Argonian Craftsmanship : V

» Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:56 pm

Alright, so as far as I know we haven't had the honor of seeing some traditional Argonian weapons and armor. I hear tell of supposed hist sap armor that the Dwemer wanted to make that angered the Argonians, but besides that I suppose all we could guess is that Argonian-crafted armor would fit Black-Marsh natives.

That being said, my brain hates me and decided to tell me to make a poorly drawn representation of what I believe it might look like at 2AM and then share it so you guys and gals could laugh at it.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x247/derekkoch/Sketch.png

First, it donned on me that Argonians heads are very diverse, having fins or horns and maybe even feathers. It would most likely be highly expensive to arm any type of military with unique helms for every soldier. Barring the option to go helmless, I believe a generalized design that could be adapted quickly would be in order. Thus, the open-backed and layered plated design.

I feel I may have been a bit innacurate as to where the nostrils and eyes are. But it is poorly drawn, so the point is that a breathing slit and eye-holes would be necessary.

While having a solid face-plate, much of it is easily re-shaped plates layered upon eachother. Besides the easy fitting, these flat layers would also allow the armor to dynamically work with the Argonian's natural swimming ability.

Well, that's all I've got. The whole thing is up to Bethesda, of course, I just like wondering about the whats and ifs of stuff. I was also going to write a bit about what Khajit armor would be like, but I found myself imagining a variant of Redguard equipment.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:09 am

I believe Khajiit armour is mentioned in Heart of Cherim, I'll look it up.

Argonian armour would have to be waterproof without being too warm. Keep in mind that, though Argonians are waterbreathers, soggy, rusty, wet armour is heavy and ineffective. Also considering the reincarnative afterlife of the Argonians, it seems plausible that they wouldn't necessarily be too iffy about skinning their dead to make waterproof armour, but that's not mentioned in any lore I know of. It would almost certainly be light armour of some kind for the most part.

Judging by what little we've actually seen of their jewelry... I don't think they'd find ring or chain mail too foreign. They also seem in Skyrim to have a preference to Hide armour and its somewhat rough-around-the-edges look. Hide armour, incidentally, is light, doesn't offer much coverage and looks waterproof enough.

EDIT: *Cherim's Heart.

Every minute part of the Khajiti medium-weight armor can be seen in the soldiers in the foreground. The embroidered edging and striped patterns on the tunics. Each lacquered plate on loose-fitting leather in the Elsweyr style. The helmets of cloth and fluted silver.

It goes on to expound that Khajiit militia are basically useless in heavy armour, especially against Bosmer arrows, and Medium armour is the way to go.

So traits of Khajiti armour:
-made of loose-fitting leather with lacquered plates over, so that arrows either deflect or pass completely through the body
-The main piece is a tunic with decorative embroidery and stripes
-cloth helmets with fluted (ridged) silver

So we get an image of a loose striped and embroidered leather tunic covered in plates (probably steel or silver) that have been lacquered (likely with stripes) and cloth helmets with plates or ornaments of fluted (striped) silver. We see a strong tendency to stripes, likely something like flag colours/coats of arms in terms of decoration, and to showiness, which seems typical of Khajiit on the whole.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:44 am

Following on from Amarantine's post, I feel that Argonian armour would probably be hide from the other denizens of Black Marsh. They have large, crocodile-like reptiles (IIRC, it's been a while since I read The Argonian Account), which I imagine would have thick scales. That's what I see them wearing, anyway.

Although, I find it hard to believe that Argonians in Black Marsh require or use much armour. They are masters of guerilla warfare, so probably wouldn't need much armour (if your enemy doesn't see you, they can't poke you) and the deterioration that the climate would cause to pretty much all materials (leather would rot, iron would rust, etc) render armour pretty much useless for them.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 12:04 am

If the next game were to take place in Black Marsh, we would see more of that. I mean, Skyrim armors fit the nords, Oblivion armors fit the feel of traditional Lord of the Rings fantasy, so yeah

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:22 am

If the next game were to take place in Black Marsh, we would see more of that. I mean, Skyrim armors fit the nords, Oblivion armors fit the feel of traditional Lord of the Rings fantasy, so yeah

Spoiler

One thing I really really do miss from Morrowind is the clothing. I'm glad people have brought it back in mods.

Following on from Amarantine's post, I feel that Argonian armour would probably be hide from the other denizens of Black Marsh. They have large, crocodile-like reptiles (IIRC, it's been a while since I read The Argonian Account), which I imagine would have thick scales. That's what I see them wearing, anyway.

Although, I find it hard to believe that Argonians in Black Marsh require or use much armour. They are masters of guerilla warfare, so probably wouldn't need much armour (if your enemy doesn't see you, they can't poke you) and the deterioration that the climate would cause to pretty much all materials (leather would rot, iron would rust, etc) render armour pretty much useless for them.

This is true. Interesting thought: Some metals don't corrode, or when they do usually tarnish without rusting or decaying. Given that they'd be in light armour anyway, and that it can be made to appear greenish fairly easily, an Argonian wearing armour made out of gold is not wholly far-fetched. It's like a wonderful beautiful aversion of the whole "gold is the best material for armour" cliche.

Of course I guess that's kind of what elven armour is. It'd be like that only more likely a chainmail sort of affair.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:21 am

Spoiler

One thing I really really do miss from Morrowind is the clothing. I'm glad people have brought it back in mods.

I miss all of those wonderful robes! I miss those beautiful red robes - they make a character look powerful, regardless of how pathetic at magic they may be.