar Silver-Blood,Dialogue with Thonar Silver-Blood during "The Forsworn Conspiracy" however, such as the attack on an Imperial agent named Margret.Weylin's Note The garrison stationed within the Reach is barely able to keep the Forsworn in check, and has to rely on further Imperial Legion support to keep the trade lanes with the other Holds open. The Forsworn not only engage with Legion soldiers in the wilderness, however, as Orc Hunters are also often fought by the natives.
===Red Eagle===
The Forsworn also made attempts to return the glory of Red Eagle. Red Eagle, also known as Faolan, was a King of the Reach around 1E 1030. At this time, the Reach was ruled by ten kings, and Faolan was destined to unite the ten kings under one banner, a journey he would slowly aim to complete. Then the Alessian Legions under Empress Hestra arived, and either through conquest or bargains, took over more and more of the Reach, until coming to Sundered Hills, the home of Faolan. Faolan would lose his lands due to being betrayed by his elders, and with a number of Reachmen he continued the fight, even collaborating with a Hagraven who had come to join him.The Legend of Red Eagle
Faolan would fight thousands of the Alessian invaders, but when they had routed, he too fell. His followers prepared a tomb for him, which would house Faolan until being awoken so he may lead the Reachmen once more.
The Forsworn at Sundered Towers held copies of the book, The Legend of Red Eagle, but their Briarheart also held Red Eagle's Rite and Red Eagle's Fury, the sword of Faolan, aiming to use its power to advance the Forsworn cause.
===Cidhna Mine===
Several members of the Forsworn, including Madanach, were imprisoned in Cidhna Mine. In 4E 201, they attempted a breakout from the prison.Events of "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine" It is unknown if they were successful or not, but if they were, they established a camp at Druadach Redoubt, from where Madanach aimed to unify the Forsworn into a single force, reclaim the Reach, and bring peace to the land. Expecting it to take years, Madanach believed no place would be safe from the Forsworn until that time, as they aimed to cut a bloody swath in the Reach until they were free.
==Religion and culture==
The Forsworn, largely, venerate and protect the Hagravens, providing trinkets at small altars with soul gems for these beings.Herbane's Bestiary: Hagravens Both the spirits and the hagravens within the Reach are said to largely support the Forsworn cause. This faith of the Forsworn is largely considered to be old and heretical by both Imperial and Nord standards, and were therefore forbidden by the Nords. Since their uprising was crushed, the Nords have forbidden the native Reachmen from following their own culture and venerating their own gods once more.Dialogue with Madanach during "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine" Which Gods the Forsworn venerate is never specified, though it is implied that they worship both DaedraDialogue with Cedran and Aedra. Times under the rule of the Reachmen had been both good and bad. The Forsworn follow the old ways, though some consider some of those ways to be best forgotten, as they include blood sacrifices and communing with Daedra.
Support for the Forsworn varies per person. Some believe that life was better under the rule of the Reachmen, opposing the laws and ways of the Nords.Dialogue with Uraccen during "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine" Others joined the Forsworn due to injustices faced at the hands of the Nords.Dialogue with Braig during "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine"Dialogue with Odvan during "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine" Some do support the Forsworn cause, but do not join them, stating that their "crusade" against the Nords has failed.Dialogue with Omluag Among the most deadly of the Forsworn are the Forsworn Briarhearts. These members of the Forsworn have their own hearts replaced by a Briar Heart with the aid of the Hagravens,Ritual of the Hagravens at Lost Valley Redoubt providing them with great power. This feat is seen by the Forsworn as an act of a "true Reachman".Overheard conversation between Forsworn members at Lost Valley Redoubt
Others sympathize with the Forsworn, but do not support them, as the deaths they caused were in attempts to rebuild a past which was over long ago.Dialogue with Bothela
==Notable members==
*Madanach
*Borkul the Beast
*Braig
*Donnel
*Dryston
*Duach
*Kaie
*Morven
*Nana Ildene
*Nepos the Nose
*Odvan
*Tynan
*Uaile
*Uraccen
*Weylin
==Weapons and armor==
Forsworn equipment is distinguished by its use of bone, fur, and feathers. It is of a primitive, albeit effective, design and is surprisingly valuable. According to their fighting techniques and equipment, Forsworn prefer to use dual-wielded weapons with unmatched skill. Their bows are especially powerful for their weight.
Forsworn armor is statistically identical to leather armor while their weapons are on par with dwarven, albeit heavier. Their arrows are considerably weaker than most arrows.
*Armor of the Old Gods, a unique set of armor, imbued with the magicks of the old gods of the Reach.
*Forsworn Axe
*Forsworn Bow
*Forsworn Sword
*Forsworn Staff (unique version: Staff of Hag's Wrath, Eye of Melka)
*Forsworn Headdress
*Forsworn Armor
*Forsworn Gauntlets
*Forsworn Boots
*Forsworn Arrow
==Units==
The units used by the Forsworn in their uprising vary greatly. The classifications are as follows: Forsworn, Forsworn Forager, Forsworn Looter, Forsworn Pillager, Forsworn Ravager, Forsworn Shaman and Forsworn Briarheart. Of these units, the Forsworn Briarhearts are the strongest of the units, with both the best experience in melee combat as well as magical capabilities.
==Locations==
===Camps===
*Deepwood Vale
*Dragon Bridge Overlook
*Druadach Redoubt
*Karthspire
*Karthspire Camp
*Red Eagle Redoubt
*Serpent's Bluff Redoubt
===Caves===
*Blind Cliff Cave
*Bruca's Leap Redoubt
*Kolskeggr Mine
===Forts===
*Fort Sungard
*Hag's End
*Hag Rock Redoubt
*Lost Valley Redoubt
*Rebel's Cairn
*Sundered Towers
==Trivia==
*Despite the Last Dragonborn "becoming a Forsworn" after following Madanach in "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine," Forsworn found anywhere except Druadach Redoubt will still attack the Dragonborn on sight.
==Gallery==
Brairheart.jpg|A Forsworn Briarheart.
Forsworn Forager.jpg|A Forsworn Forager.
Forsworn Ravager.png|A Forsworn Ravager.
Forsworn Looter card art.png|A Forsworn Looter.
Reachmens map.png|A map showing the major Forsworn sites.
TESV Briar Heart.png|A Briar Heart, used by Hagravens to turn regular Forsworn into Forsworn Briarhearts.
==Appearances==
*
*
==References==
de:Abgeschworene
es:Renegados
it:Rinnegati
ja:Forsworn
ru:Изгои
Category:Skyrim: Factions
Category:Skyrim: Bretons
Category:Skyrim: Enemies
Category:Skyrim: Markarth Characters
Category:Lore: Factions
Category:Forsworn