The ( Improved ) Emperor ' s Guide to Tamriel : Elsweyr The ( Improved ) Emperor ' s Guide to Tamriel is a book written by Flaccus Terentius to explain his adventures throughout Tamriel during the Second Era . It was written as an additional Guide book to . Content . Khajiit of the Aldmeri Dominion I wept as the ferry passed my home of Bravil , but I could not risk returning there and bringing my curse to the ones I love . Now ensconced in the realm of the cat , my thoughts turned not to their wiles and ways but to the minions of Mannimarco who flit along the periphery of my vision each and every day . Riverhold ' s market was particularly crowded . Overladen caravans were readying for Rimmen and Dune , filled with spices , weapons , and drapery . Khajiiti nomads had their herds of guar and goats for trade . Shouts and whistles and the smells of sweetmeats would have coaxed me farther into this bustle , but all I saw were the shaded alleys and shadowy recesses where the black - robed thugs could plan my long and drawn - out death . Was that one of them ? There , by the gemsmith ? I hastily searched out a suitably robust Khajiiti specimen who ran the caravan to Dune . I explained my predicament and my finer qualities to him . " I , Ma ' rashirr , welcome such a dignitary to our humble traveling cavalcade . " " Thank - - " I started to say . " Your unclawed nature , ruddy cheeks , and profuse sweaty fragrance is an attraction to the caravan I hadn ' t bargained for . What a treat to greet the walkers when we arrive at Dune . " As my father told me , " a blow to your pride is easier to take than a blow to your head . " I attempted to prove my merit to Ma ' rashirr by showing him this sketch of the savanna - land here in northern Elsweyr . The trees are speckled far apart from one another , their branches fanning out wide to capture every drop of moisture . Watering holes , low rock outcrops , and laconic Cat - Men herders are also infrequent sights . The caravan clattered across the most rudimentary of roads . When Ma ' rashirr and his kin do meet another Khajiiti traveler or tent , they are greeted with quick throaty shouts in their own tongue , and yapping laughter is directed in my general direction . The merchants continued plodding across the western savanna , with Dune at least two days away . My attempts to cultivate the caravan ' s guards ( so I may mingle with veteran warriors who may protect me from my fears ) had been a middling success . Ra ' tassa , a particularly well - built Khajiit , seemed to be in charge of this crew . Early on the second morning , I asked to walk with him . " You ' re the beet - faced Imperial Ma ' rashirr the Five - Clawed saddled us with , yes ? " His brethren smirked as I prepared to test my wits . " I prefer to think of my complexion as sanguine , as is my disposition , " I replied . Ra ' tassa ' s striped ears perked up and he smiled . " Ra ' tassa wonders why you perspire when the sun has hardly crept out of bed . Your Nord clothing pelts smell like a Dungman ' s hindquarters . " " Ah , but I can take off my fur when the heat becomes uncomfortable . Can you ? Although I ' d pay good coin to see you shaved . " Had my wordplay become a tad too mocking ? Not according to the whoops of approval and derisive laughter of Ra ' tassa ' s gang . We heard an odd , wheezing horn , along with grim shouts in a primal language . Khajiiti fur rose as a small force of Goblin raiders harried the caravan , charging out from a cluster of red rocks . I counted at least ten of the green - skinned marauders - - and a warchief the size of a Nord - - from my shrewd position behind the guards . " Muskarse ! Ra ' tassa will make kebabs of your liver ! " His gang was already engaging the Goblins , effortlessly cutting them down with ferocious double - slicing from frighteningly sharp sabers . Ra ' tassa had deftly catapulted past enemy bowmen , leaped onto the leader , and drove his twin punch - daggers deep into the warchief ' s neck . The fellow gurgled and fell to the ground , spurting blood and yellow bile . Ma ' rashirr sat back on his haunches , grinning . His cat - folk had received only minor nicks to their fur while their foes lay lacerated , many in multiple pieces . Ra ' tassa took the last Goblin by the nape of the neck and picked it up , shaking it violently . He threw it to a fellow Khajiit , who scraped his claws across the Goblin ' s sagging form before throwing it back to Ra ' tassa . " Spotless ! " he shouted , beating it about the face before snapping the Goblin ' s neck . I didn ' t care for this toying spectacle of cruelty . While Ra ' tassa and the gang picked through the spoils and clutter , I chose three of the most intact Goblin corpses to paint and inspect ( I did not show their numerous savage wounds ) . Of greater interest is the equipment they carry : It is primarily constructed of wood , bronze , and wrought iron . More fascinating still are the swords , shields , and cleaving weapons stolen from other cultures and remade roughly but effectively . Ma ' rashirr was tucking into a serving of dried sugarmeat with his cohorts . I declined and instead studied the heavy armor a few of the Goblin troops were wearing . I noted scraps of chain mail and iron plates bolted in , with accents of bone , horns , and skulls . The leather was efficiently tanned , but crude . Impressive craftsmanship for such a low and worthless creature . I accompanied Ra ' tassa and a couple of his ilk as they tracked the Goblins back to a small camp in a rocky dell several hundred paces away . The Khajiiti stalkers were expecting trouble but were greeted by pathetic moans and slumped bodies gasping and shriveled in pain . Many green - skins had turned an unhealthy shade of yellow , with buboes blistering around the mouth . I made some quick sketches of this wretched camp and totem , as the Khajiit retreated with haste , leaving the Goblins to succumb to the sun and what was undoubtedly the Knahaten Flu . I suggested to Ra ' tassa that perhaps the Goblin raiding party that was so conclusively defeated was also beginning to succumb to the Knahaten Flu . " This explains why the raiders were such pushovers , " I said , watching Ra ' tassa ' s brow furrow . " The unclawed one speaks ! " he proclaimed , hissing back at me . " But of matters he hasn ' t the competency to lecture about , yes ? " Undeterred , I continued : " I studied the discharge from the warchief ' s wounds and mouth . It looked like the flu to me . " Ra ' tassa stopped me , placing a muscular claw on my shoulder . " Ra ' tassa believes in our own prowess . Flaccus should hold his tongue , lest a Cat get it . " I seemed to have rubbed Ra ' tassa ' s fur the wrong way and spent the remaining hours in silence until our arrival in Dune , entrenched in the northwestern grasslands where the Baandari Pedlars roam . While the merchants paid their tariffs and excises , I bade a swift farewell and sketched two samples of the faintly exotic Khajiiti architecture . Being in northern Elsweyr , I wasn ' t expecting the imposing structures of marble or stone found in the south , where Khajiiti culture builds with more permanence . Here in Dune , buildings are less substantial , made from wood , and many have fallen into disrepair . Perhaps this is due to the northern Khajiit favoring a nomadic life , where only tents are necessary . My nerves calmed , I inspected a gift Ma ' rashirr handed me as we parted company - - a Zwinthodurrarr , or yellow writing stick . I used it to sketch the bright , elegant entrance , and the decorative doors of Dune , finding my new implement - - and Khajiiti architecture - - most pleasing . While Cat - Men are certainly partial to bright colors , it borders on tasteful rather than garish , with flourishes of creative artisanship . I walked the streets of Dune in the early afternoon . The painted pavilions and sculptures were intertwined with carvings of glinting golds , reds , and blacks , all beckoning you to take in their beauty and touch . The sandy thoroughfare I strolled upon was mostly dung - free , despite drovers passing , expertly wrangling their herds of cattle and horses . I slowed as I passed hawkers sweetmeats and stopped to barter for a bag of caramelized goat nibbles . Delicious ! There were no menacing shadows lurking at doorways . Instead , the heady aromas of freshly - made nectar bread loafs and honey pudding made my nostrils twitch . I gladly partook of a sample of Tenmar apricot liqueur . Delectable ! Amid the rabble of scurrying couriers , shouting peddlers , and well - to - do robed beast - men reclining in shaded tents and gazing out at the rumpus ( the first time I ' d witnessed a Khajiit without a task or purpose ) , I heard the skirling music pipes from the taverns . Intriguing . . . The Khajiit are sensualists and live to enjoy themselves . The ambrosial aroma of the Sweet Plethora teahouse drew me in . Amid the finery , intricately woven tapestries of the moons ' paths , and the cross - legged Khajiit , I sat down to paint and sample the various syrupy infusions being brewed . The pot of treacle tea was a little too sickly sweet for my palate , so I nibbled on a candied beet and waited for my jar of sorghum sweetmilk . That left a metallic taste in my mouth . I ordered a cup of myrrh - tansy and was enjoying it immensely when I noticed I was being watched . Across the room , an Imperial woman was staring intently at me . Perhaps and agent wanting the preliminary sketches for my guide ? No , she bore no insignia . She dipped her hand below the table and made a gesture I found most unnerving . The clasp of the fingers and spreading of the palm . This was a signal I am certain the Worm Cult used . But she hadn ' t the robed attire . What , now I couldn ' t trust anyone ? I gulped down my tea and left by the rear door . She followed . I panicked and ran . I felt a foot blister burst as I sprinted down exactly the type of alley I ' d sworn never to run down again . I turned several corners , weaving away from my pursuer , until I heard the faint sounds of a crowd chattering in the distance . Rushing through a double gate toward the throng , I stumbled and fell headlong into the arms of a tall and angular Khajiit with scars across his arms and face . I looked up , gasping for the breath to let him now my quandary . " I , Jobasha - do , welcome you to your death . " Handled inappropriately by large paws , I was thrust into a large , sand - covered area where I stumbled about in a tizzy . Circled on all sides by high walls and a baying crowd and stripped of all possessions save a strewn scimitar I ' d been thrown , I realized my predicament . A young female Khajiit was running at me . Instinctively , I dropped my weapon to surrender and backed up . " Zara thinks you may be outmatched in the Thizzrini Arena , Imperial ! " she shouted , tossing me back my blade . " I ' m not a pit fighter ! " I yelled back , catching the weapon by the correct end . " Try to pretend , yes ? " she replied , motioning to an open gate , out of which bounded a young senche - tiger . I scrabbled in the dirt for a crescent - shaped shield and stood my ground . The tiger leapt for me . Clutching the handle , I braced as the animal clanged off the shield and onto Zara ' s impaling spear . " Flaccus may have some combative boldness , like his brother ! " I yelled at Zara with a manic grin . Then I wondered why I ' d started to mimic Khajiiti verbal mannerisms . " Ogre ! " Zara shouted , pointing to a second gate . Something huge and blue - gray lumbered out of the cages , tore a section of masonry from the gate arch , and lobbed it across the arena . It thudded inches away from me . I babbled a prayer to Arkay as my bravery left me . I recall being slightly annoyed at the crowd pelting me with spoiled fruit as I abstained completely from combat . My chest - brand and heart were both burning as I slowed . My vigor spent , I could run no more . With the cobalt beast bearing down on me , I cowered as it raised a massive first for a deathly pummel . The Ogre bellowed as both its hamstrings were severed by Zara ' s swift cuts . Blood flew from its knees as it swayed and lurched . Then a Cat was on the Ogre ' s hunched back , cutting its throat with an expert dissection . The Ogre was dead before it crashed to the ground . What a team we made . After profuse apologies by the arena attendant for my panic and inadvertent exposure to the deadlier side of Khajiiti culture , I limped out of the Thizzrini Arena and waited for Zara to collect her winnings . She offered me some coin , which I thought inappropriately gracious of her . I refused , but confessed to my jeopardy and the relentlessness of my enemies , the Daedric cultists . Mercifully , Zara suggested she accompany me . Being quite devout , Zara was determined to visit the Two - Moons Temple to make an offering . Anxious to see evidence of Khajiiti culture that didn ' t involve slaughter , I agreed and we made our way to an impressive sanctuary which I was delighted to sketch . Zara donned a ceremonial budi - - or shirt - - fastened with braids down the right side , which does not permit the torso fur to be uncovered , for such is believed to be highly indecorous . She told me she always heads here after a fight to give thanks to Jone , Jode , and Alkosh . Soon , the hallways echoed with her oaths to partly heretical deities : " Roar of Alkosh ! " I wish I had the fur and whiskers to fully appreciate such a cathedral of the Cat . Although the outer chambers had sustained damage over the centuries ( most recently from skirmishes with marauding Khajiiti refugees from the corrupt Senchal region ) , the inner basilica held a wealth of meticulously carved masonry , including stone idols to minor deities I had no previous knowledge of . Zara was deep in purring prayer to Alkosh , and I was seated in the cloisters outlining a drawing of an inner pulpit , when I was approached by an older Cat - Man in a ceremonial budi . I got up to leave but was quietly motioned to stay by Moon - Bishop Hunal . " You run with some speed and dexterity , Shaveskin . You would be formidable if your play with blade matched your genius at evasion . Still , your display in the arena was spotless , I think . " By now , the sly disparagement was starting to grate slightly . But this was no caravan roustabout I was speaking with : I offered a fawning reply and unrolled my Imperial credentials . He waved them back into my satchel . " We recognize your bona fides , Flaccus Terentius . Judging by your paunch , you enjoy eating ? To make amends over your recent discomfort in our arena , you are to dine with myself and Telenger the Artificer , a High Elf envoy from Summerset . You would be honored to accept , I ' m sure . We would be accepting of you and your warrior friend ' s agreement , yes ? " Zara had arrived by my side . It was odd to see her so circumspect - - I ' d never seen a Khajiit blush before - - but I took her to one side , mentioned my worries about the Worm Anchorites , and prevailed on her to join me . Dried sugarmeat for the visitors and jumping rodent morsels for the Khajiit at the table . I requested a dram of two - moon cordial . Than the introductions were made . I was particularly delighted to make the acquaintance of the High Elf Telenger , who , despite his stretched and pinched frame and a predisposition to talk down to everyone at the feast , was my connection to visiting the insular Summerset . After chitchat about the ongoing concord with the Cats , I plucked up the effrontery to ask for an escort to the Isles . He pulled back his draped hood to reveal a pair of piercing blue eyes and looked me up and down . " My Swan Ship sails to the Isles on the morrow , Imperial . Leave your protector with her own people . I can guarantee you safe passage . " I accepted most gracefully , although Zara seemed to stare sorrowfully into her plum brandy for a while .