ESO Globals v101034

"An ancient dance, eh? Judging by the spacing and the painstaking notation, it's definitely a High Elf creation. Ugh. We're so stuffy! Remind me to show you some real dancing once I grease the rear axle of my chair!"

"Amalien"

"While certainly brittle from lack of care over the centuries, I'm impressed by how well the skin held together. The Nedes were accomplished leatherworkers, perhaps due to a nomadic nature. Though I'm curious about the quality of their wine."

"Verita Numida"

"Note the shape of the neck and design of the strap. This is a warrior's wineskin. The owner may have raided Stonefalls during the Nedic campaign against the Chimer in this area. Such brutal work would require easy access to intoxicants."

"Ugron gro-Thumog"

"Yes, brutal indeed. These faded symbols on the sides are marks of the Rontha, the largest of the tribes to invade Stonefalls. Uniquely vicious, they branded items or people captured from battle. I suspect they were not this skin's original crafters."

"Verita Numida"

"A delightful instrument. This is Nord made, probably from a mammoth tusk considering the size. The bronze bands are scuffed and without decoration, suggesting this was a practical item and not decorative."

"Reginus Buca"

"I believe this dates to sometime early in the First Era. Stonefalls endured an invasion by the First Empire of the Nords in that time. It seems likely that this horn heralded the army's rampage upon the land."

"Ugron gro-Thumog"

"Yes, perhaps a blast from this announced Vrage the Butcher himself. We know he enjoyed traveling to survey his conquered territory. I gave the horn a small toot and it has quite a nice tone. Sounded regal, and not terrifying as I imagined."

"Reginus Buca"

"Chimer military insignia stand out as unique among Mer since their designs didn't incorporate House sigils. Nonetheless, I can determine this belonged to the legendary General Balreth by the striking flourishes of color that signify unparalleled honors. I must admit to feeling some sadness while holding these badges. Balreth sacrificed everything to protect his people from the Nede hoard. These represent the last remnants of his life before his transformation."

"Amalien"

"The bronze work and distinct etched patterns point to a First Era Dunmer creation. I'd guess the three prominent figures on its base almost confirm it. But its spiraling snake design is unlike any I've seen from the Dark Elves."

"Reginus Buca"

"My apologies Reginus, but I don't think the figures represent the Tribunal. See the postures? These are the \"Good Daedra\" as Ashlanders call them. But why would nomads from the last era have such intricate metalwork?"

"Amalien"

"Fine eye, Amalien! An Ashlander work with this snake design points to one answer: the Mabrigash tribe. Amazing that they already occupied Deshaan so soon after the split. Perhaps they believed lit candle fixtures would placate their angry Ghost Snake."

"Reginus Buca"

"Such a grotesque visage. The sharp features resemble a Mer, and the crude leather-wrapped wood construction suggest Ashlander work. I don't recognize the syntax of the Daedric script on the forehead. Clearly, this is more than a simple war mask."

"Verita Numida"

"These aren't full Daedric sentences; they're more like words of power. An attempt to infuse the mask with healing hedge magic. Seems this was a shamanic medicine mask. However, words like \"stasis,\" \"wither,\" and \"barren\" confuse me."

"Gabrielle Benele"

"Daedric meanings often shift over time. Given the context, these words hew closer to \"return,\" \"deflate,\" and \"dry out\". Could be references to the Thrassian Plague? We know it reached this far east, so I'd guess tribes used the mask to heal victims."

"Amalien"

"At first I wondered why this specific slice of Tamriel would be painted in such detail. With Gabrielle's help, I discovered someone magically marked a trail on it from Summerset to Morrowind. This could be the precise path that Saint Veloth himself walked on his pilgrimage! Such fortune that some early Dunmer used linen instead of parchment or it may not have survived the centuries. We placed it in a stasis spell to prevent further degradation, which sadly means no one may touch it."

"Amalien"

"A longship's steering oar, early 2E 1st century. This one belonged to a successful raiding captain, I think. The runes spell out boasts about the plunder they took during each of the captain's voyages."

"Ugron gro-Thumog"

"Curious that a wooden artifact of this age is in such good condition. These are no common runes—an ancient enchantment clings to the oar. Perhaps the oar's owner followed the Old Ways of the Nords and sought the blessing of their animal gods?"

"Gabrielle Benele"

"Nord captains of the time often took their steering oar from ship to ship. A carved oar was the emblem of an experienced navigator, something that showed other Nord warriors that they could trust the captain's ability to find a way across the seas."

"Verita Numida"

"Here's a real find! This was a Dragon Cult mask. Dragon Priests believed that they became living vessels of their Dragon-gods' spirits and spoke with divine authority when they donned these masks. An oaken one like this probably belonged to lesser clergy."

"Amalien"

"Of course it's a Dragon Cult mask—anyone can see that. Let me offer a more scholarly assessment: The mask's warlike design suggests a more aggressive posture—something that a Dragon worshiper might wear into battle."

"Verita Numida"

"As Verita notes, this is a Dragon Faithful's war-mask. I'm no carpenter, but the way it's been hewn right down the center might indicate a sword stroke. Perhaps this fellow met his end under the blade of a rebelling Nord."

"Reginus Buca"

"What have we here? The old sagas of the proto-Nords describe glass-like sunstones that allowed a longship captain to see the sun's location even on a cloudy day, but their secret was lost long ago. Yet here we have a stone as clear as glass--just as the legends claim. The mighty Ysgramor himself was said to have used a stone such as this in his voyages! And these runes inscribed around the stone's perimeter identify it as a gift of great favor from a Nord High King. Truly, a remarkable find!"

"Reginus Buca"

"A traditional Dematah gaming set, eh? Incomplete, but still lovely. Basalt is a rather heavy and coarse stone for delicate work such as this, but the carver chose a deliberately abstract style for the pieces. Not uncommon in early Dunmer craftsmanship."

"Verita Numida"

"The pieces look so oddly proportioned! I suppose these smaller tokens represent slave races? Argonians have complained about Dematah's troubling themes for centuries. I'd say this vindicates those claims! Is it just me, or is this board larger than usual?"

"Amalien"

"Each side has an extra token because this set is a variation known as Traitor's Dematah. A very popular variant among Dunmer nobles in the middle of the First Era. You could replace an opponent's \"slave\" with one of your own—\"turning a traitor,\" you see?"

"Reginus Buca"

"A sinister motif rendered in such a lovely medium! The chalice is exquisite, as you can see; Dunmeri work of the highest quality. But if you look closely at these figures depicted around the base, you can see the collars and chains. They're slaves."

"Gabrielle Benele"

"Figures of Dark Elves at ease repose around the upper rim, supported in their indolence by those whom they have enslaved. Rather cynical, in its way. Likely this great cup graced the table of a high-ranked noble from one of the Dunmeri Great Houses."

"Verita Numida"

"House Dres, I believe. They have been at the forefront of the Dunmeri slave trade since the middle of the First Era; here is the House Dres linked-chain symbol. And these slave figures appear to be laboring in a saltrice field. 1E, 26th century."

"Amalien"

"A rare find. The ring bears two emblems: one Dwemeri, one Chimeri. This, then, is a token of high office from the short-lived peace of Resdayn, in the days of the First Council. Lord Indoril Nerevar and the Dwarf-King Dumac ruled jointly and wisely … for a time. Soon enough Dwemer and Chimer turned against each other in a bitter war, to no one's surprise. Ah, well. The size of this signet and the royal flourishes show that this ring belonged to a high councilor of the realm."

"Ugron gro-Thumog"