Skyrim:Forsworn

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The Forsworn, also known as the Madmen of the Reach, are a faction of Reachmen formed following the Markarth Incident in 4E 176. The Forsworn claim that they are the true sons and daughters of The Reach, but are often considered "two septims short of a pint of ale".

Despite appearing primitive in nature, the Forsworn have proven to be an aggressive political force which has an astute grasp of insurgency warfare, and even have agents living among the populace of Markarth in secret. They directly oppose all other major political groups active in the Reach, including the Thalmor. They wish to drive both Nords and the Empire out of the Reach and attain independence. The Forsworn are the most common type of hostile NPC encountered in the Reach. Encounters with them will not occur under normal conditions outside of the Reach. It is not possible to join the Forsworn, but you can side with them through a quest series and one area will become non-hostile.

Overview[edit]

The Markarth Incident[edit]

While the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion fought the Great War, much of the Empire was abandoned by the Imperials. The Reachmen long held that they were the true owners of the Reach and for centuries begrudgingly accepted Nord rule. Seeing the perfect opportunity, they rebelled against the Nords and captured the nearly undefended city of Markarth and all of the Reach. Their control over the hold lasted for two years, from 4E 174 to 4E 176, and was administered relatively peacefully, with only a few of the harshest Nord landowners put to death.

In 4E 176 Igmund's father, the deposed Jarl Hrolfdir, and the Empire, promised Ulfric Stormcloak free worship of Talos in exchange for putting down the rebellion and retaking the Reach. Hrolfdir knew this promise was in direct violation of the White-Gold Concordat, but wagered that the Thalmor would not discover it. Ulfric led a Nord militia against the Reachmen and used the Thu'um to shout them from the very walls of Markarth and drive them from the city. After Hrolfdir reclaimed control of Markarth, captured Reachmen were brutally tortured and executed by the Nords regardless of allegiance, with the few that were spared being imprisoned in Cidhna Mine.

The surviving Reachmen fled to the wilds of the Reach, creating what would become the Forsworn. Their leader, Madanach, was secretly imprisoned in the Cidhna Mine by Thonar Silver-Blood in an attempt to leverage control over the Forsworn. When the Thalmor discovered the presence of Talos worship, they demanded the arrest of the Nord militia. Hrolfdir was forced to arrest Ulfric and his men or risk outright war over religious conflict. The Nord militia were eventually allowed to leave, but the Empire and Hrolfdir's broken promise left a fissure that would eventually widen into the Stormcloak Rebellion. The Forsworn still remember the cruelty of the Nords who deposed them, and seek vengeance against all Nords as a result.

Society[edit]

A Briarheart is born

Driven from Markarth, the Forsworn spread across the Reach fortifying any defendable spot they could find. Large tented campsites are built into reinforced redoubts from the remains of various caves and ruins. Their members sport a unique tribal garb and adopt many of the traditions depicted in The Legend of Red Eagle. Forsworn gear is made up of a distinctive combination of fur, feathers, bone, and antlers that gives them a savage appearance. Their weapons also appear primitive, constructed of bone, wood, and stone in lieu of metal. The most archaic of their practices involves their reverence for hagravens, who are treated as matriarchs in their society. The hagravens offer leadership and access to a bizarre rite through which a Forsworn may become a spirit of vengeance, known as a Briarheart. The hagravens can remove a willing participant's heart and replace it with a Briar Heart that imbues vastly enhanced strength at the cost of their will and humanity.

"Heart of thorn... bones of the wild... in life, Forsworn...
...rise from death, Blood of our Blood."

- Briarheart Ceremony

The Forsworn operate largely as a terrorist organization that attempts to strike fear into the hearts of their Nord occupiers. Each redoubt is as an individual cell operating under the orders of a Forsworn Briarheart or matriarch. The cells in turn may receive orders from Madanach, the imprisoned King in Rags. Forsworn raids are specifically aimed at non-Bretons living or passing through the Reach. They differentiate from common bandits in that they will often waylay an entire caravan or settlement leaving no survivors, but taking little loot. They've refused all attempts at making peace and will accept only the return of their land as a solution to the conflict.

Forsworn Types[edit]

Forsworn come in a number of variants. The specific variety you will meet is level-dependent, though you will continue to meet low-level versions even at high levels. Boss-level Forsworn will always be at the highest possible level, and will be identified as "Forsworn Briarhearts." In addition, Forsworn may be spellcasters, archers, or one-handed melee fighters. The Forsworn name does not normally provide information on the fighting style of the Forsworn. There are twice as many male Forsworn as females, and—aside from some of the Forsworn Agents listed below—they are all Breton. Forsworn Warlords are defined in the game data as a variant that is even more powerful than the Forsworn Ravager. However, warlords do not appear in any of the leveled lists that generate generic Forsworn enemies and therefore do not appear in the game. ?

With the exception of Briarhearts, all Forsworn wear Forsworn Armor and Forsworn Boots, and may be wearing Forsworn Gauntlets and a Forsworn Headdress as well (50% chance each).

Melee Fighters[edit]

All of the following Forsworn fighters carry two one-handed Forsworn weapons (either two Forsworn swords, two Forsworn axes, or one of each). They also carry a random selection of other items, including gems, food, raw meat, recipes, potions, soul gems, and gold. There are three female varieties and five male varieties for each of the types listed below.

A Forsworn warrior dual-wielding her savage weapons
Name Level IDs Health Magicka Sta. Perks
Forsworn 1
Female 00043be1 Male 00043bde
Female 00043be0 Male 00043bdf
Female 00043be2 Male 000ad7b4
Male 00043bdd Male 000f9616[1]
50 50 50 None
Forsworn Forager 6
Female 00044256 Male 0004425a
Female 00044257 Male 0004425b
Female 00044258 Male 000ad7b6
Male 00044259 Male 000f9617[1]
95 70 85
Fighting Stance
Regeneration
Forsworn Looter 14
Female 00044268 Male 0004426c
Female 00044269 Male 0004426d
Female 0004426a Male 000ad7b8
Male 0004426b Male 000f9618[1]
192 102 126
Augmented Flames Hack and Slash
Bladesman Impact
Custom Fit Recovery
Dual Flurry Regeneration
Fighting Stance
Forsworn Pillager 24
Female 0004427a Male 0004427e
Female 0004427b Male 0004427f
Female 0004427c Male 000ad7bd
Male 0004427d Male 000f9619[1]
357 142 146
Augmented Flames Impact
Bladesman 2 Magic Resistance
Custom Fit Recovery
Dual Flurry 2 Regeneration
Fighting Stance Savage Strike
Hack and Slash 2
Forsworn Ravager 34
Female 0004428c Male 00044290
Female 0004428d Male 00044291
Female 0004428e Male 000ad7bf
Male 0004428f Male 000f961a[1][2]
447 182 116
Augmented Flames Magic Resistance
Bladesman 2 Recovery
Custom Fit Regeneration
Dual Flurry 2 Respite
Dual Savagery Savage Strike
Fighting Stance Wind Walker
Hack and Slash 2
^1These Forsworn do not carry any of the miscellaneous items listed above.
^2This melee fighter also has the following perks: Extra Damage 2.5, Bone Breaker 2.

Archers[edit]

All of the following Forsworn fighters wield a Forsworn Bow. They also carry a leveled dagger (iron, steel, or orcish) and a number of Forsworn Arrows, in addition to a random selection of gems, food, raw meat, recipes, potions, soul gems, and gold.

There are three female varieties and four male varieties for each of the types listed below.

A Forsworn archer readying his arrow
Name Level IDs Health Magicka Sta. Spells Perks
Forsworn 1
Female 00043be4 Male 00043be7
Female 00043be5 Male 00043be8
Female 00043be6 Male 00043be9
Male 000ad7b5
50 50 50
Healing
None
Forsworn Forager 6
Female 0004425c Male 0004425f
Female 0004425d Male 00044260
Female 0004425e Male 00044261
Male 000ad7b7
95 60 70
Healing
None
Forsworn Looter 14
Female 0004426e Male 00044271
Female 0004426f Male 00044272
Female 00044270 Male 00044273
Male 000ad7b9
192 76 152
Fast Healing
Critical Shot
Custom Fit
Magic Resistance
Forsworn Pillager 24
Female 00044280 Male 00044283
Female 00044281 Male 00044284
Female 00044282 Male 00044285
Male 000ad7be
357 96 192
Fast Healing
Critical Shot 2 Power Shot
Custom Fit Ranger
Extra Damage 2 Recovery
Magic Resistance Regeneration
Forsworn Ravager 34
Female 00044292 Male 00044295
Female 00044293 Male 00044296
Female 00044294 Male 00044297
Male 000ad7c0
447 116 182
Fast Healing
Bladesman Magic Resistance 2
Bone Breaker Power Shot
Critical Shot 2 Quick Shot
Custom Fit Ranger
Extra Damage 2.5 Recovery
Fighting Stance Regeneration
Hack and Slash Respite

Forsworn Shaman[edit]

Forsworn Shamans are the primary spellcasters of the Forsworn, and appear at all levels (although they are only called Shaman at level 1; at higher levels they follow the same naming pattern as other Forsworn). They carry a leveled dagger (iron, steel, or orcish) and have a random selection of other items, including potions, soul gems, ingredients, and a leveled Destruction staff. All Shamans are female.

A Forsworn Shaman defending her redoubt
Name Level IDs Health Magicka Sta. Spells Perks
Forsworn Shaman 1
Female 00043beb
Female 00043bec
Female 00043bed
50 100 50
Flames
Healing
Lesser Ward
None
Forsworn Forager 6
Female 00043bf1
Female 00043bf2
Female 00043bf3
95 130 50
Conjure Flame Atronach
Flames
Healing
Lesser Ward
None
Forsworn Looter 14
Female 00044265
Female 00044266
Female 00044267
192 178 50
Conjure Flame Atronach
Firebolt
Flames
Healing
Lesser Ward
Atromancy Magic Resistance
Augmented Flames Recovery
Destruction Dual Casting Regeneration
Impact
Forsworn Pillager 24
Female 00044277
Female 00044278
Female 00044279
357 288 50
Conjure Frost Atronach Ice Storm
Fast Healing Steadfast Ward
Ice Spike Stoneflesh
Atromancy Magic Resistance
Augmented Frost 2 Recovery 2
Custom Fit Regeneration
Destruction Dual Casting Respite
Impact
Forsworn Ravager 34
Female 00044289
Female 0004428a
Female 0004428b
447 248 50
Conjure Frost Atronach Icy Spear
Frost Cloak Steadfast Ward
Ice Spike Stoneflesh
Ice Storm
Atromancy Magic Resistance
Augmented Frost 2 Recovery 2
Custom Fit Regeneration
Deep Freeze Respite
Destruction Dual Casting Ward Absorb
Impact

Forsworn Briarhearts[edit]

Forsworn Briarhearts can be found wherever the Forsworn have set up camp. Briarhearts are named for the Briar Heart crudely embedded into their chest cavity and held in with leather straps. If the Briar Heart is stolen from them with the Pickpocketing skill, they will immediately die. Briarhearts can be deadly spellcasters and melee fighters, and appear at all levels. They are also frequently scripted to have unusually keen hearing, making it difficult to sneak up on them.

Despite the ritual they have undergone to gain their power, Briarhearts are not classed as undead NPCs and are immune to undead-specific spells and receive no additional damage from silver weapons. They are also detected with Detect Life rather than Detect Dead.

There are two varieties of Forsworn Briarhearts that appear: one with the normal "Forsworn" class, and one with the "Forsworn Shaman" class. All Briarhearts wear a special variety of Forsworn Armor (which cannot be equipped by the player) in addition to Forsworn Boots and a Forsworn Headdress. All Forsworn Briarhearts are male.

The "Forsworn" class Briarhearts carry two leveled one-handed swords or axes in addition to their Briar Hearts and an assortment of gems, food, raw meat, recipes, potions, soul gems, and gold. These Briarhearts have the following perks:

A fearsome Forsworn Briarheart
Name PC Level NPC Level IDs Health Magicka Sta. Perks
Forsworn Briarheart 1-23 7
Male 000442d7
Male 000442d8
Male 000442d9
104 74 112 None
Forsworn Briarheart 24 16
Male 000442dd
Male 000442de
Male 000442df
235 110 130
Augmented Flames Hack and Slash
Bladesman Impact
Custom Fit Recovery
Dual Flurry Regeneration
Fighting Stance
Forsworn Briarheart 34 27
Male 000442e3
Male 000442e4
Male 000442e5
434 154 152
Augmented Flames Impact
Bladesman 2 Magic Resistance
Custom Fit Recovery
Dual Flurry 2 Regeneration
Fighting Stance Savage Strike
Hack and Slash 2
Forsworn Briarheart 46 38
Male 000442e9
Male 000442ea
Male 000442eb
533 198 174
Augmented Flames Magic Resistance
Bladesman 2 Recovery
Custom Fit Regeneration
Dual Flurry 2 Respite
Dual Savagery Savage Strike
Fighting Stance Wind Walker
Hack and Slash 2
Forsworn Briarheart 58 51
Male 000442ef
Male 000442f0
Male 000442f1
623 250 195
Augmented Flames 2 Magic Resistance 2
Bladesman 3 Matching Set
Custom Fit Recovery 2
Dual Flurry 2 Regeneration
Dual Savagery Respite
Extra Damage 2.5 Savage Strike
Fighting Stance Wind Walker
Hack and Slash 3

"Forsworn Shaman" class Briarhearts carry a leveled dagger and an assortment of potions, soul gems, ingredients, and a leveled Destruction staff.

Note that the level 16 Briarhearts on the following table have the same amount of magicka as those of the same level in the table above; this seems to be due to the fact that these Briarhearts use the regular "Forsworn" class rather than the "Forsworn Shaman" class (most likely in error).

Name PC Level NPC Level IDs Health Magicka Sta. Spells Perks
Forsworn Briarheart 1-23 7
Male 000442d4
Male 000442d5
Male 000ad7bb
104 86 50
Conjure Flame Atronach
Flames
Healing
Lesser Ward
None
Forsworn Briarheart 24 16
Male 000442da
Male 000442db
Male 000ad7ba
235 110 50
Conjure Flame Atronach
Firebolt
Flames
Healing
Lesser Ward
Atromancy Magic Resistance
Augmented Flames Recovery
Destruction Dual Casting Regeneration
Impact
Forsworn Briarheart 34 27
Male 000442e0
Male 000442e1
Male 000ad7bc
434 306 50
Conjure Frost Atronach Ice Storm
Fast Healing Steadfast Ward
Ice Spike Stoneflesh
Atromancy Magic Resistance
Augmented Frost 2 Recovery 2
Custom Fit Regeneration
Destruction Dual Casting Respite
Impact
Forsworn Briarheart 46 38
Male 000442e6
Male 000442e7
533 272 50
Conjure Frost Atronach Icy Spear
Frost Cloak Steadfast Ward
Ice Spike Stoneflesh
Ice Storm
Atromancy Magic Resistance
Augmented Frost 2 Recovery 2
Custom Fit Regeneration
Deep Freeze Respite
Destruction Dual Casting Ward Absorb
Impact
Forsworn Briarheart 58 51
Male 000442ec
Male 000442ed
Male 000ad7c1
620 350 50
Chain Lightning Ironflesh
Close Wounds Lightning Bolt
Conjure Storm Atronach Lightning Cloak
Expel Daedra Thunderbolt
Greater Ward
Atromancy Impact
Augmented Shock 2 Magic Resistance 2
Custom Fit Regeneration
Destruction Dual Casting Ward Absorb
Elemental Potency

Forsworn Agents[edit]

Not all Forsworn traipse about in the wilderness dressed in tribal garb. A large number walk among the general population of Markarth and are indistinguishable from normal citizens. From there they are able to keep tabs on the goings-on in the city and strike terror directly into the heart of the Nord populace. While they are effectively imprisoned there, the Forsworn also control the Cidhna Mine. The mine is the heart of their leadership structure and a pivotal force in recruiting members to their cause.

Member Location Description
Borkul the Beast Cidhna Mine An Orc prisoner and Madanach's personal protector.
Braig Cidhna Mine A prisoner that allied himself with the Forsworn.
Donnel The Treasury House A Forsworn agent employed as a servant by the Silver-Blood family.
Dryston The Warrens A Forsworn agent acting under Nepos.
Duach Cidhna Mine An imprisoned Forsworn.
Kaie Markarth Ruins A Forsworn that is instrumental in the plot to free Madanach.
Madanach Cidhna Mine The imprisoned Forsworn leader known as the King in Rags.
Morven Nepos's House A Forsworn agent that guards Nepos.
Nana Ildene The Treasury House A Forsworn agent employed as a servant by the Silver-Blood family.
Nepos the Nose Nepos's House A Forsworn steward serving directly under Madanach.
Odvan Cidhna Mine A Breton prisoner that allied himself with the Forsworn.
Tynan Nepos's House A Forsworn agent that guards Nepos.
Uaile Nepos's House A Forsworn agent that guards Nepos.
Uraccen Cidhna Mine An imprisoned Forsworn. His daughter is Uaile.
Weylin The Warrens A Forsworn agent that attacks Margret when you first enter Markarth.

Forsworn Matriarchs[edit]

Most of the Forsworn Matriarchs are generic hagravens, but not all hagravens are Forsworn matriarchs. Matriarchs typically make their nests within the safety of a Forsworn redoubt and may retain hags and witches in their service. There are a few named matriarchs:

A hagraven matriarch
Name Location Description
Drascua Dead Crone Rock Matriarch of Hag's Rock and a Keeper of the Razor.
Melka Blind Cliff Bastion Feuding with Petra. Will ally with you during The Affairs of Hagravens.
Petra Blind Cliff Bastion Feuding with Melka whom she has imprisoned.

Occupied Areas[edit]

Throughout all of the Reach, a majority of the marked areas are controlled by the Forsworn. Caves, forts, and Nordic ruins are easily fortified as redoubts. Within these makeshift forts, the Forsworn make sprawling camps that protect their matriarchs' nests.

Place Type Description
Bleakwind Bluff Nordic Tower An isolated tower that is home to a matriarch and a small band of Forsworn.
Blind Cliff Cave Cave A large cave and fort system that is home to the feuding matriarchs Melka and Petra.
Broken Tower Redoubt Military Fort A medium-sized fort built into a cliffside that is used as a prison.
Bruca's Leap Redoubt Cave A small cave used as a ritual site for creating Briarhearts.
Cidhna Mine Mine Markarth's prison and secret base of operations for the King in Rags.
Cradle Stone Tower Nordic Tower The nest of the matriarchs for the Lost Valley forces.
Dead Crone Rock Nordic Tower The nest of matriarch Drascua.
Deepwood Redoubt Nordic Ruin A large redoubt built into a barrow used to protect the Deepwood Vale.
Deepwood Vale Campsite A sprawling campsite serving under the matriarch at Hag's End.
Dragon Bridge Overlook Campsite A small scouting camp overlooking the pivotal Dragon Bridge.
Druadach Redoubt Campsite A cave and campsite set up as a village and base of operations for Forsworn leaders.
Fort Sungard Military Fort A large strategic fort located near Whiterun and Falkreath Holds.
Hag's End Nordic Ruin The nest of the matriarch for the Deepwood Vale forces.
Hag Rock Redoubt Nordic Ruin A redoubt used to protect the matriarch Drascua at Dead Crone Rock.
Karthspire Campsite An ancient area that hides the way to Sky Haven Temple.
Karthspire Camp Campsite A fortress that sits across the Karth River.
Kolskeggr Mine Mine A gold mine invaded by Forsworn forces.
Lost Valley Redoubt Nordic Ruin A massive fort system that is home to several matriarchs.
Rebel's Cairn Nordic Ruin The ancient burial tomb of the Forsworn folk hero Red Eagle.
Red Eagle Ascent Cave A small pass that protects Red Eagle Redoubt from the south.
Red Eagle Redoubt Campsite A sprawling camp and ritual site for the Red Eagle's Rite.
Serpent's Bluff Redoubt Campsite A small camp west of Rorikstead.
Sundered Towers Nordic Tower Ruined towers that protect Red Eagle Redoubt from the north.

Forsworn Equipment[edit]

More information about Forsworn weapons and armor can be found at Specialty Gear.

In addition to these generic items, there are also a few unique Forsworn items that can be found in Skyrim.

Name Type Notes
Armor of the Old Gods Light Armor Reward for siding with the Forsworn in No One Escapes Cidhna Mine
Bloodthorn Dagger Found on top of Hag's End
Boots of the Old Gods Light Boots Reward for siding with the Forsworn in No One Escapes Cidhna Mine
Briarheart Geis One-handed Axe Not available normally in the game*
Eye of Melka Staff Reward for The Affairs of Hagravens
Gauntlets of the Old Gods Light Gauntlets Reward for siding with the Forsworn in No One Escapes Cidhna Mine
Helmet of the Old Gods Light Helmet Reward for siding with the Forsworn in No One Escapes Cidhna Mine
Predator's Grace Light Boots Hidden in Deepwood Vale
Reachmen Map Activated Item Found in Druadach Redoubt Cave, reveals Forsworn encampments
Red Eagle's Bane One-handed Sword Reward for Find Red Eagle's sword
Red Eagle's Fury One-handed Sword The initial version of Red Eagle's Bane

*Item can be obtained through the console command player.additem 000ae087 1.

Related Quests[edit]

Major quests revealing important lore about the Forsworn include:

Other Forsworn Quests[edit]

Quests and favors that merely involve the Forsworn or going into Forsworn controlled areas include:

World Interactions[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

Combat[edit]

  • "Come. Come and face the Forsworn..."
  • "First you... then all of the Reach!"
  • "For the Reach!"
  • "The Forsworn will reclaim what is rightfully ours!"
  • "Forsworn forever!"

Miscellaneous[edit]

A Forsworn warrior who has discovered a corpse may say:

  • "Kill one of us, and three more will take their place. The Forsworn are unstoppable."

Bugs[edit]

  • A group of Forsworn spawn near Dragontooth Crater. These Forsworn are not hostile and when they die they will say a greeting.

See Also[edit]

For more information on Forsworn in the Elder Scrolls universe, see the lore article.

Books[edit]