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{{Stub}}
 
{{Infobox Kingdom
 
{{Infobox Kingdom
|flag = Flag Skellige2.png
+
|Flag = Flag Skellige purple.svg
|coa = COA Skellige witcher 3.png
+
|COA = COA Skellige purple.svg
 
|Aka = Skellige Islands<br>
|status = [[:Category:Kingdoms|Kingdom]]
 
  +
Skellige Isles
|form-of-government = [[Wikipedia:Elective monarchy|Elective monarchy]]
+
|Government_type = [[Wikipedia:Elective monarchy|Elective monarchy]]
|ruler = [[King of the Skellige Isles|King/Queen of the Skellige Isles]]
 
 
|Status = [[:Category:Kingdoms|Kingdom]]
|headofgovernment = [[Skellige#Clans|Clans]]
 
|commander = [[Jarl of Skellige]]
+
|Ruler = [[King of the Skellige Isles|King/Queen of the Skellige Isles]]
 
|Head_of_government = [[#Clans|Clans]]
|official-language = [[Skellige dialect]]
 
|image-location = Places Skellige.png
+
|Commander = [[Jarl of Skellige]]
  +
|Military = [[Jarl of Skellige's troop]]
|image-map = Tw3 map Ard Skellig.jpg
 
|capital1 = [[Kaer Trolde]] (?)
+
|Capital = [[Kaer Trolde]] (?)
 
|Official_language = [[Skellige jargon]]
|demonym = Skelliger<br>
 
  +
|Demonym = Skelliger<ref name="skelligan">Unlike many other nationalities, where the demonym is also an adjective (like [[Temerian sword]]), "Skelliger" is only for nationality while "Skelligan" is the adjective (like the difference between using "Spaniard" and "Spanish").</ref><br>Islander {{Small|text=informal}}<br>
Islander
 
|currency = [[Ducat]] during personal union with [[Cintra]]
+
|Currency = [[Ducat]] during personal union with [[Cintra]]
|religious = [[Skellige#Religion|Skellige Pantheon]]
+
|Religion = [[#Religion|Skellige Pantheon]]
  +
|Geo_map = Places Skellige.png
|other_names = Skellige Islands<br>
 
 
|City_map = Tw3 map skellige.jpg
Skellige Isles}}'''Skellige''', commonly referred to as the '''Skellige Isles''' or the '''Isles of Skellige''', is an archipelago and one of the [[Northern Kingdoms]]. The group of six islands is situated in the [[Great Sea]], off the coast of [[Cintra]] and southwest of [[Cidaris]] and [[Verden]]. It's legendary, famous for the unrivaled corsairs and swift longships that sail many seas.
 
  +
}}
 
'''Skellige''', commonly referred to as the '''Skellige Isles''' or the '''Isles of Skellige''', is an archipelago and one of the [[Northern Kingdoms]]. The group of six islands is situated in the [[Great Sea]], off the coast of [[Cintra]] and southwest of [[Cidaris]] and [[Verden]]. It's legendary, famous for the unrivaled corsairs and swift longships that sail many seas.
   
 
Its people are united under the [[King of the Skellige Isles]], who's elected by the jarls of the seven major clans during traditional moots. In practice, however, the kings are from the same clan or at least related.
 
Its people are united under the [[King of the Skellige Isles]], who's elected by the jarls of the seven major clans during traditional moots. In practice, however, the kings are from the same clan or at least related.
Line 22: Line 25:
 
Even though their relations with most of the North were always tense, to say the least, they were longtime allies of [[Cintra]], due to the marriage between Queen [[Calanthe]] and [[Eist Tuirseach]] of Skellige. After King Eist's death in the [[Battle of Marnadal]], the Islanders concentrated their raids on the [[Nilfgaardian Empire]] in an act of revenge.
 
Even though their relations with most of the North were always tense, to say the least, they were longtime allies of [[Cintra]], due to the marriage between Queen [[Calanthe]] and [[Eist Tuirseach]] of Skellige. After King Eist's death in the [[Battle of Marnadal]], the Islanders concentrated their raids on the [[Nilfgaardian Empire]] in an act of revenge.
   
== Heraldry ==
+
== History ==
   
=== Coats of arms ===
+
=== Prehuman ages ===
  +
Before the first appearance of a [[human]], the isles were apparently inhabited and dominated by [[Aen Seidhe]] [[elf|elves]] who shared it with [[giant]]s and [[ice giant]]s.<ref name="tw3" />
[[File:COA Skellige czech.png|100px]] [[File:COA Skellige.png|100px]] [[File:COA Skellige Gwent.svg|100px]]
 
   
  +
=== Formation of the Kingdom ===
The coat of arms for Skellige is never actually described in the books. The current coat of arms is based on the [https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/witcher/images/d/db/COA_Skellige_Tw3.png/revision/latest?cb=20160713172415 one] in {{Tw3}} and was redesigned by [[User:Juraj103|Juraj103]]. Sedond one is based on the Czech concept (the drawing on its right). The fourth one was designed by [[User:SMiki55|SMiki55]], based on the [https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/witcher/images/8/8a/Tw3_gwent_deck_Skellige.png/revision/latest?cb=20160425130832 one] appearing in [[Gwent]].
 
  +
Humans who came to settle the isles had first divided themselves into independent clans with jarls, clan chieftains, as sovereign rulers of their respective islands.
=== Flag ===
 
[[File:Flag Skellige Gwent.svg|150x150px]]
 
   
  +
Thus were the petty jarldoms of Skellige, small in size, several times invaded by rising powers of the [[Continent]] throughout the years. Most menacing of such invaders being [[Cidaris]] whose kings made attempts at full insurrection, however, no one ever managed to conquer them.<ref name="gwent">{{Gwent standalone}}</ref> On the contrary, the threat of larger kingdoms and uncivilized barbarians from smaller islets further away caused Skelligers to unite. Skellige then became an elective monarchy, ruled by a king chosen from among the jarls.<ref name="tw3" />
The flag for Skellige is never actually described in the books. The current one is based on the one from {{Tw3}}. Second flag was designed by SMiki55 based on the colors used in Gwent.
 
   
== Clans ==
+
== National Emblems ==
  +
The most commonly recognized emblem of Skellige was a silver drakkar, placed on either purple<ref name="gwent" /><ref>{{BaW}}</ref> or bloodred.<ref name="tw3" /> The [[Jarl of Skellige|Jarls of Skellige Isles]], who lead the reigning monarch's armies, since ancient ages have used the emblem of Blue Axe.<ref>[[Stanislav Komárek]]</ref>
A clan is a kinship group among the Islanders, giving its members a sense of shared identity and descent. Skellige is divided into seven clans, each seated on one of the archipelago's larger islands. At the base of each clan are kins led by a so-called bonds;<ref name="paper rpg">{{WGW}}</ref> bonds, in turn, are then led by the clan chieftain called jarl<ref name="paper rpg" /><ref name="tw3" /> (not to be confused with the "[[Military ranks#Jarl of Skellige|Jarl of Skellige]]" which refers to the main commander of the armed forces<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20000305080928/http://sapkowski.fantasy.art.pl:80/wc/ciri/eist.html.po Genalogy of Ciri - Eist]</ref>).
 
   
  +
<tabber>
Every Skellige clan has its own insignia and characteristic colors that define it as a distinct group bound by family ties and age-old traditions. These colors also act as a distinguishing mark that lets warriors easily identify each other on the fields of battle. They appear on clothing, sails, shields, and tartans.<ref name="tw3" /><ref name="tlw" />
 
  +
Vector renditions=''The following illustration has been created by Wiki editors basing on official description and/or depictions.''
 
[[File:COA Skellige bloodred.svg|100px|Drakkar on bloodred]] [[File:COA Skellige axe.svg|100px|Blue Axe]]
   
 
[[File:Flag Skellige bloodred.svg|150px|Drakkar on bloodred]]
<div class="divTable" style="width:100%;">
 
  +
|-|Stanislav Komárek=''The following illustration has been created by [[Stanislav Komárek]], [[Andrzej Sapkowski|Sapkowski]]'s associate and translator.''
<div class="divTableBody">
 
  +
[[File:COA Skellige.png|120px|Komárek's concept]]
<div class="divTableRow">
 
  +
|-|CD Projekt RED=''The following illustration has been used in [[CD Projekt's The Witcher franchise]].''
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:33%;">
 
* [[File:Tw3 an craite shield.png|25px]] [[Clan an Craite]]
+
[[File:COA Skellige Tw3.png|100px|Map icon]]
  +
</tabber>
* [[File:TW3 brokvar shield.png|25px]] [[Clan Brokvar]]
 
</div>
 
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:34%;">
 
* [[File:Tw3 dimun shield.png|18px]] [[Clan Dimun]]
 
* [[File:TW3 drummond shield.png|25px]] [[Clan Drummond]]
 
* [[File:TW3 heymaey shield.png|18px]] [[Clan Heymaey]]
 
</div>
 
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:33%;">
 
* [[File:Tw3 Tuirseach shield.png|18px]] [[Clan Tuirseach]]
 
* [[File:TW3 tordarroch shield.png|25px]] [[Clan Tordarroch]]
 
</div></div></div>
 
</div>
 
==People==
 
[[File:Tw3 cardart skellige light longship.jpeg|thumb|200x200px|Skelliger warriors on a drakkar]]
 
The inhabitants of these cold and windy isles are called simply the Islanders, by other Northerners on the [[Continent]] in particular. They are renowned as hard, tough, and decent men, while at the same time frightening when attacking their foes.<ref name="tlw" /> They are a nation with deeply rooted seafaring tradition and, although their harbors cannot compare to those in [[Cidaris (city)|Cidaris]] in terms of the number of completed units a year, the Islander's [[Drakkar|drakkars]] are feared throughout the waters of the north and south because of the rage and knowledge these people possess.<ref name="ttots">{{TTotS}}</ref> The Islanders themselves proudly state that "they have the sea in their blood".<ref name="sos" />
 
 
The people, however, are not only backward corsairs and plunderers as most Continentals powers see them. Quite a number of them are fishers, jewelers, [[merchant]]s, [[Alchemist|alchemists]], or other common professions and at least two examples of a classic [[mage]] are recorded: [[Marquard]]<ref name="ttots" /> and [[Lytta Neyd|Astrid Lyttneyd Ásgeirrfinnbjornsdottir]].<ref name="sos">{{SoS}}</ref> In contrast to the North, the Islanders are predominantly free and posses rights nearly equal to those of the jarls and kings who lead them as the gap between higher and lower classes is milder.<ref>''[[The World of the Witcher]]''</ref> While being able to speak without a problem in the [[Common Speech]], they have their own language, the [[Skellige dialect]], based on the [[Elder Speech|Hen Llinge]].<ref>{{BoE}}</ref>
 
 
== Religion ==
 
[[File:Priestess of Freya Gwent card art.jpeg|left|thumb|200x200px|Priestess of Freya]]
 
The Gods of the Sea and goddess [[Freya]] are chief objects of worship throughout Skellige. Undoubtedly, the latter is revered by the Islanders above all other deities, and she is a central figure in their religious system. They grant her the venerable title of the great ''modron'', meaning "mother" in their tongue, for Freya is the patron of fertility, love, and beauty. She also poses as the patron of soothsayers, clairvoyants, telepaths, as symbolized by her sacred animals: the [[Cat (creature)|cat]], which sees and hears while being unseen, and the falcon, who watches everything from the sky, and by her jewel: the necklace of foresight [[Brisingamen]].<ref name="ttots" />
 
 
Apart from these, Islanders revere mythical hero [[Hemdall]],<ref name="ttots" /> his mistress [[Heulyn]], and their children, founders of the most powerful clans and the first alleged rulers of the archipelago: [[Grymmdjarr]], [[Modolf]], [[Broddr]], [[Otkell]], [[Sove]], and [[Tyr]].<ref name="tw3">{{Tw3}}</ref> They also trust and believe in local [[Druid|druids]], who are seen as wise men and act as diplomats, royal advisors, warriors, and wielders of magic.<ref name="tlw">{{TLW}}</ref>
 
 
There are also two forgotten deities: [[Svalblod]] and [[Melusine]]. Svalblod was worshiped by a cult cast out of Skellige, for even in a land of violence-orientated culture, these worshipers practiced rituals so drastic that they repulsed the minds of many. When it got too far, jarls brought an end to it and by {{Year|canon=no|year=1272}} only the henge in [[Fornhala]] remained standing.
 
   
 
== Notable Skelligers ==
Melusine was a [[siren]] but was so strong, large, and different from the others that some Islanders worshiped her as a semi-divine being. She hibernated in a cave at the southern cliffs of [[Spikeroog]], leaving at times to hunt. The locals feared her enough to worship her and even built a massive shrine in her cave, remembering her as the mad and dangerous Lady Melusine of the Depths.<ref name="tw3" />
 
 
== Known Skelligers ==
 
 
{{For|For = the main article on Skellige kings|see = King of the Skellige Isles}}
 
{{For|For = the main article on Skellige kings|see = King of the Skellige Isles}}
   
Line 89: Line 67:
 
* [[Hjalmar |Hjalmar an Craite]]
 
* [[Hjalmar |Hjalmar an Craite]]
 
* [[Cerys an Craite]]
 
* [[Cerys an Craite]]
* [[Loki]] (non-canon)
+
* [[Loki an Craite|Loki]] (non-canon)
 
* [[Ragnar]] (non-canon)
 
* [[Ragnar]] (non-canon)
 
* [[Birna|Birna Bran]]
 
* [[Birna|Birna Bran]]
Line 103: Line 81:
 
* [[Guthlaf]]
 
* [[Guthlaf]]
 
* [[Olaf Stigvason]]
 
* [[Olaf Stigvason]]
 
</div></div></div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  +
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:33%;"> </div></div></div>
 
  +
== Locations ==
</div>
 
== Landmarks ==
 
   
 
<div class="divTable" style="width:100%;">
 
<div class="divTable" style="width:100%;">
 
<div class="divTableBody">
 
<div class="divTableBody">
 
<div class="divTableRow">
 
<div class="divTableRow">
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:33%;">
+
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:50%;">
 
'''Islands'''
 
'''Islands'''
 
* [[Ard Skellig]]
 
* [[Ard Skellig]]
Line 120: Line 98:
 
* [[Undvik]]
 
* [[Undvik]]
 
</div>
 
</div>
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:34%;">
+
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:50%;">
'''Major cities and keeps'''
 
*[[Kaer Trolde]]
 
</div>
 
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:33%;">
 
 
'''Other locations'''
 
'''Other locations'''
 
* [[Allenker]]
 
* [[Allenker]]
 
* [[Hindar]]
 
* [[Hindar]]
 
* [[Kaer Hemdall]]
 
* [[Kaer Hemdall]]
 
* [[Kaer Trolde]]
 
* [[Temple of Freya]]
 
* [[Temple of Freya]]
 
</div></div></div>
 
</div></div></div>
 
</div>
 
</div>
== {{Tw3}} ==
 
   
  +
== Culture ==
  +
 
=== Clans ===
 
A clan is a kinship group among the Islanders, giving its members a sense of shared identity and descent. Skellige is divided into seven clans, each seated on one of the archipelago's larger islands. At the base of each clan are kins led by a so-called bonds;<ref name="paper rpg">{{WGW}}</ref> bonds, in turn, are then led by the clan chieftain called jarl<ref name="paper rpg" /><ref name="tw3" /> (not to be confused with the "[[Jarl of Skellige]]" which refers to the main commander of the armed forces<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20000305080928/http://sapkowski.fantasy.art.pl:80/wc/ciri/eist.html.po Genalogy of Ciri - Eist]</ref>).
  +
 
Every Skellige clan has its own insignia and characteristic colors that define it as a distinct group bound by family ties and age-old traditions. These colors also act as a distinguishing mark that lets warriors easily identify each other on the fields of battle. They appear on clothing, sails, shields, and tartans.<ref name="tw3" /><ref name="tlw" />
  +
 
<div class="divTable" style="width:100%;">
 
<div class="divTableBody">
 
<div class="divTableRow">
 
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:33%;">
  +
* [[File:Tw3 an craite shield.png|25px]] [[Clan an Craite]]
 
* [[File:TW3 brokvar shield.png|25px]] [[Clan Brokvar]]
 
* [[File:TW3 heymaey shield.png|18px]] [[Clan Heymaey]]
 
</div>
 
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:34%;">
 
* [[File:Tw3 dimun shield.png|18px]] [[Clan Dimun]]
 
* [[File:TW3 drummond shield.png|25px]] [[Clan Drummond]]
  +
* [[Crow Clan]]
 
</div>
 
<div class="divTableCell" style="width:33%;">
 
* [[File:Tw3 Tuirseach shield.png|18px]] [[Clan Tuirseach]]
 
* [[File:TW3 tordarroch shield.png|25px]] [[Clan Tordarroch]]
  +
</div></div></div>
 
</div>
  +
 
=== People ===
 
[[File:Gwent cardart skellige dimun light longship.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Skelliger warriors on a drakkar]]
 
The inhabitants of these cold and windy isles are called simply the Islanders, by other Northerners on the [[Continent]] in particular. They are renowned as hard, tough, and decent men, while at the same time frightening when attacking their foes.<ref name="tlw" /> They are a nation with deeply rooted seafaring tradition and, although their harbors cannot compare to those in [[Cidaris (city)|Cidaris]] in terms of the number of completed units a year, the Islander's [[Drakkar|drakkars]] are feared throughout the waters of the north and south because of the rage and knowledge these people possess.<ref name="ttots">{{TTotS}}</ref> The Islanders themselves proudly state that "they have the sea in their blood".<ref name="sos" />
  +
 
The people, however, are not only backward corsairs and plunderers as most Continentals powers see them. Quite a number of them are fishers, jewelers, [[merchant]]s, [[alchemist]]s, or other common professions and at least two examples of a classic [[mage]] are recorded: [[Marquard]]<ref name="ttots" /> and [[Lytta Neyd|Astrid Lyttneyd Ásgeirrfinnbjornsdottir]].<ref name="sos">{{SoS}}</ref> In contrast to the North, the Islanders are predominantly free and posses rights nearly equal to those of the jarls and kings who lead them as the gap between higher and lower classes is milder.<ref>''[[The World of the Witcher]]''</ref> While being able to speak without a problem in the [[Common Speech]], they have their own language, the [[Skellige jargon]], based on the [[Elder Speech|Hen Llinge]].<ref>{{BoE}}</ref>
  +
 
=== Religion ===
 
[[File:Gwent cardart skellige priestess of freya.jpg|left|thumb|200x200px|Priestess of Freya]]
 
The Gods of the Sea and goddess [[Freya]] are chief objects of worship throughout Skellige. Undoubtedly, the latter is revered by the Islanders above all other deities, and she is a central figure in their religious system. They grant her the venerable title of the great ''modron'', meaning "mother" in their tongue, for Freya is the patron of fertility, love, and beauty. She also poses as the patron of soothsayers, clairvoyants, telepaths, as symbolized by her sacred animals: the [[Cat (creature)|cat]], which sees and hears while being unseen, and the falcon, who watches everything from the sky, and by her jewel: the necklace of foresight [[Brisingamen]].<ref name="ttots" />
  +
 
Apart from these, Islanders revere mythical hero [[Hemdall]],<ref name="ttots" /> his mistress [[Heulyn]], and their children, founders of the most powerful clans and the first alleged rulers of the archipelago: [[Grymmdjarr]], [[Modolf]], [[Broddr]], [[Otkell]], [[Sove]], and [[Tyr]].<ref name="tw3">{{Tw3}}</ref> They also trust and believe in local [[druid]]s, who are seen as wise men and act as diplomats, royal advisors, warriors, and wielders of magic.<ref name="tlw">{{TLW}}</ref>
  +
 
There are also two forgotten deities: [[Svalblod]] and [[Melusine]]. Svalblod was worshiped by a cult cast out of Skellige, for even in a land of violence-orientated culture, these worshipers practiced rituals so drastic that they repulsed the minds of many. When it got too far, jarls brought an end to it and by {{Year|canon=no|year=1272}} only the henge in [[Fornhala]] remained standing.
  +
 
Melusine was a [[siren]] but was so strong, large, and different from the others that some Islanders worshiped her as a semi-divine being. She hibernated in a cave at the southern cliffs of [[Spikeroog]], leaving at times to hunt. The locals feared her enough to worship her and even built a massive shrine in her cave, remembering her as the mad and dangerous Lady Melusine of the Depths.<ref name="tw3" />
  +
 
== {{Tw3}} ==
 
=== Map description ===
 
=== Map description ===
 
:''The Skellige Archipelago is home to fierce warrior-sailors whom Continentals regards as pirates - and not without reason, for the Isles are barren and their inhabitants' livelihood comes mainly from plundering the seas. The land on these five large isles is divided between its clans, the heads of which are called jarls.''
 
:''The Skellige Archipelago is home to fierce warrior-sailors whom Continentals regards as pirates - and not without reason, for the Isles are barren and their inhabitants' livelihood comes mainly from plundering the seas. The land on these five large isles is divided between its clans, the heads of which are called jarls.''
Line 153: Line 170:
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
{{Reflist|colnumber = 2}}
 
{{Reflist|colnumber = 2}}
 
 
{{Skellige}}
 
{{Skellige}}
 
{{Tw3region}}
 
{{Tw3region}}

Revision as of 19:23, 6 February 2020

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Skellige, commonly referred to as the Skellige Isles or the Isles of Skellige, is an archipelago and one of the Northern Kingdoms. The group of six islands is situated in the Great Sea, off the coast of Cintra and southwest of Cidaris and Verden. It's legendary, famous for the unrivaled corsairs and swift longships that sail many seas.

Its people are united under the King of the Skellige Isles, who's elected by the jarls of the seven major clans during traditional moots. In practice, however, the kings are from the same clan or at least related.

Even though their relations with most of the North were always tense, to say the least, they were longtime allies of Cintra, due to the marriage between Queen Calanthe and Eist Tuirseach of Skellige. After King Eist's death in the Battle of Marnadal, the Islanders concentrated their raids on the Nilfgaardian Empire in an act of revenge.

History

Prehuman ages

Before the first appearance of a human, the isles were apparently inhabited and dominated by Aen Seidhe elves who shared it with giants and ice giants.[2]

Formation of the Kingdom

Humans who came to settle the isles had first divided themselves into independent clans with jarls, clan chieftains, as sovereign rulers of their respective islands.

Thus were the petty jarldoms of Skellige, small in size, several times invaded by rising powers of the Continent throughout the years. Most menacing of such invaders being Cidaris whose kings made attempts at full insurrection, however, no one ever managed to conquer them.[3] On the contrary, the threat of larger kingdoms and uncivilized barbarians from smaller islets further away caused Skelligers to unite. Skellige then became an elective monarchy, ruled by a king chosen from among the jarls.[2]

National Emblems

The most commonly recognized emblem of Skellige was a silver drakkar, placed on either purple[3][4] or bloodred.[2] The Jarls of Skellige Isles, who lead the reigning monarch's armies, since ancient ages have used the emblem of Blue Axe.[5]

The following illustration has been created by Wiki editors basing on official description and/or depictions.

Drakkar on bloodred Blue Axe

Drakkar on bloodred

The following illustration has been created by Stanislav Komárek, Sapkowski's associate and translator. Komárek's concept

The following illustration has been used in CD Projekt's The Witcher franchise. Map icon

Notable Skelligers

For the main article on Skellige kings, see King of the Skellige Isles.

Locations

Culture

Clans

A clan is a kinship group among the Islanders, giving its members a sense of shared identity and descent. Skellige is divided into seven clans, each seated on one of the archipelago's larger islands. At the base of each clan are kins led by a so-called bonds;[6] bonds, in turn, are then led by the clan chieftain called jarl[6][2] (not to be confused with the "Jarl of Skellige" which refers to the main commander of the armed forces[7]).

Every Skellige clan has its own insignia and characteristic colors that define it as a distinct group bound by family ties and age-old traditions. These colors also act as a distinguishing mark that lets warriors easily identify each other on the fields of battle. They appear on clothing, sails, shields, and tartans.[2][8]

People

Gwent cardart skellige dimun light longship

Skelliger warriors on a drakkar

The inhabitants of these cold and windy isles are called simply the Islanders, by other Northerners on the Continent in particular. They are renowned as hard, tough, and decent men, while at the same time frightening when attacking their foes.[8] They are a nation with deeply rooted seafaring tradition and, although their harbors cannot compare to those in Cidaris in terms of the number of completed units a year, the Islander's drakkars are feared throughout the waters of the north and south because of the rage and knowledge these people possess.[9] The Islanders themselves proudly state that "they have the sea in their blood".[10]

The people, however, are not only backward corsairs and plunderers as most Continentals powers see them. Quite a number of them are fishers, jewelers, merchants, alchemists, or other common professions and at least two examples of a classic mage are recorded: Marquard[9] and Astrid Lyttneyd Ásgeirrfinnbjornsdottir.[10] In contrast to the North, the Islanders are predominantly free and posses rights nearly equal to those of the jarls and kings who lead them as the gap between higher and lower classes is milder.[11] While being able to speak without a problem in the Common Speech, they have their own language, the Skellige jargon, based on the Hen Llinge.[12]

Religion

Gwent cardart skellige priestess of freya

Priestess of Freya

The Gods of the Sea and goddess Freya are chief objects of worship throughout Skellige. Undoubtedly, the latter is revered by the Islanders above all other deities, and she is a central figure in their religious system. They grant her the venerable title of the great modron, meaning "mother" in their tongue, for Freya is the patron of fertility, love, and beauty. She also poses as the patron of soothsayers, clairvoyants, telepaths, as symbolized by her sacred animals: the cat, which sees and hears while being unseen, and the falcon, who watches everything from the sky, and by her jewel: the necklace of foresight Brisingamen.[9]

Apart from these, Islanders revere mythical hero Hemdall,[9] his mistress Heulyn, and their children, founders of the most powerful clans and the first alleged rulers of the archipelago: Grymmdjarr, Modolf, Broddr, Otkell, Sove, and Tyr.[2] They also trust and believe in local druids, who are seen as wise men and act as diplomats, royal advisors, warriors, and wielders of magic.[8]

There are also two forgotten deities: Svalblod and Melusine. Svalblod was worshiped by a cult cast out of Skellige, for even in a land of violence-orientated culture, these worshipers practiced rituals so drastic that they repulsed the minds of many. When it got too far, jarls brought an end to it and by 1272 only the henge in Fornhala remained standing.

Melusine was a siren but was so strong, large, and different from the others that some Islanders worshiped her as a semi-divine being. She hibernated in a cave at the southern cliffs of Spikeroog, leaving at times to hunt. The locals feared her enough to worship her and even built a massive shrine in her cave, remembering her as the mad and dangerous Lady Melusine of the Depths.[2]

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Map description

The Skellige Archipelago is home to fierce warrior-sailors whom Continentals regards as pirates - and not without reason, for the Isles are barren and their inhabitants' livelihood comes mainly from plundering the seas. The land on these five large isles is divided between its clans, the heads of which are called jarls.

Trivia

  • Skellig(e) derives from the Irish (Gaeilge) "Sceilg", which can be translated into "Rock" or "Cliff". There are also Skellig Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, part of Ireland.
  • In the book The Tower of the Swallow, the residents and the belief of Skellige largely resembles a mix between the real-world "Vikings" and Norse mythology and that of the ancient Irish and Scottish Cultures. In this way the Skellige people almost certainly resemble the real historical people known as the Norse-Gaels who were a hybrid culture of the Gaels and Norsemen. A similar resemblance can be observed in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
  • In keeping with the Gaelic and maritime theme, the background music that plays in Skellige in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has lyrics in Scottish Gaelic, namely the first verse and chorus lines of the folk song "Fear a' Bhàta" ("The Boatman"). "'S tric mi sealltainn on chnoc as àirde" ("Often I watch, from the highest hill").
  • In The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, their clothing is modeled on an early medieval dress worn in Northern Europe.[13]

Notes

  • A custom of the isles dictates that a girl has the right to a costly gift from her first lover. Ciri made use of this to justify taking the deceased Hotspurn's beautiful mare that she then named Kelpie.[9]

Videos

References

  1. Unlike many other nationalities, where the demonym is also an adjective (like Temerian sword), "Skelliger" is only for nationality while "Skelligan" is the adjective (like the difference between using "Spaniard" and "Spanish").
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
  3. 3.0 3.1 Template:Gwent standalone
  4. Blood and Wine expansion
  5. Stanislav Komárek
  6. 6.0 6.1 Wiedźmin: Gra Wyobraźni
  7. Genalogy of Ciri - Eist
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 The Last Wish
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 The Tower of the Swallow
  10. 10.0 10.1 Season of Storms
  11. The World of the Witcher
  12. Blood of Elves
  13. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Artbook