Lore:Tum-Taleel

A member of Tum-Taleel

"We of the Root-House tribe are proud travelers, roaming the swamp in search of that which will sustain us.
And if someone else happens to be in possession of what we need? Well, hopefully they aren't clever enough to protect it."
—Tem-Tei of the Tum-Taleel

The Tum-Taleel, also referred to as Root-House Tribe or Root-House People, are one of the many Argonian tribes inhabiting Murkmire. They tend to be significantly larger than Argonians of the other Murkmire tribes, with broad shoulders, narrow eyes, and wide, powerful jaws.

HistoryEdit

Root-House Campsite

A bridge on Keel-Sakka River

Little is known about the Tum-Taleel's origins and past. Most of the information regarding the tribe pertains to the time of the Interregnum in the Second Era. As of then they were known for using their strength and size, as much of their time was spent raiding neighboring villages, taking what they wished, and settling in the village huts afterward, which earned them a negative reputation in the Black Marsh. Locals often compared them to burglar crabs, creatures that eat snails and smaller crabs, then move into the empty shells. Many saw them as belligerent and warlike—quick to anger and known throughout the swamp for their brutality and quick tempers. They were known to wear war paint and loincloths, using clubs in battle, often bedecked with feathers. They were seen as dangerous and territorial. Some held the contrary opinion and didn’t view the Tum-Taleel as particularly hostile, but still saw them negatively, considering them to be incredibly greedy, and prone to theft. They themselves beieved in the idea of the rightful theft. To the Root-House people, what is needed is provided by the Hist through the actions of others. For instance when they needed the gold that the outsiders carried, they believed that the Hist would ensure that it would be theirs. They were known for specific types of pendants with root imagery, and were recognized as skilled hunters. They saw themselves as proud travelers, roaming the swamp in search of what would sustain them. However, they were more than open about their willingness to take from others.

During the period of the Interregnum, the Tum-Taleel controlled a bridge over the Keel-Sakka River, where they held passers-by for tribute to cross. Emmanubeth Hurrent, of the Wayfarers' Society of Wayrest, described such encounters in his book Tribes of Murkmire, where the Root-House People demanded the caravan's horses. Despite their warlike reputation, they were considered to be more willing to barter than the Naga-Kur. They were also seen in a more favorable light than the Veeskhleel, as even the Tum-Taleel would return fallen Saxhleel to their tribes so they could return to the Hist, unlike the Veeskhleel.

Despite their violent culture, they understand the interdependence between themselves and other clans. The Tum-Taleel recognize that they depend on other tribes to build homes and produce goods for them to steal. Even though the tensions and wars between tribes exist, many Argonians continue to care for one another, partly due to a culture of exceptional forgiveness that shapes inter-tribal relationships. For example, the same Tum-Taleel raiders who once fought the Bright-Throats, with some of their kin killed in the skirmish, may later share a peaceful game of Teeba-Hatsei on the very same day. The Tum-Taleel, like many of Murkmire's tribes, enjoy playing Teeba-Hatsei. However, due to their large and slow build, they tend to lower the hoops to accommodate their size.

Some Tum-Taleel tribesmen were attacked by the Blackguards and hackwings. At some point in 2E 582, a group of Tum-Taleel hunters clashed with the Blackguards, though the conflict was minor and resulted in no casualties. Tem-Tei of the tribe struck an agreement with an adventurer: they would retrieve her hunting bow from the Blackguard's camp, and in return, she would part ways with a wooden box located in a nearby hackwing's nest. The bow had belonged to her bonding ritual partner and had been passed down through his tribe for generations.

They were among the old allies of the Bright-Throats, alongside the Black-Tongues and the Moss-Skins. The Bright-Throats were well aware of the Tum-Taleel's tendencies and culture, considering them useful brutes, especially in times of war. They also believed the Tum-Taleel lacked the wisdom of the Naga. When inviting the Tum-Taleel, the Bright-Throats made arrangements to hide their valuables, as it was better to give what they could afford to lose. The Bright-Throat's ceremony of mating, where they invited their allies, strengthened the bonds between the tribes. In 2E 582, Beehuna of the Tum-Taleel was the tribe's suitor for the bonding ceremony. Despite initial issues regarding the dowry, the mating ritual was successful.

See AlsoEdit

• For game-specific information, see the Elder Scrolls Online article.

BooksEdit

• Tribes of Murkmire by Emmanubeth Hurrent, the Wayfarers' Society of Wayrest — Descriptions of the many tribes within the region of Murkmire
• Tribes of Murkmire: Root-House People by Emmanubeth Hurrent, the Wayfarers' Society of Wayrest — A description of one of the many Argonian tribes within the region of Murkmire
• Tribes of Murkmire: Tribal Connections by Emmanubeth Hurrent, the Wayfarers' Society of Wayrest — Notes on Argonian inter-tribal relations
• Teeba-Hatsei — A pamphlet on the popular Argonian sport