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Phrases[edit]

Argonians have a tendency to use certain terms and phrases that aren't spoken in Jel, but reflect the nature of their cultural mindset and native language.

A wamasu wrangler
Dryness
Dryness of the scales is uncomfortable. Phrases such as "my scales are dry with vexation" or "my scales are dry with fear" indicate that the speaker is experiencing an uncomfortable or negative emotion. It can also simply be used to say that someone is upset.[1][2] The phrase "you are drying my scales" is a multi-purpose statement that tells someone the speaker is exuding a negative feeling. One who uses the phrase may be running out of patience, becoming annoyed, etc.[3][4]
Sunlight
The sun is warm and feels pleasant on the scales, and Argonians enjoy basking and dozing in the sun.[5] One who is referred to as "sun-blessed" is pleasant or has sparked joy.[6][7][8] Good news may be called "sun-blessed news".[9][10] The term "sun-blessed" can also be used to refer to someone who the speaker finds attractive.[11] Additionally, an Argonian might say "you are the sun on my scales" to one who has done them a favor.[12][13][14] When an Argonian is happy to see someone, they may say that the sight of that person "warms their scales".[15]
Fangs
An Argonian may bare their fangs as a warning or to threaten their opponents. A military leader may tell their troops to "bare their fangs" as they're charging into battle.[16][17] Dullness of the claws or fangs can represent vexation, weakness, or fear.[18]
Terms of Endearment
Argonians use terms to refer to individuals as well. "Marsh-friend/sister/brother" is used to refer to another Argonian with whom the speaker is on good terms with ("good tidings, marsh-sister"), "egg-brother/sister/sibling/bretheren/kin" is used to refer to other Saxhleel.[19][20][21][22] "Root-brother/sister/kin" is also used to refer to other Saxhleel.[23] The term "land-strider" may be used to refer to non-Argonians.[24] Root-mother/father is a similar term that is reserved for tribal elders or Saxhleel in a position of respect. Siblings can be referred to as clutch-mates.[22] The terms egg-sire, egg-mother, and (predictably) egg-parents are reserved for one's parents—the ones who conceived the egg an individual emerged from.[25][26]
Moisture
Dry scales are suboptimal. In the marsh, a comfortable level of moisture in the scales makes for a happy Saxhleel.[27] Dryness, brittleness,[28] and chafing are uncomfortable.[29] "Bringing moisture" in a conversation can mean bringing good news or a positive outcome.[30] "Gathering moisture" can refer to finding something useful.[21] When an Argonian tells someone to "stay moist", they are wishing them well.[31][3] "Moistening one's scales" can be the metaphorical bringing of enlightenment or joy.[30]
The river
Argonians use allegories about "the river" to talk about the natural course of things. One who "stands against the current" or seeks to "alter the river's flow" pushes back against unfavorable odds, or struggles against a force that seeks to "knock them down", so to speak. Flowing or swimming with the river's course is a metaphor for "going with the flow": taking things as they come and dealing with what life throws at you.[32] One who gives themselves to the river's current may be making a sacrifice so that others may live.[33] Argonians may use river allegories to describe the path one is going down, or what the future holds.[34] The speed of the metaphorical current can be indicative of how laid back or urgent a situation is. A swift current demands more urgency, and can mean "the future/assumed outcome swiftly draws near".[35] "Changing the river's course" refers to changing the outcome of an event through action.[36] An Argonian that says they'll "see you down the river" is saying "I'll see you later".[33] Water has a tendency to find its way into metaphor in other ways, too. "This clouds the waters" can mean "this complicates things" or "this is troubling";[36] similarly, the phrase "we're in murky water" can mean "We're in trouble".[35]
Claws
Claws can be inviting, or they can be threatening. Generally, when an Argonian says "they extend a claw", it's usually in the context of welcoming something or someone (usually a person). For example, one might say "I extend the claw of welcome" in greeting,[37] or "I extend the claw of succor" when offering aid to downtrodden neighbors.[38] When someone asks another to "avert their claws", they are asking them to stand down, as though asking an alert warrior to lower a raised weapon.[3][39][40] When an Argonian is preparing for the prospect of facing danger, they may demonstrate this by saying "I sharpen my claws". This indicates a desire to have their claws at the ready in case something happens.[41] The phrase "keep your claws sharp" similarly means "be careful" or "take care of yourself".[42]
Tails
The phrase "stretch your tail" means "relax". In a conversation, an Argonian may bid guests to their abode to "stretch your tail and make yourself at home".[3] When one is described as "dragging their tail", it means they are hesitating, falling behind,[43] or slow to act—like one who "drags their feet". Curling the tail is an expression of fear.[23] One who is described as "tail-lifting" is cowardly.[44][45] One whose tail is in a twist is upset about something that isn't very important, or is more upset about something than they should be.[46]
Referring to Outsiders
Non-Argonians can be referred to as dryskins.[47][48][49] Though dryness has a negative connotation, the term "dryskin" isn't always used in detriment to the subject of the nickname—non-Argonians simply do not have moist scales. Moisturization of the human skin is a different cultural phenomenon than the moisturization of an Argonian's scales. Men and mer do not treasure moistness the same way Argonians do, and their skin is dry on the outside as opposed to being laden with moist scales. Thus, they are dryskins. Argonians who were not born in Black Marsh (lukiul) may sometimes be called "dryscales".[44] The infants of most other mortals drink milk; Argonian hatchlings do not. As such, when an Argonian doesn't like someone who happens to be of Men or Mer, they may call that person a "milk-sucker".[50]
Spines
Argonians have spines. Sometimes, they raise those spines. In conversation, an Argonian may verbalize such spine raising. Spines can be raised for many reasons: in warning, out of joy, in welcome, out of fear or disappointment... spines can represent a broad range of emotions.[2][51][52][21]
Wind
Metaphors about the wind are often used in reference to chance. For instance, one might say "we were struggling, but fortunately, the wind blew you our way". Like a leaf in the wind, the subject of the metaphor drifted along at the right time to aid the speaker.[53]
Licking the Tree
Sometimes, Argonians may say it is "time to lick the tree" if their death is drawing near.[54][55][56]
Fins
If an Argonian says that someone is a "limp-fin", they're calling the person in question a coward.[57]

More phrases: Kyne's Challenge: A Hunter's Companion—Valenwood

Jel section: Body language is integral to Argonian communication. When a hunting Argonian's prey is very close, their throat fins spread, their pupils dilate, and their tail stiffens.[58]


(Chukka-Sei paragraph):

Argonians may be capable of having children with the other races of Tamriel.[59][60] insert full thing about Argonian souls and unhatched eggs a la Empty Nest after Chukka-Sei.

Lord of Souls, page 58

  1. ^ Guildmaster Sees-All-Colors's dialogue during Will of the Council in ESO
  2. ^ a b Laughs-at-All's dialogue if you did not give him the Mirthless Order's dry comedy routine in ESO
  3. ^ a b c d Laughs-at-All's dialogue during his everyday performances in ESO
  4. ^ Desh-Taa's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  5. ^ Xukas's dialogue at the Ixtaxh Xanmeer during Sunken Treasure in ESO: Murkmire
  6. ^ Tree-Minder Raleetal's dialogue during Saving the Relics in ESO
  7. ^ Quartermaster Lineem's dialogue during If By Sea in ESO
  8. ^ Kud-Nakal's dialogue after Frog Totem Turnaround in ESO: Murkmire
  9. ^ Im-Makka's dialogue during A Plea from the Flames in ESO: Blackwood
  10. ^ Tumma-Shah's dialogue during The Broken Spearhead in ESO
  11. ^ Argonian Bandit Dialogue in ESO: "What is her name? The sun-blessed one with small scales." vs the Breton version: "I can't remember her name. The pretty one."
  12. ^ Batuus's dialogue after Salt of the Earth in ESO
  13. ^ Dialogue uttered by Deep Graves Travelers after you rescue them in ESO
  14. ^ Quartermaster Lineem's dialogue during If By Sea in ESO
  15. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ESOMMSSK
  16. ^ Xit-Xaht Overheard Dialogue in ESO: "Invaders! Bare your fangs, Xit-Xaht!"
  17. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named JaxsikCaravan
  18. ^ Laughs-at-All's dialogue if you give him the Mirthless Order's dry comedy routine in ESO
  19. ^ Argonian Ambient Dialogue in ESO: "An egg-brother betrays his people in Silent Mire? Sithis take him for such a thing."
  20. ^ Note found on the corpse of a House Dres slaver
  21. ^ a b c Zasha-Ja's dialogue during The Sapling in ESO
  22. ^ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ESOHeemJas
  23. ^ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ESOKloxu
  24. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Madesijewelry
  25. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ESOKishi
  26. ^ Chime-Maker Shuvu's dialogue during Whispers in the Wood in ESO: Murkmire
  27. ^ Nam-Medul's dialogue in ESO: Greymoor
  28. ^ Veesk-Olan's 107th hireling correspondence in ESO
  29. ^ "Ever Damp" Reed-Fiber Kilt costume description in ESO
  30. ^ a b Laughs-at-All's dialogue when you return with the manuscript during This One's a Classic in ESO
  31. ^ Walks-in-Ash's dialogue at the end of Sadal's Final Defeat in ESO
  32. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NX
  33. ^ a b Guildmaster Sees-All-Colors' dialogue during The Dangerous Past in ESO
  34. ^ Reekeesh's dialogue in ESO: Murkmire'
  35. ^ a b Guildmaster Sees-All-Colors' dialogue during The Prismatic Core in ESO
  36. ^ a b Guildmaster Sees-All-Colors' dialogue during Anchors from the Harbour in ESO
  37. ^ General Dar-Liurz's dialogue in ESO
  38. ^ Bar-Neeus's dialogue during All's Fair in ESO
  39. ^ Akishan's greeting during Threefold Folly in ESO
  40. ^ Argonian bandit dialogue in ESO: "Stretch your tail. This watch is mine."
  41. ^ Jaxsik-Orrn's dialogue during Death and Dreaming in ESO: Murkmire
  42. ^ Jaxsik-Orrn's dialogue in the Swallowed Grove during Death and Dreaming in ESO: Murkmire
  43. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ESOXukasGather
  44. ^ a b Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OrrnWITW
  45. ^ Slim-Jah's dialogueduring Scars Never Fade in ESO
  46. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named XukasCara
  47. ^ Am-Lai's dialogue in ESO: Murkmire
  48. ^ Drakeeh the Unchained's Journal, Page 12Drakeeh the Unchained
  49. ^ Neelo's NotesNeelo
  50. ^ Argonian bandit dialogue in ESO: "If I die, I'm taking those scaleless milk-suckers with me!"
  51. ^ Lotaeel's dialogue before The Heart's Desire is complete in ESO: Morrowind
  52. ^ Slays-By-Moon's dialogue in ESO
  53. ^ Last-to-Eat's dialogue after Idol Threats in ESO: Blackwood
  54. ^ Farewell Note — Seesaus
  55. ^ Hides-the-Ashes's final conversation with Tsatva-Lan at the end of Silk and Shadow in ESO: Shadows of the Hist
  56. ^ Argonian Captives' dialogue after being freed from the Lady of the Depths's cocoons in the Imperial Sewers; ESO: Imperial City
  57. ^ Beehuna's dialogue during Unsuitable Suitors in ESO: Murkmire
  58. ^ Xukas's dialogue while looking for Jaxsik-Orrn at the Blackguard Caravan during Missing in Murkmire in ESO: Murkmire
  59. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NRP
  60. ^ Fall of Vitharn