The Bestiary of Mundus, Oblivion, and other realms are filled with many diverse creatures, both dangerous and benign. Many examples of creatures such as the skittish deer or the opportunistic nix-hound, Daedric entities such as the destructive ruinach or the puny fiendroth, and the damned undead — including the accursed draugr and the powerful lich — are included in this guide; this clearly demonstrates the extent and variety of the creatures that inhabit the universe.
This overview serves to describe how these animals, Daedra, undead, and other beings affect the world, how the environments they live in have affected them, and their roles in the world in general.
Creatures in GeneralEdit
VarietyEdit
Nirn and certain other realms are home to many non-intelligent mortal creatures, known as animals or beasts. These creatures are typically believed to be the creation of a nature god, though which one depends on the culture.[1][2][3][4] Animals themselves are divided into many categories based on their traits or morphology, such as vertebrates or invertebrates,[5] with further differentiation being classes like mammals,[6][7] reptiles,[6][7] birds,[8] fish,[7] amphibians,[7] arthropods,[9] echinoids,[10] or mollusks.[11] These classifications can also be divided into further subcategories or families, for example within the classification of "mammal" there are marsupials,[4] canines,[12] felines,[13] rodents,[14] and many others. Intelligent mortal creatures are typically considered races, though races that are considered "monsters" by the "civilized" races of Tamriel are typically included on this Bestiary list. Monster is a broad term that applies to most any violent or strange creature, as such it is practically useless as an actual classification.[15]
There exists many types of creatures besides mortal animals. The Aurbis is home to many spirit creatures, such as the nature spirits of Nirn, and the Daedra of the myriad realms of Oblivion.[16] Living creatures can be unnaturally revived through necromancy to become undead creatures.[14] Non-living materials can be given life as golems, with more advanced varieties like animunculi and factotums doing this through machinery. Fabricants are artificially grown mortal creatures that combine technology with flesh. Some creatures are created through magical modifications or curses such as the lycanthropes of Hircine, or the ash creatures of Dagoth Ur. Others are created specifically through the combination of other creatures, with composite creatures such as chimeras, vvardvarks, and mantikoras being examples of this.[17][18][19]
Certain creatures are believed to only exist in myths and fiction, such as the rhinoceros.[20] Though the inhabitants of Tamriel have been mistaken on such things, as the very real unicorn is believed by many to only be a myth.[21]
Various animals kept as pets
Various nature spirits and magical beasts
Various Lesser Daedra
A group of Fabricants surrounding an Argonian
Sixth House Ash Creatures
UsesEdit
Creatures serve many uses to the intelligent races throughout Mundus and Oblivion. While a creature may serve one primary purpose, it does not mean its role is set in stone. Some animals can have multiple purposes, such as the horse and the guar, which can serve as beasts of burden for carrying people and cargo, or be used as mounts for war. Uses can depend on culture as well, as in a few, horses are instead used as a source of food.[22]
Daedra such as clannfear are often used as summoned familiars by mages, or as soldiers in Daedric armies.[2]:159 It is common for animals and monsters to be hunted as food or for their fur, bones, or alchemical properties. In some cases they are even used as building supplies, most notably in the case of the Redoran city of Ald'ruhn where the Redoran Council maintained a Manor District under the shell of an Emperor crab.[23] Many animals can also serve as pets, with common examples being dogs and cats, and more exotic examples including mudcrabs and salamanders. In some cases creatures are used as a work force; many intelligent creatures such as Goblins and Ogres are enslaved and made to live lives of forced labor.[24] Death doesn't always mean the end of usefulness, as creatures are sometimes raised by necromancers to serve as guards or as experimental subjects.[25][14]
A variety of mounts
An adventurer utilizing a diverse array of summoned creatures
Armor made out of trollbone
A pack guar
A merchant selling pets
A Goblin slave
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ExtinctionEdit
Due to external factors many animal species on Nirn can and have been driven to extinction. This has often been the result of disasters such as the Ash Blight of Morrowind or the Great Burn of Black Marsh.[26][27][28] Occasionally extinctions are caused due to overhunting or consumption by the mortal races, whether intentionally or otherwise.[29][30][31]
Many extinctions are only regional, one example being with cliff racers, who were driven to extinction on Vvardenfell,[32] but individuals continued to live elsewhere.[33][34] These regional extinctions can sometimes be undone, such as the case with the welwa, who were hunted to extinction on Summerset but were eventually reintroduced due to the efforts of conservationists.[30]
An Emperor crab, which once roamed the Ashlands of Vvardenfell
A taxidermied gooblet, made extinct by the Ra Gada
A verminous fabricant, made in imitation of an extinct beast
A cliff racer, made regionally extinct by Saint Jiub, but lived on elsewhere
A welwa, a creature that recovered from regional extinction
Fossilized ammonites and trilobites
Specific Creature ClassificationsEdit
AnimalsEdit
- Amphibians
- Arthropods
- Birds — A full listing of birds
- Echinoids
- Fish — A full listing of fish:
- Overview |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
SpecialEdit
- Ash Creatures
- Fabricants
- Faeries
- Golems
- Lesser Daedra
- Lycanthropes
- Nature Spirits
- Undead
- Obscure Fauna — A general resource article covering obscure creatures appearing only in lore or otherwise unnamed creatures.
BooksEdit
TamrielEdit
- A Child's Tamriel Bestiary by Shane gro-Orath (Clever, no? Ha, ha!) — A children's rhyming alphabet book
- Dealing with Werewolves by Venustinius Perquitienus — Notes on how to deal with werewolves
- Esqoo of Dhalmora Answers Your Questions by Esqoo of Dhalmora — A guar-herd answers questions about guar
- The Faerie by Szun Triop — Discussion of the various types of Faeries and how they relate
- The Fickle Nature of Mudcrabs — A researcher's notes on the behavior of Mudcrabs
- Field Guide to Spriggans by Phrastus of Elinhir — A guide to spriggans
- A Guide to Fishing Tamriel by "The Old Slaughterfish" — An old angler's advice on his profession
- Lady Honnorah af-Lahreq Answers Your Questions by Lady Honnorah af-Lahreq — A Redguard stable owner answers questions about mounts
- Notes on the Order Skeevera — A journal recounting a researcher's attempt to document the taxonomic order Skeevera
- On Lycanthropy by Varnard Karessen — Studies of the nature and habits of Lycanthropes
- On Summoning Skeletons — An instructional guide on acquiring and reanimating skeletons
- Physicalities of Werewolves by Reman Crex — A morbid anatomical study of werewolves on live subjects
- Revolting Life Cycle of the Dreugh Field Notes by Fronto Maecilius — A description of the lifestyle of the dreugh
- There Be Dragons by Torhal Bjorik — A report on the nature of dragons
- Ulfsild's Notes: The Origin of Luminaries by Ulfsild — Speculation on the origin of the Luminaries
- Unhallowed Legions by Phrastus of Elinhir — A study into the undead of Tamriel
Black MarshEdit
- Birds of Gloommire by Domind Kamaz and Junior Researcher Unila Rotheloth — A description of avian fauna in Gloommire
- Care and Feeding of Swamp Jellies by Aglindor the Black-Thumb — A guidebook surrounding the swamp jelly
- On Marsh Giants: A Study by Fanemil, Associate Dean of Plant Studies, University of Gwylim — A treatise on Marsh Giants
- On Voriplasms by Concordia Mercius of Cyrodilic Collections — A dissertation on the oozes of the swamp
CyrodiilEdit
- Brenus Astis' Journal by Brenus Astis — Fragments of a scholar's notes on the fauna of Cyrodiil
- A Gold Coast Children's Bestiary — A rhyming children's book about frightening creatures
- Guide to Taming Dire Wolves by Shelga gra-Bur, Beastmaster of Kvatch — A guide to handling dire wolves
- Ogres: A Summary by Cirantille — A description of ogres
- On Minotaurs by Nonus Caprenius, Temporarily Unaffiliated Scholar of Imperial Antiquities — A historian's theory on Minotaurs
- Serpent Hollow Observations — A researcher's notes on the behavior of a clan of Ogres
- Taking Care of Your Bear by Pantea Maria, Imperial Animal Trainer — A guide to caring for Bear pets and mounts
- Terror of the Death Hopper From the journals of Remius Volsonus — Writings on the elusive Death Hopper
- The Truth of Minotaurs by Tyronius Liore, Scholar of Imperial Antiquities — The dismissal of a theory surrounding the origin of Minotaurs
ElsweyrEdit
- Anequina Animal Identification and Tasting by Hrodkir Mincemeat — A book describing how to capture Northern Elsweyr creatures and their taste
- Bolga's Guide to Island Beasts by Bolga gra-Bur, Huntswoman of Mistral — A brief summary of the creatures found on Khenarthi's Roost
- Dragons of Southern Elsweyr by Xandria Prevette, Scholar-at-Large — A short recording of observed dragon behavior
- Sugarbelly by Azmu-ra — On training Senche-Tigers
- Terror-Birds: Up Close and Personal by Dardarfin — A traveler's notes on the carnivorous birds of Elsweyr
- Varieties of Dragons: An Initial Exploration by Axulsha of Black Marsh — A treatise on different types of dragons
HammerfellEdit
- The Care and Feeding of Trolls by Gulzog the Butcher — A step-by-step guide to caring for nirncrux-infused trolls
- It Lives! by Boward, Regent of Wriggling Nightmares — A letter from Regent Boward describing his successful experiment
- Lamias of Craglorn by Theoderic Peron — A researcher's essay on the mysterious presence of Lamias in Craglorn
- Legend of the Yokudan Chargers by Honnorah af-Lahreq — A pamphlet promoting the Yokudan Charger breed of horses
- The Mystery of Gargoyles—Solved! by Porbert Lyttumly — On a possible connection between Giant Goblins and Gargoyles
- Notes of Adalabar, hunter by Adalabar — The field notes of a duneripper hunter
- Overheard at the Crossroads Tavern in Belkarth — An Undaunted adventurer retells his encounter with a Mantikora
- A Scholar's Guide to Nymphs by Vondham Barres — One man's experience with Nymphs
- Scorpion Observations by Boward, Regent of Wriggling Nightmares — Notes on the giant scorpions of Craglorn
- Triumph of the Sep Adder by Zabia-ko — A merchant's notes on the winged snakes of Hew's Bane
- Wamasu Observations by Boward, Regent of Wriggling Nightmares — Notes on the creation of Mantikoras
High RockEdit
- All About Echatere by Stugbrulz gro-Shatul — An Orcish treatise on the echatere of Wrothgar
- Birds of Wrothgar A field journal by Haenelisse, Vice-Chairman of the Bird-Watchers Society of Alinor — A bird watcher's journey through the icy Wrothgarian mountains
- Bloodfiends of Rivenspire by Nalana, Advisor to House Tamrith — A report on the vampiric Bloodfiends of Rivenspire
- Mystery of the Chub Loon by Zabia-ko — A treatise on a unique Wrothgarian bird
- The Ogres of Wrothgar: A Continuing Treatise by Cirantille — An addendum to a treatise on the ogres that inhabit Wrothgar
- Riekrs of Wrothgar: Observations — A ethnographic diary study of Riekr culture
- Sacred Rites of the Stonechewers by Nellic Sterone — A description of the Stonechewer Goblin tribe
- Troll Socialization Research Notes by Grularz — A researcher's notes on the behavior and mannerisms of trolls
- What a Pig Needs by Swineherd Francois Wickton — On the arduous tasks of a swineherd
- Zombies: Further Experiments — Research notes on creating autonomous zombies
MorrowindEdit
- Blasphemous Revenants — A call for the destruction of all vampires and those who follow them!
- Care of Kwama by Cirantille — A description of Kwama caring methods
- Critter Dangers: Telvanni Peninsula by Tel Varano — A guide to some of the creatures found around the Telvanni Peninsula
- Egg Mines and You! by Kylia Thando, Expert Kwama Wrangler — A treatise on the Kwama
- The Flames of the Fetcherfly by Zabia-ko — A treatise on the Fetcherfly
- Kagouti Mating Habits by Edras Oril — Everything you never wanted to know about kagoutis' private lives
- Legions of the Dead — An informational book on the undead
- Morrowind Fauna, Part One by Holia Asellio — A fragment of a larger text covering the bestiary of Morrowind
- Nix-Hounds: A Manual for New Owners — A guide for new nix-hound owners
- Notes on the Dreugh — A list of research notes surrounding the various species of Dreugh
- A Petition for the Mighty Nix-Ox by Kylia Thando — A proposal to protect the nix-oxen of Vvardenfell
- Posted at the Ebonheart gates — A notice regarding dangerous alit around Ebonheart
- Vvardenfell Flora and Fauna by Tilenra Sildreth, Telvanni Naturalist — An examination of Vvardenfell's Second Era flora and fauna
SkyrimEdit
- All About Giants by Bonorion the Wanderer — Observations on the Giantish Peoples of Skyrim
- Amongst the Draugr by Bernadette Bantien, College of Winterhold — Discoveries about the draugr and their link to the dragon cults
- Cats of Skyrim by Aldetuile — A brief treatise on the few felines that can be found in Skyrim
- Ecology of the Death Hound by Odgrete Bjersen — A description of death hounds
- The Falmer: A Study by Ursa Uthrax — A study on Falmer, recounting their war with the Dwemer
- Fishing Mastery by Swims-In-Deep-Water — A fish-loving Argonian's guide to fishing
- Flora and Fauna of the Druadach Mountains by Telraves Decanis, Imperial Botanist — A catalogue of flora and fauna native to the Druadach Mountains
- Giants: A Discourse by Kord the Curious — A treatise on the Giants of Skyrim
- Harvesting Frostbite Spider Venom — A brief guide to harvesting frostbite spider venom
- Herbane's Bestiary by Herbane — A guide to some of the creatures you may encounter while exploring Skyrim
- Horker Attacks by Heidmir Starkad — The tale of a horker attack
- Into the Lion's Den — A short history of the Nordic valley known as the Lion's Den
- Monsters of Northern Folklore by Minerva Calo, Imperial Chronicler — Eyewitness accounts of Snow Ghosts in Skyrim
- On Dwarven Dynastors by Raynor Vanos, Scholar of Dwemer Antiquities — Research notes on colossal beetle-like Dwemer constructs
- Research Notes by Sulla Trebatius — Research notes on the discovery of Dwarven Spider Automatons
- Spirits of Skyrim by Isstille the Scholar — On the guardian spirit of the Haunted Wood
- Troll Slaying by Finn — A guide to identifying, fighting, and collecting fat from trolls
Summerset IslesEdit
- The Flight of Gryphons — An essay on the relationship between Sunhold and its gryphons
- Restoring the Welwas by Ambolisse, Sapiarch of Zoological Studies — A treatise on the reintroduction of the welwa to the island of Summerset
- Y'frre's Sparkling Steeds by Melobrian — A treatise on the elusive indrik
SystresEdit
- Bolga's Guide to Galen Beasts by Bolga gra-Bur, Huntswoman of Mistral — A hunter's description of some creatures found on Galen and how to eat them
- Druid Fables: Systres Beavers As told by Archdruid Ilyes — The druidic fable about beavers arriving on the Systres
- Ecology of the Ornaug Field Notes by Fronto Maecilius — Notes about an aquatic predator of the western Abecean Sea
- The Flora and Fauna of Galen From the Journal of Elise Aglilmir, Traveling Naturalist — A list of creatures and plant-life encountered on Galen
- Hadolid Researcher's Journal — A researcher records known information on Hadolids before attempting to make contact with them
- A Hunter's Journey VI: Fauns by Viola Fulcinius, Professional Hunter — A hunter's stories about the Fauns of High Isle
- Mysteries of the Eltheric Ammonite by Kaladiran, Arcane Naturalist — An overview on Eltheric Ammonites
- Notes on Vulk'esh by Tarrinore
- On Nature Spirits by Archdruid Duana — A druid's thoughts on the relationship between nature spirits and druids
- Spirits of Lost Nature by Archdruid Melie — A description of the troubled nature spirits held within the Earthen Root Enclave
- Theories: Soulrazer Knights by Kaladiran, Arcane Naturalist — A scholar's theories of the origins of Soulrazer Knights
ValenwoodEdit
- Bone Orchard Research by Bonelord Ethruin — Research notes documenting the investigation and excavation of the Bone Orchard and Barrowbough
- Gifts of the Nereids — An anecdotal account of the nereids
- Healer's Fieldbook — A guidebook to Hoarvors
- The Hoarvor Pit by Aklief — A note regarding a Daedric creature trapped down a hoarvor pit
- Horrors of the Strid Basin — A warning regarding the Hoarvors of the Strid River
- On the Brewing of Dark Meat Beer by Anonymous Bosmeri Brewer — Instructions on brewing Bosmeri alcohol with insects and meat
OblivionEdit
- Lyranth the Foolkiller Answers Your Questions by Lyranth the Foolkiller — A Dremora answers questions about the ranks and hierarchy of the Daedra
- Varieties of Daedra by Aranea Drethan — An analysis of Daedra forms, focusing primarily on the Dremora
ApocryphaEdit
- Beasts of the Gallery by the Ciphers of the Eye — A guide to the occupants of the Feral Gallery
- Denizens of Apocrypha by Cipher Plautis — A guide to the Daedra and others found in Apocrypha
- The Doom of the Hushed by Leramil the Wise — A mage's account of how the Hushed come to be
- Sentient Beasts of the Gallery by the Ciphers of the Eye — A work in progress guide to the inmates of the Feral Gallery
ColdharbourEdit
- Daedra Dossier: Cold-Flame Atronach by Denogorath the Dread Archivist — Notes on the discovery of Cold-Flame Atronachs
- On the Xivkyn by Pelagius Habor, Council Daedrologist-in-Residence — A treatise on Molag Bal's elite vanguard
DeadlandsEdit
- Brugurikh's Journal by Brugurikh — The journal of a Scaled Court member and their search for a Mantikora thief
- Flora and Fauna of the Burn by Anthropus Galia, Mages Guild Researcher — A treatise on the flora and fauna of the Burn
- Flora and Fauna of the Sever by Anthropus Galia, Mages Guild Researcher — A treatise on the flora and fauna of the Sever
Shivering IslesEdit
- Bark and Sap — The Root System and the Ecology and Culture of the Gnarl
- An Elytra's Life by Karmelle — One's account in the family unit of the gentle Elytra
- From Frog to Man by Meekus Ralbrek — The life cycles of Baliwogs and Grummites
- The Living Woods — A brief description of the life styles and uses of Gnarls
- The Shivering Bestiary by Namlir Esprink — A catalogue of the characteristics and combat skills of the creatures that reside in the Shivering Isles
Other RealmsEdit
Clockwork CityEdit
- The Fabricated Fauna of Clockwork by Endilaril, Naturalist — A naturalist's research notes on the Clockwork City's artificial wildlife
- Factotum Classification - Log 233 by Proctor Neimos, Apostle of Sotha Sil — A description of each factotum subgroup found in the Clockwork City
- The Mystery of Factotums by Associate Zanon, Clockwork Apostle — Scholarly notes pondering the mysteries of the Factotum
- Skeevaton Modification and Operation by Associate Zanon — Excerpts from a thesis about Skeevatons with commentary
- A Study of Fabricants by Endilaril, Naturalist — A naturalist's research notes on the Fabricant
See AlsoEdit
- Game-specific bestiaries: Arena • Daggerfall • Battlespire • Redguard • Morrowind • Tribunal • Bloodmoon • Stormhold • Dawnstar • Shadowkey • Oblivion • Oblivion Mobile • Shivering Isles • Skyrim • Skyrim Pinball • Skyrim Very Special Edition • ESO • Legends • Blades
- For creatures mentioned in The Infernal City and Lord of Souls, see this article.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ Wild Hunt Senche mount description in ESO
- ^ a b Kyne's Challenge: A Hunter's Companion — David S. J. Hodgson
- ^ Generic Dialogue of Skaal villagers in Morrowind: Bloodmoon
- ^ a b Ius, Animal God — Buljursoma
- ^ Skein Wasp pet description in ESO
- ^ a b On Argonians — Cirantille
- ^ a b c d Ecology of the Ornaug — Fronto Maecilius
- ^ Birds of Wrothgar — Haenelisse, Vice-Chairman of the Bird-Watchers Society of Alinor
- ^ Crafting Motif 52: Redoran Style — Vindamea Redoran, House Procurement Sister, Vivec City
- ^ Solstice Shell, Fossilized Echinoid furnishing in ESO
- ^ Nethyn Hloran's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Orcrest Rathound pet description in ESO
- ^ Senche-Cougar mount description in ESO
- ^ a b c Grisly Mummy Tabby pet description in ESO
- ^ Master Monster Slayer achievement in ESO
- ^ Spirits of Skyrim — Isstille the Scholar
- ^ It Lives! — Boward, Regent of Wriggling Nightmares
- ^ The Beast of Galen — Phrastus of Elinhir
- ^ Loremaster's Archive - House Telvanni — Divayth Fyr
- ^ Lizard Rhinoceros hairstyle description in ESO
- ^ Lycanthropic Legends of Skyrim — Lentulus Inventius, Order of the Horn
- ^ Esqoo of Dhalmora Answers Your Questions — Esqoo of Dhalmora
- ^ Neminda's dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: The Wild Regions — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ A Loathsome Civilization — Telenger the Artificer
- ^ Vvardenfell Then and Now on the official ESO website
- ^ Preserved Wraxu Feathers antiquity codex entries in ESO
- ^ Wolf-Tail Sash antiquity codex entries in ESO
- ^ The Feast of Saint Coellicia — Arfons Jellicandante, Expert on Nibenese Cuisine
- ^ a b Restoring the Welwas — Ambolisse, Sapiarch of Zoological Studies
- ^ Mounted Extinct Flightless Bird item description in ESO
- ^ Jiub's dialogue in Skyrim: Dawnguard
- ^ Mjoll the Lioness' dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Bjormund's Diary
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.