Homebrew Argonian Species Details

"The Argonian people have, throughout Temrielic history, been perhaps the most misunderstood, vilified, and reviled of all the sentient races. Yet, those who have taken the time to experience Argonian culture have gained a greater appreciation for this noble and beautiful people."

―Brendan the Persistent

Argonians or Saxhleel are an oviparous race of reptilian people native to the large and marshy province of Tamriel known as Black Marsh. They can be found in smaller numbers throughout the continent. Argonians are one of the few races completely unrelated to men and mer, who think of themselves as coming from, and ultimately returning to, the Hist.

Enigmatic and intelligent, the Argonians are experts of guerrilla tactics, and their natural abilities suit their swampy homeland. They have developed immunities to diseases that have plagued many would-be explorers in the region, and they are capable of easily exploring underwater locations due to their ability to breathe water. Argonians also have some resistance to poison.

The Hist

Argonians start out in life as eggs; when a clutch of Argonian eggs is laid, they are placed near Hist trees in areas known as hatching pools. When the eggs hatch, they form a connection to the Hist. If, for whatever reason, this connection to the Hist is not present or is severed, the unborn within the eggs die. This was used to terrible effect during the Three Banners War, when an Altmer alchemist named Ruuvitar nearly succeeded in wiping out an entire generation of unborn Argonians using a relic called the Mnemic Egg. However, he was thwarted by the Vestige, though not before most of the Shadowfen eggs were destroyed. In extreme circumstances however, the Argonians, or rather "The Hist" can adapt to climates that are too cold for eggs, which allow a female Argonian to bear a child. This same rule applies to small nomadic tribes of Argonians.

After being born, Argonian hatchlings drink the sap of the Hist and continue doing this through their infancy. According to them, the sap of the hist tree, when drank, gives a hatchling its soul. When that Argonian dies, his soul travels back to its Hist tree and is stored until another hatchling drinks that Hist. Thus, the Hist is giving it a soul, and so the cycle repeats. It is unknown if a hatchling would really have a soul of its own without receiving one from the Hist.

Beastial Lizards of the Marsh

Argonians have gills on their necks and are covered in scales. This gives Argonians the ability to breathe underwater, which has proven to be an advantage in combat with other races, especially in the swamps of Black Marsh. Argonians have very sharp reptilian teeth lining their mouths, which, if they are unarmed, can be used as an effective weapon. When swimming, they use their tails to propel themselves as they glide through the water. An Argonian's tail is also used for balance which gives them an extra advantage in certain situations. This is one of the many reasons Argonians are effective as thieves and assassins. Argonians have a wide variety of cranial features such as fins, feathers, ridges, spines, spikes, or horns.

Argonian Names

The Argonians recieve names from two sources. One is the name they receive in their native tongue of Jel on their naming day by drinking the Hist sap on the Second Seed. The other is the Common name they receive if their Jel name is translated into common.

Male Jel Names:  An-Zaw, Reeh-Jah, Wuleen-Shei, Mush-Mere, Weer.

Female Jel Names: Ahaht, Druja, Ocheeva, Shaleez, Witseidutsei, Mach-Na, Tar-Meena.

Tamrielic Names: Quill-Weave, Steps-in-Mud, Hides-in-Shadows, Lifts-Her-Tail, Seeks-His-Fortune.

Argonian Traits

The Hist gives Argonians the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.

Age

After hatching, Argonians reach physical maturity in 4 years, and can live on average up to 150 years.

Alignment

Argonians are a wild race, choosing survival above all else. As a result, they tend to drift closer to Chaotic alignments.

Size

Your size is Medium. Argonians vary wildly in height, with females generally being smaller than males.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Your eyes have adapted to the darkness of the deep. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Waterbreathing

Your body is adapted to the Black Marshes. You can breathe while underwater and don't suffer penalties from the water's depth. You also gain a swim speed of 30 feet.

Disease Immunity

You are immune to all manner of diseases.

Poison Resistance

You gain resistance to the poisoned condition and poison damage.

Bite

Thanks to your bestial teeth, you can make a natural weapon attack that deals piercing damage equal to 1d4 + Your Strength Modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Balanced Tail

You gain proficiency in Acrobatics.

Languages

You speak, read and write Common and Jel.