Encyclopedia Palusnigricans
Volume Three: Peoples of Black Marsh, their Culture and Architecture
Edited by Effie-Jei Ju-Kulza, Savant at Large
Peoples of Black Marsh
People of the Root:
The mysterious Argonian "lizardmen" are the most common type of provincial race in Black Marsh. They mostly live tribally, however many have settled the cities. They are often very loyal to their clans, which form tight-knit communities. However they distrust outsiders and few have totally rejected their old ways. They are known to be great warriors, adept at guerilla warfare, as well as skilled alchemists and illusionists.
Other Aboriginies:
Related races to the People of the Root are the Naga, large serpent-like brutes taller than Nords; Paatru, broad and vicious frog-folk; and Sarpa, an avian and seldom sighted creature of modest intelligence. Of all these, only Naga have been known to have some semblance of civilization as their cousins the Argonians do. However this may simply be due to the fact that civilization means easy food and plunder for these ferocious hunters and raiders.
Foreigners:
There are many foreigners living in the Black Marsh, usually in some professional capacity rather than permanent residents. Imperials tend to be connected to the Legion or the government, whereas Bretons and Altmer tend to be members of the Mages Guild. Khajiit are found in abundance along the west coast as traders between this province and Elsweyr. Bosmer, Redguards, Orcs, and Nords are often found as mercenaries in this dangerous land. And of course Dunmer exist in great numbers, both Velothi and newer immigrants, for whom the People of the Root havea long-standing hatred fuelled by centuries of skirmishes.
Extinct Cultures:
Two Ayleid tribes (the Marsh Elves of popular culture) are said to have lived in this Province but their two cities (upon which Gideon and Stormhold were constructed), have been abandoned since the First Era. In addition, forerunners to the Argonian Velothi of today, there were Velothi settling Thorn and Archon as far back as the Merethic Era. Mannish tribes such as the hunter-gatherer Horwalli, the farming Yerpest, the blind Orma, and the powerful seafaring Kothringi once called the Marsh home. The Knahaten Flu killed all known populations however, except for those people that the Kothringi tried to escape together with on ships. Also, once there existed a vulpine Lilmothiit, distantly related to the Khajiit perhaps. Some say the reports of 'Marsh Cats' today confirm the existence of remnants of the ancient fox-civilization, but this has not been confirmed.<P>
Culture
Civilized Culture
Civilized culture in the Black Marsh consists of Imperial and Kothringi influences. Though Imperial architecture can be clearly seen, many of the wealthy Argonians don Kothringi noble-garb. However the Imperial civilization is a stronger influence. Many urban Argonians wear Cyrodiilic clothes, send their children to the Mages Guild or to schools provided by the Imperial Cult.
Argonian Tribal Culture
Not much is known of Argonian tribes. However they all center around a certain ancestor-Hist. Tribes occasional war against each other and against other races. Most of the tribes are relatively peaceful, though warrior scoieties exist for every tribe. Certain tribes have traditional alliances with others however most are autonomous and can be allies one day and enemies the next. However, due to the space available and common interests, tribes rarely come into conflict. Some tribes welcome outsiders openly while others do not. Most tribes also have a main village, but can be spread out. Some are nomadic. The tribal Argonians tend to be a reclusive lot, but they have their chiefs, shamans, and war leaders as most tribal societies do. However, in the war-like north, a tribe's war leader holds more prominence than the interior where shamans who commune with Hist are held in higher regard. Aside from those two regions, tribal chieftains usually hold most power in the other areas more favorably exposed to outsiders.
Architecture
Jungle Style
The Jungle homes of the Argonians include bark-homes, tree-houses, and thatched huts. Most of the huts are made of thick bark or bamboo. They are very simple dwellings and often, large water-proof leaves are placed on top. Northern Argonians also build fortified war lodges.
Everglade Style
Traditional stilt homes are common in the inner marshes, especially along slow moving rivers. Offshore coastal Argonians also make stilthomes, though coastal Argonians dwell in places ranging from boat-homes to shacks. Temporary lean-tos are often made for hunting trips.
Islander Style
The Argonians living on tropical isles, and their descendents who returned to the mainland, have developed an architecture that makes use of the available grasses and bamboos. Thus tall huts are made that can easily shed off water, withstand minor storms, and easy to maintain and repair. They are often rectangular with tall tapering tops.
Imperial Style
The Imperial style is composed of imported architecture. Aside from the cities, most of it is in the form of Cyrodiilic shacks and homes. However the weather and conditions make result in most of the homes become dilapidated rather quickly, soaked by rain, dirtied by mud, overgrown with vines, or even sinking into the earth because of their weight.
Velothi Style
This style is the traditional Dunmer style of architecture, said to have been taught to them by Boethiah, the Daedric Prince. It often has rounded corners, domes, angular and blocky shaped buildings. They are very sturdy and if built properly can last centuries if not razed.
Ayleid style
The Marsh Elves (or Barsaebic Ayleids) constructed many settlements using extremely similar architectural techniques to those found commonly in Cyrodiil. Many fine examples of this style can still be found in the western Marsh, though subsidence has long since caused most of them to sink beneath the ground.
Lilmothiit Style
The vulpine Lilmothiit race was said to have made few lasting examples of architecture. No doubt however they did make some, and there may have been artisans and crafters even amongst these nomadic people. They used black basalt which were often carved into organic shapes. It is said that the only true buildings were temples or tombs, and that the Lilmothiit lived simply, using public areas only as a place to sleep and meet.
Kothringi Style
The Kothringi, being a great maritime people, include many marine themes in their architecture. Though many of the surviving buildings are very angular, they are covered with carvings and murals of war scenes, tribute, exploration and the like. Most Korthringi lived in large wooden huts, long since gone, that were stylized to look like enormous canoes, but the nobility resided in palaces of stone that survive to this day, the finest examples being in Soulrest. All settlements were built near water and many have causeways and canals.
People of the Root:
The mysterious Argonian "lizardmen" are the most common type of provincial race in Black Marsh. They mostly live tribally, however many have settled the cities. They are often very loyal to their clans, which form tight-knit communities. However they distrust outsiders and few have totally rejected their old ways. They are known to be great warriors, adept at guerilla warfare, as well as skilled alchemists and illusionists.
Other Aboriginies:
Related races to the People of the Root are the Naga, large serpent-like brutes taller than Nords; Paatru, broad and vicious frog-folk; and Sarpa, an avian and seldom sighted creature of modest intelligence. Of all these, only Naga have been known to have some semblance of civilization as their cousins the Argonians do. However this may simply be due to the fact that civilization means easy food and plunder for these ferocious hunters and raiders.
Foreigners:
There are many foreigners living in the Black Marsh, usually in some professional capacity rather than permanent residents. Imperials tend to be connected to the Legion or the government, whereas Bretons and Altmer tend to be members of the Mages Guild. Khajiit are found in abundance along the west coast as traders between this province and Elsweyr. Bosmer, Redguards, Orcs, and Nords are often found as mercenaries in this dangerous land. And of course Dunmer exist in great numbers, both Velothi and newer immigrants, for whom the People of the Root havea long-standing hatred fuelled by centuries of skirmishes.
Extinct Cultures:
Two Ayleid tribes (the Marsh Elves of popular culture) are said to have lived in this Province but their two cities (upon which Gideon and Stormhold were constructed), have been abandoned since the First Era. In addition, forerunners to the Argonian Velothi of today, there were Velothi settling Thorn and Archon as far back as the Merethic Era. Mannish tribes such as the hunter-gatherer Horwalli, the farming Yerpest, the blind Orma, and the powerful seafaring Kothringi once called the Marsh home. The Knahaten Flu killed all known populations however, except for those people that the Kothringi tried to escape together with on ships. Also, once there existed a vulpine Lilmothiit, distantly related to the Khajiit perhaps. Some say the reports of 'Marsh Cats' today confirm the existence of remnants of the ancient fox-civilization, but this has not been confirmed.<P>
Culture
Civilized Culture
Civilized culture in the Black Marsh consists of Imperial and Kothringi influences. Though Imperial architecture can be clearly seen, many of the wealthy Argonians don Kothringi noble-garb. However the Imperial civilization is a stronger influence. Many urban Argonians wear Cyrodiilic clothes, send their children to the Mages Guild or to schools provided by the Imperial Cult.
Argonian Tribal Culture
Not much is known of Argonian tribes. However they all center around a certain ancestor-Hist. Tribes occasional war against each other and against other races. Most of the tribes are relatively peaceful, though warrior scoieties exist for every tribe. Certain tribes have traditional alliances with others however most are autonomous and can be allies one day and enemies the next. However, due to the space available and common interests, tribes rarely come into conflict. Some tribes welcome outsiders openly while others do not. Most tribes also have a main village, but can be spread out. Some are nomadic. The tribal Argonians tend to be a reclusive lot, but they have their chiefs, shamans, and war leaders as most tribal societies do. However, in the war-like north, a tribe's war leader holds more prominence than the interior where shamans who commune with Hist are held in higher regard. Aside from those two regions, tribal chieftains usually hold most power in the other areas more favorably exposed to outsiders.
Architecture
Jungle Style
The Jungle homes of the Argonians include bark-homes, tree-houses, and thatched huts. Most of the huts are made of thick bark or bamboo. They are very simple dwellings and often, large water-proof leaves are placed on top. Northern Argonians also build fortified war lodges.
Everglade Style
Traditional stilt homes are common in the inner marshes, especially along slow moving rivers. Offshore coastal Argonians also make stilthomes, though coastal Argonians dwell in places ranging from boat-homes to shacks. Temporary lean-tos are often made for hunting trips.
Islander Style
The Argonians living on tropical isles, and their descendents who returned to the mainland, have developed an architecture that makes use of the available grasses and bamboos. Thus tall huts are made that can easily shed off water, withstand minor storms, and easy to maintain and repair. They are often rectangular with tall tapering tops.
Imperial Style
The Imperial style is composed of imported architecture. Aside from the cities, most of it is in the form of Cyrodiilic shacks and homes. However the weather and conditions make result in most of the homes become dilapidated rather quickly, soaked by rain, dirtied by mud, overgrown with vines, or even sinking into the earth because of their weight.
Velothi Style
This style is the traditional Dunmer style of architecture, said to have been taught to them by Boethiah, the Daedric Prince. It often has rounded corners, domes, angular and blocky shaped buildings. They are very sturdy and if built properly can last centuries if not razed.
Ayleid style
The Marsh Elves (or Barsaebic Ayleids) constructed many settlements using extremely similar architectural techniques to those found commonly in Cyrodiil. Many fine examples of this style can still be found in the western Marsh, though subsidence has long since caused most of them to sink beneath the ground.
Lilmothiit Style
The vulpine Lilmothiit race was said to have made few lasting examples of architecture. No doubt however they did make some, and there may have been artisans and crafters even amongst these nomadic people. They used black basalt which were often carved into organic shapes. It is said that the only true buildings were temples or tombs, and that the Lilmothiit lived simply, using public areas only as a place to sleep and meet.
Kothringi Style
The Kothringi, being a great maritime people, include many marine themes in their architecture. Though many of the surviving buildings are very angular, they are covered with carvings and murals of war scenes, tribute, exploration and the like. Most Korthringi lived in large wooden huts, long since gone, that were stylized to look like enormous canoes, but the nobility resided in palaces of stone that survive to this day, the finest examples being in Soulrest. All settlements were built near water and many have causeways and canals.