Argonian tribes, sub-races. : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Thu Jan 16, 2014 11:09 am

As some of you may know, there are different tribes of Argonian, all of which have different appearances. For example:

Agacephs: Most have needle-like faces and vary in color from bright green to orange. Found in inner Argonia, near the Hist.

Archeins: During the era when other races tried to put plantations in Argonia, Archeins were very powerful, and made fortunes by selling other Argonians into slavery. Since the other races realized Argonia is unfit for plantations, they have gone bankrupt.

Paatru: Described as "toad-like", they live in the inner part of Argonia.

Sarpa: Described as being "winged", though it's unclear if this is meant literally or not. They live in the interior of Argonia.

Nagas: They are described as having "huge mouths filled with dripping needle-like fangs". Usually seven to eight feet tall, the Nagas appear to be more snake-like than other Argonians. When the other races were attempting to put plantations into Argonia, they generally acted as highway robbers; however, since the other races ceased trying to put plantations in Argonia, they have left the roads and have gone back into the inner swamps.

Source: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Argonian

In Oblivion, the Argonians seem much more amphibian with gills, thin scales and a slender build. Their horn features were limited and they seemed to have an overall smoother and aquatic look.

In Skyrim, the Argonians seem much more land-based. Their thick scales and horns make them seem more dragon-like, definitely a lot less aquatic than Oblivion Argonians. Not to mention, they completely lack the fins option for hair.

Do you believe that these are two different Argonian sub-races? Or, is it simply an aesthetic upgrade as graphics have advanced? I want to believe it is the former, for in Morrowind we got to play a strange looking digitigrade type of Argonian which since changed in Oblivion and more-so in Skyrim.

Thoughts?

» Thu Jan 16, 2014 1:59 pm

It's also said that the amount of Hist sap an Argonian imbibes as an infant can alter their appearance greatly, from similar to humans, to being almost tree-like. I don't doubt this is partially to explain the human-like appearance of Argonians in Arena (and I think Daggerfall, can't remember what they looked like in it), though. However, it also lends itself to explaining the differences between the other games, as well. I'd wager their appearance is based off of early consumption of Hist sap, as well as the genetics of their tribe.

» Thu Jan 16, 2014 5:35 pm

Ah, yeah. That could explain it and I suppose adding a mix of different looking Argonian into their games would probably just take ages. I assume more consumption makes them perhaps like the Skyrim variant, whereas less makes more like the Oblivion variant. Obviously, I have no idea but I am just guessing. If only we had more info.