Argonia lit.- Imperials' Guide to Argonian Tribes

[KuKulzA]

Remember, this is biased. The guy is TRYING to be objective, but he is writing this for the best interests of Cyrodiilic travelers, so keep that in mind when you read this short guide

---

[/hr]

Imperials' Guide to Argonian Tribes
by Juliek Marconius

Having gone to many Argonian (lizardmen) tribes in Argonia I must say that the Argonians have a very diverse culture. Actually, it can be said that there are actually three kinds of Argonian culture. One would be the more war-like hunter tribes inhabiting the north and west and central areas. Another would be more peaceful farmer tribes of the south and central, and yet another would be the tough but peaceful fisher tribes of the eastern coast. Yet another emerging culture would be the kleptocratic culture. Frankly I can say that if we are all citizens of the Empire, then us Cyrodiilics are the greatest kleptocrats as we suck revenues from the other provinces. Regardless, these local kingdoms, fiefdoms, and large estates are ruled by Argonian nobles and those who served in the Legion to help conquer their own people. They have formed a sort of ruling elite and mercenary class that tries to create a sort of union. They have created regimes in certain areas but are the most civilized of the Argonians.
Regardless, traditional Argonian society is based around the tribe or clan. The enitre tribe works for the mutual benefit of the whole as well as looking out for personal needs. They worship nature and the Hist trees and are led by chiefs or shamans.

The war-like tribes tend to be nomadic tribes of the north, central, and west. They have been fighting Dunmer, Marsh Cats, and Cyrodiilics for ages and have become adept guerillas as well was conventional warriors. They are also often the ones that will more readily ally with those that are normally enemies- Naga and Paatru, to fight off Dunmer or Imperials. Their society is normally based around a chief and the best warriors or a chief and the shaman. They are hunters and foragers. I did not stay long with them and had hired two bodyguards before attempting to contact one of their tribes. They appear to live farther away from the central Hist-forests and also seem to all have a sort of collective pride that they are the defenders of Argonia. It would be best to avoid these tribes if you should travel in Argonia.

Now, the semi-agrarian tribes of the south and central regions. Here farming on a small scale is possible and many tribes engage in farming and occasional hunting. It is also these tribes that are most peaceful with us Cyrodiilics and they are very welcoming. These tribes trade with one another often and also bring produce to local market gatherings. They are all led by chieftains or matriarchs as any tribe but their chief has less of a martial role, he is often the oldest or the wisest member of the tribe. Obviously this shows that they are a peaceful people. However, do not underestimate their martial capabilities, if on their own land in their own territories, their hunting skills can be used against you.

Thirdly, the hunter/fisher-folk of the center and eastern coast. These are hardy Argonians who have long lived in relative peace and have been relatively undisturbed by outsiders. Although the occasional House Dres slave raid would occur, House Dres acquired most slaves from the northern tribes who were often at war with the Dunmer. Also, slavery has been abolished already in Morrowind. Although not necessarily war-like, these tribes will fiercely defend their homes. They are distrustful and are more affiliated with the war-like tribes than the compliant farmer tribes. They do however value steel and iron tools and weaponry.

[Ebonyknight]

nice man so how many kingdoms and estates of kleoprats we looking at 4-7? And the bigger ones will we sense their miltary strenght or see?

[KuKulzA]

well there are several... the larger ones near or in the main cities as they control them and the smaller ones mostly around north, west, and south.... however they can probably be divided into two types...
1. kleptocracies that keep power via military
2. kleptocracies that keep power via economy


here was my reasoning (below).... of course it could change.... but unions of these kleptocracies ruled by the most powerful one would form something like a feudal system/ great house/ dukedom

Originally posted by KuKulzA
yeah, sorta like how in Mesoamerica, when the Spaniards took over, some Mayan Indians became conquistadores to kill other Mayans in order so that they can be aligned with the new order and bew rich and powerful enough to escape heavy tax/tribute to the Spanish who looked on these Native Conquistadores as slightly better than the hostile ones

---

[/hr]


so I think there should be Kleptocracies in these places ...Helstrom, Soulrest, Blackrose, Lilmoth, Archon, and Gideon
Thorn should be dominated by Dunmer I think because it is so close to Tear
Stormhold and Gideon, close to Cyrodiil, are very Imperial, however, in Gideon, the kleptocrats don't serve as governors but in other places they serve as governors.

but the Kleptocrats rule the Empire or the Dunmer do not... of course they are Imperial subjects but they work a lot like the Great Houses... but not exactly...
and of course the Kleptocrats wouldn't call themselves "leaders who rule by taking from the people" and they don't wanna sound unImperial like ___clan or ___tribe...
so lets make dynasty names for these aristocratic clans...
and of course it is the tribes that call these tyrannical regimes kleptocracies... regimes that take from the people to maintain its power

so lets do it this way...
(town)- (kleptocratic fief)
short description

Helstrom- Ju-Meeush Fiefdom
This kleptocratic fiefdom will retain its power by promising local tribes that it will protect against Dunmer and Nagas. They get their power from their army which keeps the peace.

Soulrest- Hides-in-Rock Fiefdom
The Hides-in-Rock Fiefdom was from an ambitious tribe. These Argonians decided to be a part of the Legion, but when their Legion commander died, one of them automatically assumed leadershop and took over the Fortress, apparently, the Imperials did not mind. Now the kleptocracy uses its resources to invest in Elsewyr

Blackrose- Ligalei Fiefdom
The Ligalei kleptocracy is maintained by the operaration of fruit farms. As exotic fruits are popular with Imperial nobility, the Ligalei, once foragers, now have many serfs to farm the fruit groves. The Ligalei retain Argonian Imperial Legionnaries to drive away Paatru who attemp to raid the expanding fruit farms.

Lilmoth- Shine-scale Fiefdom
The Shine-scale Fiefdom controls the area by pacifying local tribes and maintaing lumber camps. The kleptocracts also have a good port here.

Archon- Heir-Neeus Fiefdom
The Heir-Neeus Fief controls the area by offering protection against coastal threats, pirates, Dres raiders, and Sload. They, like the one a Helstrom, maintain a large Argonian/Mercenary army.

Gideon- Archein Fiefdom
The Archein Fiefdom continues its rule by controlling all the plantations around Gideon. Although the land and weather do not necessarily help to make good harvests, the sheer quantity and clever farming techniques implemented ensure a profitable crop, though requiring lots of labor.

---

[/hr]

so basically I made these names up... all but Archein....
anyhow, I think to simplify this... the kleptocrats should be split into two groups...
Gideon, Soulrest, and Blackrose have economy based capitalist kleptocrats use policies forces to maintain rule
Archon, Lilmoth, and Helstrom have military based kleptocrats who mainly used armed forces to maintain rule

so it could be the Martial Kleptocracts and the Mercantile Kleptocrats
or maybe the Western Fiedoms and Eastern Fiefdoms?
suggestions?

Archein Kleptocracy
here you can joint the more mercantile kleptocrats, a sort of political power, good deals and such, but sometimes you need to use forceful persuasion make business deals work out. The Archein of Gideon is the head of this kleptocracy.
Ju-Meeush Kleptocracy
here you can join the more militaristic kleptocrats, a sort of political power.... obviously more of the quelling of rebellions. The Ju-Meesh at Helstrom is the head of this kleptocracy.

[Ebonyknight]

Looks great and maybe for your own reward if ur anyother race youd be called lord but if ur an argonia and walked around your land your citizens would call you Kleoprat

[KuKulzA]

Originally posted by Ebonyknight
Looks great and maybe for your own reward if ur anyother race youd be called lord but if ur an argonia and walked around your land your citizens would call you Kleoprat

no... kleptocrat isn't nice.... but then again MOST of these cruel rulers aren't nice and don't pretend to be nice to their "subjects"
....forced labor, concentration camps, purges... forced conversions, exploitation and drafts...

[Ebonyknight]

But what about the other idea your own land and stuff?

[KuKulzA]

Originally posted by Ebonyknight
But what about the other idea your own land and stuff?

that would go into faction discussion, but yeah, I guess once you join one of the Kleptocratic unions you do stuff that gets you higher up and eventually you become a land-owner yourself... a duke or lord or whatever I guess

my point was they'd be angry if their servants called them a kleptocrat since a kleptomaniac means a person will a stealing compulsion so a kleptocrat is a leader that sustains his/her rule by taking from his/her own people...
its like calling someone a control-freak dictator totalitarian.... instead of your ajesty

[Deeza]

I have added this book into the CS.