- "Perhaps it was Sithis who crumbled our stone hearts. Perhaps it was the Hist, who longed for our company, for the patter of our feet atop their roots." - Nisswo Uaxal[1]
Duskfall denotes the slow decline of the old Saxhleel civilization.[2] Little is known about this time period, or what provoked the change.
Pre-Duskfall era, or Days of Stone NestsEdit
The old Argonian society is theorized to have been more advanced and possibly more unified. Another possibility is, that the old Argonians’ trade connections simply reached far. It is known that they used metalworking products, volcanic glass and that some of the designs were inspired of Dwemer work.[3] Pre-Duskfall Argonians viewed Sithis as a destroyer and feared its destructive force. Thus, among other things, they built stone xanmeers to stand against the destruction. Fearing Sithis to this extent could explain why the old priests of Sithis were able to retain a power position in the old Argonian society and reign as kings in the pre-Duskfall period.[4] Sithis had a more central role in this old society, and the ceremonies dedicated to Sithis were different. For example, blood sacrifices or rituals were used.[3] Not surprisingly, there was opposition to Duskfall among the Sithis priesthood, some of them taking to extreme measures.[5] One of the priestesses of Sithis managed to return briefly in 2E 583 and attempted to wreak havoc in Murkmire.[6]
The exact relationship of old Argonians and Hist in this time period is unknown.[3]
Tsofeer cavern, Tomb of Many Spears, Xinchei-Konu monument and Teeth of Sithis are examples of buildings from pre-Duskfall era. Xinchei-Konu shows how the Argonians viewed time and tried to fight against the change, for example by manipulating weather. Teeth of Sithis on the other hand is an old temple of Sithis.[7][4][1]
Duskfall and its consequencesEdit
As for how exactly Duskfall was provoked is unclear. Sources describe it mostly poetically, e.g. "The Hist led the way" and "the Hist revealed the true path".[2][4]
As a result of Duskfall, Argonians adapted a different view of the time, leading to a paradigm shift of their culture. Having previously seen Sithis as a destructive force, living in fear of it, Argonians now started to recognize Sithis not only as destruction, but also change. Due to this, Argonians adapted a more cyclical view of time. A second change that Duskfall brought was that the Argonian stone architecture started to decline as they stopped building the xanmeers and started living in simple huts instead.
Several relics from pre-Duskfall or Duskfall can be found in Black Marsh, some of them dangerous.[2][8] One pair of such relics is the Fangs of Sithis, which could be used for mass destruction, turning crops into ash and creating undead horrors from the living.[8] However, using the Fangs of Sithis is said to consume one's soul, driving the wielder mad.[9] In 2E 582, the Fangs of Sithis were discovered deep inside the Suncale Strand ruins in Shadowfen, Black Marsh.[9]
The Cyrodilic Collections society aims to research and recover such relics and return them to Argonians. In 2E 583, a former member of the society travelled to the island of Norg-Tzel to pursue another of such relics – the Golden Skull of Beela Kaar, an ancient Argonian sorcerer who practiced dark arts. The relic was said to contain the power of Beela-Kaar himself, vibrating with arcane energy and carrying a terrible curse.[2][10]
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b ON:Nisswo Uaxal's dialogue
- ^ a b c d Concordia Mercius' dialogue
- ^ a b c Crafting Motif 70: Elder Argonian
- ^ a b c Nisswo Xode's dialogue
- ^ Shuxaltsei
- ^ She Who Eats the Light quest
- ^ Jekka-Wass Vozei's dialogue
- ^ a b Looks-Under-Rocks' dialogue
- ^ a b The Fangs of Sithis quest
- ^ Jee-Lar's dialogue