Fragment from the travels of Topal the Pilot

[raggidman]

This fragmant of a poetic account from before the days of the Altmer refers to demon cats (which are likely the Ancient Khajiit. Found by kingevil in TIL:

The cat demons of four legs and two ran the river's
Length, always keeping the boat in their
Green-eyed sight, hissing, and spitting, and
Roaring with rage.
But the sailors never had to brave the shores, for
Fruit trees welcomed them, dropping their
Arms down to the river's edge as if to
Embrace the mer, and the men took the
Fruit quickly before the cats could pounce.
For eleven days, they traveled north, until they came
To a crystalline lake, and eight islands of
Surpassing beauty and peace.
Brilliant flightful creatures of glorious colors
Greeted them in Aldmeri language,
Making the mer wonder, until they
Understood they were only calling back
The word they were speaking without
Understanding it, and then the sailors
Laughed.
Topal the Pilot was enchanted with the islands
And the feathered men who lived there.
There the Niben stayed for a moon, and the bird
Men learned how to speak their own words,
And with taloned feet, to write.
In joy for their new knowledge, they made Topal
Their lord, giving him their islands for the
Gift.
Topal said he would return someday, but first he
Must find the passage east to Firsthold, so
Far away.

This last fragment is bittersweet for a number of reasons.

We know that this strange, friendly feathered people the Pilot encounters will be lost - in fact, this poem is the only one where mention is made of the bird creatures of Cyrodiil. The literacy that Topal gives them is evidently not enough to save them from their eventual fate, likely at the hands of the "cat demons," who we may assume are ancient Khajiiti

[Krisi-_]

how literally can that the Altmer refer to them as demon cats... not much of use in the text unless we intend to make Cyrodiil as it was meant to be..

[Arbiter]

Hmmm... perhaps they were just demonizing Khajiits? Or they really did look strange even compared to modern Khajiits.

[The Old Ye Bard]

The Bird(mer?) people I believe could be Wer-Vultures, or Harpies both of which occur in Lore and would have the ability to communicate (Atleast the Wer-Vultures might).

[DarkAsmodeous]

Don't we have some undefined in lore breeds that we are kind of just going along with the generaly accepted ideas? Perhaps a "demon" breed is in order?

[Krisi-_]

The Old Ye Bard; Sounds more like parrots (men)... they repeat aldmeri after having heard it.. have much colors...

DarkAsmodeousDon't we have some undefined in lore breeds that we are kind of just going along with the generally accepted ideas? Perhaps a "demon" breed is in order?

There is several undefined lore breeds, but those with generally accepted ideas have been spoken of in book with small descriptions(one or two words..).. I'd say Arbiter probably is right with that the Altmer meant they where like demons in behavior..

[Captain]

Maybe they were talking about Senche-Raht? Considering they're 2 times taller than an Altmer man and weigh 50 times more, they'd seem kind of demonic to me. Even worse if they have some sort of head-dresses or accessories making them appear larger.

[Krisi-_]

seams like more than just one breed.. both cats with 4 legs and others with 2..

[Captain]

Didn't notice that part. Maybe, if it is a different breed and not just 2 different breeds, it is one that alternates between walking on all fours, and on hind legs?

[Ja-Kha'jay]

Speaking of these bird-men could they have had a hand in the exticntion of the S'rha?