To all the other Bosmer out there...

Runefell · April 2014

Thankfully, my Bosmer isn't a very religious sort, but I was wondering. I just discovered, through a little accidental exploration, that Bosmer are strict carnivores, and I'm trying to role play my character a little. I'm assuming that means alchemy is plant murder and against the Green? Are potions kosher?

As of the time of this writing, I'm pretending that the potions I'm buying are made out of bacon.

crusabella · April 2014

From what I gather(and I'm very much still learning)is that they can make exceptions if they did not make the item. As in they can't use a tree to make a bow, but can buy one from other races. Would love confirmation on that.

Runefell · April 2014

I know that they can use wood if it's not from their homeland, aka imported wood, for things like paper and bows and such. They can also shape wood through magic and such, as long as they don't break, cut, or otherwise hurt the trees and wood. Consuming plants and plant things, though, that's what I'm not sure about. So far, I'm only learning recipes that are only meat.

Oh, and they're also cannibals, but, like I said, my Bosmer isn't highly religious, and has decided to abstain from that aspect of her culture.

crusabella · April 2014

Have you read if they are born into the green pact or is that a decision they make at a certain point in there life? kinda like Christian baptism.

Runefell · April 2014

I just learned my info from the Elderscrolls Wikia. Look up the Green Pact.

It looks like it's mostly a cultural thing. My guess and hope, though, is it's more strict for elves living in the forest then it is for wanderers and adventurers like our good selves. I mean really, considering you're supposed to eat your enemy within three days, there wouldn't be any Bosmer heros left out there on the field. Just a few days of adventuring would leave them bloated like ticks.

Glurin · April 2014

Here's a short rundown of the Green Pact. The Bosmer were having "issues" a while back that they needed a solution for, so they prayed and got what is known as the Green Pact. Their problem (which IIRC is related to the horns and whatnot you see on some of them) was resolved in exchange for bringing no harm to the plant life of Valenwood. Imported wood is ok, so long as it didn't come from Valenwood, but nobody, not even foreigners, are allowed to harm a single tree that grows in Valenwood.

As a result, and as a part of the pact known as the "meat mandate", they are on a meat, cheese and insect only diet. Also cannibalistic, as @Runefell mentioned, but that's not something openly discussed by most Bosmer. Consuming plants is even considered by some Bosmer to be a disgusting practice, similar to how eating insects is considered disgusting in some parts of the world but is common practice in others.

As far as alchemy is concerned, using or collecting live plants is a violation of the Green Pact. Collecting already dead plants and leaves for use in potions is tolerated, but just barely.

Runefell · April 2014

It's too bad that insect, animal, and fish parts aren't still considered alchemy components.

Sorpaijen_ESO · April 2014

There's that re-education camp in Auridon where they try to make the Bosmer renounce the Green Pact... so you could be under that edict.

There's also a wood elf ~carpenter~ I saw somewhere and she mentions that it's unusual for one of her folk to know how to work wood but since the Green Pact only refers to their OWN lands, a Bosmer out in foreign lands could (I would think) become a carpenter or alchemist.

Seems like I read somewhere that since ~most~ Bosmer DON'T work with wood, they actually have a fascination with carpentry to the point some would wear a wooden bucket on their head for armor, or something like that.

poochie · April 2014

I think if a Bosmer leaves the AD area and goes to another alliance then it shouldn't matter since they are not destroying their homeland just someone elses ;D

Pyatra · April 2014

They can also use wood that is dead. Like logs on the ground.

cisadanepajsuxrwb17_ESO · April 2014

I wonder what happen when a Bosmer is offered a skooma. Granted it is not a plant, but it derives from plants is it not?