The Elder Scrolls Treasury III - The Imperial Library

Ashlander courtesyAshlander courtesyAshlanders may challenge a stranger who enters a yurt without invitation. Customs differ withdifferent tribes, but leave when requested, and you may be forgiven. Be particularly careful aboutashkhans −− tribal chiefs −− and wise women −− tribal seers and counselors. Some arewelcoming, some are hostile. Be courteous, and leave if requested. If offended, they may attack.Ashlander cultureThe Ashlander culture is an anachronistic survival of the ancestor−worshipping tribal culture thatevolved into the theocratic Great House culture of the native Dunmer. The Ashlanders perverselyprefer the impoverished physical culture and subsistence economy of the Ashland nomadic →herder−→ hunter, and their → ancestor worship is shamanistic and primitive by Dunmer andImperial standards.Ashlander customsTake care when visiting an Ashlander camp. Among clan and kin, Ashlander courtesy is veryproper and polite, but you are a stranger, so remember that Ashlanders hate foreigners. Ashlanderchallenges are very solemn and serious things; do not make a challenge lightly. In particular, themen are very proud. Among the Ashlanders, no one would be rude enough to force an Ashlanderto admit something shameful. If the truth will shame them, they don't want to say it. And know thecustoms of Ashlander gifts; they are not offended by gifts of money, and take them as tokens ofdeference and respect. And among outcast Ashlanders, beware the → mabrigash, renegadewitch−warrior women who practice dark magics.Ashlander giftsAmong Ashlanders, a gift is a token of courtesy among strangers, and affection among friends.When coming first among strangers, a thoughtful gift is a sign that you are cautious, andconsiderate, and aware of the other's wants and needs. Such is particularly useful for → traders andtravelers. Among friends, it is a private thing, and subtle, with great risks, for the test of the gift ishow well it is tailored to the receiver.Ashlanders hate foreignersMost Ashlanders wish all → foreigners and their false gods could be driven from Morrowind. Atvery least, Ashlanders wish the foreign devils would leave them in peace. Ashlanders think itshameful to attack unarmed persons, but they will kill without hesitation an armed person whooffends them or their clan laws. No Ashlander is fool enough to make war against the → Empire.However, if such a war might be won, many Ashlanders might cheerfully give their lives to winsuch a war.Ashlanders in warAshlanders seldom make war like the city people do. We raid other tribes, to prove we are strong,and to make us rich and respected. Our champions challenge one another for → duels of sport andhonor; it is fitting that → Warriors should decide these things, not hunters or herders. But when wemake war as a tribe, hunters and herders fight beside champions and ashkhans with → spear and22