|
Name |
Ancestral Nord: Axes |
|
13 |
- Reginus Buca
- Despite Harald's desire for a uniform army in Skyrim, sagas from this period still revolve around grandiose warriors with storied weapons. Either exceptions were made for those who could provide their own equipment, or the skald took creative liberties.
|
---|
Type |
Motif Chapter (Ancestral Nord Style) |
---|
Difficulty |
Simple |
---|
Lead |
|
---|
|
Name |
Rune-carved Steering Oar |
|
250 |
- Ugron gro-Thumog
- A longship's steering oar, early 2E 1st century. This one belonged to a successful raiding captain, I think. The runes spell out boasts about the plunder they took during each of the captain's voyages.
- Gabrielle Benele
- Curious that a wooden artifact of this age is in such good condition. These are no common runes—an ancient enchantment clings to the oar. Perhaps the oar's owner followed the Old Ways of the Nords and sought the blessing of their animal gods?
- Verita Numida
- Nord captains of the time often took their steering oar from ship to ship. A carved oar was the emblem of an experienced navigator, something that showed other Nord warriors that they could trust the captain's ability to find a way across the seas.
|
---|
Type |
Treasure |
---|
Difficulty |
Simple |
---|
Lead |
|
---|
|
Name |
Ancestral Nord: Helmets |
|
13 |
- Reginus Buca
- Nord helmets in theatrical productions tend to be woefully inaccurate representations of their traditional designs, much to the chagrin of the Bards College.
|
---|
Type |
Motif Chapter (Ancestral Nord Style) |
---|
Difficulty |
Intermediate |
---|
Lead |
|
---|
|
Name |
Cloven Ritual Mask |
|
1,000 |
- Amalien
- Here's a real find! This was a Dragon Cult mask. Dragon Priests believed that they became living vessels of their Dragon-gods' spirits and spoke with divine authority when they donned these masks. An oaken one like this probably belonged to lesser clergy.
- Verita Numida
- Of course it's a Dragon Cult mask—anyone can see that. Let me offer a more scholarly assessment: The mask's warlike design suggests a more aggressive posture—something that a Dragon worshiper might wear into battle.
- Reginus Buca
- As Verita notes, this is a Dragon Faithful's war-mask. I'm no carpenter, but the way it's been hewn right down the center might indicate a sword stroke. Perhaps this fellow met his end under the blade of a rebelling Nord.
|
---|
Type |
Treasure |
---|
Difficulty |
Intermediate |
---|
Lead |
|
---|
|
Name |
High King Sunstone |
|
5,000 |
- Reginus Buca
- What have we here? The old sagas of the proto-Nords describe glass-like sunstones that allowed a longship captain to see the sun's location even on a cloudy day, but their secret was lost long ago. Yet here we have a stone as clear as glass--just as the legends claim. The mighty Ysgramor himself was said to have used a stone such as this in his voyages! And these runes inscribed around the stone's perimeter identify it as a gift of great favor from a Nord High King. Truly, a remarkable find!
|
---|
Type |
Treasure |
---|
Difficulty |
Advanced |
---|
Lead |
|
---|
|
Name |
Ruby Dragon Skull |
|
N/A |
- Ugron gro-Thumog
- You find quite a few jeweled eyes in the dungeoneering business, but an entire skull fashioned from precious stones? That's a true prize. Shows all the signs of a Dragon Cult relic. Probably some sort of ritual focus used during sacrifices.
- Reginus Buca
- Not just any sacrifices. Given the scarcity of Atmoran jewelry, I have a hunch that precious stones are far less common there--or perhaps just more difficult to excavate. Ruby effigies would be reserved for extremely important services only.
- Verita Numida
- But why a Dragon skull? Prior to the Dragon War, those brutes had little cause to contemplate their own mortality. Unless ... a Dragon itself suffered the sacrifice? Maybe Dragon Priests gathered to watch Alduin administer such a rite. A ghastly thought!
|
---|
Type |
Furniture (view furnishing) |
---|
Difficulty |
Advanced |
---|
Lead |
|
---|
|
Name |
Auri-El Metal Carvings |
|
N/A |
- Reginus Buca
- These carvings appear to venerate Auri-El. My research indicates he occupied a place of special significance for Snow Elves. This metal is quite flexible, too. I'm not sure what the original purpose of this was.
- Verita Numida
- Many worshipped Auri-El at the time, and still do! Not just the Snow Elves. We know so little of their history, even that may be a matter of debate. Though I will concede the area that this was found supports the theory.
- Amalien
- Since this is so flexible, even after all this time, I wonder if it was some kind of wearable display of worship. Something emblazoned on different surfaces, either on armor or someone's shield. They could have even worn it over their regular clothes!
|
---|
Type |
Mythic Item Fragment (Snow Treaders) |
---|
Difficulty |
Master |
---|
Lead |
|
---|
|
Name |
Brazier of Frozen Flame |
|
N/A |
- Amalien
- What a find! I'd have to take a closer look, but the body of the brazier looks like stalhrim! Can you imagine? Ice infused with divine power, making it hard as steel! I've only ever seen it employed in arms, armor, and burial rituals.
- Reginus Buca
- I assume you're citing old Skaal stories, Amalien? Personally, I've never seen any compelling evidence of a godly connection to this material. The world is full of naturally occurring substances with fantastical origin stories. Stalhrim is no different.
- Verita Numida
- Stalhrim is undeniably mortal-made. Focus on the brazier. I don't recognize any of these markings as burial motifs, but stalhrim was traditionally used in funerary rituals. I know Nords abhor spellcraft, but this looks like an arcane focus to me.
|
---|
Type |
Furniture (view furnishing) |
---|
Difficulty |
Ultimate |
---|
Lead |
|
---|