Tribes of Murkmire : Miredancers Content . I ' ve had the privilege to speak to two different Miredancer elders now , and I ' ve learned a great deal from both of these conversations . The " Gee - Rusleel , " as they call themselves , are among the most introspective Argonians I ' ve met in my travels . They also tend to be the most pleasant . For all their reclusiveness and wariness , I ' ve never met a people more willing to share a meal or a game of Shells and Stones . They are skilled crafters , with a particular knack for working with Hist amber and egg shells . They are also peerless navigators , guiding their flat - bottom boats effortlessly through the swamp , master weavers , and skilled cartographers . The most defining characteristic of the Miredancer tribe , however , is piety . This deep reverence for the Hist has earned them the right to name a " Sap - Speaker " for countless generations . According to the elders I spoke with , the Sap - Speaker is the Hist ' s direct intermediary . ( This is , of course , subject to debate . Many tribes boast unique methods of communion with the Hist . But as far as I have seen , the Miredancers make the most compelling case for the methods they use . ) Sap - Speakers often go into seclusion for days or even weeks on end , venturing either down into the roots or high into the canopy of leaves in the uppermost branches . Here , they commune with the Hist . Indeed , the word that one of the elders used was " journey . " These journeys into the Hist tax the Sap - Speakers , but are thoroughly private affairs . After days by themselves , the Sap - Speakers emerge to hide away with old books , scrolls , and tablets . I asked after the purpose of these periods of seclusion , and this is what the elders told me . " The Sap - Speaker enters the embrace of the Hist to learn from the great tree , " one elder said . " While in close contact with the roots and branches , the Sap - Speaker receives visions and other forms of communication that neither you nor I would understand . " The other elder continued . " Even the Sap - Speaker finds some of what is shown to be mystifying and confusing . I have heard that a Sap - Speaker is treated to ancient metaphors , arcane secrets , and visions that make little sense to creatures so far removed from sap and pulp . " Apparently , the second period of seclusion allows the Sap - Speaker time to reflect on what he or she was shown , as well as time to consult with the ancient writings of Sap - Speakers who came before . After a suitable period of study and reflection , the Sap - Speaker emerges to reveal the Hist ' s will to the tribe . I attempted to get more information about what happens while the Sap - Speaker meditates among the roots or branches , but I ' m not sure the elders knew much more . They did tell me that the only nourishment the Sap - Speaker receives during these periods of seclusion is provided by the Hist itself in the form of sap , leaves , and the otherwise forbidden fruit of the tree . There is a price to pay for the gift of Hist communion , however . Ingesting large quantities of Hist sap is a dangerous affair , even for Argonians . Sap - Speakers routinely suffer the effects of sap - poisoning , including " gold tongue " ( permanent change of mouth pigmentation to a golden hue ) , unbidden hallucinations , " bark - scale " ( thickening and darkening of surface scales ) , and other maladies they were reticent to talk about . The current Sap - Speaker , Thumarz , was in seclusion during my visit to the tribal village . I hope to meet him someday . If he ' s half as wise as the elders I interacted with , I ' d no doubt learn a great deal from him . Despite their deeply religious nature , the Miredancers also seem to have an obsession with games of all types . They are particularly fond of the games Nine - Shells and Shells and Stones , as well as sports such as the popular " teeba - hatsei " ( also known as " hip and tail ball . " ) In addition to lovingly explaining their own games , they wanted to know everything I could tell them about the games we play back in Wayrest . I must admit , their enthusiasm was quite infectious ! And I found it highly amusing to watch them try to re - create Deceiver ' s Bones from the vague description I provided . The Miredancers are also inveterate gamblers , but they often forget to collect their winnings . Unlike the games of men and mer , Miredancer competitions appear to be completely devoid of malice or injured pride . Victory and defeat seem more like afterthoughts than objectives , due in no small part to their phlegmatic disposition . As in most things , their focus is strictly on the moment — the now . It pains me to leave their village , but I still have many more tribes to study . I doubt any of them will be as fascinating or as friendly as the Miredancers .