Chapter Text
ᚺᚫᚱᛁᚷᚫᛊᛏᛁ ᛏᛖᛁᚹᚫ
For millennia the people of Roscrea lived in secrecy. Never giving a hint as to their presence to the outside world. To the people of Tamriel Roscrea is just a hunk of rock in the middle of the Sea of Ghosts. They never will know the truth.
There are people on that island. Entire tribes focused on withholding the old ways. Never thinking about assimilating into Tamrielic society. They are the last of the true Atmoran bloodline and will keep it that way till they die. They're the people of giants and men. Tall and pale.
The gods of the Roscreans are peaceful when treated well but are a force to be reckoned with when disgraced. Remember that now.
On this island, there is a woman whose name is Freydis. Compared to most Roscreans who measure well within seven feet this woman is small. At only six feet. She's the daughter of a shaman and a Seeress and has the gift of the sight herself but can barely use it.
The visions come to her in dreams or in waking moments. Though at a disadvantage she can be useful.
Her people are peaceful usually but will raid boats who come to close to the black shores of their home. That's when the Roscreans aren't so nice. They come in the night across stormy waters and are truly a nightmare to behold.
In years long since passed they used to sail to other lands and would raid and pillage but those days are over. Now the prey comes to them.
Freydis had bore witness to several raids. She would sit on the cliffs near the black shore and would watch the fire in the distance burn the pillaged boat along with any crew not slaughtered. On more than one occasion her people would bring back survivors to labor along with them. One such survivor was named Ven.
Ven was a priest of a god named Akatosh. Freydis not knowing very much about the outside world was curious. She approached him one night in his holding cell and asked him about where he's from. She was only six at the time but she absorbed all of the information he gave her.
That's when she learned of the vibrant and colorful lands of Tamriel the giant cities that stay in one spot and never travel. The different races, the Gods, the culture, everything. It made her want to travel there but at what cost?
Years passed and Freydis became a shieldmaiden a rare warrior in the Roscrean groups. She became fond of braiding her hair and body painting just like the rest of her people.
She raided boats far and wide just like the rest of them. Other times she helped herd Ibex across the pine forests of her home. Or cared for the sick. Or cared for children without parents.
She was happy until one day a vision came to her. Sails from strange ships could be seen across the horizon. Men wearing shiny armor that clinked like animal traps stepped off.
A man in golden armor stepped off last. The air around him reeked of power. This man must be a King! He spoke in a language similar to Ven and the other slaves. She can understand some of it. But not all.
Then horrid images flashed in front of her eyes. Fires, people screaming, Roscrean leaders being cut down for simply not understanding the words of the invaders, her people and the invaders fighting, finally a truce then a town of stone is erected along with a statue of the invader's leader.
Freydis bolted upright in her bed. She was in a cold sweat and looked around shakily. She warned her parents and her tribe but none of them listened. If it didn't come from the Seeress herself then it must be a fever dream.
By the time her mother caught the vision, it was already happening. All of what she saw in her dream unfolded in reality. The fires swept through the forests and meadows. The bodies of hanged Roscreans hung from trees or from holy landmarks. The Imperials is what they called themselves led by Emperor Uriel the Fifth. Anywho did not bend to their knees in his presence were slaughtered. A nightmare indeed.
Most of the tribes were killed or taken as prisoners and held at a fort the Imperials constructed. Freydis and a small group of warriors held up in a sacred cave. This cave was said to be the entrance to their version of the afterlife. So Freydis was instructed to pray to the gods and ancestors for strength. Her family had a special bond with the gods. So they figured she'd be a useful tool.
Her prayers went unanswered day by day. Day by day the resistance fell to the soldiers. Until she and a few others were left. They all fought hard and long until at last all of them were captured.
Freydis and her people who resisted were locked into the fort dungeons. Some were tortured others questioned about their culture or whatnot.
Roscrea was officially conquered by now. The Tribe Elders agreed to the Imperial terms and Roscrea was handed over. Those not captured were told to build a town called Craneshore. It was to be a port town for a trade of the rare element mithril. Just like in her vision a statue was erected for Uriel the Fifth.
In the prison, her people waited for a signal from the Gods. Her mother foresaw a lunar eclipse when the Gods would give them their strength. That was their only chance at freedom.
In an act of desperation, she and her parents waited till a lunar eclipse. The two great moons with the shadows cast over them are a signal from the Gods. They lent the Roscreans their power. It amped up their strength and Magicka.
All of the prisoners started to chant their battle song.
"Harigasti Teiwa
Tawol Athodu
Ek Erilaz Owlthuthewaz Niwaremariz Saawilagar Hateka Harja," the markings on their body as well as their eyes begin to glow.
"Fehu Uruz Thurisaz Ansuz Raidho Kenaz
Gebo Wunjo Hagal Naudhiz Isa Jera
Eihwaz Perthro Algiz Sowelu Tiwaz Berkano
Ehwaz Mannaz Laguz Ingwaz Dagaz Othala," their voices rang out and the energy of rage their foes could feel. Haunting but also beautiful. The Imperials knew they were in danger.
"Wuotani Ruoperath!" The fort shook and the Roscreans screamed in unity. They grabbed their chains and prison cell doors and ripped through their restrains as if it was nothing but jute.
They grabbed their belongings and stormed the rest of the Imperial fort. Killing any that stood in their way. Freydis stood amongst the carnage and spotted Uriel. He rode away on horseback and Freydis chased him. The entire time screaming on top of her lungs.
She reached a ledge and ran up it. She launched herself and landed onto the man. He grunted and fell to the ground with her. Freydis was the first to stand with her weapon drawn.
"Challenge me!" She screeches while pointing her ax at the man. He scowled at her.
"Why do you resist like that?" He asked her.
"Your precious island is ours now. You belong to us now." He stands fully and smirks. His golden armor glinting in the moonlight.
"There is no us! We are Roscreans, not Imperials! You will not drown us in your culture! We shall remain free!" She shouts.
Uriel drew his weapon and charged her. He made it look like he's about to make a high swing at her neck but switched last moment and sliced Freydis's side. She gasped from pain and fell to the ground. Weeks without proper food had made her weak. She tries to stand but finds she cannot. A strong warrior in such a vulnerable state.
Uriel stood on her back and looked back to the fort. The Roscreans left the fort and ran off to the mountains. His men who are left are running towards him.
"Bring her with us. It's time to leave this place. She needs a lesson in humility. Something as exotic as she can be put to use." The Emperor plans to make her a curiosity.