Hist The Hist are a race of sentient trees that are said to have once been spread over a wide area of Nirn , but are now almost solely confined to Black Marsh . Some claim that they are the most ancient race on Nirn . They are associated with the Argonians , who venerate them , but they are not worshipped in the traditional sense of the term . Information on the Hist is scarce , as the Argonians do not readily share such information with others , and may even view such sharing as a betrayal of their race . Biology . The Hist are a kind of tree in appearance . Some say the Hist are mobile , although this has not been verified beyond rumor . They draw water not only as a source of nourishment , but also a repertoire of memories , although this may be figurative . The Hist are interconnected with each other , and can communicate with one another through that link . They also communicate with those who ingest Hist Sap in the right manner , and are considered by Argonians to be a part of them , on a level that is potentially biological . Hist Sap . The Hist produce a sap that is used by Argonians in a variety of cultural practices , as well as which stimulating particular growth patterns in the Argonian , which determine its gender . The sap also induces visions for Argonians , who treat these as sacred experiences . It is also prized by other races as an ingredient , and in some cases as a hallucinogen . in sufficient quantities , the sap is poisonous to all races . History . Argonians consider the Hist to be the source of all life . According to the Anuad , they are mentioned as being one of the two forms of life to emerge from the ruin of the Twelve Worlds , the other being the Ehlnofey . It is also claimed that the Hist originated from Oblivion , although it is possible that they merely fled there to escape the decimation of their realm on Nirn . Since Umbriel also came from Oblivion , the trees in Umbriel could be cousins of the Hist . The trees from Clavicus Vile ' s realm are vaguer than the Hist , not as intelligent or maybe simpler . But like the Hist , they can form their sap into different things , and they can shape life , change its form . At some point in history , much of the Hist ' s realm on Mundus disappeared . Some claim this happened as a result of the Ehlnofey wars , although other sources claim that the Hist were decimated later , when the Dwemer chopped them down for wood . There is an account of the Hist of Haj Uxjith taking its Argonians and fleeing to Oblivion to avoid this fate in the " ancient past , " which may refer to the event mentioned in the " Anuad " . The Hist brought Argonians back to Black Marsh to defend against the Oblivion Crisis at the end of the Third Era , directing them in attacks that defeated Mehrunes Dagon ' s forces , and then on to the subsequent invasion of Morrowind following the Red Year . A rogue Hist was part of the creation of Umbriel in the early Fourth Era . Culture . The Hist do not have a distinct culture of their own that has been disclosed in any great depth . In theory the link they share allows them to operate in unison , suggesting a monolithic mindset . On occasions divergent opinions emerge among the Hist . This results in them being " purged " from the other Hist , as was done by the Hist of Lilmoth in the Third Era . Relationship to the Argonians . The Argonians revere the Hist , considering them to be both their prior existence and their afterlife . The Hist form part of many Argonian cultural rituals , as well as forming a central part of Argonian tribal village life . It is possible that the Hist form the root of their social structure , with each village forming around a single Hist tree . Argonians claim the ability to communicate with the Hist , although precise practices for doing so vary from tribe to tribe of Argonians . This communication takes on the significance of religious guidance for Argonians . The Hist play a central part in an Argonian ' s coming - of - age ceremony , whereby they ingest Hist sap , and are formally named . It is also possible that the ingestion of sap also affects the social awareness of Argonians , although this may be a function of Argonian society in general . Some Argonians also believe that the Hist guide their choice of mate . This has been recorded as an annual event by some scholars , although accounts of individual couplings exist . In extreme circumstances , the Hist have communicated with the entire Argonian race , as well as altering large numbers of them when they ingest Hist sap . This was done during the Oblivion Crisis , where the Hist recalled many Argonians to Black Marsh and invaded the Oblivion Gates , closing them , and co - ordinated the later invasion of Morrowind . It is possible that the Hist feel the need for Argonians around them and consider them their " children , " but this may be a literary device .