On Khajiit, slavery and breeding

Saphayla

1. Khajiit are the second most commonly enslaved race in Tamriel (particularly in Morrowind)
2. Khajiit's form is decided by the moons. Depending on their position in regards to each other and Nirn, a Khajiit can range from a common cat (Alfiq), though anthropomorphic "cat-men" (Suthay, Cathay, etc.), to tigers and lions (Senche).

Something commonly practiced among slave owners is eugenics. Basically, it means pairing a male and a female with desirable traits so that they create offspring with these traits, increasing their effectiveness. With Khajiit however, you cannot do that, as the Khajiit's form depends on the moons. You might have two human-sized Khajiit produce a Senche or an Alfiq as offspring. This makes Khajiit not very good slaves, so why would the Dunmer use them as such?

We know that a tiger is a lot bigger than a cat, so if only the moons determine the form a Khajiit takes, I see some serious problems with Alfiq and other small breeds potentially giving birth to Senche and any other larger breeds (and being ripped in the process). That means that either a) It's not just the moons that determine the form, or b) Khajiit have some kind of undefined form when in the womb, and they only turn into their respective breeds once out of the womb. Which is more plausible and/or supported by evidence?

Kajuratus

I have two theories that would answer this question. The latter is the more boring explanation, and unfortunately the more likely.

1. The Khajiit are bound to the lunar lattice at the time of their birth, not conception. So yeah, when a Khajiit is in the womb of its mother, it has the same form as every other Khajiit fetus. They could all start off as kittens, with the Ohmes/Suthay/Cathay slowly morphing into more humanoid shapes during their childhood, whereas the Alfiq/Pahmar/Senche would naturally grow into their more beast like skeletons. Of course the Senche would take the longest to mature into adulthood, also having a small growth spurt of its front legs, and the Alfiq would be the quickest to develop into maturity, them being the size of a common housecat.

2. The different forms of Khajiit aren't as diverse as we've been led to believe. Look at TES Legends. A Pahmar-Raht was previously described as being similar in appearance to a tiger, although larger and possessed of a fiercer disposition. This is what Dire Wolf Digital decided that description meant.

This image seems to present the Pahmar-Raht as a biped with tiger markings on its fur, rather than a large fierce tiger. Does this mean that the other furstocks are similarly humanoid with just the fur resembling the previous account of their appearance? Are Alfiq slightly smaller people with a cat like face? Luckily the Senche has been described in detail and we know the skeletal outline of that particular furstock from an IRL book, so they can't retcon their way out of that particular breed.

Valkysas154

There slaves they prob where told when to breed and with who so they could get what they wanted

dodgehopper_ESO

Valkysas154 wrote: »

There slaves they prob where told when to breed and with who so they could get what they wanted

I was thinking perhaps they are only permitted to breed at certain times. You do after all see the Khajiit, Argonians (Bretons, Nords, etc during TES3) in cages in the Telvanni countryside.

LukosCreyden

In regards to birth, all Khajiit are born looking somewhat like the Alfiq variety, they grow into their chosen "form" over time. Meaning, there would be no immediate way of knowing, for someone who is unfamiliar with the phases of the moons in regards to Khajiit birth.

Saphayla

LukosCreyden wrote: »

In regards to birth, all Khajiit are born looking somewhat like the Alfiq variety, they grow into their chosen "form" over time. Meaning, there would be no immediate way of knowing, for someone who is unfamiliar with the phases of the moons in regards to Khajiit birth.

That's what I assumed happens, but do you have some info to back this up? Where is this mentioned?

ArchMikem

I highly doubt Dunmer would have "breeding programs". From what we've seen, their slaves are kept in poor conditions, worked severely, and even killed for the most minor infractions. Dunmer have raiding parties going south all the time, so unfortunately they most likely treat these people as expendable tools. They use them up until they're either killed or die on their own, and then buy more.