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Description
An epilogue

After I wrote my book, The “Madmen” of the Reach, many considered me the preeminent scholar concerning all things Forsworn. They are correct of course. Few if any have researched the history and lives of the Forsworn as I have.

So when I heard the rumors that a Forsworn woman was involved with the Imperial Legions war against the Stormcloaks, that she actually led many of the special missions against the rebels, that it was she, not General Tullius, who actually killed Ulfric Stormcloak at his palace in Windhelm, well there was no way I was not going to search for this woman and hear her story.

I began by interviewing as many as I could who knew her, including her own king. While their insight on this woman paints an interesting story indeed, there is still so much that is missing. What led Raven down this path that took her to the Palace of the Kings and the death of the Rebel leader, Ulfric Stormcloak? What motivated her? And most importantly, where is she now?

Sadly the biggest mystery seems to be what became of the woman. The Forsworn king, though he allowed me to interview him, would give no answers as to her whereabouts so I visited the few redoubts that knew me and asked for Raven. This unfortunately did me little good. It seems that many of the women of the Forsworn names can be translated as Raven or some other bird in the common tongue. This is no doubt due to their strong ties to the Hagravens. It seems they can tell each others names apart by how they are pronounced, but since we have no idea how our Raven’s name is pronounced I could not really ask for her by name.

I had then asked if I could see the one that killed the Bear of Markarth. This seemed to get a better response and I was lead to the redoubt called Lost Valley. My guide had me follow him closely through the redoubt and the Forsworn there stared at me intensely. More than once I had a very uneasy feeling that I may not leave that redoubt alive.

I was taken to a small alcove that was cluttered with bones, weapons and various Forsworn items. When I did not see anyone else there I asked my guide again where the slayer of Ulfric was. He pointed toward the back wall of the alcove where a dark Forsworn sword hung. I looked closer at the item and realized that the sword was covered with dried blood. Then I understood that this was the sword, the sword that took the life of the Bear of Markarth.

As interesting as that find was I still wanted to actually speak with Raven, the one that helped the Imperial Legion. However it seemed that no matter how I asked the question the only response I could get was that the Bear of Markarth was killed by THE Forsworn. I was not sure if this was a translation problem or some cultural reference to the fact that the Forsworn consider themselves all as one, that what one Forsworn does is effectively done by all. Pry as I might I could not get more out of my guide and in frustration I finally asked to be taken back. I could not help but think however that since the weapon was here at the Lost Valley redoubt that the woman who brought it was here also, among the many women staring at me as I left. But which one was she? Will we ever know the real story behind Raven of the Forsworn? Only time will tell.

By Arrianus Arius, Imperial Scholar

Description
An epilogue

After I wrote my book, The “Madmen” of the Reach, many considered me the preeminent scholar concerning all things Forsworn. They are correct of course. Few if any have researched the history and lives of the Forsworn as I have.

So when I heard the rumors that a Forsworn woman was involved with the Imperial Legions war against the Stormcloaks, that she actually led many of the special missions against the rebels, that it was she, not General Tullius, who actually killed Ulfric Stormcloak at his palace in Windhelm, well there was no way I was not going to search for this woman and hear her story.

I began by interviewing as many as I could who knew her, including her own king. While their insight on this woman paints an interesting story indeed, there is still so much that is missing. What led Raven down this path that took her to the Palace of the Kings and the death of the Rebel leader, Ulfric Stormcloak? What motivated her? And most importantly, where is she now?

Sadly the biggest mystery seems to be what became of the woman. The Forsworn king, though he allowed me to interview him, would give no answers as to her whereabouts so I visited the few redoubts that knew me and asked for Raven. This unfortunately did me little good. It seems that many of the women of the Forsworn names can be translated as Raven or some other bird in the common tongue. This is no doubt due to their strong ties to the Hagravens. It seems they can tell each others names apart by how they are pronounced, but since we have no idea how our Raven’s name is pronounced I could not really ask for her by name.

I had then asked if I could see the one that killed the Bear of Markarth. This seemed to get a better response and I was lead to the redoubt called Lost Valley. My guide had me follow him closely through the redoubt and the Forsworn there stared at me intensely. More than once I had a very uneasy feeling that I may not leave that redoubt alive.

I was taken to a small alcove that was cluttered with bones, weapons and various Forsworn items. When I did not see anyone else there I asked my guide again where the slayer of Ulfric was. He pointed toward the back wall of the alcove where a dark Forsworn sword hung. I looked closer at the item and realized that the sword was covered with dried blood. Then I understood that this was the sword, the sword that took the life of the Bear of Markarth.

As interesting as that find was I still wanted to actually speak with Raven, the one that helped the Imperial Legion. However it seemed that no matter how I asked the question the only response I could get was that the Bear of Markarth was killed by THE Forsworn. I was not sure if this was a translation problem or some cultural reference to the fact that the Forsworn consider themselves all as one, that what one Forsworn does is effectively done by all. Pry as I might I could not get more out of my guide and in frustration I finally asked to be taken back. I could not help but think however that since the weapon was here at the Lost Valley redoubt that the woman who brought it was here also, among the many women staring at me as I left. But which one was she? Will we ever know the real story behind Raven of the Forsworn? Only time will tell.

By Arrianus Arius, Imperial Scholar