Lore:Winterborn

Mercedene, leader during the First Era

The Winterborn are Reachfolk clan who have inhabited the Wrothgar region of the Western Reach, dating back to the First Era. Though they devoutly worship Malacath, they have often been at odds with the Orsimer, and fought against them during the Siege of Orsinium.

The Winterborn clan was known for their Winterborn Wild Hunt Wolves. According to them "the winter's frost rimes those wolves' hearts and a blizzard's raging winds bellow from their howl". They also state only those with cold hate in their veins can endure riding these creatures.

History

Urfon Ice-Heart, leader during the Second Era

Kyrtos, an author of Malacath and the Reach

1st Era

Sometime during the Classical Period, they were led by Evandene Tusk Collector. During a raid on an Orc village, she showed restraint in 'merely' decimating the populace. Her daughter Mercedene grew livid when she arrived with reinforcements, and challenged her mother on the spot. According to the tale, she said, "Harvesting a tenth of the weeds yields a harder strain of weed. Best to burn the field so its soil can take another crop." She then killed her mother, cut out her heart, and ate it. When Mercedene left the village, the Winterborn rode at her back as she usurped her mother's position and was then on called the "Beast of the Reach". All the villagers were so full of arrows that they "resembled pine cones", and Evandene's corpse decorated the altar to Malacath.

Later on, King Joile of Daggerfall hired mercenary bands from the Reach to join him in the Great Siege of Orsinium, the Winterborn noted as being the most accomplished. Joile set up a duel between Gaiden Shinji of the Order of Diagna and Baloth Bloodtusk of the Savage Sons. Unbeknownst to the parties involved, including Joile's own allies, Joile tasked General Mercedene with orchestrating their assassinations, using his archers to kill them both. The Knights of the Dragon, learning of his betrayal too late to stop it, executed Mercedene after she tried to have all the witnesses killed. Her accursed spirit would later haunt Old Orsinium by the Second Era.

2nd Era

Years later in the Interregnum, the Winterborn Clan ruled over Wrothgar amidst the reign of the Longhouse Emperors of the Reach. When the Daggerfall Covenant had formed and the Orcs were diplomatically granted full control of the Wrothgar territory, the Winterborn fought against them as the ongoing Alliance War was raging on in 2E 582. It was splintered faction with thirteen leading warlords. Despite that Urfon Ice-Heart was considered the leader of the Winterborn as of 2E 582. Little is known of other tweleve leaders, but one of them was known as Warlord Uchuiran. By 2E 582, they'd been forced to retreat into Frostbreak Fortress. King Kurog led a siege to draw them out, having the assistance of the Vestige in killing Urfon Ice-Heart.

In the same year, a group of Winterborn attempted to retrieve an ancient relic Vengeful Eye to begin the Vengeful March and start the slaughter of numerous Orc strongholds. One of the clan Briarhearts, Kyrtos, together with the Vestige foiled their plans and ensured that the artifact is never found.

Leaders

• Evandene Tusk Collector (ca. First Era)
• Mercedene, Beast of the Reach (ca. 1E 970)
• Urfon Ice-Heart (ca. 2E 582)
• Uchuiran (ca. 2E 582)

See Also

• For game-specific information, see the Elder Scrolls Online article.

Books

• The Ice Elder of the Ogres — A researcher's notes on Mad Urkazbur and the Wrothgarian Ogres
• Naryu's Journal/Wrothgar by Naryu Virian — The illustrated diary of a Morag Tong assassin
• Malacath and the Reach by Kyrtos — A Reachman's thoughts on Malacath
• Frostbreak Chalice — Notes on an enchanted goblet
• The Care and Feeding of Briar Hearts — A letter outlining the process of growing briar hearts and resurrecting Reachmen warriors