Lore:Battle-Born

The Battle-Borns

The Battle-Borns are a rich, influential clan in Whiterun who staunchly supported the Empire in the Stormcloak Rebellion.^[1]

History[edit]

Ancient Past[edit]

The clan was one of the first to live in Whiterun, making it likely that the family can trace its roots back to members of the Five Hundred Companions of Ysgramor.^[1] The earliest known ancestor of the clan is Sivdur, who lived in the Merethic Era during the rule of the Dragons.^[2]

Second Era[edit]

Around 2E 577, the mad alchemist Arkasis of Whiterun terrorized three of Skyrim's Holds. He conducted unspeakable experiments on unwilling test subjects. Each Hold had its own legend about the alchemist, but in every tale, the experiments involved strange alchemical substances and horrific transformations. With each crime, Arkasis eluded capture, and grew more bold until he was inevitably exposed in Whiterun in 2E 577. During Arkasis's reign of terror, the howling of wolves preceded nightly disappearances. Tensions hit a peak when a member of the Battle-Born family was found naked, covered in blood, and surrounded by dead livestock on the Gray-Mane estate. Accusations of lycanthropy were thrown around and several people called for executions, sparking a feud between the Battle-Borns and the Gray-Manes. A stranger offered to investigate, and found neither clan was at fault. The jarl and the court alchemist both disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leading the newly ascended Jarl Morryn to declare Arkasis a menace of the highest order.^[3]

Fourth Era[edit]

The Battle-Borns were old friends with their neighbors, the equally venerable Gray-Manes. However, the clans began feuding when the Gray-Manes sided with the Stormcloaks during the Stormcloak Rebellion, while the Battle-Borns remained loyal to the Empire. The clan also attribute the feud to the Gray-Manes' jealousy over their wealth.

The House of Clan Battle-Born stands near the Gray-Mane residence in Whiterun's Wind District. The Battle-Borns also own the profitable Battle-Born Farm just outside the city. Olfrid Battle-Born was the clan's vocal patriarch circa 4E 201. Each clan rallied the city's populace to their respective sides, though Whiterun officially remained neutral.^[1]

The known family tree of the Battle-Borns circa 4E 201 is as follows: