I was a bit startled by that too.

I'm still struggling to think through all these revelations. I've done the quests but have a lot of books yet to read, and a few more to find.

To me, it really is starting to look like the Argonians are the product of intelligent design on the part of the Hist. Their souls don't even seem to be the same as those of men and mer. Argonians are pretty different. The children of a lesser god.

Mostly, I'm loving it. But, there is the Stibbons quest...
Can't wait to see what embarrassing secrets we learn about the other beast races. Next up, Khajiit

RaddlemanNumber7 wrote: »

Can't wait to see what embarrassing secrets we learn about the other beast races. Next up, Khajiit

We don't tend to hide our secrets much traveller.

For example did you know why we favour lands of endless warm sands yes? Always a bathroom when you need one.

Yours with paws
Santie Claws

Yes, the Argonians were made by the Hist, but their body varies between tribes both externally and internally, though cosmologically it is always the same. Some Argonians may not have those weird cloaca and some may be more akin to avian or amphibians...Some may not even lay eggs.

We don't know why the Hist plays with biology and metaphysics like this. The Argonian alien biology sets them apart from any conventional race, since the Hist built them to adapt and cares little about mingling with the other races unless it benefits itself. Personally, the unknown yet almost selfish nature around the Hist makes them all the more scarier, especially when you sometimes can't even reason with it. (I.e. 3E-4E)

Books For Ya
https://www.imperial-library.info/content/annotated-anuad (See, the Elhnofey AND the Hist, implying they're completely separate entities from each other)
https://www.imperial-library.info/content/myths-and-legends-hist
https://www.imperial-library.info/content/eso-rp-interviews-phrastus-elinhir (Talks briefly on Argonian subtypes, not a book though)
(Can't find that Phrastus Elinhir interview which spoke about the other subtypes ffs)

Essentially, Argonians are so alien...When I'm talking about the other races and their Ehlnofey-driven roots, I always say, 'Except Argonians'.

ArchMikem wrote: »

"This physiology...i don't know how its even Alive".

Consider me thoroughly intrigued. I want to know all the things now. Has my perspective of Argonians really been wrong this whole time and the entire Race are physical constructs of the Hist's magical intent?

Couldn't it be a way to imply that their blood is cold, as reptiles merely? and that their organs are incomprehensible from a regular ("mammal") point of view?

It was really interesting quest, insightful as well. It got me more interested into the Argonian race. The other thing I wonder is... are they going to make this storyline somehow span 2-3 zones like the first DLC storyline?

Eporem wrote: »

A stable master speaks of its steeds:)

So, the Hist turns lizards into Argonians so that those Argonians can do useful things for the Hist. Anyone else think this sounds very much like the Argonians are created to be the slaves of the Hist?

RaddlemanNumber7 wrote: »

Eporem wrote: »

A stable master speaks of its steeds:)

So, the Hist turns lizards into Argonians so that those Argonians can do useful things for the Hist. Anyone else think this sounds very much like the Argonians are created to be the slaves of the Hist?

They are slaves

Claudman wrote: »

@RaddlemanNumber7

It's more of a symbiotic relationship.
The Hist needs the Argonians and the Argonians need the Hist. Without Argonians, there will be nothing to help the Hist with 'maintenance' so to speak. Without the Hist, the Argonians simply would not be.
Slavery would be if the Argonians had nothing to gain from helping the Hist. They gain a lot from helping the Hist.

Think about animals who have symbiotic relationships. If Argonians were slaves to the Hist, wouldn't that make House Indoril of the Dunmer slaves to the Three?

Symbiotic relationships can be parasitic. Sounds just like a master-slave relationship.

@RaddlemanNumber7

Jokes aside, it isn't a master-slave relationship. Argonians have freewill and can choose to abandon the Hist if they wanted to, the Hist can choose to abandon the Argonians if it wanted to as well...But, if either were to do such a thing, they would both face plenty of negatives. Also, the Hist is pretty selfless when it comes to the Argonians, it would sacrifice itself if it meant saving the tribe (citations for this are spoilers).

ArchMikem wrote: »

Symbiotic and Parasitic are mutually exclusive forms of relationships, its either one or the other, never both. A slave has nothing to gain from its master. Argonians gain much from the Hist. The Hist isn't a Master in any sense.

You're thinking of mutualism. Symbiosis, as a term, encompasses all forms of codependent biological existence, including parasitism. And a slave may have something (or even much) to gain from its master, which, however, doesn't justify slavery in the slightest.

Haven't played Murkmire (yet?), but I'm very glad to hear that ZOS has decided to keep the Argonian lore alien and inspired.