Ordolane's Bestiary, vol. 4

Ordolane's Bestiary, vol. 4

Being a complete listing of the Fauna of Tamriel, with truthful description, assembled from the reports of sundry Savants, Naturalists, Mystics &c from across the breadth of the Empire.

The Varpur Bat

Also known as the Sugar Bat, it is a species of giant bat found within Peletine, Elsweyr, most prominently within the Tenmar Forest region. They are a nuisance to the sugarcane and saltrice farmers of Peletine, and are attracted to skooma smoke, causing them to be much more aggressive on the Khajiiti farmers than the others. There have even been sightings of them in southern Anequina, hassling the Sugar Saints and caravaners therein, though these reports have yet to be substantiated. With the black market of skooma and moon sugar smuggling increasing as of late, the sugar bat range is expected to increase over time along with it. They're not too much more dangerous than the common bat, though they can carry the disease Sugarsink Syndrome, which affects the mind and can leave you feeling exhausted and disinterested. The meat of this small, orange bat is considered a delicacy for Khajiiti nobility. While I have not personally partaken in Varpur Bat, a Khajiiti socialite friend of mine has described sugar bat meat as among the sweetest of the rodent meats.

The Velk

Home to central Morrowind, the nectar from the sacks of these insectoid beasts are used by Great House Indoril to produce Punavit, a strange liquid used in many of their rituals and ceremonies. The Velk are a quadripedal grazing animal. They feature a long, often curled proboscis which is often used to drink nectar from the flowers of the Aanthirin, though their diet consists primarily of kresh weed, a common plant found within many parts of Morrowind. While they can be found in the wild, they are mostly found within the pens of Velothi herders and farmers, under the service of the Indoril lords and their chapel-estates.

The Lotus Crab

Found throughout most rivers and marshes of Valenwood, as well as some parts of the Strid River, the Lotus Crab disguises itself as a large lotus flower resting on the banks of rivers and floating gently down stream. Relatively docile by nature, their floral shells snap shut when they feel threatened as they extend their legs and race towards anyone or anything that dares get too close to them. Their diet consists of small fish swimming by and in some instances, small water birds such as the Althenra; a water fowl who feeds on waterweeds, lilypads, and the like.

The Kogling

Stalking the forests of Skyrim and the borderlands of The Reach, the Koglings are a type of nature spirit. A faerie much like the Spriggan, these forest creatures are said to be the strange fruit of an old pine tree nurished in spillt blood in some Nordic oral traditions. They are known to be violent, though tend to be more active at night. While wandering through the Solitude Forest, if you feel you are being watched, you are advised to keep a torch on you at all times. If you are able to, you may also be encouraged to cast a circle of fire magick around you when you make camp, as Koglings are terribly weak to fire, though resist all other elements. If you happen to stumble upon a group of Koglings, then you will be missed.

The Alphyn

Thought to be a biological cousin to the Gryphons of the northwestern provinces and the Hippogryphs of Valenwood, the Alphyn tend to nest within the Colovian Highlands of Cyrodiil, though can be seen rarely in the surrounding regions. They are an avian predator not unlike their cousins, though they can be seen on the ground more often. They are strong enough to lift a fully-grown deer into their cliff-nests, and their pecks have been known to pierce iron with but a few strikes. Their thickly feathered skin and resilience makes them a foe to be feared, and some Colovian merchants traveling the Highlands have been known to carry a few stray Calm Creature scrolls just for potential Alphyn attacks alone. Due to their ferocity, they are considered great subjects for various Colovian Hunting Games, and many youths of Colo-Nordic nobles often seek out these creatures to hunt for prestige. It's said that outside of Chorrol, there is a hunting lodge whose initiation entails bringing an Alphyn head with you to put on display.

IN DEDICATION TO THE EMPEROR URIEL SEPTIM VII