Lore:Ragebound

The Ragebound

Arparnagh, a Reachfolk Ragebound rider

"Some say rage dances within like fire, consuming all before it. For some in the Karth River valley, this fire is a source of strength." — Mage Baxold

The Ragebound are a group of riders, and their various steeds, also known as the ragebound breeds. They originated from the Karth Valley in the Reach, though they were not solely comprised of Reachfolk, as they were also known to accept members of other races, such as Dunmer and Nords, into their ranks. Books like the Beastmaster's Practical Bestiary were dedicated to exploring the origins and practices of the Ragebound. Their mounts were known for their barely controlled rage, and their steeds were kept in check only by their riders. The riders were recognized for the controlled fury they carried, which was said to be evident in their eyes.

History

"Studies into ragebound breeds trace their lineage to Hircine and the Reach. Legend says the Lord of the Hunt gifted the first Ragebound Horse to a tribe after witnessing them chase down a vampire. On foot. In the dark." — Beastmaster's Practical Bestiary

Mage Baxold, a Ragebound Scholar

Medresi Gurvon, a Dunmer Ragebound rider

The exact history of the Ragebound riders and steeds is unknown. According to the Beastmaster's Practical Bestiary, studies into Ragebound horse breeds trace their origins back to the Reach. One legend claims that Hircine gifted the first Ragebound horse to an unknown tribe after they successfully hunted down a vampire on foot, in the middle of the night. Some of their steeds, like the massive bears they rode, were adorned with the pelts and bones of their hunts. Each pelt draped over the beast and every bone attached served as a reminder to the rider of past battles—rage brought to its conclusion, and victories claimed from their fallen foes.

The Ragebound riders and steeds were active as of 2E 582, with some of the riders living in Markarth. Medresi Guvron, a Dunmer from the Starsinger Clan, became one of the riders after her arrival in Markarth, inspired by their kagouti. She had extensive knowledge of more exotic species of Ragebound animals, including durzogs and kagoutis. According to her, the durzogs of the Ragebound were the ones that select their riders, typically opting for those who frequently expressed their own wrath. Only these individuals were believed to have the ability to keep those durzogs in check.

Arparnagh, a Reachman from Markarth, was another figure associated with the Ragebound. He was particularly knowledgeable in the areas regarding more local animals such as bears and sabre cats. He claimed that one could learn a great deal from those animals, believing that when a person is at their worst, sometimes the only thing that keeps them going is their pure rage.

Riders and those associated with the Ragebound could be found in other locations as well. In Solitude, the capital of the kingdom of Western Skyrim, Mage Baxold, a Nord affiliated with the Mages Guild and known as the Ragebound Scholar, gained recognition for his expertise in the attire worn by the Ragebound riders. He was plagued by strange and unsettling dreams, and claimed that "rage dances within like fire, consuming all before it". According to him this fire served as a source of strength for the Ragebound riders.

Gallery

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  Ragebound Horse

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  Ragebound Sabre Cat

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  Ragebound Bear

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  Ragebound Kagouti

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  Ragebound Durzog

See Also

• Witch Knights