Lore:Factions S

Overview | A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

---

Sagacians

Sagacians were a group of unprincipled mages, scholars and researchers active in the Summerset Isle during the Interregnum in the Second Era. They considered the laws of Summerset to be too limiting and as an obstacle to their research. They abandoned all scruples and were researching dangers that were considered dangerous by the standards of the Summerset laws.

As of the 2E 582 they inhabited the ruins of Tor-Hame-Khard, and were considered "truly no better than bandits" by the representatives of the Divine Prosecution.

Saraathu Tong

The Saraathu Tong was a syndicate of outcast mages who controlled a significant portion of trade in Fargrave. They were scholars of primarily, but not only, Dunmeri origins that were cast out of Morrowind for offending the Tribunal. The Tong swore allegiance to House Hlaalu. They used their expertise with portal magic to supply House Hlaalu with trade goods from across the planes. The organization had a pact with the fearsome being known as Quath that allowed them to study magics and portals within Fargrave.

Saraathu Tong's headquarters were located in the city of Fargrave. Their official stalls were placed in the Bazaar. The organization offered guidance, advice, and employment for the mortal inhabitants of the city. They also provided interplanar teleportation services for those not affiliated with House Hlaalu, but the particulars of transliminal transit were a tightly guarded secret within the organization. Inner workings of many other spells utilized by the organization were kept secret from non-members.

Seamount Clan

The Seamount Clan (or Khazun Ghash) was a clan of Orcs active in the Second Era that lived in the island that they called Betnikh, which is a location better known for the name of Betony, with their main city being Stonetooth Fortress which had a lodge, bank, market and other facilities. They were a proud and self-reliant people who fiercely defended their home from invasions made by outsiders.

Sect of Harmonious Masters

The Sect of Harmonious Masters was a religious order devoted to the worship of Stendarr and mastering Restoration Magic. Its members dedicated themselves to adapting the magic of Stendarr's Light into spells, rituals, and ceremonies of cleansing and healing that can be employed by all of the mortal races. The sect originated from Altmeri city of Lillandril, as a group of Altmer who rejected the common Altmeri disinterest with Stendarr, the Apologist of Man, and embraced his mercy. Despite its Altmeri roots Harmonious Masters are open for all races, not even excepting the Beastfolk. They believed that as Stendarr, in his boundless mercy, has given all mortals the potential ability to employ his magical gifts, they should feel honor-bound to provide knowledge of these spells to all the peoples of Nirn freely and without hindrance. Their cause was to improve the general welfare of all folk in every culture. They eschewed all forms of violence and turned Stendarr's glowing gift into a tool for healing. They were known to spread their knowledge freely to everyone, even to the militant adherents. One of the known members of the Harmonious Masters was the author Aritanwe of Lillandril.

The Scaled Court

The Scaled Court was a group of fanatics active in Craglorn and Western Cyrodiil during the Interregnum. They follow the teachings of the Celestial body The Serpent.

The were initially led by the Nord warlord, Milvern One-Sword, and emerged at the mysterious disappearance of the Celestial Guardians in the night sky in 2E 582. They were driven from Cyrodiil by the Imperial Legion, but they were still active in Craglorn.

They were disbanded after being defeated by the Vestige.

Scenarist Guild

The Scenarist Guild is an ancient guild with a presence across all of Tamriel. The Guild is for troubadours, bards, and minstrels; guild members are called Scenarists. The guild has a presence in every significant city across the provinces, but it is based in a citadel nestled in the Dragontail Mountains, which is protected from trespassers by a magical barrier. The guild was ruled with an iron fist by Nesmyt in the late Third Era, although it had existed for hundreds of years before he took command.

The Scenarist Guild offers guided tours in the cities, and helps people traverse the provinces physically, interactively, spiritually, and historically. It also answers riddles and puzzles. The notes and observations made by the Scenarists have been compiled into a thousand impressive volumes. A neutral guild member not associated with any geographic entity acts as an observer, keeping others' accounts honest and free from inborn or regional bias. In 3E 370, Nesmyt created a sect of Imperial scribes who were charged with recording all historical events, beginning with the defeat of Jagar Tharn in 3E 399. Smuggled out by an anonymous renegade guild member, the book, now known as The Daggerfall Chronicles, was hidden in a shrine to the Oracle of Hammerfell. The guild possesses a Monster Watch Grid, which was used to locate the thousands of dark minions which were released by the Underking in the events leading up to the Warp in the West.

School of Julianos

The School of Julianos is the temple dedicated to Julianos, the God of Wisdom and Logic. These are generally the place of worship for him, as well as institutes of the highest regard. The school is known for its veneration of the scholarly pursuits and pushing its disciples to their limits. They have a rather strict recruitment policy and show a lack of sympathy to those that cannot keep up with their teachings, or cheat their way through the path. The cult of Clavicus Vile are considered their allies while the Mages Guild are seen as their enemies. In the Iliac Bay, the School of Julianos has many chapters, some of which include Abibon-Gora and Satakalaam in Hammerfell, and Daenia and Tulune in High Rock.

Scribes Guild

The Scribes Guild is an officially sanctioned guild. As their name implies, they employ scribes from across the Empire.

During the Akaviri Potentate in 2E 321, Versidue-Shaie gave his approval for the Guild Act, which sanctioned businesses such as the Scribes Guild. They were hence protected by the Empire of Cyrodiil, even into the Third Era, but would be required to pay them if they wanted to expand their influence. The Empire had subsequently strengthened since the Guild Act was passed.

Second Legion

The Second Legion is a division of the Imperial Legion, the militant arm of the Empire. The Second Legion has a storied history from the Interregnum, especially when they served Varen Aquilarios in his open rebellion against Emperor Leovic. The Imperial War Mastiff is the mascot and symbol of the Second Legion.

Selenu

The Selenu are a vampire bloodline found in the Iliac Bay region.

Shad Astula

Shad Astula Academy was a school of magic in Morrowind, located near the city of Mournhold. Initially founded by and for the Great Houses and blessed by the Tribunal, during the Alliance War, the academy opened enrolment up to train the wider Ebonheart Pact. Although focused primarily on the arcane arts, its students were also educated in writing, leadership, and military strategy in preparation for assuming leadership roles in the Pact and Great Houses. The entrance requirements and curriculum were infamously rigorous, but resulted in high-quality graduates produced in half the time of a traditional Mages Guild education.

The academy was built on the foundations of much older buildings, and some of the underhalls, such as the library vaults, were still in use during the Second Era. Students were ferried between Mournhold and the school by a Dunmer ghost who owed the academy a substantial debt and was consequently bound to serve as a boatswain.

Students at Shad Astula learned from master mages in a highly permissive and experimental environment, designed to weed out the weak and rapidly enhance the skills of the strong. The curriculum divided the magical arts into schools, such as Restoration and Illusion, which was a novel approach at the time that would quickly be adopted by the Mages Guild. Students who graduated from the academy were given a pin, with those who completed their master exams being gifted a timepiece by the Arch-Mage. Student use of skooma and strong alcoholic beverages were banned, with instructors suggesting students limit themselves to mazte and flin if they wished to decompress. The alcohol ban did not extend to teaching staff.

In 2E 582, Shad Astula was under the leadership of Arch-Mage Valeyn when it was attacked by the Maulborn during an attempted takeover led by General Darvasen, Valeyn's disgruntled former assistant who was expelled for experimenting on students. The Vestige was able to stop the Maulborn and free students enslaved by the ancient Chimeri relic known as the Jagged Lens of Compulsion.

Shadefeather Clan

The Shadefeather Clan was a prominent clan of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach, a region in western Skyrim during the Interregnum in Second Era. They were not numerous, but a notorious nomadic clan, known for their violence to both Reachfolk and outsiders alike. The clan was under the sway of a strong coven of Hagravens. They were known to waylay travelers throughout the Reach and murdering their captives in dark rituals. Other Reachfolk clans were often targets of their attacks. They frequently shifted camps and killed anyone unfortunate enough to stumble across them. In 2E 582 their camp was located to the northwest of Hroldan Ring.

The Reachfolk of the Shadefeather Clan dedicated themselves to the two of the Great Spirits of the Reach, Nocturnal and Namira. They erected shrines to both of the spirits. The shrine dedicated to Nocturnal was known as the Shadefeather Ritual Stone and was located in the center of the camp. The shrine to Namira was placed in a less central spot, at the camp's eastern entrance.

Shadowed Path

The Shadowed Path was a cult of necromancers devoted to Molag Bal. They established themselves in Cyrodiil in 2E 582 following the collapse of civil order brought about by the Alliance War, although they were seemingly in existence before the war.

The cult was led by Dreadlord Naucratius, and was divided into several distinct Circles controlled by ranking Diabolists. Three such Circles were sent to southern Cyrodiil in search of an ancient relic buried beneath the ground. The cult occupied Haynote Cave, Nisin Cave and Pothole Caverns in search of this artifact, which the Shadowed Path planned to use to conquer the Imperial City and all of Cyrodiil in the name of Molag Bal. Following the falling of a Dark Anchor above Bruma, the Shadowed Path took command of the Daedric invasion forces and overran the city. The cult also occupied the ruins of Nagastani in preparation for taking Blue Road Keep.

The cult attempted to create a lich at Lindai to lead them, but it was destroyed on behalf of the priests of Weynon Priory. Many of the cult's existing leaders were also killed by adventurers, and the Fighter's Guild began offering bounties to hunt down cult members after their contract with Meridia was concluded.

Specific details of the Shadowed Path's relations with Mannimarco and the Order of the Black Worm are unknown, although the Order had supplanted the Mages Guild in Cyrodiil at the time and had Imperial approval. Similar cults, such as the Withered Hand and Stonefire Cult, cropped up all across Tamriel with the support of the Empire and the Worm Cult. Following the failure of the Planemeld and Mannimarco's fall from grace, the fate of the Shadowed Path is unknown.

Shadowbloom Clan

Shadowbloom Clan was one of numerous clans of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach during the Second Era. They inhabited Markarth and were known to have werewolves among its ranks. Unlike most Reachfolk clans who considered lycanthropy as a transaction with Hircine, the Shadowbloom Clan members considered it as a blessing. They considered the sounds of Markarth unnatural and preferred the wilds, where all the sounds flew at random.

Shadowscales

The Shadowscales are an order of Argonian assassins originating in Black Marsh. Argonians born under the sign of the Shadow are taken at birth and offered to the Dark Brotherhood where they are trained in the arts of stealth and assassination. Shadowscales can identify other members of the order by special medallions. They are typically made of brass and inscribed with the likeness of Sithis, the Dread Father. Any Shadowscale who lives to come of age is accepted into the Dark Brotherhood as a full member of the family. They may also leave the Brotherhood to serve the Argonian people in Black Marsh as ku-vastei, the agents of needed change and arbiters. They act with impunity there, and some are said to serve as personal assassins to a King of Black Marsh, and protectors of the ancient members of the royalty, but no such king is thought to have ruled since the height of Argonian civilization in ages past—if at all—and the monarch's role as commander of the Shadowscales is said to be overstated.

Shadowscales follow the same five tenets traditionally followed by members of the Brotherhood, although they have a distinct set of rules. For example, a Shadowscale cannot kill a fellow Shadowscale even if they are not members of the Brotherhood. However, breaking a tenet of the Brotherhood invokes the Wrath of Sithis, and forgiveness is possible if the family member survives the encounter. If a Shadowscale breaks a tenet, it is viewed as treason and the perpetrator will be put to death. This is usually carried out by the Argonian Royal Court, who will send an unaffiliated assassin to carry out the execution. During contracts, Shadowscales seek to kill their targets swiftly. Prolonged and torturous kills are generally frowned upon.

Among common Argonians, especially the Black-Tongues, the Shadowscales are deeply respected. While all tribes of the Murkmire participate in the Shadowscale tradition, the Black-Tongue tribe take it the most seriously and spend a large amount of effort towards producing Shadowscales.

Some Shadowscales were opposed to the formation of the Ebonheart Pact in the Second Era, with some even turning traitor and fleeing Black Marsh. However, some Shadowscales fought on the Pact's side during the Aldmeri Dominion invasion of Shadowfen in 2E 582 by liberating the town of Murkwater.

With the closure of the training facility in Archon, and the death of the last known living Shadowscale in 4E 201, it is possible that the Shadowscales have been entirely wiped out.

Shardai Clan

Shardai Clan (also known as Faydra's Clan) is a Daedric clan led by Faydra Shardai. It is in the service of Clan Dagon, led by Mehrunes Dagon. The clan is based in the Havoc Wellhead. It represents the vital, but impulsive and undisciplined element of the destructive principle.

Clan Shardai exiled a Dremora by the name of Xyria, who fell in love with an Argonian summoner named Xocin during the Second Akaviri Invasion. After reforming, members of the clan sought to hunt Xyria for her forbidden affections, leading to Xocin to attempt to summon his lover back to Nirn, though their fates remain ambigious.

Along with Xivilai's Clan and Dremora Clan, the Shardai Clan aided Dagon in his invasion of the Battlespire during the Imperial Simulacrum. At this time, the Clannfear and the Flame Daedra were retainers of Shardai Clan. On Faydra's orders, the Fire Daedra helped to invade the Shade Perilous along with their hated enemies, the Frost Daedra. To prevent infighting, Faydra made a pact with Xivilai Moath, forcing them to work together. This relationship did not hold, as an apprentice from the Battlespire, following the retreating Daedric armies, brought the Elemental Daedra into conflict over control of the realm. The unnecessary invasion of the Shade Perilous and the increasing rivalry between Faydra and Xivilai displeased Dagon. Imago Storm of Dremora Clan made a deal with the Battlespire apprentice in an attempt to restore order to Clan Dagon. Faydra, however, could not be swayed, and was banished to the Void by the apprentice through the utterance of her incantory neonymic. Meanwhile, Xivilai Moath was tricked into aiding the apprentice and brought his clan into open conflict with Shardai Clan. Following Dagon's banishment, Imago Storm assumed control and restored order to the clans.

Shatter-Shield Clan

The Shatter-Shield Clan is an ancient noble family of Nords from the city of Windhelm, with an expansive history from the city's shipping industry and relieved of work after living from generations of "old money." While they spearhead the operation, all the hard work and paperwork is done by their workers down at the harbor office and the Argonian Assemblage, the latter of which has been held in great regard by their higher-ups. The sigil of Clan Shatter-Shield is an enchanted iron warhammer called Aegisbane.

Shatul Clan

The Shatul Clan is an Orc organization that lives in the stronghold of Shatul Range located in the highlands of Wrothgar in High Rock. The Clan is famous for their hunters and were one of the many Orcish organizations that were active during the period of the rise to prominence of King Kurog's Orsinium during the middle of the Second Era. They were considered one of the best Orc clans in terms of food production and livestock and every single one of them were considered to be expert hunters and farmers according to Kurog himself.

Shields of Senchal

The Shields of Senchal were a group of Imperials that composed the military forces of the city of Senchal in Southern Elsweyr, with them being seen as the protectors of the city as their value was appreciated by the people, with the Legion receiving their name from the city council itself at some point. Problems that plagued Senchal were many, but the Shields and their actions managed to help diminish the amount of criminal activity, allow for the rebuilding of the location and they even formed a governing council to better administrate the city and eventually even had to help deal with the new threat in the form of the Dragons that began to plague Elsweyr.

The Shouts

The Shouts were a Chimeri guild of counselors and advisors to Almalexia and the realm during the times of Nerevar.

They operated within the capital of the Chimer, Mournhold, and carried the wishes of the people, as the Velothi were predominantly virtuous at that time. Their interactions occasionally led to disputes, requiring Sotha Sil's intervention and guidance to make them effective.

They are featured in the 36 Lessons of Vivec, Sermon 8, where they observe a dialogue between Vivec, Sotha Sil, and Almalexia, "to which the Shouts were silent in sudden reading." As of the time when Sermon 8 was written, they were already regarded as ancient and forgotten.

Shrine of the Hunt-Father

The Shrine of the Hunt-Father was a Reachfolk temple based in Markarth. It was dedicated to five aspects of one of the Great Spirits of the Reach, Hircine. The shrine was active during the Interregnum in Second Era.

Shunned Ones

The Shunned Ones were a clan of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach during the Second Era. They were composed of outcasts from other Reachmen clans.

As a clan composed entirely of the outcasts, Shunned Ones were not regarded highly. Typically clanless Reachfolk often faced discrimination. The lives of the exiled Reachmen were often seen as worthless. The Reach was dangerous for those without clans and career options for clanless Reachfolk in Markarth were limited, though certain factions such as Wayward Guardians rejected that prejudice.

The Shunned Ones were not welcomed warmly in the City of Stone. In 2E 582, the Gray Host descended onto the Reach to search for an ancient artifact of great power and many of the Reachfolk clans were welcomed to stay in Markarth at the behest of Ard Caddach. The Ard, however, was reluctant to let the Shunned Ones enter. They sent a representative, a Redguard known as Achdazan, who they once helped in the time of need to negotiate the deal. It is unknown if they were allowed to settle in the city, but the threat of the Gray Host, eventually ended.

Shunned ones believed that when survival is at stake one's character is shaped. When one makes deadly mistakes, one either sits with them to learn or ignores them to warp one's character. They saw great value in good tales and stories. Their preferred currency was tales told of mistakes and lessons.

Silken Ring

The Silken Ring was a group of assassins comprised of deserters from the Dark Brotherhood, the Morag Tong and the Shadowscales. The organization was founded by an ex-Morag Tong operative and lead by a figure known as the Lady of Lace. The Silken Ring murdered their former associates from rival assassin groups, killed other guilds' informants and stole contracts from their rivals to please Mephala.

Silver Crescents

The Silver Crescents are a prominent guild in Valenwood that were active a number of years prior to 4E 201. Their line of work is dangerous, but provides a great deal of money. They have contacts with the Thieves Guild in Skyrim. A Bosmer thief named Niruin was a member of the Crescents for a number of years, before being forced to leave by his father under the threat of being put in jail for his involvement with them.

Silver Dawn

The Order of the Silver Dawn (or simply the Silver Dawn) is a militant group of werewolf hunters that were active in the mid-Second Era. They were primarily active in the midst of the Interregnum, starting their venture in 2E 428 and operated across Tamriel in various strongholds and castles. Their main headquarters was the Argent Mine, found in the highlands of Wrothgar. The faction saw a great decline by 2E 582 as some of their great compounds were conquered by various werewolf clans.

Silver Hand

The Silver Hand were a group of werewolf hunters in Skyrim circa 4E 201. They were enemies of the Companions, as they were aware that the mercenary group's elite inner circle were lycanthropes. Hunters affiliated with the Silver Hand were known to brandish silver swords and sought to rid Skyrim of werewolves. However, while the Silver Hand solely hunted werewolves and members of the Companions, it was evident that the group was overzealous at best, and at worst was no better than a group of bandits, murdering unarmed civilians and torturing their captives, even those not suffering from lycanthropy. To spite the Companions, the Silver Hand also attempted to retrieve scattered pieces of Wuuthrad, the shattered axe of Ysgramor which was of great importance to them.

Silverhoof Horsemen

The Silverhoof Horsemen (also known as the Horse-Folk of Silverhoof, or simply Horsemen) are a tribe of Redguards abiding in the pastoral basin known as the Vale of Silverhoof. Described as horse nomads, the Horsemen take care of horse herds as their livelihood, and also train steeds for others in exchange for goods. The Horsemen venerate a divine animist spirit they call the Herd Mother.

Sinderill

The Sinderill was an intelligence guild composed of members of Clan Direnni, based in the isle of Balfiera. The organization, led by a guild master, was active during the Interregnum and admitted both spies and scholars into its ranks.

The branch of the guild responsible for spying had its intelligence network active in many places in the Tamriel. The Direnni were aware of multiple affairs that were happening around the world during the Three Banners War. They had extensive knowledge regarding the three factions participating in the war. They were also aware of the return of the Dragons in Elsweyr, the danger looming over the island of Vvardenfell and its god-king Vivec, the threat to the Crystal Tower in Summerset, the vampiric invasion of the Gray Host on the Nordic kingdom of Western Skyrim, the daedric threat to the Imperial region of Blackwood, and anti-monarchist plots of Ascendant Order in the Systres Archipelago.

The branch of the guild responsible for the scholarly endeavors was studying the Keywright Gallery. It was an ancient site located on the Isle of Balfiera and its central chamber contained arcane helix and numerous inactive gates that were connected to multiple different locations in Tamriel. The Sinderill wanted to study the chamber with the portals thoroughly. Despite their efforts, they were not able to uncover all of the secrets of this complex, which predated their arrival on the island.

Six-Ford Clan

The Six-Ford Clan is one of the strongest and the most prominent clan of Reachfolk that lives in the Reach, a region in western Skyrim. For ages, the Eagleseers have been enemies of the Eagleseer Clan and vice versa, and it dates back to their foundation in years long past.

Sixth Legion

The Sixth Legion is one of the many legions that make up the Imperial Legion, the militant arm of the Empire. The Sixth Legion was operational during the Three Banners War of the Interregnum, though little is known of their activities. It was known that its rules pertaining to capture and imprisonment were short and concise.

One of the members of the legion, a solitary stranded soldier, Antonia Gratas was found in the region of Craglorn in northern Hammerfell circa 2E 582. In adherence to the Legion's protocol, she had to sell excess equipment belonging to the Sixth Legion in order to secure a safe passage back to her unit in Cyrodiil.

Skaal

The Skaal are an offshoot tribe of Nords living in a village in northeastern Solstheim. They are known as a trusting and hospitable people, welcoming strangers into their village without any suspicion. Their village is located to the east of the Isild River, along the Felsaad Coast just north of Lake Fjalding. The Skaal believe Solstheim was originally part of Skyrim, which was turned into an artificial island during a climactic battle between Dragon Cult loyalists and rebels, with the Skaal being descended from the loyalist faction. Multiple Dragon Cult ruins were uncovered during the Fourth Era, which included carvings that corroborated the oral history preserved by the Skaal. The scholar Tharstan came to the conclusion that the legend described in the Guardian and the Traitor was likely true with the additional archaeological evidence supporting it, and the Skaal formed a distinct culture overtime thanks to the isolation gained from the conflict.

The Skaal are self-sufficient, with the land providing all they require. As such, they rarely accept coin in trade from travelers.

Skeffington Coven

The Skeffington Coven is a notable group of witches that live in the Barony of Phrygias, within the province of High Rock. The Skeffington Coven has been active as far as the late First Era, all the way into 3E 417. The Skeffington operates at Old Barbyn's Farm, deep in the wilderness of Phrygias, somewhere near the Wrothgarian Mountains.

Skyweaver Clan

Skyweaver Clan was one of numerous clans of Reachfolk that lived in the city of Markarth in the Reach during the Second Era.

Skyweaver Clan was one of the more open-minded clans and was known to have non-Reachfolk members in its ranks. One of such member was J'ghanor, a Khajiit dancer from Elsweyr who was escaping the threat caused by Dragons. They were known for their weatherworking skills, hence the clan's name of Skyweaver.

Another ability they were known for was their dancing. Although Reachfolk are known to dance often and are perceived as great dancers by the outsiders in general, the Skyweavers valued this ability very highly, to the point they were willing to accept skilled dancers into their ranks. One of their dances was known to involve a lot of fire.

Sodality of the Eye

The Sodality of the Eye is a small group devoted to Hermaeus Mora. Circa 2E 582, they were directed to guard a vault until the arrival of the The Vestige.

Society of Concerned Merchants

A mercantile co-operative which regulated trading prices in the Imperial City's Market District in the late Third Era.

Society of the Steadfast

The Society of the Steadfast (or rarely Steadfast Society or The Steadfast) are a philanthropic fellowship that provides humanitarian aid to people who have suffered in disasters and wars, such as the Three Banners War. Founded by Lord Bacaro Volorus, the society consists of healers, caregivers, and a small contingent of knights that send teams loaded with supplies from one location to the next as the need arises. The Society establishes healing pavilions for the wounded, distributes food and water to the hungry, and provides whatever other aid they can.

Spinners

The Spinners are Bosmeri priests and historians, who record the story of their people—past, present, and even future. Principally associated with Y'ffre, Storyteller and chief god in the Bosmeri pantheon, Spinners may serve other gods in their quest for historical knowledge. They seek to maintain all Bosmeri history, culture, and laws, usually in the form of stories or metaphors, which can be difficult to comprehend but always ultimately correct. Thus, they serve as highly-influential advisors and bards, as well as helping to enforce Y'ffre's Green Pact. The most talented among them can utterly ensnare listeners within their story as a potent illusion, casting them as a character within the tale and thus influencing their emotions. It is said that Spinners travel nowhere except when carried by others, never moving under their own power.

Spiritblood Clan

Spiritblood Clan was one of numerous clans of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach since the ancient times, during the First and Second Era. They were known for their fierce warriors and rites of passage set in Vateshran Hollows.

Spiritdancer Clan

Spiritdancer Clan was one of numerous clans of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach during the Second Era. They used to feud with Twisted Briar Clan.

Spirit-Tale Clan

Spirit-Tale Clan was a Reachfolk clan featured in the Investigator Vale series of novels. According to the novels they lived in the Reach during the Second Era.

Stag-Heart Clan

Stag-Heart Clan was one of the numerous clans of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach during the Second Era.

Reachfolk of the Stag-Heart clan were known to worship the Great Spirit Hircine in his aspect of Uricanbeg, the Great Stag. They believed that Uricanbeg's hooves drum the Blood Summons. Members of the clans were considered a sect by some. Antlered helmets were typical headdresses for the Stag-Hearts.

Similarly to the many other Reachfolk clans, they were distrustful of the underground dwellings of the Dwemer.

Star-Gazers

The Star-Gazers, once known as the Esteemed Order of the Observers of the Celestial Motions and Portents, are an order of scholars devoted to the study of the stars and the meaning of their motions. They are based in Belkarth, a major settlement in the Craglorn region. The order has been active since at least the early Second Era.

Starsinger Clan

Starsinger Clan was one of numerous clans of Reachfolk that lived in the Cyrodiil during the times of the Longhouse Emperors and in later, after the fall of the dynasty, in the city of Markarth in the Reach during the Second Era.

Spilling blood on a feast day was considered a taboo among the Starsingers.

Stonehands

The Stonehands were a Reachfolk group sworn to serve Ard Caddach who ruled the city of Markarth as well as the eastern part of The Reach during mid-Second Era. The exact date of the group's forming is unclear, but they are known to have pledged loyalty to Caddach long before he claimed the title of ard and rose to power in Markarth. The Stonehands mainly acted as Caddach's personal guard and occasionally as spies, scouts and counselors. Yet, the Stonehands themselves saw their mission spanning beyond that of a personal guard, claiming to have devoted their lives to protecting all of the Reach and its people.

Although Stonehands referred to themselves as a clan they were primarily known for their service to the Ard. Becoming a Stonehand was not exclusive - it was widely known among the Reachfolk of Markarth that they were willing to admit members of other clans into their ranks if they proved worthy.

Stonetalon Clan

The Stonetalon Clan was one of the clans of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach, a region in western Skyrim during the Interregnum in the Second Era. Although the Reachfolk of the Stonetalon Clan were known to be more aggressive than many Reachfolk clans, who traded with their neighbors peacefully, they were noted to be more passive than Rageclaws and Boneshapers, and exhibited several particular and combative behaviors. They were a matriarchal clan, but their women were rarely seen. While rare, they were known for their advanced, powerful magic and heavy cloaks made of bird feathers.

It was theorized that they were passing through a series of trials, though the purpose of those trials was unknown to certain scholars. In reality, they were one of the rare clans closely affiliated with the Hagravens.

Stormcloak Clan

The Stormcloak Clan was a Nordic clan from Windhelm.

The Stormcloaks could trace their lineage all the way back to the founding of Windhelm in the Merethic Era, and boasted of having helped to build the city. During the First Era, the clan owned a vineyard that produced some vintages that were regarded as extremely rare collector's items by the time of the Interregnum.

Skegglund Stormcloak was a veteran of Windhelm's city guard who later joined the Fighters Guild sometime before 2E 578. Circa 2E 582, Mera Stormcloak served as a thane of Windhelm, and was a trusted subject of Jorunn the Skald-King. Mera's father had held the slightly lesser position of Windhelm's Captain of the Guard.

By far the most notable member of the clan was Ulfric Stormcloak, who inherited the title of Jarl of Windhelm from his father Hoag Stormcloak in 4E 183. He began the Stormcloak Rebellion in 4E 201 in order to usurp Torygg as High King of Skyrim and restore Talos worship.

Stormcloaks

The Stormcloaks were the main organization of rebels in Skyrim's Stormcloak Rebellion. Strongest in eastern Skyrim and based in Windhelm, they were originally founded by Ulfric Stormcloak as a private army to advance his interests. A few years later in 4E 201, after Ulfric killed High King Torygg, their ranks swelled with those who supported his call for an end to the ban on Talos worship, as well as action against the Empire and the Thalmor. The Stormcloaks claimed to be the only ones who could call themselves true Sons (or Daughters) of Skyrim, although their ranks were not strictly limited to Nords.

Stormfist Clan

The Stormfist Clan was a Nordic clan of Whiterun Tundra, known for their prowess at battle and armor crafting. Their founder and ancestor was Ogra Stormfist, the powerful matriarch who ruled the clan for nearly fifty years. The clan's involvement was pivotal in numerous conflicts, such as in the Battle of Whiterun Hold and the Massacre at Dialmarch. However, their engagement in the Siege of Windhelm during the Second Akaviri Invasion in 2E 572 ended in their downfall and isolation.

Stranglehollow Clan

Stranglehollow Clan was one of numerous clans of Reachfolk that lived in the Reach. They were extinct as of the times of the Three Banners War, during the Interregnum in the Second Era, but some of their traditions were still remembered by the Reachfolk of Markarth in 2E 582. One of their customs involved bones of their ancestors and local drinks. The Stranglehollows toasted each other with a drink mixed using the fingerbone of an ancestor.

Summerset Shadows

A group of thieves from the Summerset Isles who attempted to set up shop in Windhelm around 4E 201. Much like the Thieves Guild in many regions, they forbade their thieves to murder while on a job. Of course, the Thieves Guild of Skyrim being more flexible on this injunction did not greet this incursion with pitchers of mead. On behalf of a client, they shamed the group by slaying their leader and embarrassing them, quickly bringing about an end to their organized presence in Skyrim.

Sun Birds of Alinor

The Sun Birds of Alinor were a mythical order of Aldmeri explorers from the Merethic Era. According to legend, they managed to pierce the veil between Mundus and Aetherius using raw magic of the Ehlnofey. Their expeditions to Aetherius are said to be among the most famous attempts in history, alongside similar endeavors undertaken by the Royal Imperial Mananauts of the Elder Council during the time of the Reman Dynasty, but some scholars believe that actual proof of a successful journey is non-existent.

The order was eventually dissolved due to the vast expenditures of magicka required to travel. Few remaining legacies exist of these fabled travelers. Possibly the most notable example is the Great Orrery at Firsthold, whose spheres are made up of genuine celestial mineral gathered by travelers during the Merethic Era.

Lastly, during the mid-Second Era, a prismatic Sun Bird feather was unearthed by the University of Gwylim's Antiquarian Circle. While its exact function remains unknown, scholars speculated it may have been an orienteering tool of some sort.

Their ships were described as being made of crystal and solidified sunlight, and having gem-encrusted mini-trebuchets fit for sailing which fire pure aetheric fire, and banners listing their ancestors all the way back to the Dawn.

Supernal Dreamers

The Supernal Dreamers were a Daedric Cult who were active primarily in the region of Stormhaven in High Rock, but were also found in Vaermina's Shrine in Cyrodiil by the time of the year 2E 582. They believed Vaermina to be the greatest of the Daedric Princes and used to spread word of her divinity across Tamriel, demanding the death of those that did not agree with their vision if they were not able to be converted also claiming that she was the only one able to save Cyrodiil from the chaos of the time of the Interregnum, hoping that she would be able to bring peace to the land and even offering some of their own ranks as willing sacrifices.

Sweeps

The Sweeps were a guild of broom handlers who were well compensated for sweeping up ash that fell from Red Mountain into nearby cities on Vvardenfell. They mostly worked in big cities such as Vivec City. During the unholy union between Molag Bal and Vivec known as the Pomegranate Banquet, Vivec excreted a monster progeny known as Lie Rock. The Sweeps guild removed Lie Rock from the Pomegranate Banquet but they were not aware of his divine nature and Lie Rock escaped the clutches of the Sweep, ascending into the heavens. The guild evidently disbanded at some point and became largely forgotten to history.

Sword-singers

Sword-singers were an order of Yokudan warriors who followed the "Way of the Sword", a martial philosophy on blade mastery. Singers were capable of astonishing feats of swordsmanship, and were viewed by some to be as much mages as warriors. They sought strength of body, and of mind. Although the tradition of sword-singing originated in Yokuda, it was brought to the shores of Tamriel by the Ra Gada in the First Era. The sword-singers were instrumental in claiming the entire province of Hammerfell and establishing a new homeland for the Yokudan people. The Ansei (or Sword Saints) were the greatest among them. The most accomplished sword-singer in history was Frandar Hunding, whose writings on the subject were revered by the Redguards centuries later.

The Syffim

The forerunner of the Fighters Guild, the Syffim was founded by the Akaviri Potentate Versidue-Shaie and his kinsman Dinieras-Ves. Although it began as an Akaviri-only organization named after the Tsaesci word for 'soldiers', it eventually opened its doors to all races. The Syffim became the Fighters Guild when it received its charter in 2E 321.

Synod

The Synod is one of the organizations formed after the dissolution of the Mages Guild at the start of the Fourth Era, the other being the College of Whispers. The two groups are rivals, and constantly strive to earn the favor of the Elder Council. The Synod played a part in defending the Imperial City from Umbriel circa 4E 48.

Unlike the College of Whispers, the Synod continued the Guild's ban on Necromancy, and has also banned at least some other aspects of Conjuration. The Synod does not share knowledge quite as freely as the Mages Guild once did. One might have a chance of learning certain spells after a few years of paying the organization's dues.

The Synod is headed by a Grand Council. Ranks within the Synod include Attendant and First Adjunct. One of the divisions within the Synod is the Binder's Conclave, which enchanted a focusing crystal for use at the Oculory of Mzulft. Both the College of Whispers and the Synod have attempted to form alliances with the College of Winterhold, but despite pressures the independent organization has remained neutral. In 4E 201, the Synod attempted to use the Oculory of Mzulft to locate artifacts of great magical power, but the Eye of Magnus prevented the Oculory from working correctly. The Eye was being held at the College of Winterhold at the time, which may have embittered relationships with the Synod.