The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Episode 28: Falkreath

For those of you who are interested in learning a little more about the men most hostile to Markarth and whom you can consistently depend on trying to fuck up your day when you're in the Reach part of Skyrim: The Forsworn are the most common type of hostile NPC encountered in The Reach. Encounters with them will not occur under normal conditions outside of The Reach. The Forsworn appear tribal in appearance and nature utilizing primitive gear and hedge-magic. They typically are found in makeshift fortresses built into caves and ruins termed redoubts. It is not possible to join the Forsworn, but you can side with them through a quest series and one area will become non-hostile. The Forsworn are a group of people compromised mostly from Breton ancestry living in The Reach. Additional names for them include "Reachmen", "Witchmen of High Rock", and "Madmen of the Reach." Despite appearing primitive in nature, they are an aggressive political force and have agents living amongst the populace of Markarth in secret. They directly oppose the other major political groups in Skyrim including the Thalmor, Stormcloaks and Imperial Legion. Their goal remains singular in driving the Nords from their homeland so that they can rule as a country independent from both Skyrim and the Empire.