Argonian ( Skyrim ) Enigmatic and intelligent , the Argonians are experts at guerrilla warfare , and their natural abilities suit their swampy homeland , Black Marsh . They have developed immunities to the diseases that have doomed many would - be explorers in the region , and they are capable of easily exploring underwater locations due to their ability to breathe underwater . Argonians make proficient thieves , due to their increased lockpicking and sneaking skills . Culture . Politics . After conquest of the Dunmer province of Morrowind , little is known about the politics of the Argonians in the Fourth Era . There is an Argonian political faction called the An - Xileel , but there is little information about them , except they are composed of mostly , if not all , Argonians , and that they pushed back Mehrunes Dagon ' s forces during the Oblivion Crisis in Black Marsh , and were also the faction responsible for orchestrating the conquest of Morrowind . Assemblage . In Windhelm , Argonians are sequestered from the predominantly Nordic population , and are forced to live at the Argonian Assemblage , located at the city docks . After the mass exodus of Dunmer and Argonian peoples to Windhelm , the citizens became suspicious , worrying that the immigrants would influence or otherwise dilute their culture , and so forced them into segregation . Largely , this extreme behavior was inspired by the political confrontation between the Empire of Tamriel and the rulers of Skyrim . However , this eventually just turned into blatant racism . Marriage . Unlike the citizens of Skyrim , who prefer to marry using an Amulet of Mara , some Argonians adhere to their native marriage traditions . In Black Marsh , it is customary to present a lover with an Argonian Wedding Band , which is crafted by the courting member . Each ring is unique and has personal meaning to the creator and the recipient . " " In Black Marsh , tradition dictates we present a potential mate a unique wedding ring to represent our future bond . " " " " Every Argonian wedding proposal band is supposed to have three flawless amethysts as part of their design . Two of the gems , the ones on the outside , represent the couple to be married . . . one for the husband , one for the wife . The amethyst in the center represents The Hist , the entity that all Argonians consider a sacred part of our lives . " " – Talen - Jei Popular usage and unique gameplay . The Argonians ' stealth and lockpicking make them brilliant assassins , thieves , scouts , and ambushers . Their lack of combat bonuses in archery and one - handed weapons can be overcome by natural skill leveling and play . Argonians can be used fairly well as spellswords , but conjuration training may be necessary . They can also be useful mage - thieves due to their skills in both magic and stealth , though one may want some illusion training . They are roughly comparable to their rivals and neighbors , the Khajiit and the Bosmer . Like the Khajiit , Argonians do more damage in unarmed combat compared to other races , due to their tough , scaled skin , though not as much as their clawed feline counterparts . Argonians have unique advantages due to their natural waterbreathing ability . This gives them an all - terrain versatility in an area that other races need magic , potions , or enchanted gear to fill . Argonians are able to make ample use of Skyrim ' s waterways as a means of quick travel , free from ambush and interference ( for example , traveling from Riverwood to Whiterun by river can be quite expedient and avoids roadside hazards including wolves , bandits , and assassins ) and also a quick means of escape should they find themselves in a dangerous situation that they cannot handle . River travel has its own share of hazards , however , such as waterfalls , rapids , and hostile animals such as Slaughterfish and Mudcrabs . They can also be quite a " tank " in battle because of their Histskin ability that multiplies their health regeneration ten times . Notable male Argonians . The following is a list of some of the more notable Argonians that can be found in Skyrim :