Lore:Silverhoof Horsemen

A Horseman of Silverhoof Vale (ESO)

This article is about the Redguard tribe. For the Breton horsemen, see Bjoulsae River Tribes.

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.

History

Originally from Yokuda (most likely the Akos Kasaz region), the Horsemen are estimated to have arrived at High Rock in the early sixth century of the First Era, nearly two centuries before the Ra Gada came to Hammerfell. Having arrived during a period of upheaval, the tribe's tales claim their ancestors found a niche, establishing themselves before they could be driven out or absorbed by the indigenes. Horsefolk stories describe their settlers arriving to Tamriel in a flotilla of "swimming horse-ships", which they claim was given to them by the Herd Mother. The same stories hold that they crossed seventeen seas before reaching Tamriel. They left Yokuda to preserve their worship of the Herd Mother, which was endangered in the Old Isles.

Culture

The Horsemen venerate a divine animist spirit they call the Herd Mother. They claim the Herd Mother acts as the tribe's guiding and protective deity. Young Horsemen must commune with her on a vision journey that acts as a rite of passage to adulthood, which they must embark by themselves. These rites are described as being similar to the Redguard tradition of Walkabout. Herd Mother is believed to always watch over her people, especially in times of the trial.

Although it's said they have become unavoidably "Bretonized" over the centuries by contact with the Nedes around them, they have retained a number of Yokudan words in daily speech, all spoken with a drawl in the vowels that is associated with the steppes of old Akos Kasaz. Several of these words are used while riding horses. To tell a horse to turn left, the Horsemen say "Netu", which is Old Yokudan for "turn". To turn right, they say "Netu Hu", and to halt, they say "Selim" (which means "to stop" or "to cease" in Old Yokudan).

While the Horsemen have no written records, their oral traditions are strong, being passed down from one generation to the next. The elders of the tribe also maintain detailed oral accounts of their genealogy. The Horsemen rarely use written contracts. The Horsemen care greatly for their steeds, which have been described as unmistakably identical to the Yokudan Charger, which the Horsemen claim they brought with them during their exodus. The inhabitants of Silverhoof Vale live in caves in the side of the mountain. This keeps them from having to build shelter, and gives them protection against beasts such as Harpies.

The Horsemen use bit-less bridles made of topgrain cowhide. They're also known for making exquisite horse blankets, decorated with pastural scenes of frolicking horses.

Arrival of the friendly traveler is deemed a good omen.

Known Elders

• Makar

Gallery

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  Silverhoof Vale, home of the Horsemen (ESO)

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  Silverhoof Vale horse paddock (ESO)

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  Horsemen camp in Silverhoof Vale (ESO)

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  Interior of an Elder's cave (ESO)

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  A Horsemen Elder (ESO)

Notes

• The Bjoulsae River Tribes (who are also referred to as "Horsemen") are an indigenous group of Bretons that live along the Bjoulsae River in High Rock. The Horsemen of the Bjoulsae and the Horsemen of Silverhoof Vale are unrelated.

See Also

• Centaur

Books

• The Horse-Folk of Silverhoof by Doctor Nabeth al-Gilane, Khefrem Academy of Yokudan Heritage — On the lost tribe of Yokuda, the Horsemen of High Rock