Wintersun adds religion and worship. Pray, worship at shrines, and follow the tenets of your deity to strengthen your bond with the deity and eventually reward you with divine (or unholy) strength. In addition to the Divines and Daedric Princes, there are many other deities from Elder Scrolls lore with their own shrines.
Following a Deity
To follow a deity, simply accept their blessing at their shrine. Followers are granted a permanent boon by their patron, for as long as they continue to follow them. Shrine Locations
Prayer and Worship
Adhere to the Tenets of your deity and pray to them at least once a day to raise Favor with your deity. Worshiping a deity at their shrine grants more Favor than praying. There is no additional benefit to praying in quick succession or for long amounts of time. Not praying for long periods or breaking your patron’s Tenets will cause your Favor to decrease. If Favor drops to 0%, the deity will abandon you.
Devotee
Upon reaching 100% Favor, you become a Devotee and receive a second boon that is a dramatic manifestation of your deity's power on Tamriel.
Starting Religion
At the start of your playthrough, when you first step outside, you may choose a deity based on your race.
Relics
Rare lost artifacts of holy or unholy power exist that will improve your relationship with your deity...
Lore
Most of the lore in this guide is pulled directly from the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP). Click on the blue links in this guide to learn more about the deities, races, and religions of The Elder Scrolls.
Learn more about the The Divines deities available in the collection.
The Dragon God of Time. Chief among the gods, with mastery over the flow of time. Associated with dragons and the qualities of endurance and virtuous service.
Accepts
Everyone Starting Deity for: Breton / Imperial / Khajiit / Nord
Tenets
Fulfill your destiny by saving Tamriel. Raise your character level. Absorb dragon souls. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim.
Shrine Blessing
Learn all skills 10% faster.
Follower
Attacks, spells, scrolls, shouts and enchantments are X% better against dragons (based on favor with Akatosh).
The Mortals' God. God of cycles, particularly that of birth and death. Presides over funerals and burial rites, as well as ushering in the changes of the seasons.
Accepts
Everyone Starting Deity for: Breton / Imperial / Nord / Wood Elf
Tenets
Slay the undead and their summoners. Perform Arkay's Rites. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim. Never summon the undead or become one of them.
Shrine Blessing
Increases your Health by 25 points.
Follower
Regenerate up to 5% of your maximum Health per second based on missing Health. Can perform Arkay's Rites.
Goddess of beauty and art, and one of the most popular of the Divines. Widespread cults are dedicated to both healing and sexual instruction.
Accepts
Everyone Starting Deity for: Breton / Imperial / Nord
Tenets
Persuade others. Receive the blessing of Lover's Comfort. Find a new Sybil for my Temple. Pray only in the nude. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim.
Shrine Blessing
Prices are 10% better.
Follower
Lover's Comfort (gained by sleeping with one's spouse) also improves all skills by 5%.
God of logic, wisdom, and the arts of magic. His temples act as educational institutions in literature, history, and law.
Accepts
Everyone Starting Deity for: Imperial
Tenets
Master the skills of the Mage. Strive to raise your Magicka. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim.
Shrine Blessing
Increases your Magicka by 25 points.
Follower
Spells cost X% less to cast (based on favor with Julianos).
Goddess of the heavens, winds, and rain. Patron of sailors and travelers, and often propitiated for good fortune in life.
Accepts
Everyone
Starting Deity for: Imperial / Khajiit / Nord
Tenets
Explore new locations. Strive to raise your Stamina. Receive the Voice of the Sky. Pray only outdoors. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim.
Shrine Blessing
Increases your Stamina by 25 points.
Follower
The fierce spirit of Kyne increases movement speed by 10% in combat.
The Mother-Goddess. Goddess of love, compassion, and the bounty of nature. Presides over marriage ceremonies, befitting her ancient origins as a fertility goddess.
Accepts
Everyone
Starting Deity for: Breton / Imperial / Nord / Wood Elf
Tenets
Be married. Own one or more houses. Be generous to beggars and children. Receive the blessing of Lover's Comfort. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim.
Shrine Blessing
Restoration spells cost 10% less to cast.
Follower
Pray to Mara to cure all diseases affecting you or allies within 40 feet.
The Steadfast. God of mercy, justice, and righteousness. Patron of all those who wield righteous might to protect the weak, from emperors to holy warriors.
Accepts
Everyone
Starting Deity for: Breton / High Elf / Imperial / Nord / Wood Elf
Tenets
Clear dungeons of evil. Slay daedra and the undead. Complete side quests for the people of Skyrim. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim. Never practice the foul summoning arts.
Shrine Blessing
Block 10% more damage.
Follower
Take X% less attack damage from daedra and undead (based on favor with Stendarr).
Hero-god of Mankind. A mortal and emperor who upon death became a Divine. Patron of questing adventurers, warriors, generals, the Empire and all its ideals of civilization, as well as those who go to war to defend it.
Accepts
Everyone
Starting Deity for: Imperial / Nord
Tenets
Bring the Civil War to a conclusion. Learn the dragon tongue. Absorb dragon souls. Slay elves and the Thalmor. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim.
Shrine Blessing
Time between shouts is reduced 20%.
Follower
Attacks, critical strikes and shouts are X% more effective against elves (based on favor with Talos).
The Trader God. God of work, commerce, and wealth, invoked for success in business ventures. Teaches prosperity through honest industry, rather than violence or deceit.
Accepts
Everyone
Starting Deity for: Breton / Imperial / Nord
Tenets
Invest in stores and merchants. Seek out skill training. Make weapons and armor. Never openly break the laws of Skyrim.
Shrine Blessing
Able to improve items 10% better.
Follower
Learn Smithing, Alchemy and Enchanting X% faster and they are X% better (based on favor with Zenithar).