Kyne ' s Challenge : A Hunter ' s Companion / The Black Marsh Content . " A Wade Through Fetid Fens , Disorder , and Daedra " CROCODILE . " We seek the longest , most hard - hided and sharp - toothed rormasu in Shadowfen today , " Footfalls - in - Snow remarked with a giddy clicking to his voice . After I asked , he explained rormasu ( and I write this spelling without qualification as a scholar of language ) means " big - mouthed reptile that blinks above water , " or in the vastly more common tongue , " crocodile . " " We sometimes refer to them as ' marsh duneripper s , ' " offered Namasur . " Ra ' baanash the Spotless calls them ' four - clawed daedroths , ' but I think the humor is lost in the translation from Khajiiti . You wish me to spell this out for you , yes ? " Kishra - do asked . At this moment , I stopped our wading , and explained the purpose of this book was to describe specific combat advice for the unwary hunter , not gibbering palaver for the bookish . Fortunately , I didn ' t have to endure this babble for much longer , as the Argonian politely asked us for silence , as something large and scaly was lurking in the brackish waters close to the lower swamp banks we were navigating . There it was , hoping to hide , a pair of prying eyes attached to a long , scaled snout , floating in the muddy fen , a line of thick plates resting along its back like the shingles on a Breton ' s outhouse . At least four of us end to end would not have reached from snout to tail ; this was an immense specimen , red eyes watching without blinking , the hint of sharper spines along its end stump . " He is quick as a bolt over a few short sprints , and prefers deeper water to clamp on and drown its dinner , " Footfalls - in - Snow explained , producing a knife of supreme sharpness . Clenching it between his teeth , he actively courted disaster , swimming out to tackle this monster in its own territory . Were crocodiles capable of higher intelligence , its expression would have shown puzzlement , quickly turning to alarm as Footfalls - in - Snow coaxed the reptile up onto the soft mud of a marshy bank , which didn ' t seem to swallow the Argonian ' s feet and impede his movements . Suddenly there was a thrashing of water , and a pair of oversized jaws lashed out from the bog , snapping close to the Argonian ' s arm . Footfalls - in - Snow shouted something about the power of the snap to crush the limbs of the unwary , then threw a dagger quickly , but ineffectively , at the raging foe . As it clambered up to sink its teeth into the Argonian , he explained the crocodile had " ancient skin ; it roamed Mundus before us , " and its hide was extremely tough . Leaped over the swinging tail of the crocodile , he landed atop its back , infuriating the prey . It buckled and twitched , but the Argonian had his adversary in an impressive grip , produced another dagger , and plunged it into one of the crocodile ' s red eyes , which spurted out a most unpleasant fluid . " A thumb can be just as forceful ! " he yelled over the fountain of dirty water , mud , and blood . Then he reached into the crocodile ' s mouth , seemingly placid as the great mouth and sharp teeth snapped shut , swallowing the Argonian ' s arm . He stood up , pressed the crocodile ’ s head into the water , and ripped out part of its loose , flapping interior gullet as the crocodile released its grip . " Now it drowns ! " he yelled , jamming the beast ' s head still further underwater . Thrashing turned to splashes ; then bubbles formed around the Argonian ' s forearms at the surface . Then the long lizard ' s body became corpse - like . Footfalls - in - Snow had drowned a marsh crocodile using only bare hands and bravery . GIANT SNAKE . The sweltering unpleasantness continues to test our constitutions ; Roggvir almost threw down his favorite furs , drenched in the sweat , and curses at Sithis flowed faster than this fetid swamp water . Mangroves and low grass , with fleshflies gathering in swarms for a celebratory feast on our arms . Cover your skin and you ' re as hot as the Skyforge . Remove your clothing , and you ' re bitten by tiny , diseased insects . " This place is the muck of Mundus ! " Roggvir roared , hopping in the thick heat to retrieve a wayward boot which the thick bog water was threatening to swallow . It was during this mildly humorous interlude that Roggvir almost lost more than his footwear ; at this point a formidably sized snake reared up from behind some low bushes , intent on dinner . " Do you see the pale stripe along the ridge of the back , with the pattern of a dagger down each side , like a stream meandering ? " Footfalls - in - Snow asked , as we watched Roggvir yell loudly , lose his balance , and topple like a top - heavy Pack Guar into the effluent . " Indeed , " I answered , observing the slithering segments , lightly colored belly , and bright orange hues between the black markings of this huge serpent : A pointed tail , and a crest of small , fin - like ridges above the wide jaw , which had widened to accommodate a Nord - sized morsel . Bright red eyes and a forked tongue of pink , darting to taste the air around Roggvir , who was spluttering and yelling for assistance , as he sank still further into the mire . " These scale patterns forewarn , like the clouds forming on the distant ocean that show the future weather , " the Argonian continued . " The color reveals how venomous this viper ' s bite is , and thus the price we can demand from milking its venom sacs . " " Ah , a minion of the serpent - god Satakal ! " Namasur had recognized his prey and waded into the brown swamp by now , and was knee deep and closing in on the giant snake . He grinned as Roggvir ' s thrashing coated the Nord ' s belongings in a foul - smelling ooze churned up from the swamp . " Sharith Roggvir wouldn ' t survive the hour from this one ' s bite , " the lizard said , as we sat and enjoyed a sweetroll together . " This one attacks anything with a shadow ; they search out the weak , infirm , or troubled . But this one may be protecting eggs . Oh , Master Roggvir ! Watch out for its gaze ! " Roggvir disappeared under the dark waters for a moment , then found firmer footing and shot up like the contents of an uncorked mead bottle . The giant snake sank its teeth into Roggvir ' s leg , but the bite glanced off his thigh plates . Roggvir produced a dagger , which was subsequently lost in the ooze after the snake lashed out , whipping its tail around and knocking Roggvir back into his undignified and watery languishing position . " We call this kajthux , or ' ample serpent , ' in my tongue . " ( I guessed at the spelling ; the Argonian made a clicking rasp from the back of his throat , making the word unpronounceable to me . ) Then he began to talk about the Maormer and their serpent magic , but I severed the conversation , as a theological debate about Sea Elves wasn ' t as entertaining as Roggvir ' s predicament . “ Stop playing with your prey and slice him ! ” Ingjard shouted from the grassy bank . “ Or do you need a Redguard to save you ? ” Roggvir flashed a glare , then stifled a yelp as the snake bit down hard just below the knee , black fluids leaking from its fangs . “ See the poison enter Roggvir ' s humors ? ” the Argonian asked , dipping into a leather satchel to retrieve a small bottle of white liquid . “ Administer this remedy before nightfall , or he loses the leg . ” Namasur had reached the stranded Roggvir by now , retrieved the Nord ' s errant boot , and moved around the great serpent almost without hindrance from the water . A scimitar cut deeply through the flesh , as the snake tried to shake the Redguard from its back . Climbing to the neck , Namasur executed a perfect plunge , his sword severing the beast ' s head , and saving what remained of Roggvir ' s pride in the process . Roggvir was especially keen on snake meat for supper that night . GIANT WASP . Roggvir ' s clothing had finally dried out in the stifling heat , but even his bottled incense couldn ' t overcome the stink . While he muttered more unpleasant fates for any Argonians that crossed his path , I placed Roggvir with Kishra - do , and beckoned Footfalls - in - Snow to my side . Soon , our wading was interrupted by a strange sight : Throughout the seemingly endless swamps of Shadowfen , among the mangrove trees growing up through the sediment , I spied a patch of marshy grass where a figure lay slumped , propped against a thickly barked tree . The Argonian motioned for me to slow , and we dropped to our haunches , examining the body . The drooping corpse of an Argonian . “ A lukiul ; see how his tunic is of Imperial origin ? A withered root and licker of mammals . ” I was a little surprised at Footfalls - in - Snow ' s hectoring and ill talk of the dead , but he continued : “ Kaoc ! By seed and spleen … ” he rasped , prodding the dead lizard ’ s distended stomach , which had inflated like a forge bellows . He checked the eyes , which were almost black with burst vessels ; a thin string of golden drool hung from its open mouth . Scales hung off it like a hide after tanning . “ This daril drinker swims in Trouble River . He is food for the kaj - jeke thota . ” A scaly finger darted forward , touching the transparent dribble . The Argonian quickly tasted a morsel . “ Nectar ! ” He remarked , licking his lips . “ Let us retreat ; it is about to hatch . ” The bloated body twitched , as if the death vapors were escaping from it . The head and body swelled outwards to an almost impossible size , and then burst apart , showering us with rotting flesh and bone , putrid scales , and other unpleasantness . “ The kaj - jeke thota is fully grown but undernourished . It seeks further feeding ! ” Footfalls - in - Snow spoke quickly , wiping his face clean of Argonian offal . “ In your language , this would be called an ' ample stinging insect , ' or ' giant wasp . ' Beware its quick temper as it first wakens . ” An iridescent mass of sharp cutting incisors , dribbling mandibles , and thin , grasping hook arms , two antennae protruding above two eyes of many pupils , and wings beating faster than I could see them . It leapt forth , buzzing loudly with its thorax thrusting between its legs , a curved stinger hovering close to my face , lunging forwards with dogged determination . “ See the coloration , like a rainbow hue ? ” Footfalls - in - Snow remarked , readying his spear : “ Those wasps who feed from my kind exhibit this aspect . ” After the Argonian ' s spear carved a gash through its middle , it faltered , biting out at the humid air , and then dropped , on the way to a quick death after an already brief life . I was picking chunks of Argonians innards from my beard for hours afterwards . WAMASU . The stench and texture of this black mire is worse than a rarely emptied latrine . When the Argonian describes Shadowfen as “ unspoiled , ” we stifle a laugh and cover our noses . This land may be flat , but the constant wading through dark filth , boggy waters , and occasional pools of slime slows our progress considerably ; we cover less ground than if we were scaling a mountain . Our plodding is impaired by thick , clinging fog . When that eventually burns off , we suffer frequent bursts of revolting yellow rain , which Roggvir has taken to calling “ Hist piss . ” My toe fungus and other damp chafing is becoming unbearable . I now reminisce about our journey through Morrowind with actual fondness . But our Argonian guide to these pestilent parts seems to be thriving in the thick humidity . As the swamp widened to a river and we climbed up onto the bank , Footfalls - in - Snow pointed to a log floating in the thick rushes across from our perch . “ Let your eyes adjust to the sun . See the rods on its ridged back ? ” He was correct ; this was a half - hidden , lurking menace . Another crocodile ? “ No , far more ferocious ! ” came the cheerful reply . “ You know this creature by the Jel name , wamasu , which has a tangled translation as ‘ the big - mouthed reptile of blood lightning . ’ ” I unfastened my shield and readied my axe , for it was time to test my old bones against a critter . Before I entered the water again , a webbed hand stopped me : “ Here , wear this ring before you fight , so you ' re not set alight . It gathers and focuses the wamasu ’ s lightning into your weapon hand , not through the top of your head . ” I navigated the riverbank carefully , watching the wamasu as it slowly waded into the shallow water . It was a sizable specimen , more purple in color than I was expecting . It stood on four trunk - like legs , each as stocky as the bulky plated torso they moved about with a lolloping gait , turning left and right under each weighty step . The spine - like rods protruding from its neck grew flat and wide along its back , finally stopping at a fish - like tail . Its mouth was a jumble of fangs , chin horns , and deep - set eyes . It looked a little like the Dragons of myth , seen on the tapestries of Whiterun . Just behind its jaw were a row of gills , where the Argonian recommended I focus most of my stabbing . “ Plant yourself firmly , as a pine ’ s roots cling to the loose Skyrim scree ! ” Footfalls - in - Snow shouted encouragement , but I had been fighting monsters since before he was hatched . The wamasu ' s first ( and spectacular ) strike , I admit , caught me unawares . Sparks shot forth from its back spines , congregating in his maw , and out shot a stream of crackling light , bombarding my shield and scorching me . The Argonian ' s ring glowed brightly , as it gathered the energy from this attack , helpfully keeping me from a twitching death , as I was still knee deep in the river . I smelled burning hair as I staggered up the riverbank . The wamasu wasted little time , trotting back before charging forward , leaping off the ground in a surprising display of dexterity , and loosening the slope I stood on when it landed . I fell back , tumbled into the river with my axe and dignity lost . I found the wamasu again , as I quickly stood and caught Roggvir ' s second - finest hammer , thrown from the onlookers I ' d requested not to aid me . A prideful order I was beginning to regret . Steam ( or was it smoke ? ) escaped the monster ’ s orifices , as it crackled , sending arcs of shocking discharge out from its feet , and charging its tail in bright energy . It let out an impressive growl , and then met me in the mire , clawing at the ground before me , as a massive explosion of light shot out from the wamasu . Had this old fool been set ablaze and sent to Sovngarde ? No — I tasted something like sulfur , and the Argonian ' s ring was pulsing with energy . Leaping back , I narrowly missed a barbed tail and yet another strike of lightning . I could hardly move in the water , but I remembered the Argonian ' s advice earlier , and gripped Roggvir ' s hammer so the ring touched the hilt . The hammer ' s enchantments glowed red with a ferocity I ' d not seen before . I roared with the focus and force of my ancestors , and spun the hammer in a wheel , as flames erupted from the peen . I assailed the neck of the creature . As metal touched scales , I felt my legs lift from the ground , the whistle of air , then my lungs filled with yellow water as I was thrown backwards into the deep river . As I surfaced , I watched the smoking and headless body of the wamasu teeter and drop to the grassy bank . Then a combination of elated whooping ( at the spectacular explosion of fire I had detonated , and my survival ) and shouts of disgust ( as the morsels of wamasu skull , head skin , and brain matter rained down on my companions ) . I still have the Argonian ' s ring , just in case I wish to incite both a drowning and a burning . DAEDROTH . The Argonian later blamed the low light and a slight cold for his tactical oversight when a wrestle with a crocodile transformed into a battle much more fraught , against a mighty minion of Molag Bal . We were enduring yet another evening of swamp stink , plodding through sludge , and listening to Roggvir ' s moaning , when Footfalls - in - Snow rasped an order from his scouting position . We stopped , sinking yet further into the mire , as the Argonian spied the head of a huge crocodile , its eyes closed and wallowing in a mud hole . I immediately sensed something was different . Kishra - do even smelled it . But Footfalls - in - Snow spotted the back ridges and an opportunity to prove his worth as a hunter . I believe he was in midleap when the crocodile woke up , turned its giant snout , and rose vertically from the water , attached to a powerful and muscular body crafted onto the reptile ’ s head by Molag Bal himself . He had disturbed a daedroth . The Daedra rose to its full height , half as tall again as the Redguard Namasur , with each plate shoulder the width of a man . A ridge that began at the snout spiraled into two thick horns , with further protrusions along the back ridges . Now fully exposed , a waddle of red under the chin , stretched sinew covering armored arms and each clawed hand big enough to crush two heads in one palm . Gnarled rivulets of ebony between the mud and gray skin . A man - shaped chest revealed the extent of the Argonian ' s misconstruing . A three - pronged flail for a tail , dewclaw hooks , and two four - toed claw feet , all spawned to spread torment and discord . Flames poured forth from the snapping jaws and consumed Ingjard ' s shield , halfway up her arm . She grimaced and held firm at the daedroth ' s feet . It gave a great shake , and the Argonian clung on like a tick on a Reachman ' s beard . Buffeted by two oversized shoulder plates , Footfalls - in - Snow finally lost his grip and fell over the daedroth ' s head — unluckily , right into his open mouth . A quick and powerful bite was delivered , almost severing the Argonian ' s arm . Now the lizard was ablaze too . Thrashing the limp lizard in a furious shake of his head , the daedroth stepped to Kishra - do , who had advanced with a spear to hinder this Daedra ' s rampage . She wasn ’ t met halfway , but the hulk leapt from the water in a huge stride , and landed within breathing distance , smoke wisping out of its nostrils , and tore at her with jagged claws . The Argonian ' s arm was now bending in an alarming direction , but suddenly the daedroth ' s mouth was wide open , and it was howling . The Argonian was not only still alive , but had been slicing its palate with a hidden blade attached to his wrist , also caught between Daedra teeth . As the mouth dropped open , Footfalls - in - Snow fell into the mud clutching a long , flapping coil of flesh . He looked up at the startled giant , and licked his lips . " You call that a tongue ? " the lizard shouted , proudly waving the goblet of skin as thick ribbons of blood erupted from the gap - toothed mouth . The Daedra ' s confused and pained expression , wide of eye , was frozen in death after a Khajiit spear was thrust up through the spewing gullet , and out of the back of the head . Namasur and Kishra - do struggled to carry its severed head to a bank , where its teeth could be more easily extracted . As the Argonian produced his tools , I asked , " You have a name for this creature in your language ? How about ' big - mouthed Daedra that blinks like a crocodile ' ? " The Argonian reacted with a look of puzzlement . " No , this was a daedroth . We don ' t taint our language with words for these detestations , so we use your words instead . " I had been verbally bettered by the lizard , perhaps without him knowing it . WISP AND WISPMOTHER . We were deep within the swampy gloom of Shadowfen ' s more densely populated forests , where the usual stink of still waters clung to our boots , and the chirruping of tiny animals and insects droned in our ears . Roggvir let out audible appreciation to Akatosh as the ground became a little firmer , and a confluence of trees crowded our view , their branches laden with moss . We walked a little further before Ingjard remarked that the voices in the woods had hushed dramatically . Footfalls - in - Snow moved to the tangle of roots at the foot of a grand old tree , and cut away the vines to reveal an old sign , written in Jel . " Hej xajhuthi kroni . " The Argonian read this out loud to us , which was helpful , as the script on the sign seemed to be gibberish . " The direct translation is ' vaporous , dangerous crones , ' but you would read it was ' beware of witchlights . ' " " Many a lukiul has mindlessly followed the hejsetha thtitleel to a watery death , " the Argonian whispered , instructing us to remain still , as he had seen an inkling of movement in the fen ahead . “ You would say ‘ vaporous , floating sphere ’ or ‘ wisp ’ in your language . Very rarely , the wisps are commanded by a hejsetha thtithik , or ‘ vaporous , floating egg hatcher . ’ But you would say ‘ wispmother . ’ ” Fascinating though this was , I would throttle the Argonian if he uttered the word vaporous again , so I requested a hush descend on our party . We had previous experience of these nature ghosts — Eastmarch is full of them — so we edged forward into the watery bog clearing with our weapons at the ready . As if commanded by the Argonian himself , a strange orb of light appeared through the hanging moss and mist , flitting through the greenery and darting between the mangrove trees . This light was soothing , beckoning us to explore further . Roggvir took a couple of steps forward , then shook his head in annoyance and snapped from a trance . Another appeared : a soft white globe , with pale blue emanations skipping about its surface , and a winding , glowing tail gradually fading into the damp air . We carefully edged forwards , as a second wisp appeared . Then a third , this one slowly bobbing up and down in almost giddy anticipation of our doom . We watched our footing , as the ground was becoming more unstable . My whispered discussion with the Argonian over whether to classify a wispmother as a spirit of nature or a phantom was cut short as we finally spotted a hooded shape , seemingly at peace , floating over a mist - laden pool of vivid green water . It was impossible to see where she ended , and the fog permeating the shrouded glade began . We counted seven wisps slowly orbiting her ghostly form . While it appeared this specter was female , a torn beauty wrapped in a ragged dress of dissolving green , I urged our hunters to look below her enchanting form . Sure enough , through the mist and below the water were scattered bones , murky but distinguishable , skeletal remains of those summoned here by an alluring but evil magic . Archers were positioned up in the trees , while the more broad - shouldered ( Roggvir , Namasur , and myself ) waded forward , each from a different direction , careful in our movements not to step into the deeper reaches of the fetid pond . As the first arrows rang out , the soft face of the wispmother hardened to an alarming grimace , her true nature and long , fanged teeth exposed . Kishra - do ' s aiming matcher her tree - climbing ability ; two wisps had already shaken violently , before exploding in wild magical energy . Fortunately , we weren ’ t hurt by their detonation . The others congregated around the wispmother , periodically shooting quick , crackling bolts of blue that our shields caught . Our soaking feet almost reached the wispmother herself . With nowhere to beckon us to , her snarl lengthened , and wild , tattered arms began to writhe . Moments later , she had sculpted two more of her sisters , identical in every way , who spread out to minimize our tactical advantage . But we were prepared for such cunning , had paired ourselves with an archer each to provide the wading warriors with support in their sodden savagery , and we advanced . Namasur ' s quarry screamed like a harpy , coughing up and shooting out shards of frost , which reduced the Redguard ' s normally lightning - fast response . But he was upon her anyway , cleaving the creature with a sweeping scimitar . She disappeared with dwindling laughter . Roggvir ' s target swayed and formed a multitude of orbs , which shot up into the forest canopy , and then rained down on the Nord like a comet shooting through the firmament . Ingjard ' s arrows meant the majority never met their intended target , and the rest were blocked by a fine Nord shield , or withstood by quality Nord armor . Roggvir ' s axe swung in seething rage , cutting through the wispmother ' s head . But she too was a figment : My wispmother was the one to focus on . By now she was riddled with arrow marks and fading fast ; but it took the clout of my hammer to finish her off ; a wail of torment echoed around the glade as this phantasm joined her sisters . The gathering of wisp trails soon followed , after which I settled a heated argument after Kishra - do began to salvage the equipment of the wispmothers ' watery victims , which is apparently tantamount to desecration for an Argonian . HARVESTER . We were on the outskirts of Bogmother when Namasur first noticed the many - armed silhouette along the steps of the aging fortification . Moss - draped trees half hid a strange stepped pyramid , called a xanmeer by the Argonians and built by ancestors even more primitive than the Saxhleel ( the indigenous types that worship in these parts ) . The plant life and immense ( but cracked ) stonework were all sagging under the humidity , into the soft marsh earth . The moons were out tonight . A tail of black metal , an atrocity of rusted ebony plates , fused into protesting skin . A lamia spawned from the loins of Molag Bal . Truly a formidable and worrying sight : an irregular shadow slithering across a stepped pyramid , both moons casting her in shadow . Then she turned , and a full view of the Daedric Prince ' s handiwork startled us as she glided along the vine - covered steps , her four arms stirring slowly in unison , odd blue crackles of fire appearing from black and barbed gauntlets and contorting around her face . And what a face ! Surrounded by a crest and a frill of horns , sallow cheeked and teeth gnashing , a permanent scowl etched on her brow . Namasur ' s knowledge of the capricious powers almost rivaled that of Aramea Drethan , the ancient Dunmeri author . The grotesque at the pyramid hadn ’ t all her wits about her , and our company knew to be quiet . Instigating combat was our choice . “ An infernal coupling of horror and beauty , this harvester . Her task is to oversee , to preside over sacrifices or the stealing of souls . ” I kept a wary eye on her as Namasur spoke : “ They act alone , and have little societal rank , unlike the Dremora . But she is no Goblinspawn ; her competence lies at an arrow ' s range . ” I signaled to Roggvir to act as a lure , as Namasur finished his advice : “ We must force ourselves through her illusions and trickery , and smell her foul breath . Only then will our efforts worry her . When wielding a blade , her hands are weak , despite having plenty of them . So she attacks using conjuring and illusions : See how she summons the black winter ? ” I was correct in assuming this meant the darkness that traveled around the harvester as it slid away from Roggvir ' s clattering charge . This following flow had no reflection , and Roggvir was warned to keep from stepping into it . He raced to the harvester ; black worms writhed from the pool to swarm his boots and slow his progress . The harvester stretched out her jaw with a terrible scream , stopping Roggvir ’ s proposed axe insertion , and the Nord collapsed with his hands over his ears , blood dripping down his helmet . I watched in consternation as the harvester feasted on Roggvir ' s kneeling body , plucking vitality in black orbs which emerged from his form and floated towards the Daedra . Ingjard wasn ' t standing for any of this , and a Nord arrow cut through one of the orbs , which burst , and strange bright energy darted back into Roggvir , who now stood on unsteady feet . The harvester threw out her own sharp - pronged offering , a bolt from the void that struck the pyramid steps Ingjard was charging across . She grit her teeth as one bolt struck her already - tender shoulder , then began a yell to wake the dead . Namasur and Kishra - do were quick to join in the rout , causing the harvester confusion over who should be brought to their knees ; in the end she focused her efforts on killing my Nord companion . But Ingjard Stone - Hand does not fall at the many hands of Molag Bal . Quite the contrary : An upward slice of fury , and both the harvester ' s arms were cut down to the bone . It shrieked and slithered too slowly to avoid the carving of her belly and the final savage thrust through the harvester ' s open mouth and up through the skull that brought Ingjard ' s prowess into brutal focus . XIVILAI . Much of the village of Bogmother was on fire . Not an easy feat for the despoiler in question , due to the abundance of water and stone structures , but as we entered the settlement , thick black smoke could be seen billowing up from a number of indigenous mud nests the Saxhleel inhabit . Although presently , the owners of the properties were gathering their hatchlings and fleeing . Footfalls - in - Snow returned from a rasping conference with one of the village elders , and gathered me and Namasur into a small huddle . " A reject of Sithis , one who seeks to stifle our spawning grounds . A Daedra pillager is responsible for this wickedness . Waxhuthi ! " the Argonian spat on the ground , clearly riled . As he cursed , we looked over to a wayshrine of rough stone and clinging moss . The burning shrine was snuffed , demolished by a powerful kick . The entire structure collapsed , and Footfalls - in - Snow let out a high - pitched squeak . As the rubble appeared through the fading dust , we finally gazed upon the marauder responsible . A blue devil had come to curse Bogmother . Striding out to meet a small complement of village warriors , a Daedra of powerful stature seemed intent on further carnage . Seemingly chiseled from amethyst , this finely toned fiend was one and a half men tall , and displayed the arrogance of a Xivilai , an intelligent , proud , and bloodthirsty breed . Namasur had spoken of their service to Mehrunes Dagon , as well as their dishonesty and hubris . If haughtiness could be bottled , a Xivilai ' s face would be on the label . Thick ebony horns , a mane of black hair , ears like an Elf ' s , and further horns where cheeks and chin would be . An unrefined necklace of jagged beauty clamped around its thick neck by an unknown master , and bare skin except for strange runic tribal tattoos , and a loincloth of metal . I would test the Xivilai ' s objection to proper armor shortly . For now , we watched in horror as it set about dispatching the Argonian guards . This was achieved almost nonchalantly , as it engulfed the Saxhleel in a great plume of fire . It picked up the second by the throat , squeezing the life from the poor lizard before carving him into two equal and bloody sections , both flopping onto the soft soil . The last Argonian was a shellback , clad in heavier armor . Fire danced behind the Daedra ' s eyes as it sallied forth , producing a two - handed mace made for exquisite butchery ( alarmingly wielded with one hand free ) and battering in the warrior ’ s skull with a single , horrible swing . The Argonian guard fell , and the devil peered down at the fresh corpse at his feet , then clutched the lifeless lizard ’ s head with his prehensile toes , and wrenched it from the still - twitching body . Footfalls - in - Snow was seething : " Xuth ! For the Ebonheart Pact , we must avenge this slaughter ! " " Silence your frog , Grundvik , son of Guthrum . " The devil spoke , seemingly from inside my head . " Xivilai Sahrith Dagon challenges you ! " Kishra - do looked alarmed . Namasur only offered a worried nod . But Ingjard knew my secrets ; she slapped me on the back and whispered , “ Go show him why we call you Cold - Fist , friend ! ” Possessing equal measures of brutal strength , a magician ' s ways , and savage cunning , the Xivilai would not be wander through a meadow : As I unwound my axe - carrying arm , warming up my shoulder and tightening the grip on my shield , a guttural stream of barking spat forth from the devil . A strange oval portal blinked into view , and a clannfear trotted out of the void of Coldharbour , spotted me , and thundered forward . A hard head met a well - timed strike , as the beast ' s charge was hindered after I sidestepped and cut down firmly , severing bones in its back and reducing the familiar to a whinnying , paralyzed mess . Unfortunately , Sahrith Dagon was upon me , a glinting eye and a massive mace to rival the departed Bashnag ' s , which he used to singular effect . A great heave , and spiked ebony clashed against my shield . I had braced , and the shield held , but I was staggered by the sheer force of this brutality . The Xivilai used his height advantage , bringing the mace down with a vertical force to shatter granite . I parried with both hands , murmuring a prayer to Mara , and found my feet forced down into the wet ground and my bones rattled . This one had the strength of a giant and the grace of an Elf ; little wonder the expressions on my fellow hunters ’ faces had turned from worry to horror . The duel continued with the crackle of lightning : no respite from the evil terror . Forks of stabbing light arced around us , striking through me at seemingly inopportune moments . But a ring given to me by an Argonian friend helped focus this shock . I ventured an axe strike , sinking it into the Xivilai ' s thigh , and he registered his disapproval with a roar so loud it dislodged one of my teeth . Less cocksure and more furious , Sahrith Dagon shoved me backwards , and began to form a ball of flames in his free hand , cackling a malefic incantation . Lines of fire snaked out , tall walls of burning magic converging on me . A priggish smirk formed on his face , as the inferno assailed me . Footfalls - in - Snow fell to his knees , weeping . " Yngol steer me from the Sea of Ghosts . Ylgar guide my hand of frost . Ysgramor protect my flesh … " Though my beard and cloak were ablaze , I became suddenly still . Tranquility washed over my roasting skin . The pain had gone . I concluded my incantation , my hands shaking , and I dropped my axe and shield . Sahrith Dagon ' s grin of malice twitched with a speck of doubt . A whirling and churning formed around my fists ; wisps of ice from the ether entwined and shattered my gauntlets . An echo of the great face of a creature briefly formed , lizard - like and conjured from the cold ; the summoned ice phantom grew outwards and upwards . I launched my arms forward in a swift sweep , and the Xivilai was swallowed whole by my vengeance . A roaring and rushing of air , and a thousand shards of ice , each thrust deeply into Daedra flesh . A moment passed , my fire was out , and my summoned storm subsided . Only the eyes of Sahrith Dagon moved now , his face etched into a frozen grimace , and his body unmovable . My right hand coalescing with ice , I walked softly , stood before the staring and stupefied despoiler , and dug into his chest , my hand melting through blue skin and shattering ribs . Ripping out my fist , I showed the wide - eyed Sahrith Dagon his beating heart . Then I gathered my equipment , walked back to my brethren , gave the open - mouthed Kishra - do a sack with the Daedra organ in it , and shielded myself as frozen Xivilai meat fell on Bogmother from Sahrith Dagon ’ s damned and exploding carcass . This is why I am called Cold - Fist .