Lore:Beldama Wyrd

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The Beldama Wyrd Tree

TheBeldama Wyrd(also known as theBeldama Coven[1]orBeldama Ward[2]) are a female-onlyBretonicWyrd coventhat is attuned to nature, venerates the ancient forest, and communes with the Forest God of the Bretons,Jephrethe Storyteller.[3]Membership however also extends to outsiders,[4]even those from other races.[5]These ward-sisters are found in the region ofDaenia,and its politicalcounterpartin theThird Era.The Beldama are known to congregate around the eponymousBeldama Wyrd Tree,a spirit[6]in the form of a gargantuan oak tree[7]that is located on an island surrounded by a lake. It serves as the heart of the coven's mystical crafts.[8]The symbol of the Beldama Wyrd is a stylizedtriskelion.[9][10]

The Beldama Coven were originally part ofthe Wyrd,a singular entity that later split into subgroups, such as the Beldama and theDaedra-worshippingGlenmoril Wyrd.[11][12][13][14]The Wyrd originated from the ancient people that dwelled inHigh Rock,who are referred to by the retroactive nomenclature, theDruids of Galen.[15][16][17][18]A religious schism brought about the Wyrd's separation from theirdruidbrethren.[17]The Wyrd abandoned civilization in favor of living in the wilds,[17]and believe that they are nature itself: the forest, the plants and beasts within it, and even the weather.[19][17]In contrast, while ancient druids revered nature, they were not keen to isolate themselves and worship the untamed wilds.[17][15]The druids accepted what they interpreted as their "proper place" as people, and embraced the idea that civilization can coexist alongside nature.[17][15][16][11]The Druids of Galen and the Wyrd disapproved of each other's lifestyles: the druids found the ways of the Wyrd unsavory, and the Wyrd thought the druids as "barons in ivy robes" that were no better than city-dwellers.[11]Like the Wyrd, druids would much later practice self-isolation to varying degrees,[16][20][21]as a response to the historical encroachments and heartless deprivations that would await them.[17][15]When the Druids of Galen were driven into exile to theSystres,these sisterhoods of the Wyrd remained behind on the mainland to safeguard the forests ofHigh Rock,[16]with some of the dozen or so covens even spreading throughoutTamriel.[13]

History[edit]

The Guardian of the Water

According to a myth, duringY'ffre's Naming (which gave all creatures ofNirntheir shape)[22]in theDawn Era,Y'ffre entrusted the Earthbones with the task to designate those worthy of becoming Wyrd, who were wardens of nature.[23]The Beldama Wyrd serve the purpose of safeguarding the forest, all the while guided by theElemental Guardians(Water, Air, and the Earth) that are preserved by the Wyrd Tree and wholly protect the region.[24]They inhabit the vale that surrounds the Wyrd Tree, in the north edge of Daenia, at the base of the mountains. In this vale, they live in wooden huts draped in hanging moss, circling around the great-oak and the ring lake where the tree's roots are sprawled across.[25]The wyress are known to keep and breedGreat Daenian Hounds,who often serve as their companions and guardians.[26]One of their most well-known members isMarieve,anoraclethat was able to predict the death of KingFolbertofDaggerfalland KingTamlienof theSummerset Isles.[27]Despite the peaceful nature that the Beldama Wyrd exudes, the local Bretons and even theEmpire of Cyrodiilfind them dangerous.[3]

During theInterregnumin2E 582,theBloodthorn Culthad invaded Glenumbra, in the hopes of conquering the land. One of their primary targets was the Wyrd Tree and the Beldama Coven, corrupting the tree to cut the connection between the guardians and the Wyrd. This caused the creatures of the forest to run rampant across Daenia, resulting in the burning ofDeleyn's Mill.A group of wyress helped gather the village-folk in the mill and sought ways to quell the chaos. They garnered help from awandering traveler,who managed to calm the beasts and save the villagers. But without their connection, the coven was completely oblivious to the tampering in the tree. WyressIleanabegan the ritual to communicate with them at theVale of the Guardians,to learn of the true happenings and the Bloodthorn's involvement. The traveler was sent to the Wyrd Tree and was able to cleanse the corruption from within.[28]

The conflict between the Hags of Glenumbra's Hag Fen and the Beldama Wyrd is as ancient as the Hag Fen itself. The arrival of the Hagraven Mother Murk fromthe Reachupset the balance within the swamp, twisting the world around her. Her alliance with the Bloodthorn Cult led to an increase of abductions of women around the area to convert into hags or thralls.[29]This brought the attention of an adventurer, who with the guidance of the wandering Reach-witchSibellec the Old,turned Mother Murk's magic against her, allowing her to be slain, and brought the Hag Fen under the control of the Beldama coven.[30]

Symbols representing the Druid King (top), the Beldama Wyrd (left), the Glenmoril Wyrd (right), and Frii (center)

Later that year, theFiresong Circleassaulted both the Beldama and Glenmoril Wyrd, seeking the location of Frii. They abducted elders of both covens, needing them to open the way to the spirit. This led them to the Sunken Road inBangkorai,where Archdruid Michiel of the Firesong located Frii's sapling. The archdruid was slain, and Frii was taken to the island of Galen to be among theStonelore Circle.[12]

The Beldama Coven continued its activities for many years, and by3E 405,the coven was located in the north-central region of the duchy, nearGreenham Manor.[31]Like other witch covens in theIliac Bayaround this time, they were capable of summoningDaedric Princes.[32]

Many years before4E 201,a Beldama witch named Daenalla fell in love with Simon Rodayne, a member of theBretonknightly order, the Order of theCrypt.The knight willingly gave up his heart to his lover, replacing it withpoisoned briars,and was ultimately converted into abriarheart[1]through a ritual that involves communing with Hircine.[33]The full story being clouded led to animosity between the Order and the Beldama, and their disapproval of the union between the lovers. The Wyrd thought Daenalla betrayed them to the knights,[34]while the Order thought that Simon was tricked into become an abomination. Knowing that they were star-crossed lovers, they fled the wrath of both their groups.[1]The Beldama Coven pursued the couple,[34]while the Order seeking revenge, extended its influence far beyond Shornhelm as they gave chase to the Coven, forcing the Wyrd to go east intothe Reach.The Order had taken a vow to not just guard the Crypt of Hearts, but the "hearts entombed in all of us, lest they be replaced with the briars of the unholy."[1]In their pursuit for vengeance, the Order slayed anyReachmenthat gave the Coven refuge. Eventually, Simon died, and he was buried on a hilltop somewhere in the Reach, where Daenella mourned the loss.[1]

Sometime in4E 201,the members of the Order of the Crypt that were tracking the Beldama were wiped out, and the coven were able to find Daenella in the Reach after several years. She was brutally killed while she watched as her husband's heart was defiled, so that they could not be reunited in the afterlife.[34]AtKarthspire,the Beldama Coven were killed by anadventurer.There, the adventurer recovered Simon's heart, but it is unknown if they returned it to his grave tainted, damning him, or if the heart was cleansed, allowing the couple to reunite in the afterlife.[35]

Notes[edit]

  • The usage of the Beldama over the daedra worshipping Glenmoril Wyrd for theSpell Knight Armorcreation is intentional.

Gallery[edit]

  • A Beldama Wyress

  • Beldama Witch (Skyrim)

  • Concept Art of the Beldama Wyrd Tree

  • The Beldama Coven (Daggerfall)

  • The Great Daenian Hound

  • Beldama Wyrd architecture

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdeCrypt of the Heart - Draft— Ariana Dumas
  2. ^Beldama Ward MotherinSpell Knight ArmorCreation
  3. ^abWitch Cults of Northern High Rock—Wafimeles Masteret(Lorekeeper)
  4. ^Wyress Gwen's dialogue inESO
  5. ^Initiate Lamur's dialogue inESO
  6. ^Wyress Helene's dialogue inESO
  7. ^The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: High Rock—Flaccus Terentius,2E 581
  8. ^Beldama Wyrd Treeloading screen inESO
  9. ^Wyress Joslin's dialogue inESO
  10. ^Ancient tablet found duringSojourn of the Druid KinginESO
  11. ^abcWyress Matilde's dialogue inESO
  12. ^abSojourn of the Druid Kingquest inESO
  13. ^abWitch Cults of Northern High Rock—Wafimeles Masteret(Lorekeeper)
  14. ^The Glenmoril Wyrd—Lady CinnabarofTaneth
  15. ^abcdLoremaster's Archive - Bretons & High Isle—Lady Arabelle
  16. ^abcdDruid Ryvana's dialogue inESO
  17. ^abcdefgWyrd and Druid— Archdruid Barnabe's Discourse with Mainlanders, 2E 553
  18. ^Loremaster's Archive - Tamriel's Dungeons—Dhulef
  19. ^Wyress DemaraandWyress Linnae's dialogue inESO
  20. ^Druid Peeska's dialogue inESO
  21. ^Sir Stefan Mornard's dialogue inESO
  22. ^Wild Hunt Crown Crateseason description inESO
  23. ^Wyresses: The Name-Daughters—Glargargil the Speaking Oak
  24. ^Wyress Ileana's dialogue inESO
  25. ^The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: High Rock—Flaccus Terentius,2E 581
  26. ^Great Daenian Hounddescription inESO
  27. ^Vanus Galerion's dialogue inESO
  28. ^Glenumbrastory quests inESO
  29. ^Wicked Tradequest inESO
  30. ^Wyrd and Covenquest inESO
  31. ^The Beldamalocation inDaggerfall
  32. ^Daedra summoninginDaggerfall
  33. ^The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Northern Bangkorai and the Mountains—Flaccus Terentius,2E 581
  34. ^abcBeldama Witch's Note
  35. ^Crypt of the Heartquest inSkyrim (Spell Knight Armor)
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