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Lore:Nirnroot

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Nirnroot
OB Flora Nirnroot Plant.jpg
Nirnroot (Oblivion)
Type Flora
Range Tamriel
Appears in

Oblivion, Skyrim, ESO, Blades

Nirnroot is a very rare plant that grows near water. It is a broad-leaved plant and possess a turquoise green coloration on its leaves and root bulb. The most notable traits of Nirnroot includes the low hum it produces, its glow, and its unique magical properties. Nirnroot does not require sunlight to grow, so it can be found in locations above or below ground.[1][2] Its seeds are spread by birds and other creatures.[3] Nirnroot prefers acidic soil to grow.[4]

Originally yellow-leaved, the plant mutated drastically during the Sun's Death event of 1E 668. Due to its magical nature, it sensed as a species its impending extinction and used the ash salts found falling from the sky as a new source of food. This allowed the plant to live without sunlight. As the ash content of Cyrodiil's soils diminished, so too did the plant's numbers, leading it to the brink of extinction.[5]

The Crimson Nirnroot subspecies possesses red leaves rather than green. It can be found exclusively in the caverns of Blackreach.[6][7] Due to its rarity and the dangers associated with obtaining samples, most consider its existence to be a tall tale.[8]

The droning noise produced by Nirnroot plants is known to cause headaches in some people. Handling it has also been known to cause rashes.[9]

HistoryEdit

The plant became a subject of passion for the Third Era master alchemist Sinderion. Wrried about its future, he presented his research on it and his concerns of its impending extinction to the Imperial Alchemy Symposium in the final years of the Third Era.[10] However, the Symposium chose not to provide Sinderion with the assistance he requested. After receiving help with collecting samples from the Hero of Kvatch,[11] Sinderion's renewed research led to a second presentation at the Imperial Alchemy Symposium, where he was once again turned down.[5]

Undeterred, Sinderion proceeded with his research alone, and managed to successfully cultivate Nirnroot by 4E 48. After he learned of the existence of the Crimson Nirnroot subspecies by procuring a sample, he traveled to Skyrim to conduct field research. While in Skyrim he also made contact with the College of Winterhold, and shared his knowledge of Nirnroot cultivation with the alchemist Avrusa Sarethi.[12]†

Sinderion eventually entered Blackreach in pursuit of the Crimson Nirnroot circa 4E 58, where he would meet his end at the hands of the cavern's inhabitants. His work lived on however, and the knowledge he passed on was used by Avrusa Sarethi to grow Nirnroot as one of the crops on her farm. The fate of Sinderion was ultimately discovered by the Last Dragonborn, who shared his final research notes and plant samples from Blackreach with Avrusa. Building on Sinderion's research, Avrusa succeeded in also cultivating the Crimson Nirnroot.[13]

UsageEdit

 
Nirnroot, grown as a houseplant

Nirnroot is mostlypoisonous when consumed or used in alchemical concoctions.[14][15][16] However, it can also be used to create potions of invisibility.[15][16] There are also more complex alchemical possibilities, such as the Elixir of Exploration derived from Nirnroot. These elixirs grant a wide variety of beneficial properties useful for adventurers.[17] The Crimson Nirnroot's magical potential in alchemy is far greater than that of the common Nirnroot.[13]

The plant can also be used to make Nirnroot wine, an alcoholic beverage with strange alchemical properties that cause intoxication without needing to be imbibed. The true flavor of the wine is unknown; although it is often "remembered" as being delicious, no individual has ever succeeded in tasting it.[18][19][20]

The plant is a favorite food of the Nibenay Bay ram.[21] Kwama also enjoy Nirnroot, despite it causing lethargy and addiction when consumed.[22]

Nirnroot is eaten by the druids of Vastyr, in a dish known as the "singing tuber". The writer Castus Marius described as a "light, crunchy, bold flavor that left my ears ringing with a chorus of sunset colors", and claimed to need to lay down until the sensation passed.[23] The Fourth Era chef Gianna described Nirnroot as a "special seasoning" she would use in her cooking.[24] Consumption of the plant can cause ringing teeth, and glowing excreta.[25] Some people are born with a curse that makes Nirnroot taste like soap.[9]

When magically added to molten silver, the ensuing reaction causes permanent blue, silver, and black streaks.[26] There is rumored to be a secret Nirnroot concoction that can be used to make cloth that is resistant to staining.[27]

Nirnroot's unique glow and hum leads to it often being used as a decorative houseplant.[1][28] Living samples of Crimson Nirnroot can also be grown indoors and are highly valued, with one being stored in the Aldmeri Dominion's vault in Marbruk circa 2E 582.[8]

NotesEdit

1.In his journal, Sinderion states he found out about Avrusa Sarethi through his membership with the College of Winterhold, and provided his alchemy knowledge to her in return for his months-long stay. However, according to Avrusa herself, she had known him from her days as his alchemy apprentice in Skingrad, and he "just showed up" one day at her doorstep, staying with her and her sister for decades prior to his failed expedition to Blackreach.[12][29]

GalleryEdit

  • Nirnroot (Skyrim)

  • Nirnroot (ESO)

  • Nirnroot (Blades)

  • Crimson Nirnroot (Skyrim)

  • Crimson Nirnroot (ESO)

  • Crimson Nirnroot in Blackreach (ESO)

  • Harvested Nirnroot sample (Oblivion)

ReferencesEdit

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