Tomes of Knowledge Series - Book One

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  Tomes of Knowledge Series - Book One
  

   

  Dangerous Creatures of the North

  A complete guide to the most deadly native creatures of Tamriel’s most northern province, Skyrim

  First Edition - Volume I.

  By Emrar Charime Oricano Laratheous

   

  Skyrim is the northmost province of Tamriel. Bordered by Morrowind to the East, High Rock to the north-west, Hammerfell to the south-west and Cyrodill to the south. North of Skyrim lies The Ghost Sea, and further North still are the eternal icefields that cover the top of the world in white.

  The history of Skyrim is one of much bloodshed and the land bears scars of past battles; littered with ruins, ancient structures and other signs of past struggles.

  Most of northern Skyrim is covered in snow and ice year round and the province is infamous for its notorious mountain ranges and harsh climate. Such a hard land has become the natural home of many dangerous creatures that can only be found in Skyrim.

   

  This tome is an extensive guide to such creatures, a collective work carried out by myself and a group of fellow experts: Angus Wolfthorn - a Nord beasthunter, Sofira Arnsdotter - expert in ancient nord ruins and the region's history, Nara Donharris - a dunmer archeologist renowned for her bravery, Gregor Henner - a breton mountain cartographer, and finally myself: Emrar Oricano - altmer adventurer and writer.    

  
  
  

  List of Contents

  Creature Classification

  Animals

  Undead

  Cursed Ones  

  Finishing Notes

  
  
  

  Creatures Classification

  The Creatures of Skyrim are many and varied in size, shape, biology and therefore all the creatures of this guide have been split into distinct groups or classes. After extensive research into each of the creatures this guide will cover four types of creatures:

   

  1. Beasts: Non-magical beings that can be found around all of Tamriel.

  2. Undead: Ressorected dead, vampires, skeletons etcetera.

  3. Daedra: Magical creatures that do not originate from Nirn.

  4. Other: Rare creatures that do not fit any of the other classes.   

   

  The overall class of creatures that this guide seeks to examine are the creatures that can be classified as monster; that is to say creatures of no sentience who are deemed a threat to society. Because of that, this guide was extremely challenging to complete. Stalking frost trolls through an open icefield is both dangerous and difficult. Therefore this book might be missing a few details regarding some of the creatures it covers - this will be because of impossible research.

  
  
  

  Beasts

   

  

   

  The Snow Bear

  "Know that ditty about the bear "climbing the mountain, to see what he could see?" Biggest load of rubbish I've ever heard. When a bear climbs a mountain, it's not to see. It's to hunt. To kill. — Jahne Oldak, royal huntsman.

   

  The Cave Bear of Skyrim is thought to be the most dangerous of it’s species. They mostly reside in cold regions with tundra or icy mountains. Besides being the most dangerous bears in Skyrim, The Snow Bear also is the most aggressive.    

  • Aggression: A bear will typically charge and lunge at its victim. A bear uses it’s claws and jaws to bite and slash. However a bear may sometimes stand on its hind legs and try to crush its victim with both its forepaws.  

  • Weaknesses: No particular weakness although it’s size and relatively slow movement makes a bow the most practical weapon to use against a snow bear. Poisons or enchanting effects that lowers its maneuverability further are the most useful way to stay out of harm.

   

  The Snow Sabre Cat

  "Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?I’ve been to Solitude to look at the queen

  Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you there?

  Run, fool, that’s not a cat but a Sabré!

   

  The Snow Sabre Cat is known as the most agile and dexterous of Skyrim’s hunters. It will often ambush travelers on the northern roads and resides in the coldest regions of Skyrim. The Snowy Sabre can be easily classified by the light color of its fur.  

  • Aggression: A sabre cat will often lay in ambush and jump at its victim. A sabre cat uses its sharp claws, agility and fangs to bite, jump, mawl and slash.

  • Weaknesses: No particular weakness although it’s agility and sharp fangs and claws makes a shield the most practical piece of equipment to use against a sabre cat. Also a sabre cat is more fragile than a bear and therefore takes less to kill.    

   

  Frost Troll

  "Our winter's cold and deep, frostbite eats your feet, snow falls down and hides the ground and ice trolls wake from sleep!

  — folk song heard in northern Skyrim

   

  Climbing to the top of snow-covered peaks is never a safe endeavor. One can slip and fall into a ravine, be buried in an avalanche — or stumble across ice trolls. Unlike the generic trolls found at lower altitudes, these permafrost-dwelling monsters treat every man they encounter as a possible ingredient for a tasty meal.  

  • Aggression: A troll will charge at its victim and use its long, strong arms to break bones. A troll possesses the ability to swiftly heal its wounds and therefore killing a troll can be extremely difficult.

  • Weakness: Fire enchantments and spells are by far the frost trolls greatest weakness. In general the frost troll is weak to fire as the burning effect neglects the troll's ability to heal. Fire spells or a one handed sword with a fire enchantment are recommended when dealing with a frost troll.   

  
  
  

  Undead

   

  

   

  Zombies

  “Course it reeks. Think they're called rotfiend because they smell like roses?”

   

  Zombies resemble decomposing human bodies that have been resurrected by necromancers. Their presence is given away by the overwhelming stench of the rot and their agonizing moans. The strength of a zombie is determined by how strong the man was in life.

  • Aggression: Zombies are thralls to their masters, if you are fighting a necromancer be prepared to fight his zombies. Zombies will use the skills (magic, sword etc) that hey used in life.

  • Weakness: Banishing spells. Take out the necromancer to simultaneously kill his minions.

   

  Draugr Death Overlord

  "They say the dead like quiet. I don’t know about the dead, but the draugr certainly do”.

  – Heinrich Von Grott

   

  It is advised to take extreme caution when in combat with these ruthless opponents, as they use high quality ebony equipment and a range of dragon shouts, includingUnrelenting Force and Disarm. This species mainly lives around ancient burial sites, though they have also been spotted near more recently-founded cemeteries and wherever mass graves can be found.

  • Aggression: Draugr Death Overlords are the kings of the dead. They use Dragon Shouts to disarm or disorder their opponents as well as powerful ebony weapons for deadly strikes.

  • Weakness: Stronger draugr can be very dangerous to even the strongest and most experienced warriors, and should be attacked from a distance when possible. If you are a mage, avoid the use of frost spells. Preferably take a Draugt Death Overlord out in its sleep.

   

  Dragon priest

  “The isolated corners of our world harbor creatures older than humans, older than academies and mages, older even than elves and dwarves. The Dragon Priests are such creatures”.

   

  Dragon Priests were once the loyal servants of the ancientdragons ofSkyrim. They ruled over countless armies of men in their gods' names. They are now found residing in coffins throughoutareas of prominent dragon worship. If their sleep is disturbed, the dragon priest will burst out of its coffin with considerable force and prepare to destroy whomsoever intruded upon their resting place.

  • Aggression: A Dragon Priest will constantly backpedal at a high speed, making it difficult to land any melee strikes. While moving they will attack with various staves and destructive spells, making for an effective opponent both offensively and defensively.

  • Weakness: Dragon Priests rely on magic to kill. Any form of magic protection is essential to survive an encounter. A crossbow or bow is recommended when dealing with such a foe and poisons / enchantments that damage magicka or magicka regen can also serve as a major benefit.

  
  
  

  Cursed Ones

   

  

   

  Werewolf

  "Wolves aren't as bad as they're made out to be. Werewolves, though — they're every bit as bad and worse”.

  — Elsa Vilge, archer

   

  Werewolves are creatures with both men and wolves inside them. When in beastly form, they take the worst traits from each: the wolf's drive to kill and hunger for raw flesh and the man's cruel and calculating intelligence. A werewolf's condition comes about through a curse, and the transformations happen outside his conscious control. When he reverts to human form, he has no memory of his deeds — otherwise he would surely go mad and take his own life.

  • Aggression: Werewolves are fast killers that rely on surprise jumps, their long reach and dagger like claws to tear the flesh from their victims. The werewolfs ability to move extremely fast and toss his enemies around before him makes these creatures formidable foes.  

  • Weakness: Werewolfs have no particular weaknesses. However, heavy armor and a shield are essential when battling a werewolf. Ice magic is also practical to slow the werewolfs fast movements.  

   

  Nightmaster Vampire

  "Men, the polite ones, at least, would call me a monster. A blood-drinking freak. In truth I am far worse than that -Emiel Regis, higher vampire.

   

  Vampires can be traced back to theDaedric Prince Molag Bal, the Lord of Domination, who created the first vampire sometime around theFirst Era.Lamae Beolfang was aNedic virgin who was raped by Molag Bal. It is recorded that after the ordeal, Molag Bal shed a droplet of blood on her brow and left her to die. During the night she died, but as her funeral pyre was still burning she emerged as the first pure-blood vampire.

  • Aggression: Vampire rely on mindless thralls and strong destruction magic to obliterate their enemies. They also make use of drain life spells and one handed weapons if the fight should require it. Vampires, particularly Pure Blooded Vampires are extremely dangerous and should be fought with care.

  • Weakness: Vampires are extremely weak to fire and even more so to sunlight. If you are to fight a pure blooded vampire, do it at daytime under the blaze of the sun. 
    

   

  *Tomes of Knowledge Series - Book Two*

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  *Tomes of Knowledge Series - Book Three*