Kyne

Kyne is a deity in The Elder Scrolls series, most closely associated with Nordic culture in Skyrim. Referred to as the Great Goddess Kyne, she is a motherly figure linked to the home, family, and the natural world. In Nord myth she is often connected with the bear and is regarded as a protector of cattle, crops, and the land. She is commonly described as the wife of Shor (the Nordic name for Lorkhan) and as a guiding presence for mothers, hunters, and farmers. Her worship emphasizes household welfare and the stewardship of the homeland.

Worship and cult practices surrounding Kyne are most visible in Nord settlements, where prayers and offerings are made for protection, safe births, and bountiful harvests. The bear is her sacred symbol, and rites often celebrate the bond between people and the animals that share their land. Temples and shrines dedicated to Kyne appear in various Nordic locales, reflecting her role as a guardian of home and hearth.

In-game references connect Kyne to the Dragon Language through Kyne’s Peace, a shout associated with calming animals and those who follow the Dragonborn. Some scholars note similarities or overlaps between Kyne and Kynareth, the Imperial pantheon’s goddess of nature, suggesting regional variations or interpretations within the broader lore. However, in most in-universe texts Kyne is treated as a distinct Nordic deity with a specifically Nordic set of associations.

Overall, Kyne embodies protection, family, and humanity’s relationship with the land, qualities that resonate in Skyrim’s portrayal of Nordic spirituality and daily life.