Traditions of the People of the Root - Volume XVI

[Ibsen's Ghost]

Traditions of the People of the Root - Volume XVI
by Olivier Madaque

This piece of writing refers to the following interior clutter items: Modders Resources and new items .

It is often noted that the tribal Argonians pride themselves on their hunting prowess, by which they managed to acquire various prize possessions in the form of trophies. One of these was the head of a troll that they used to decorate their homes with by stuffing it and putting it on the wall. This came about because, at one time, Argonia suffered from an epidemic of trolls that came over the border from Cyrodiil during their breeding season. It is said that they favoured the climate of the marshes and took special delight in ambushing travellers in packs of 2-3 and eating their brains (the feeding habits of trolls are legendarily dubious).

This practice died down a little as so many homes were using these adornments that they went out of fashion....until the Daedra came. Suddenly, a new fad sprung up in Argonia. Hurray! The Daedra had arrived and the Argonian culture had a new way of exploiting their expertise in taxidermy. Whereas many countries expressed concern, the Argonians merely looked upon the Daedra as another particularly savage (and deliciously challenging) new breed.

It was only when they discovered that they were not Hist-bred that the folk of the Black Marshes really began to take them seriously. But with hardship comes reward and soon a roaring trade was springing up as far afield as Hammerfell where boxes of the items were shipped over at great cost along with various other hunting booty. It is said that Sotha Tren himself has worked (albeit awkwardly) with the royals in handling many of the shipments.

Now, however, it has come to the attention of many that the supposed Trillium Magnata, a consortium of ex-slavemasters, have begun cynically exploiting this practice to their own ends and, on the black market, trades in mounted Argonian heads have appeared on the black market. It is said that their trade partners, the Orcs of Hammerfell, being a distasteful sort, are now seeking to extend this to all races in the hope of working with the Trillium Magnata and acquiring a share of the profits. As yet, Tamrielic lore has not sufficiently acted to respond to this unsavoury threat as the laws that govern Tamriel's ports are many and various and few can agree upon a definite course of action.

For example, Orcs, particularly, argue that their subjects can be 'humanely killed' or that they arrive for stuffing already dead. Yet merchants claim that the latter inevitably makes the product a much less desirable one due to the decomposition of the head. Indeed, the best place for acquiring 'new materials' appears to be Cyrodiil's own arena...yet Imperial law frowns upon the practice.

So it seems that, at least for now, this cultural tradition of the Argonians looks set to continue even if it means that some Argonians themselves will be outraged by the origins of the trade and how it represents the people of the root.

[Deeza]

This is good stuff! One minor detail, the Orcs live in High Rock, not Hammerfell, but I'll just switch that and add it to the literature archive I'll send to you today.

[Ibsen's Ghost]

Ooops! Thanks. =)

Did you spot this over-use of a phrase, btw: "and, on the black market, trades in mounted Argonian heads have appeared on the black market"? The first clause should be deleted.

[Deeza]

Nope, missed that. Will make a note of it and change it later. Or you could do it yourself in the esp I sent you.