Lore:Turtle

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A turtle doll

Turtles are shelled reptiles found in Tamriel and Thras. They are able to swim and can float up to the surface of water.[1] Newborn turtles are considered quite meek.[2] The Sload slaughter and revive various sea creatures such as turtles and crabs to keep as pets.[3] Turtle stew is a slow roasted dish.[4]

Certain types of turtles are known as tortoises. Certain people have summoned giant sea turtles to aid them in sailing.[5] Haj Mota[6] and the Mock Turtle are considered to be species of turtles.

Argonians have many sayings related to turtles, such as that one with a "turtle-heart" is "Hard on the outside, but soft on the inside".[7] Another phrase is "The turtle walks slowly and wears armor on her back. Her soul is cautious, just as her body is cautious."[8] Vanus Galerion likened the Psijic's policies to a "bemused turtle" that lumbers along quietly, only occasionally poking its head above the grass to check for danger.[9]

Uses and Culture[edit]

A turtle shell container

Turtle seed dolls with amber inlays by the Bright-Throats are highly sought after, both as protective talismans and works of native art; Bright- elders contend that the turtle is a powerful and unruly totem—one that sees both the very old and the very new with perfect clarity.[10][11] Turtles carved out of amber by pre-Duskfall Argonians fetch a high price from collectors.[12]

Turtle imagery is common in Hlaalu and Argonian furniture.[13] Turtle clasps crafted in the Breton style are considered cultural items. Terrapin-shell lanterns are fashioned from a polished turtle shell and lined with copper leaf.[14] Gemstone Chess Sets of 16 malachite Bosmeri pieces and 16 tiger's-eye Khajiiti pieces are mades with a turtle-shell board that folds into a box.[15] Turtle shells are often used to craft dishes, such as platters.[16] Insulated mug for hot beverages are made of turtle shell inlaid with a mother-of-pearl epigram.[17]

Dwarven Turtles are automaton used for cargo. The plastron from the construct's shell can easily be made into excellent shields. Sometime in the mid-First Era, Sotha Sil discovered a storage site containing Dwarven Turtles, and brought in stacks of their parts for use in his creations.[18] A number of Dwarven Turtle plastron shields were notably used by Refabricants, Sotha Sil's proto-factotums constructed from both Dwarven and clockwork parts.[19][20]

Argonians are known to feed common painted tortoises the toxic flesh of black cockerels from White Rose in order to utilize the tortoise's ability to negate the poison. By killing and roasting the creature before it can fully digest its meal, the black cockerel flesh in its gut can be safely eaten. The meat of the tortoise itself is said to be uninspired.[21]

Gallery[edit]

See Also[edit]

References[edit]