Argonian ( Oblivion ) The Argonians are the reptiloid natives of the Black Marsh of southern Tamriel . Their amphibious physique suits them for aquatic and terrestrial habitation . Years of living in dangerous bogs and swamps has bolstered their immunity to the diseases and poisons found there . Behind expressionless faces , Argonians possess a quiet intellect , and because of this , many are talented mages . Naturally agile , Argonians also make keen rogue s and warriors . Background . Argonians , like Khajiit , were oppressed and enslaved by rich families and primary industries in Morrowind , the last province to abolish slavery . Though slavery is now illegal in Morrowind , House Dres still practices it . This was the main reason for the Argonian invasion of Morrowind , following the Oblivion Crisis , which led to the near total destruction of Morrowind . Argonians are also frequently the victims of racial prejudices , as are all of the beast - races . Culture and origins . Argonians are , in general , a reserved people , slow to trust and hard to know . Yet , they are fiercely loyal , and will fight to the death for those they have named as friend . Argonians are descended from the intelligent Hist trees of Black Marsh . Most of the Argonians are immigrants from Black Marsh , and all are highly skilled in the art of combat . The band of mercenaries known as the " Blackwood Company " is made up of mainly Argonian and Khajiit warriors commissioned by the Emperor . The Blackwood Company serves as a sort of competitor of the Fighters Guild , and are a point in the last few Fighters Guild quests . The guild hall in Leyawiin is where they have their hist tree , imported from Black Marsh . Hist is what all soldiers of the company drink before doing a contract . Argonians are the only race not to suffer negative effects from drinking the Hist Sap . Oppression . Despite both being seen as beast - races , and a sharing a history of oppression from the men or mer races there is strong racial dislike between both the Argonians and the Khajiit . Members of both races commonly see the other as vastly inferior to themselves . If it were not for the lands of the Imperial - held Niben Bay that separates the lands of Black Marsh and Elsweyr , it is very likely that both races would have gone to war with each other long ago . Shadowscales . Born under the constellation of The Shadow , certain Argonians are trained at early ages to become assassin s for the Dark Brotherhood and are given the title " Shadowscale . " Two members of the Cheydinhal Sanctuary bore this title : Ocheeva and Teinaava . Their rival , Scar - Tail , was also a Shadowscale . While few Shadowscales existed in Cyrodiil during the Oblivion Crisis . Biology . Argonians have gills on their necks and are covered in scales . This gives Argonians the unique ability to breathe underwater , which has proven to be an advantage in combat with other races , especially in the swamps of Black Marsh . Argonians are trained in guerrilla warfare to drown their enemies by dragging them to the water and holding them under . Argonians have very sharp reptilian teeth lining their mouths , which , if they are unarmed , can be used as an effective weapon . If an Argonian becomes a vampire , they appear to age tenfold and their eyes turn light red and nearly blank , though their pupils are still visible . Argonians possess tails , the only race besides the Khajiit to do so . When swimming they use their tails to propel themselves as they glide through the water like a fish ( this does not however equate into an actual speed bonus in - game when swimming as an Argonian , the Speed attribute still determines that ) . An Argonian ' s tail is also used for balance giving them an extra advantage in certain situations . This is one of the many reasons Argonians are effective as thieves and assassins . Argonians have a wide variety of cranial features such as fins , ridges , spines , spikes or horns . Female Argonians tend to pierce their cranial features . Usage . Argonians are best suited to the role of a close quarters Assassin . This is because Illusion , Alchemy , Mysticism , and Security are all valued skills for an assassin . An Argonian ' s natural availability of immunities and resist effect can be further augmented by selecting The Atronach birthsign . The single drawback to having this birthsign can easily be negated by having a single Welkynd Stone and at least two identical scrolls weighing 0 . 1 pounds in the inventory at all times . Whenever magicka gets too low , simply scroll duplicate the Welkynd Stone and use one of the two ( or more ) that will result . Benefits . To fully negate the attribute penalties associated with male Argonians , Porphyric Hemophilia needs to be contracted , becoming a vampire . This lessens the number of items required to achieve the same results as a non - vampire . Drawbacks . Argonians have several drawbacks . Bow and arrow attacks are much more useful for an assassin than a close - quarters sneak attack ; however , this is completely unimportant if the Argonian chooses not to play as an assassin or assassin - like class . Because of their reptilian appearance , Argonians are disliked by men and mer , and therefore have a harder time persuading others , though , as mentioned , this will not matter if Charm spells are used . Additionally , their health will always be slightly lower than other races , due to their decreased Endurance . Names . Argonians have a complex language , known as Jel , that few men and mer try to learn , with the exception of Dunmer slavers . As such , many Argonians go by their translated names .