Illustrated Flora of Auridon - Ajaxandriel's Herbarium

Ajaxandriel · October 2018

This is a translation in cyrodiilic of the book written in aldmeri, please report any grammatical or lexical error for further republishing!

Herbarium: The Flora of Auridon

By Ajaxandriel of Skyfrost

Preamble

These painted illustrations and field notes are intended to be the most rigorous and complete survey of the vegetal forms currently visible on the island of Auridon, in the Summerset archipelago.
This will be expanded later with any required correction and adjustment.
Note: Rare species may have been reported on the island in other manuscripts, though not yet illustrated here.

Fungi, mosses and lichens are not included in this volume.

GRASSES AND SHRUBS

Major medicinal herbs
The most documented plant species, whose distribution area extends all over Tamriel.
Their use in alchemy as reagents is rather common.

Wormwood

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Columbine

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Nightshade
A species with toxic properties, noticed more recently on the island, perhaps from the continent.

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Corn Flower

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Lady's Smock

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Blessed Thistle

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Dragonthorn

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Water Hyacinth
An aquatic species, it seems particularly abundant in the Phaer rice paddies but can also be found on the still parts of streams.

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Mountain Flower
This is the usual name for Goldenrod species.

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Nirnrave
Found by the shores, this species radiates esoteric waves that are clearly audible for a trained ear. There are manifestations of Moths around its plants.

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Bugloss
The Imperials seem to call it "Bugloss" but it is obviously a species of the genus of giant Hyacinth (and not of the Viper's Bugloss).

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Fibrous plants
Among the best-documented species, their distribution area extends all over Tamriel.
Their use in wickerwork and weaving is rather common.

Jute

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Kreshweed
A rare species that appears some years only.

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Notice that other fibrous species, probably imported for basketry, may also grow spontaneously on the island, but they will not be discussed here.
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Cultivated & minor medicinal herbs
Quite familiar species, albeit with confidential use in alchemy, or simply for food use.

Monkshood
A species called "Midnight Sage" in garden center, but similar in every way to aconite, that is known by specialists for its anti-werewolf properties.

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Salloweed Aloe
Also simply called "salloweed". This is a species of aloe.
It is possible that this species is exogenous. It appears to be related to succulent plants from volcanic areas that are common in Morrowind.
Its sap, applied in balm, has sedative properties, but it has recently been demonstrated that such treatment eventually causes bed rest, accompanied by pain, until loss of consciousness.

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Striped millet
Cultivated in rice terraces, the most remarkable of which are at the outskirts of Phaer.
Its appearance and cultivation mode makes it a likely relative of the saltrice grown by the dark elves of Morrowind; unless it is in fact a mere cultivar of the same species once carried away by the velothi exiles.

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Ornamental plants
Quite poorly documented species, although appreciated in the landscapes of the island. Their nomenclature here results of a bias from the author, nevertheless dictated by comparative botany.

Pygmy Bamboo
This grass seems to appreciate rocky terrains.

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Versicolor Heather
This species is maintained in the garden areas, including rockery.

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Wild Carrot

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Fragile Fern
A species officially presented under this name in garden centres.

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White Hosta
A species officially presented under this name in garden centres.

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Verdant Hosta
A species officially presented under this name in garden centres.

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Summer Hosta
A species officially presented under this name in garden centres.

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Ruins Ivy
A vine subservient to the walls of Aldmeris sites. The Sun-Bronzed Ivy, found on Summerset Island, may be of the same species.

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Sacred Cattail
Recently noticed outside cavernous context in Auridon, it seems to have inhabited the banks of a pool in Calambar from the outset.

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Muscari

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Sweet Pea
Colorful carpets are appreciated in the garden areas.

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Oldfield Clover
This species is found in a wide variety of habitats, from meadows to sandy beaches and garden lawns.

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Groundsel

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Other grasses
Seemingly never documented species, their nomenclature hereof is a pure arbitrary choice.

Undetermined grasses
Various grasses with a very discreet inflorescence form a good part of the herbaceous layer of the island.

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Pink Rush
Ubiquitous in Auridon, it is probably the dominant species of the herbaceous layer of the island.

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Figwort
An herbaceous plant associated with the undergrowth shade in the island.

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Exogenous species
Problematical species for not being naturalized on the island. Its name here is just as arbitrary as the previous ones.

Dwarf Orelie
This enigmatic bushy plant only seems to grow in flowerpots. It attracts blue, yellow and orange butterflies.

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Cave-dwelling plants
Rare species, subservient to certain caves, gullies and crypts, still poorly documented yet.

Medium Bamboo
This bamboo species appreciates the shady humidity of the Toothmaul Gully on the western coast.

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Ruins Bush

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White Chrysanthemum
A cultivated species, used to decorate and honor the sacred ancestral tombs of Tanzelwil.

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Pink Chrysanthemum
A cultivated species, used to decorate and honor the sacred ancestral tombs of Tanzelwil.
Proposed in garden centres as "Violet Prairie Flowers".

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Sun Chrysanthemum
A cultivated species, used to decorate and honor the sacred ancestral tombs of Tanzelwil.
Proposed in garden centres as "Golden Prairie Flowers".

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Luminescent Cirsium
This cavernicolous herb grows in the darkness of the Toothmaul Gully on the western coast.

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Blue Clematis
This liana appreciates the shady walls of the Toothmaul Gully and the sanctuaries of Torinaan. Maybe related to the "Midnight Glory", sold in garden centres.

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Sturdy Fern
Probably linked to the lush flora of Valenwood, the presence of this species is limited to the humid caves of the south-eastern side of the island.

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Ryegrass
Agrass that is common in other areas of Tamriel.


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Blue Rush
Likely relative of the Pink Rush which prevails in the Auridia prairies, this species has been found in the remote Wansalen ruins only.

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Septifoliolate Liana
This liana appreciates the shady walls of the Toothmaul Gully on the western coast.

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Verdant Ivy
Only distinct from the Ivy growing on the surface ruins by its tender and green stems, it could be the same species that is affected by different environmental conditions.


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Redthorn Ivy
A bramble that seems to parasitize the trees of the underground ruins.

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Cave Lotus
This aquatic species appreciates the shade of the Toothmaul Gully and the pools of sacred water in Torinaan.

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< Edited in more recent versions >
(Sacred Cattail)
(The presence of this aquatic species is attested in the Torinaan sacred pools, but has been found outdoors since then.)

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Shrubby Cinquefoil
Discreet bush with small yellow flowers.

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Dry Soda

TREES

Tree of Heaven


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White Almond
A species called "White Cherry" in garden centres (the examination of the bark and the shape of the trunk distinguishes it from genuine cherry trees).


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Light Almond
A species called "Light Cherry" in garden centres(the examination of the bark and the shape of the trunk distinguishes it from genuine cherry trees). This intermediate variety has pinkish flowers.


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Pink Almond
A species called "Pink Cherry" in garden centres (the examination of the bark and the shape of the trunk distinguishes it from genuine cherry trees).


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Birch
No standing specimens have been observed in Auridon so far. Then the discovered logs may result from importation unless one should consider some magical aberration.

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Boxwood
Maintained in hedges in the garden areas.

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Holm Oak


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Red Maple
Notice its common use in carpentry and cabinetwork, where its soft wood is an affordable material for the beginner.


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Auridon Olive


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Black Locust
Sometimes cut in topiary. This tree of modest size is monitored in the garden areas.


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Rosebush
Shrub of the gardened areas, maintained with care.


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It should be noted that, in addition to birch, other species that are useful in carpentry and cabinetwork have been reported on the island despite no standing plant were recorded in this inventory. These may be logs imported for the purpose of woodworking, or remnants of cuttings from private plantations.

((The original version ot this "digital herbarium" (2016) here in french: http://triskelion.forumactif.com/t95-herbier-la-flore-d-auridia ))

Ajaxandriel · October 2018

<Reserved for the next tome: Fauna (Translating in progress...)> Done - Delete this

Ajaxandriel · October 2018

Bestiary : the Fauna of Auridon

By Ajaxandriel of Skyfrost

Preamble

These painted illustrations and field notes are intended to be the most rigorous and complete survey of the animal forms currently visible on the island of Auridon, in the Summerset archipelago.
This will be expanded later with any required correction and adjustment.

Note 1: Rarer species may have been reported on the island in other manuscripts, but without any direct observation they will not appear here.

Note 2 : A copy of the present work will be sent to Ambolisse, sapiarch of zoological studies, for approbation.

VERTEBRATES

Mammals

Quadruped mammals

Deer
Male deer, identifiable thanks to its antlers.

Female deer.

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Cat
A domestic species, observable near habitations.
The identified race here is an Abecean Ratter Cat.

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Horse
A farm species.

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Dog
An imported domestic species, observable near habitations.
The identified race here is an Alik'r Dune-Hound.

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Rabbit

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Wolf

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Bear

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Rat

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Fox

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Monkey

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Cow
A farm species.

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Flying mammals

Giant Bat
A rare species located in certain caverns and grottos.

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Humanoids

High-Elf (or Altmer)
An advanced species, bipedal humanoid, dressed, builder and notoriously able for magical spells. It is established in Auridon since the Merethic Era.
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Imp
A flying humanoid species, undressed, little documented and mysterious, but undoubtedly able for magical spells.

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We must notice the anecdotal presence of some other species (Humans, Goblins, Khajiit) and other elven races (Wood Elves) introduced recently, or even invasive (Sea Elves).

Also notice the aberrant presence of daedric species, summoned then released from Oblivion by elves who lost all sense of moderation. Their magical and especially improper nature, places these creatures in the disciplinary field of daedrology instead of zoology.

Birds
A certain fife which can be played in seventeen different ways is used as a call by the local people, thus indicating they identified seventeen native species on Auridon. Most of these species are discreet songbirds that were not observed, thus we were not able to depict them here.

Seagull
A maritime avian species.

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"Scissorbill Mynah"
A grackle songbird species with a colorful plumage, it seems to be spread from Auridon to Elsweyr, but not documented nor named, then we assign this name arbitrarily.

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Chicken
A farm species.

Reptiles

Snake

Giant Snake
A sea species likely introduced as a pet by the Sea Elf invaders.

Amphibians

Frog

INVERTEBRATES

Arachnids

Spider

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Insects

Torchbug
A species mainly present in grottos and caves.

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Butterfly

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Beetle

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Crustaceans

Mudcrab
An aquatic species from sea and fresh water, that inhabits beaches and riversides.

Observations about the fauna of Auridon

Unlike its flora, Auridon presents a fauna that is very little differentiated from the continental fauna of Tamriel. In addition to domestic species, wild mammals themselves are similar to those which are found in High Rock, besides, they are unrelated to those that inhabits the main island of Summerset. There is therefore a zoological discontinuity between the island of Alinor, on the one hand, and Auridon and the mainland of Tamriel on the other hand, at the position of the strait that separates the two islands.