» Tue May 24, 2016 11:36 pm A summary of the religion and customs of Skyrim from the Falmer of the Merethic to the Nords of the 4th Era and the changes that occurred.
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The Merethic Era
There is not a lot of information on the customs of the Falmer of the Merethic, except that Auriel was a main deity of their society and that one of their largest temples was located in what is now known as the Forgotten Vale. Acolytes would have to walk a Path, filling and dumping out water in a symbolic ewer, before being admitted into the Inner Sanctum.
- Events and dialogue of the Dawnguard DLC
Very little is known about how the Nordic humans lived prior to the Night of Tears, except that it appears that the burial traditions we associate with the Dragon Cult was already established, going by the presence of Draugr in the depths of Saarthal. After Ysgramor, Harbinger of Us All, established his foothold in Skyrim after the Return, his family continued to rule well into the 1st Era. As there is no Moot to speak of, this appears to be hereditary and the dynasty appears to have survived the overthrowing of the Dragon Cult.
- The hidden depths of Saarthal, College of Winterhold questline, Skyrim
- http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Pocket_Guide_to_the_Empire,_1st_Edition/Skyrim
- Plaque in Windhelm, Skyrim
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Songs_of_the_Return
The 500 Companions of Ygramor, Harbinger of Us All, was established with the Return and spread across Skyrim. Some settled down, while others continued the wars with the Falmer. Their role in the Dragon Wars is unknown. Some time after the death of Ysgramor, Harbinger of Us All, they became fighters for hire and Mryfwill the Withdrawn decreed that the Companions were to be neutral in the political affair of Skyrim.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Great_Harbingers
- Songs of Return, book
The Dragon Cult was the most dominant of the religious cults among the Atmorans, ultimately led by Alduin himself. First-Born of the Great Dragon, it was his right to rule and he established that by force. Among Men, the most loyal and powerful became his Priests and were granted masks of great power. They held power among the Nordic Men on par with kings.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Dragon_War
The figues of the Atmoran religion appears to be an early version of the Divines, worshipped in totemic form and animal avatars:
-Dragon - Alduin
-Hawk – Kyne
-Snake – Shor
-Moth – ?
-Whale – Tsun. Speculated(by me) to be the literal bridge into the Halls of Valor in Sovngarde, hence his role as the Halls’ guardian.
-Fox – ?
-Owl – ?
-Wolf – ?
-Bear – ?
After the Dragon Wars, the Dragon Cult went into hiding while the Nords continued their wars with the Falmer. Alduin is reassigned to be the Snake and Shor is now probably the Dragon.
- Thalmor Captain Valmir at Forelhost
- The Dragon Wars, book
Ysgramor, Harbinger of Us All, was a very prominent figure of early Nordic history and is thought to maybe have had a connection to the Dragon Cult. However, after the Cult fell from favor, any connection that might have been there have been purged from history.
- Speculation
The 1st Era
By the 1st Era, the totemic religion of the Atmorans appear to have been replaced in the main stream of society with the more human versions of the Eight. The old totem religion of Atmora is still alive, but not as widespread.
-Shor – Dead God of Sovngarde, (former?) Chief of the Pantheon
-Kyne – Storm Goddess and Kiss’ End, Mother of Men, Widow of Shor
-Mara – Handmaiden of Kyne, Goddess of Fertility and Motherhood, Tear-Wife(now Widow) of Shor
-Dibella – Passion and the arts of love-making
-Jhunal – God of Hermetic Goods and Runes
-Stuhn – God of War-Prisoners, Shield-Thane to Shor
-Tsun – Dead God of Trials, Shield-Thane of Shor and Guardian of the Whalebone Bridge
-Alduin – God of End-Times and Eater of Worlds
In addition there are a couple of names for gods that are outside the normal eight:
-Orkey – Old Knocker, cursed the Nords to the “count of winters”. Speculated to be Malacath.
-Herma-Mora – Hermeaous Mora. The seducer who nearly turned the Nords into Aldmer. Lives on in Skaal legends, as the Demon of Knowledge
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Varieties_of_Faith...
In the early 1st Era, the continual wars with the Falmer came to an end, under the reign of King Harald.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Skorm_Snow-Strider%27s_Journal
- Plaque in Windhelm
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Aetherium_Wars
The last member of the line of Ysgramor, Harbinger of Us All, was Borgas, who outlawed the worship of traditional Nordic gods in favor of the Alessian doctrines. This law was later overthrown by Ysmir Wulfharth. The law, called the “Shadow of Borgas”, lasted about 100 years, or more. The coming of Wulfharth appears to be the time when Ysmir becomes an important figure and title in Nordic society.
- Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Skyrim
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Five_Songs_of_King_Wulfharth
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Crown_of_Freydis
After the death of Borgas, Skyirm, which at this point ruled from Morrowind to High Rock and parts of the Nibenean Valley, erupted into civil war because there was no clear heir to their Empire. After 50 years of war, their territories was reduced to just Skyrim and Jarl Olaf One-Eye of Whiterun emerged as High King with the signing of the Pact of Chieftains. This Pact signals the first incarnation of the modern Moot, which was to intervene only when there was not a clear successor, to prevent more civil war.
- Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Skyrim
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Pocket_Guide_to_the_Empire,_3rd_Edition
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Nerevar_at_Red_Mountain
The success of Olaf One-Eye to secure the High Throne eventually begins the traditional Solitude festival of the “Burning of King Olaf”, though it is uncertain exactly when it began.
- Events and dialogue during the “Tending the Flames” quest, Skyrim
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Walking_the_World,_Vol_XI
Another thing that changed at this time was the disappearance of the Jagged Crown, the symbol of the High King since time immemorial. Instead, the best enchanters and smiths of Skyrim crafted the Crown of Verity, later to be known as the Crown of Freydis. This crown would measure the worth of claimants to the High Throne of Skyrim, possibly suspending the need for an active Moot well into the 2nd Era.
- Galmar’s dialogue in the Jagged Crown quest for the Stormcloaks in the Civil War, Skyrim
- The Crown of Freydis, book
The 1st Era also seem to be the time when the custom of the Jarls challenging one another to single combat appears, as Kjoric the White is the first known case of killing a claimant to the High Throne, Asurn Ice-Breaker, before donning the Crown of Verity himself. This event marked the start of the tradition of not being able to question the Crown.
- The Crown of Freydis, book
Jurgen Windcaller established the Way of the Voice, turning the Thu’um from an active weapon of war to a more peaceful religious way of life, after the last defeat the Nords suffered at Red Mountain. Jurgen is speculated to have been Dragonborn, due to his tomb granting the Last Dragonborn a Dragon Soul if visited after being declared Ysmir by the Greybeards. This would explain his unparalleled mastery of the Thu’um, which eventually overcame all opposition. From then on, the Greybeards would only speak in True Need.
- Arngeir’s dialogue, Skyrim
- Tablets on the way up the 7.000 Steps
- Events of Skyrim’s main quest
Pilgrimage to High Hrothgar, home of the Greybeards, eventually finds its way into Nordic society and remains in practice into the 4th Era.
- Balgruuf’s dialogue, Skyrim
- Klimmek’s dialogue, Skyrim
- Presence of pilgrims on the 7.000 Steps, Skyrim
Skyrim was incorporated into the Reman Empire peacefully, as a result of the first Akaviri invasion. Reman began his Empire after uniting the humans of the “northern kingdoms” against the invaders, whom he granted asylum in return for their allegiance. During the time as an Imperial Province, Emperor Kastav used the Dragonguard to keep the Jarls of western Skyrim in line, despite objections from the order.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Annals_of_the_Dragonguard
- http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Pocket_Guide_to_the_Empire,_1st_Edition/Cyrodiil
The 2nd Era
Skyrim remained mostly true to the gods of the 1st Era, though the Nords adopted Arkay as god of burial rites by the time of the Alliance War. Worship of Jhunal is fading, but still present.
- Events and dialogue in Elder Scrolls Online(ESO)
- Questline at Fullheim Fort in ESO
- http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Varieties_of_Faith:_The_Nords
The last remnant of the old Atmoran religion is found during this time, with a group known as the Ternion Monks, though watered down. Instead of the nine totems of old, they held to that of the Bear, the Fox and the Wolf.
- Ternion Monks, Eastmarch main quest in ESO
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Ternion_Monks
Ysgramor, Harbinger of Us All, is often sworn by.
- Nord NPCs in ESO
At Geimund’s Hall, the local Thane holds a celebration to find a new guardian of the Rift with contests. These contests include brawling, running and riddle-solving.
- Events at Geimund’s Hall, ESO
Western and Eastern Skyrim split apart with the assassination of High King Logrolf in 2E431. Freydis of Windhelm, was accepted by the Crown of Verity and crowned to High Queen, but Svatr of Solitude had a lot of support in Western Skyrim and was chosen High King there despite the Crown accepting Freydis. This did not, however, escalate into civil war and the two parted ways peacefully.
- The Crown of Freydis, book
Eastern Skyrim was invaded by the Kamal in the 2nd Akaviri Invasion in 2E572, which led to the death of Queen Mabjaarn Flamehair and Nurnhilde the Brief-Queen, and the subsequent alliance with Morrowind and Black Marsh; the Ebonheart Pact. The remaining heirs to the Windhelm throne, Jorunn the Skald-Prince and Fildgor the Strong-Prince both put forth a claim. Because of an unspecified complication with the Crown of Freydis, the brothers nearly started a civil war, but instead chose to settle their claims with a duel that became known as the Brothers’ War. Jorunn won and exiled Fildgor. Jorunn went on to keep the alliance with Morrowind and Black Marsh, eventually becoming the Pact’s High King. Western Skyrim remained neutral in the Alliance War.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Second_Akaviri_Invasion
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Brothers%27_War
- Events of the Eastmarch main quest, ESO
- Jorunn Skald-King’s dialogue in the Eastmarch main quest, ESO
Vigrod Wraithbane, Harbinger of the Companions, broke the neutrality of their order and pledged himself and all who would follow to the cause of Jorunn the Skald-King and the Ebonheart Pact. They served as elite soldiers and the king’s personal bodyguard. It was also under Vigrod’s leadership that Wuuthrad was shattered, during a raid on Fallowstone Hall in the northern parts of the Rift by Reachmen, who had allied with Mannimarco’s Council of Anchorites, more commonly known as the Order of the Worm or simply the Worm Cult. This began their long search for its pieces, which would continue into the 4th Era.
- Events of the Rift main quest, ESO
- Events on Stirk, ESO
Towards the end of the 2nd Era, the Nords joined forces with the Bretons against Talos, but, when Talos defeated their alliance, they switched sides.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Battle_of_Sancre_Tor
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Arcturian_Heresy
At the tenth year of a ruling High King in eastern(possibly also western) Skyrim, the Konunleikar is held. This is a celebration that includes various contests, such as tracking, running, drinking and combat.
- Events of the Eastmarch main quest, ESO
Before leaving for war, it is common for soldiers in Eastmarch to make a pilgrimage to Kynesgrove to receive the blessing of Kyne’s priestesses.
- Events at Kynesgrove, ESO
The early records of the College of Winterhold puts its formation during the 2nd Era, possibly as a competitor to the Mages Guild.
- Savos Aren, Skyrim
The royalty of eastern Skyrim is buried in the ancient tombs beneath Fort Amol.
- Events of the Eastmarch main quest, ESO
The 3rd Era
Under the 3rd Era, the Nords were likely the first to accept Talos as a divine figure, as the Imperial Cult of Talos has basis in Nordic Hero Cults and the importance of Nordic themes in Talos’ official story. This includes his Atmoran ancestry, his summoning by the Greybeards and mastery of the Thu’um.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Reflections_on_Cult_Worship
- Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Cyrodiil and Skyrim
Worhip of Jhunal is now dead, but Ysmir has risen to new importance among the Nords.
- Varieties of Faith, single player series version, book
The All-Maker is now firmly established as the god of the Skaal on Solstheim. They also practice trials to deem people worthy and try to live in harmony with the land. This includes not hunting more than they need to eat and other similar rules. The six magical stones on the island is part of their religion.
- Skaal Village, Bloodmoon
- Events of the Bloodmoon main quest
It is under the 3rd Empire we first see the Moot meeting after the death of every High King, but it is uncertain when it started specifically. More importantly is that support from the Imperial Throne became the deciding factor in who would hold the title, which meant that the Jarls of Solitude had the strongest claim, due to their connections to Cyrodiil and the Septim dynasty.
- Dialogue in Solitude, Skyrim
Sometime during the 3rd Era, the Circle among the Companions accepted a contract to hunt for Hircine from the Glenmoril witches. The Circle and the Harbinger remained lycanthropes until the 4th Era.
- Kodlak’s dialogue, Skyrim
The 4th Era
By 4E201, religion in Skyrim has changed quite a bit from what we were privy to see last. Talos is worshipped under his own name, rather than Ysmir, and several cities has embraced more Imperialized versions of the Divines.
Solitude is the center of the “new gods” in Skyrim, holding a temple to the Imperial Divines. Falkreath is a center of Arkay-worship and Whiterun holds a temple to Kynareth in the view of the ancient Gildergreen. Arkay is also present in all the Halls of the Dead in Skyrim.
The Gildergreen is a place of pilgrimage for worshipers of Kynareth, and so is its parent; the Eldergleam, for those willing to brave the wilderness of Skyrim.
The Vigilants of Stendarr, a group of nomadic hunters of daedra, undead, vampires and lycanthropes, also spread the message of Stendarr throughout Skyrim, with many Imperials, Nords, Redguards and Dunmer in their ranks. Their bases are the Hall of the Vigilant in the Pale and Stendarr’s Beacon in the Rift.
- Temples and dialogue in Skyrim
Akatosh is seen as a different entity from Alduin, but his worship is not widely spread.
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Alduin/Akatosh_Dichotomy
In Windhelm, the Talos faith dominates, with only Arkay in the Halls of the Dead being the other god with a presence in the city. Talos also seem to have had a strong presence in Markarth, due to the now-abandoned temple there. And he has a presence in Whiterun and Riften, having statues and priests.
- Temples and dialogue in Skyrim
In Riften, a more traditional Nordic view of some gods remains present. Mara is the Handmaiden of Kyne and the Temple of Mara is found here.
- Maramal’s dialogue, Skyrim
- Nura Snow-Shod’s dialogue, Skyrim
In Markarth the Temple of Dibella appears to be neither Imperial nor Nordic. Their practice seem to focus around a Sybil, a girl/woman said to be a direct tie to the Goddess.
- Events and dialogue of the “Heart of Dibella” quest, Skyrim
The Dunmer were allowed to build a statue to Azura in Eastmarch in the aftermath of the Red Year, but it is almost entirely abandoned by 4E201. The current religious beliefs of the Dunmer residing in Skyrim remains unknown.
- Events of the “Black Star” quest, Skyrim
- Aranea Iienith’s dialogue, Skyrim
Some of the Reachmen, currently ruled by the Nords, are trying to hold on to their old religion, though it is not specified what this involves. It is speculated that it includes Molag Bal(has a shrine in Markarth), Hircine(because Hagravens live among and lead the Forsworn) and possibly a darker version of Dibella(Dibellan shrines found in some Forsworn camps, smeared with blood).
- Dialogue by NPCs in the Reach, Skyrim
- Events of various quests and misc. objectives in the Reach, Skyrim
The Moot meet at the death of every High King, but still favors the Jarl of Solitude as the Empire backs them. The custom of Jarls challenging the High King in court is still part of the local law of Skyrim, but appears to be very rarely used.
- Sybile Stentor’s dialogue, Skyrim
The known specifics surrounding the duel as of this time is that:
1) A challenge issued in court must be answered
2) Refusal of the challenge gives your challenger the right to call a new Moot
3) The High King winning the duel prevents the Moot
4) The High King dying leads to the Moot
The rules for the duel itself are not explained, but there are no references to Ulfric breaking any of them by his political opponents. Most of his political opponents omit the duel happening at all instead, thus it is most probable that both weaponry and Thu’um are allowed.
- Sybile Stentor’s dialogue, Skyrim
- Tullius’ dialogue, intro to Skyrim
- Proventus’ dialogue, Steward of Whiterun, Skyrim
- Elisif’s dialogue, Skyrim
The Jarl’s court consists of a Steward, a Housecarl, Court Mage and possibly also Thanes, in addition to the Jarls themselves.
- Various courts in Skyrim, Skyrim
- http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Skyrim%27s_Rule
Famers make sacrifices to appease local giants. An example of how is to paint a cow and lead it to one of their camps, though other ways are said to be in use as well.
- Random world event, Skyrim
The Burning of King Olaf is still practiced in Solitude, performed by the Bard’s College. It was temporarily prohibited by Jarl Elisif the Fair, as a result of her thinking it in bad taste after the death of High King Torygg. She later declared that the Burning should be held weekly instead of annually.
- Events and dialogue in the “Tending the Flames” quest, Skyrim
The lycanthropic traditions of the Companions are challenged as Harbinger Kodlak, and the Circle members Vilkas and Farkas, turn to a cure. The hunt for the Shards of Wuuthrad ends, with the mighty weapon reforged by the master smith Eorlund Grey-Mane.
- Events of the Companions’ questline, Skyrim
After the disbanding of the Mages Guild around the end of the 3rd Era, the College of Winterhold becomes the main place to learn magic in Skyrim. As the College of Whispers and Synod veer towards being political organizations, the College of Winterhold also becomes one of few places dedicated to studying magic in the Empire.
- Savos Aren’s dialogue, Skyrim
- J’Zhargo’s dialogue, Skyrim
Kynesgrove is no longer a place of religious pilgrimage, but a minor settlement based around a mine. The trees around the area are still considered sacred by the local Nords.
- Dialogue by Kynesgrove NPCs, Skyrim
Some places, like Hillgrund’s Tomb, the old burial customs continue, where dead family members are interred and turn into Draugr.
- Events and dialogue of the “Ancestral Worship” quest, Skyrim
The Greybeards remain in high esteem among the Nords, enough to be allowed to be arbiters of the truce between the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Legion. Pilgrimage to High Hrothgar is still undertaken, by Jarl and commoner alike. The Greybeards now venerate Kynareth.
- Arngeir’s dialogue, Skyrim
- Dialogue and events during the “Season Unending” quest, Skyrim
- Balgruuf’s dialogue
- Klimmek’s dialogue
- Presence of pilgrims on the 7.000 Steps in Skyrim
On Solstheim, the Dunmer who settled in the aftermath of the Red Year have brought with them the Tribunal Temple, where the Reclamations are worshipped. The Reclamations are Azura, Boethia and Mephala.
- Dialogue by Raven Rock NPCs, Dragonborn
The Skaal continue to worship the All-Maker.
- Dialogue by Skaal NPCs, Dragonborn
