Lore:Atmoran Frostwood

Atmoran Frostwood
Type	Forest
Continent	Atmora

Atmoran Frostwood, also simply called Frostwood, is a notable forest in Atmora, closely associated with the Goat Cult. Ysgramor was also known to hunt within its depths.

History

Hermaeus Mora

Ysgramor

According to a compilation of ancient Atmoran texts translated by Archivist Oriane Pamarc, which details various religious practices of the people of Atmora, the Goat Cult claimed that Frostwood was inhabited by enormous monsters—larger than game, larger than bears. These creatures demanded sacrifice. While local villagers believed the forest to be barren, the cultists maintained that the woods were home to a monstrous deity known as the Goat That Walks Upright, an object of their worship. A fragment of a cultist's account describes how the Goat That Walks Upright feasted alongside him, devouring the offerings brought to it. The cultist recounted bringing others to the beast, some of whom screamed in terror and tried to flee, only to perish. Others, however, chose to join the cult, pledging to bring more offerings and followers to feed the beast. The cult maintained that the Frostwood was the domain of the Goat, and that they lived only by his will.

Fragmentae Abyssum Hermaeus Morus, a fragmented mythical account of Ysgramor's encounter with Herma-Mora, mentions the Frostwood and a legendary episode from Ysgramor's time in Atmora during the Merethic Era. According to the tale, Ysgramor’s legendary bow, Long-Launcher, needed re-stringing, so he sought out the laments of the Giant-Wives, bringing them to two individuals named Froa and Grosta, who twisted the laments into the Woeful Bowstring. Once the bow was re-strung, it gained a strange sentience, sighing when Ysgramor held it and moaning whenever it was fired. Ysgramor then set out to hunt in the Atmoran Frostwood, slaying much game until he paused at a ford to drink. It was there that he saw the White Stag of Forelgrim across the stream. The stag proved nearly impossible to hunt, as it was quiet, elusive, and passed like a mist over the snow, evading Ysgramor time and again. Determined, Ysgramor swore to pursue the stag until it fell to him. At this point, a hare appeared before Ysgramor, claiming it knew the stag’s location due to its long ears and offered to help him track the creature. The hare granted Ysgramor long ears upon his request. However, just as Ysgramor prepared to follow, a fox emerged from the underbrush and killed the hare, revealing himself to be Shor. He restored Ysgramor’s ears to their normal size and revealed that the hare had been Herma-Mora in disguise, attempting to trick him into becoming an elf. Shor warned Ysgramor to rely on the methods of man and avoid the tricks of the elves, lest he fall into their deceit. He encouraged Ysgramor to continue his pursuit of the White Stag, but to do so without falling prey to the enticements of elven tricks.

Due to an inexplicable shift in the climate of Atmora territories once known as a green, albeit cold land were gradually overcome by "the frost fall" and rendered largely barren and uninhabitable, becoming a "frozen continent". Some sources blame the Snow Elves for the frostfall.

Although there is some suggestion that, as of the early Third Era, Atmora was still inhabited, the fate of Frostwood and the Goat Cult is unknown. It is believed that Atmora no longer supports any civilized life, and those people who did not leave it for Tamriel ultimately succumbed to the ever-worsening climate.

See Also

Books

• The Atmoran Cult Writings by Archivist Oriane Pamarc — Fragmentary translations of esoteric Atmoran religious texts
• Fragmentae Abyssum Hermaeus Morus — Fragmented mythical account of Ysgramor's encounter with Herma Mora, the Woodland Man