The Argonians' distrust of outsiders began during this time, especially when pirates exploited Black Marsh's inhospitable landscape to evade Imperial authorities.Ĭuriously, the Merethic Era is considered the time when Argonian society was at its peak they had an advanced civilization that built the massive, ziggurat-like Xanmeer pyramids of Black Marsh. According to Second Era sources, the ancient Chimer used Argonians as slaves centuries before their transformed descendants, the Dunmer (or Dark Elves), would. During the First Era, Argonians were considered mythical and very rarely left their homeland, being considered curiousities or terrifying savages by outsiders. Ancient Argonians were displaced by the more technologically advanced First Folk and driven back to the swamps of Black Marsh. While outsiders rarely go into Black Marsh, since those who are not Argonian always end up dead, Argonians thrive in these foreboding conditions, navigating the elaborate rivers underwater and camouflaging themselves to the swampy climate.Įxactly how the Argonians came to exist is unknown, but they were already living all over Tamriel in tribal communities when the Aldmer first began exploring the continent. The Argonians themselves remained organized along tribal lines and only loosely integrated into the Empire by treaty. Even when the mighty Tiber Septim conquered Black Marsh and annexed it to the Empire, his forces merely controlled the edges of the country, never daring to breach its interior. Only the Dunmer slave trade has succeeded. The region's tropical climate has defied attempts to cultivate the local plants, as well as foreign agricultural, colonial, and commercial ventures. Black Marsh is well-known as the most inhospitable province of Tamriel, filled with impenetrable swamps and teeming with poisonous plants and terrifying predators. The Argonians are reptilian natives of a swampland province known as Black Marsh by the Empire and "Argonia" by the Argonians themselves. 17 They Live In The Most Inhospitable Part Of Tamriel Here are 17 crazy facts about Elder Scrolls' Argonians, the honorable, beloved and much-maligned lizard folk of Black Marsh. Their appearance is similar to a bipedal dinosaur, they don't drown and can explore wherever they want, and have exceptional talents with sneaking and lockpicking that make them excellent thieves, assassins, and stealth characters. They have been featured in every one of the main games thus far. It's easy to see why: Black Marsh's intelligent and mysterious reptilians are perhaps the most misunderstood race in Tamriel.
The scaly folk of Black Marsh are one of the few races unrelated to Men (humans) or Mer (elves), being descended instead from the ancient, sentient trees known as the Hist.Īrgonians have a strong cult following among fans of the Elder Scrolls series, with some people preferring to play as an Argonian no matter which entry they're playing. Similar to their fellow beast race the Khajiit, the Argonians have a substantial fan following behind them and are equally admired and reviled by the different peoples of Tamriel. Possessing a reptilian appearance, an enigmatic alien culture, and a host of natural abilities such as resistance to disease and poison and the ability to breathe underwater, the Argonians are nothing if not unique. The Argonians, also known as the Saxhleel or the "People of the Root" in their native language, and often called the lizard-folk, are one of the most fascinating races in the Elder Scrolls Universe.