Can You Become Friendly with the Forsworn in Skyrim? A Deep Dive into Reachmen Relations
Yes, you can achieve a state of friendliness with a specific group of the Forsworn in Skyrim, but it’s conditional and limited. This largely hinges on your choices during and after the “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” questline in Markarth. Let’s delve into the specifics of how this works, the limitations, and everything else you need to know about navigating the often-hostile world of the Reachmen.
Understanding the Forsworn and Their Hostility
The Forsworn are a tribal group of Bretons indigenous to the Reach, a region in western Skyrim. Driven by a desire for independence and fueled by resentment towards the Nords who control their land, they are generally hostile towards outsiders. Most encounters with the Forsworn involve combat, making them a persistent threat throughout the game. However, Skyrim often provides complex narrative choices, and, here is an exception.
The “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” Quest: Your Key to Forsworn “Friendship”
The “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” quest is pivotal. Initiated within the city of Markarth, this quest plunges you into a conspiracy involving the Silver-Blood family and the Forsworn. Your choices within Cidhna Mine determine whether you can secure a temporary alliance with a specific group of Forsworn.
Making the Right Choices
To become “friendly” with a portion of the Forsworn, you must:
- Join Madanach: When given the choice inside Cidhna Mine, side with Madanach, the King in Rags and leader of the Forsworn prisoners.
- Escape with Madanach: Complete the quest by escaping Cidhna Mine alongside Madanach and his followers. This involves carrying out his plan and fighting your way out of Markarth.
What Happens After the Escape?
If you successfully escape with Madanach, a specific Forsworn camp will become non-hostile:
- Druadach Redoubt: After the quest, Madanach and his escaped followers will relocate to Druadach Redoubt, a Forsworn camp located east of Markarth. The Forsworn in this specific camp will now be friendly towards you.
- Limited Scope: It’s crucial to understand that this friendliness only extends to Druadach Redoubt. Every other Forsworn camp and encounter throughout Skyrim will remain hostile. This is not a blanket alliance.
Important Caveats and Limitations
While befriending a small group of Forsworn is possible, several factors limit this “friendship”:
- The Forsworn Remain Hostile Elsewhere: As mentioned, the vast majority of Forsworn encounters will still result in combat. This limited alliance doesn’t change their overall disposition towards outsiders.
- Quest-Dependent: This limited truce is entirely dependent on completing the “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” quest in a specific way. Killing Madanach or choosing a different path will negate this possibility.
- No Joining the Forsworn: Despite this limited alliance, it’s impossible to formally join the Forsworn faction. You cannot become a member or participate in their internal affairs.
- Madanach’s Disappearance: Once you leave Druadach Redoubt after speaking with Madanach, he essentially disappears from the game. He won’t play a significant role in future events.
- Consequences of Aiding the Forsworn: Escaping with Madanach can increase the frequency of Forsworn attacks on Markarth and travelers.
The Morality of Aiding the Forsworn
Choosing to help Madanach and the Forsworn involves navigating a morally grey area. The Forsworn are fighting for their independence, but their methods are often brutal and indiscriminate. You must weigh the potential benefits of this limited alliance against the ethical implications of supporting a group known for violence and terror. This is just one example of how games can enhance learning as discussed by the Games Learning Society. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
FAQs: Understanding the Forsworn Relationship in Detail
1. Will all Forsworn become friendly if I help Madanach?
No. Only the Forsworn residing at Druadach Redoubt become friendly after you escape Cidhna Mine with Madanach. All other Forsworn camps remain hostile.
2. Can I join the Forsworn faction?
No, it is impossible to formally join the Forsworn faction in Skyrim.
3. What happens if I kill Madanach instead of escaping with him?
If you kill Madanach and escape Cidhna Mine, the Forsworn spawn rate decreases, and Forsworn camps may become hostile towards each other. You will not gain the “friendship” of the Forsworn at Druadach Redoubt.
4. Is Madanach a good or bad character?
Madanach is a complex character. He’s a leader fighting for his people’s freedom, but he employs brutal methods, making him a morally ambiguous figure.
5. What are the rewards for escaping with Madanach?
You receive the Armor of the Old Gods, a set of enchanted light armor, and the temporary friendship of the Forsworn at Druadach Redoubt.
6. What are the consequences of escaping with Madanach?
The frequency of Forsworn attacks around Markarth may increase, and some NPCs may suspect your involvement in his escape.
7. Are the Silver-Bloods evil?
Many players consider Thonar Silver-Blood to be one of the most morally reprehensible characters in Skyrim. They are deeply involved in the exploitation and oppression within Markarth.
8. Is Forsworn armor any good?
Forsworn armor has a low armor rating, placing it among the weaker light armor sets in Skyrim. Its primary appeal is its unique aesthetic.
9. Can I meet Madanach again after escaping Cidhna Mine?
Yes, you can find Madanach at Druadach Redoubt after completing the quest, assuming he survived.
10. What race are the Forsworn?
The Forsworn are primarily Bretons with possible intermingling with other races, particularly Nords.
11. Can I build a house and live in Markarth?
Yes, you can purchase Vlindrel Hall in Markarth after completing certain quests for the Jarl.
12. What happens if I give Markarth to the Stormcloaks during Season Unending?
Markarth will be given to the Stormcloaks as part of the peace negotiations during the quest “Season Unending”.
13. Can my follower, Lydia, wear Forsworn armor?
Yes, Lydia can wear Forsworn armor, but she prefers heavy armor. You’ll need to improve the Forsworn armor rating to make it more appealing to her.
14. What’s the best heavy armor in Skyrim?
Daedric Armor is generally considered the best heavy armor set in Skyrim due to its high armor rating.
15. Why is Thonar Silver-Blood attacking me?
If you killed Madanach and escaped alone, Thonar Silver-Blood might become hostile. Using a calm spell can often resolve this issue.
Conclusion: A Limited Alliance, a Complex Choice
While you can become “friendly” with a small faction of the Forsworn, it’s a limited and conditional alliance tied directly to your choices in the “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” quest. It does not represent a full-fledged partnership with the Forsworn as a whole, and it comes with its own set of consequences. Ultimately, deciding whether to aid Madanach is a complex moral choice that adds depth and nuance to your Skyrim experience. This is just one of many choices available in the game that can truly define the Dragonborn’s adventure.