Lore:Goat That Walks Upright

"The Goat That Walks Upright must be fed. Must be honored. These are his woods. We live by his will alone." —The Atmoran Cult Writings

The Goat That Walks Upright was one of many entities worshipped by the ancient Atmorans. While little is known about the specifics of their religious beliefs and practices, some information has been preserved through historical records, particularly those of the Dragon Cult. However, there were other religious groups as well, including the Cult of Mother Moth, the People of the Serpent, and the Goat Cult, the latter devoted to the Goat That Walks Upright.

According to translations by Archivist Oriane Pamarc, remnants of texts written in an archaic runic alphabet provided a fragmented account of the ancient worship practices of the Goat Cult.

The Goat That Walks Upright was described as an enormous creature, far larger than even the grandest bears. Contrary to the beliefs of some nearby villages, Atmoran Frostwood, where the mighty Ysgramor himself once hunted countless beasts, was far from a desolate wasteland. It was a dense, treacherous forest, teeming with monstrous creatures that demanded sacrifice. As such, the followers of the Goat regularly brought offerings to the beast. According to one cultist, the Goat feasted beside him, blood dripping from its wiry beard as its strange, horizontal pupils narrowed and its claws sank into offerings of meat and fish. The Goat's speed was unmatched—many who were brought to him screamed and fled in vain, for the Goat’s cloven hooves and powerful legs allowed him to cover the ground faster than any could escape. This was his beauty, his mystery. A few, upon seeing the Goat, transitioned from terror to wonder and awe. These disciples understood that the Goat must be fed, honored, and revered. These were his woods, and they lived only by his will.

Notes

• The identity of the Goat That Walks Upright is unknown. Notably, the Daedric Prince of the Hunt's name, Hircine, is an adjective which means "like a goat", and his spheres are said to include "the Chase and Sacrifice of Mortals". The Daedric Prince Sanguine is associated with goats as well, through the seemingly supernatural black goats being bred by his worshippers specifically for use in Daedric rituals surrounding him, and through the Daedric goat Ezhkel which appears to those that drink Sanguine's Swirling Libation at his shrine in the West Weald. The worshippers of Sanguine have also been known to sacrifice mortals to their god. Molag Bal is another Daedric Prince associated with human sacrifice, who has been known to appear with curled horns and cloven hooves.

See Also

Books

• The Atmoran Cult Writings by Archivist Oriane Pamarc — Fragmentary translations of esoteric Atmoran religious texts

References

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.