Onmund,

Thank you for your latest report. While I have not had time to give it the rapt attention that it undoubtedly deserves, what I have seen so far appears to corroborate the hypothesis that I have been developing for some time.

Looking over the samples that I have collected from Morrowind, the Summerset Isles, Valenwood, the coral kingdoms of the cephalomer, and now this “Forgotten Vale” of Skyrim, my theory seems indisputable, strange though it may seem. At first, I had been tempted to dismiss these variants as a result of geographical diversity, for after all, one would hardly expect the same creatures to be seen in the snowy wastes of Skyrim as the warm tropics of Alinor.

However, with this survey of the Forgotten Vale, we have for the first time compelling evidence for my theory- by your own account, the Vale is markedly similar in climate to Holds Pale or Winterhold, yet in terms of the native life it might as well be a different world. Flora marked by bright colors, a tendency of the native life, both flora and fauna, toward bioluminescence, ehlnofeyn species with an extra set of vestigial eyes (though, in all fairness, these “frost giants” sound more like an oversized cousin of the common troll than a relative of Skyrim’s proto-Nords). And I do not believe that it’s any coincidence, judging by the apparent conditions of the ruins that you found there, that it was one of the last bastions of the Snow Elves (what a shame that you could not more closely investigate them! I suppose we should consider it a blessing that Darkfall Cave, at least, has opened up to us at long last).

I cannot yet put my finger on it, but somehow, the presence of the Merrish races seems to have a powerful impact on the development of a land’s native life. Perhaps it is that the elves subconsciously invoke the land’s latent memories of the Dawn, when we were all gods and none were tethered by common forms. This ancient call to liberty, to Nu-Mantia, somehow influences them to break free of the common trends of subgradience; for instance, take the common wolf. Where the native species of Cyrodiil, High Rock, and Skyrim all developed fur and fangs, their brethren on Vvardenfell opted instead for chitin armor and piercing beaks.

But how could I prove such a theory? Even now, reading over my own letter, I have to wonder how far down the Golden Road I have already traveled to put to ink such a ridiculous notion. I have made several pilgrimages to the monastery of the Moth-Priests, but if the ancestors had any sage advice to banish my doubts, they have not deigned to share it with me. Blasted moths. As it is, I appreciate your discretion in this matter, as my position on the Council of Mages is already precarious enough. Though, if this research bears fruit, I shall doubtless be elevated beyond my wildest imaginings, and I'll not forget who it was who made this research possible, my young friend.

As always, my highest esteem and gratitude,

Albus Flavius