"You want to know who the Forsworn are? We are the people who must pillage our own land. Burn our own ground. We are the scourge of the Nords. The axe that falls in the dark. The scream before the gods claim your soul. We are the true sons and daughters of the Reach."

―The Madmen of the Reach^[src]

The Forsworn (also known as Reachmen or Witchmen of High Rock), are a clan of aggressive Bretons who use ballistic, and often uncoordinated, force in The Reach, attempting to reclaim terrority they perceive as being theirs.

They initially appear to be a group of exotic bandits, but further investigation reveals that the Forsworn are actually a remnant of the decades-old ethnic conflict between the local Nords and the indigenous Bretons.

Background

The Western Reach region has historically been ridden with strife and turmoil; its location between High Rock and Skyrim, and its rich silver mines, has caused the two provinces to fight bitterly over its ownership. A peaceful agreement was reached centuries ago, but the intermingling of Bretons and Nords in the region has created a regionally distinct lineage of Bretons called "Reachmen". Some among these formed the Forsworn, who have developed a unique culture of banditry, lawlessness, and hedge-magic, as well as a burning hatred for the Nords. They have been driven from their homes into exile. Some say they worship the Daedric Princes.

The Forsworn view The Reach as their ancestral land and do not accept its Nordic occupation. They were briefly the rulers of Markarth until Ulfric Stormcloak and his men killed most of the people in the city about twenty years prior to the awakening of Dragons in Skyrim. They have since been a plague on the city, as well as on neighboring mines. In addition to their ancient gods, the Forsworn revere Hagravens, which can be found in several Forsworn encampments.

Members

• Borkul the Beast
• Braig
• Donnel
• Dryston
• Duach
• Kaie
• Madanach
• Morven
• Nana Ildene
• Nepos the Nose
• Odvan
• Tynan
• Uraccen
• Weylin

Quests

• The Forsworn Conspiracy
• No One Escapes Cidhna Mine

Types

• Forsworn
• Forsworn Archer
• Forsworn Forager
• Forsworn Looter
• Forsworn Pillager
• Forsworn Ravager
• Forsworn Shaman
• Forsworn Warlord
• Forsworn Briarheart

Combat

Forsworn Pillagers can be especially deadly at close range, as they often dual wield swords or axes and hit hard and fast. Forsworn Briarhearts are the strongest variety, but they have a fatal flaw: successfully pickpocketing their Briar Heart kills them. The Forsworn do not use shields, and as a result they are susceptible to regular attacks almost as much as power attacks, since while blocking with a weapon, they are incapable of shield bashing and therefore take most of the damage.

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, which may be the explanation for the lack of any Forsworn two-handed weapons or shields. Their bows are especially powerful for their weight.

• 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

Origin

• The Forsworn are known to have ancient Celtic names e.g. Braig. The names were given to them as they resemble the "original" Celts that inhabited Western Europe. These are not to be mistaken with Insular Celts, (the Iron age variety that inhabited the British Isles) the main difference is the duel wielding: These Forsworn tribes people typically wield two weapons, as the original Celts did. Insular Celts wielded large, two handed weapons e.g. claymores.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (First appearance)

References

1. Forsworn Missive
2. The Bear of Markarth
3. The Legend of Red Eagle
4. The "Madmen" of the Reach