Old Gods

A woman praying before a Gildergreen tree - by ©Josu Hernaiz

The old gods are a collection of mostly nameless deities of stream, water, and stone once worshipped on the continent of Atmora and Northern Tamriel. They are so named because the Faith of the Eight has largely replaced the worship of the northern gods, though some Nords are known to ascribe certain gods of the Faith names used by old gods, such as referring to Kynareth as 'Kyne'. The more traditionalist Nords will sometimes swear by both the old gods and those of the Faith. Today the Skaal are the only dedicated worshippers of the old gods.

The Old Gods

The old gods are numerous, and many are nameless. Some Atmorans believed that the gods are everywhere—in the rocks, streams, birds, and beasts—and that they take the deceased down into the earth and trees. The sapiarchs teach that the Gildergreens are sacred to the old gods. However, worshippers believe the old gods watch through the trees. It is said that the old gods only have power where the Gildergreens can see, and since the destruction of most of the trees in Tamriel their power has diminished.

It is said that the sigh of the wind and the rustle of leaves are the old gods speaking back to worshippers. According to some legends, the Gildergreen trees are the gods, and that when they die, they become part of the godhood.

Worshippers of the old gods believe that no man can tell a lie in front of a Gildergreen tree, as the old gods know when men are telling a lie. Through the eyes of the Gildergreens, the old gods judge the people in front of them. As such, an oath might be made in front of a Gildergreen tree.

The old gods were worshipped by the Atmorans, and eventually by some Nedes. Following the coming of the Aldmer, who brought the Church of Alaxon, the old gods were no longer dominantly worshipped in Tamriel. However, the old gods were eventually brought back to a degree of prominence when a few of their most notable gods were integrated into a new religion by Alessia I Paravant, who founded the Faith of the Eight. Today only a few Houses still worship the old gods alone, while most of the noble Houses follow the Faith of the Eight instead, even in Skyrim.

Some of the most prominent old gods were represented by certain animals, such as the dragon, hawk, she-wolf, snake, moth, owl, whale, bear, and fox. Old Nordic and Atmoran ruins can have those animals carved into their walls.

Known Old Gods

While there are an untold number of unknown and faceless old gods, some are known by name:

• Orkey
• Dibella
• Herma-Mora
• Jhunal
• Kyne
• Shor
• Stuhn
• Ysmir
• Tsun

Some old gods are known by the well-known forms they are associated with, yet are not known by name, such as the fox, bear, and wolf. These three in particular are considered to be ancient.

Practices

A Gildergreen tree in a castle's godsgrove - by ©Elena María Vacas

Various actions, such as incest, slavery, and kinslaying are considered offensive to the old gods, although, as regards kinslaying, the degree of kin and circumstance of killing one’s kin (e.g., in war) hold significant influence. The laws of hospitality are considered to be sacred. It is believed that the old gods can detect when men lie to Gildergreen trees.

Worship

The most dedicated worshippers visit the few remaining Gildergreen trees, typically found in godsgroves which are sometimes contained within cities or castles. These trees are considered to be sacred. Once all noble Houses had a godsgrove with a Gildergreen in its center; However, the Altmer, in their wars against the Nords during the Coming of the Aldmer, cut down many of the trees, as did the other invaders later on, replacing the old gods with their own. Although godsgroves can still be found in a few locations in southern Tamriel, they now serve as secular gardens.

Prayer and marriages can be done in front of a Gildergreen tree if one is available. The Gildergreens and the places they stand are considered to be sacred. They are not to be defiled by bringing animals such as horses into them.

There are no priests, no holy texts, no songs of worship, and practically no rites that go with the worship of the old gods. It is a folk religion, passed from generation to generation. Worshipers believe the old gods watch through the trees, and prayers are done in silence.

Blood sacrifice was performed in the past. For example, the entrails and bodies of criminals and traitors could be hung from the branches of Gildergreens after their executions.

In the Second Era, the Ternion Monks of Skyrim were known to exclusively worship three of the most ancient old gods, known only by the forms they are most associated with: the fox, bear, and wolf. Due to their stubborn devotion to these three ancient and unnamed gods, they were widely ostracised by other Nords, instead preferring silent seclusion in the then-Nordic ruins of Mistwatch.

Marriage Customs

A marriage ceremony can take place in front of a Gildergreen tree. One of the bride's parents, or the person standing in their place (usually kin or whoever else is closest to living kin), will escort the bride to her future husband and those presiding over the marriage. The same will occur for the husband, who will likewise be escorted to his wife.

Marriage ceremonies are rather short and contain no priests. The future spouses are escorted to where they are to stand for the ceremony (in front of a Gildergreen if one is available). A ceremonial conversation follows, where the identity of the bride, of the groom, and of the people giving them away are established. The bride is asked to accept her husband, and the husband his bride, and upon their agreement ("I take this man/woman") bride and groom join hands, kneel before the Gildergreen tree (if available), and bow their heads in token of submission. When they rise following a moment of silent prayer, the groom removes the maiden’s cloak, and places the bride’s cloak around her shoulders, after which he will carry her to the feast in his arms. The wedding ceremony is followed by a feast, which in turn is followed by the bedding.

Marriage vows said at swordpoint are not held to be valid, but even if the marriage occurred under force, a lord might claim the marriage to be legal if e.g. lands are at stake.

Funeral Customs

Specific funeral customs are not known. However, ancient noble Houses appeared to bury deceased family members in barrows in the wilderness or just outside their town or castle.

History

Ancient History

The old gods were originally known to be worshipped by the Atmorans of Atmora, thousands of years before the Sundering of Aldmeris. The religion spread to Tamriel when the first Atmorans left their home continent for southern shores, who would later become the Nedes.

Arrival of the Altmer

The Nedes of Tamriel were largely repressed by the arrival of the Aldmer, and their worship of the old gods was likewise repressed, replaced instead with worship of the elven gods. Many Nedes in Skyrim continued to worship the old gods in secret, as even the Falmer turned a blind eye to it, though in other regions of Tamriel the Nedes eventually lost their religious customs, leaving them with nothing.

The Return & Alessia's Rebellion

The Atmorans continued to worship them long after the Return of Ysgrammor I, which established the old gods as Skyrim's dominant religion after the extermination of the ruling Falmer. Once more the old gods spread through Skyrim, giving Alessia I Paravant inspriation for her new pantheon after usurping the Ruby Throne of the Ayleid Empire from her elven predecessors.

To make a show of mending the divide between Man and Mer, Alessia combined the pantheon of the old gods with that of Alvarlism, the religion of the Ayleids. The newly created Faith of the Eight contained only eight gods, some of which could be found in Alvarlism, and others among the old gods. Many of these gods were granted new names to make her religion unique.

Recent History

The dominance of the First and Second Empires of Men resulted in the quick and virulent spread of the Faith across Tamriel. It quickly became the dominant religion of High Rock and much of Hammerfell, though was resisted in Skyrim for many centuries until the emergence of the Third Empire. The Septim Empire had managed to bring the Kingdom of Skyrim into the fold, making them vassals to the Throne, religious change was felt almost immediately as priests of the Faith flooded Skyrim, bringing their gods and customs with them.

Despite much religious unrest in Skyrim, the Faith eventually became the dominant religion of the region. Today the old gods are, for the most part, only nominally worshipped by the Nords of Skyrim, rather than worshipping the gold gods themselves, simply worshipping the gods of the Faith but giving them their original Nordic names when applicable. Few genuine worshippers of the old gods remain, and as such few Gildergreen trees remain. Only the Skaal remain as dedicated worshippers of the old gods.

Behind the Scenes

The old gods are based on animism and traditional Pagan beliefs of Wicca and various other Celtic and Norse systems, melded into one construct. Druidism and primitive religions are influences.