Lore:Rebel's Cairn

Rebel's Cairn
Type	Tomb
Continent	Tamriel
Province	Skyrim
Hold	The Reach
Appears in	Skyrim

Rebel's Cairn, circa 4E 201

"The weepers carry Faolan down Into the mountain's heart He is laid bare for the last time In sleepless rest, the stone is sealed Wax is poured and flints are shattered Here Faolan lies dead" —Tosmorn

The Rebel's Cairn is an ancient site revered by the Reachfolk, serving as the burial grounds for their ancient hero and king, Faolan the Red Eagle. It is located in the northern Reach, between the Sundered Towers and Bleakwind Bluff.

Within the tomb, two notable sections held significance. The first area, also known as the Pedestal Cavern was unembellished and modest, serving as the repository for Red Eagle's renowned sword, the Red Eagle's Fury. In contrast, the central chamber, also referred to as the Red Eagle's Tomb, believed by some sources to house both the pedestal with the sword and the sarcophagus, featured intricate hewn murals adorning its walls.

In addition to its cultural significance, Rebel's Cairn is home to a diverse range of fungi. The area is adorned with the vibrant mushrooms such as bleeding crown, blisterwort, fly amanita, imp stool, Namira's rot, and white cap. It also serves as a nesting ground for slaughterfish eggs and a habitat for Nordic barnacles. Lavender plants also flourished within its surroundings.

History

First Era

Red Eagle's Tomb

One of the murals inside the hidden tomb

During Empress Hestra's invasion of the Reach in 1E 1030, the first Briarheart Faolan and his followers waged a relentless guerrilla campaign against the invading Imperial forces. Despite their tactical successes, they were eventually overwhelmed by continuous waves of reinforcements. In a defiant last stand, Faolan emerged alone, reputedly slaying a thousand soldiers before his own demise. After his valiant struggle, Faolan was transported to a secluded tomb, meticulously prepared by the Reachfolk within the depths of the rock. Summoning his final reserves of strength, he bestowed his sword upon his people and made a solemn vow. He implored them to persevere in their fight, promising that once the Reach was liberated, his blade would be returned, signaling his resurrection and leadership.

Carried up the crag at dawn by mourners, his body was anointed with resin and ash before being presented to the clan leaders. Amid the ceremony, a Hag disrupted the proceedings, extracting the briarheart from Faolan's chest despite objections from the attendees. Once she departed, the burial continued, and Faolan was laid to rest in a carefully prepared tomb deep within the mountain.

The tomb was intricately rigged with traps to dissuade trespassers and grave robbers. Although its outward appearance seemed plain, the inner chambers showcased elaborate murals depicting scenes from Faolan's final battle, adorning the crafted stone walls. In the central chamber, Faolan's unadorned sarcophagus was positioned on a pedestal beside his renowned weapon, Red Eagle's Bane.

Second Era

Red Eagle's Fury placed on the pedestal in the Rebel's Cairn

Red Eagle cave painting

At some point before 2E 582, Dettethor Pantenne, a Breton scholar captivated by the legacy of Red Eagle, embarked on a journey to explore his tomb. As he approached the entrance, he felt an irresistible pull, as if beckoned by ethereal whispers and distant horns. Pressing forward, he eventually reached the burial chamber, where he beheld the awe-inspiring sight of Faolan's legendary sword. Enthralled by its allure, Pantenne grasped the hilt, and in that moment, he heard the voice of Faolan himself. Red Eagle, through vivid visions and enticing promises of power, persuaded the scholar to place the sword within the sarcophagus alongside his lifeless body.

Soon thereafter, the slumbering Reachfolk king awoke. Pantenne's mind was inundated with terrifying visions of devastation. Fueled by adrenaline, the scholar managed to snatch the blade from the freshly risen Faolan and fled desperately toward the tomb's exit. However, during his frantic escape, he inadvertently lost hold of the sword. As Pantenne made his way through the tomb, he reached a point where his progress triggered a concealed mechanism, sealing off any pursuit from the awakened Red Eagle.

Fourth Era

In the Fourth Era, an extremist faction among the Reachfolk emerged, known as the Forsworn. They strongly identified with Red Eagle's plight and the oppression he faced under foreign rule. Revering him as their liberator, they sought to revive him through an age-old ritual. However, in 4E 201, the Last Dragonborn ventured into Red Eagle's tomb, thwarting their plans and defeating the undead being that Red Eagle had become, ultimately acquiring his formidable sword as a victorious prize.

See Also

• For game-specific information, see the Skyrim article.

Books

• The Legend of Red Eagle by Tredayn Dren — An ancient tale about the invasion of the Reach by the First Empire
• The Red Curse by Dettethor Pantenne — A Breton's account of meeting Red Eagle
• The Translated Works of Tosmorn, IV Translated by Xandier Edette
  Edited by Vanesse Aurilie — Translation of "The Death of Faolan"