Lore:Hatching Pools

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Hatching Pools
Type Settlement
Continent Tamriel
Province Black Marsh
Region Shadowfen
(Leafwater)
Appears in ESO
The Hatching Pools

The Hatching Pools is a settlement in central Shadowfen, deep in the province of Black Marsh.[1] It is named for the pools of Hist Sap found beneath the great Hist tree located here. These pools are used by the Argonians of Shadowfen, who leave their eggs beneath the Hist tree to incubate. The Hist tree is tended to by the Keepers of the Shell, who also act as midwives for the unborn Argonians and preside over their hatching ritual.[2][3]

History[edit]

Prior to Duskfall, the ancient Argonians constructed stone xanmeers surrounding the Hist tree at the Hatching Pools.[1][4] Two of these structures, the Xanmeers of First Light and Setting Sun, possess ceremonial braziers involved in the hatching ritual.[2] The Keepers of the Shell are famous for the zeal with which they watch over the Argonian eggs entrusted to them.[5]

Circa 2E 582, an Aldmeri Dominion invasion force under the command of Ruuvitar came to Shadowfen as part of the ongoing Alliance War. Ruuvitar planned to obtain possession of the Mnemic Egg and use it to break the Hist's connection to the Argonians of Shadowfen via alchemical means.[6] Part of this plan involved sending a contingent of Dominion soldiers to the Hatching Pools to slaughter the Keepers, leaving no survivors.[7] The assault was led by a Bosmer soldier named Fimrimion, who delighted in stealing and eating the Argonian eggs found there.[8] The Dominion forces then utilized the Mnemic Egg to break the Hist's connection to the eggs at the moment of their hatching, which would result in an entire generation of unborn Argonians becoming lost to the Void. The severing of this connection resulted in the deaths of many of the remaining Keepers, although those who survived were aided by arriving Ebonheart Pact forces who infiltrated the Dominion's occupation. Thanks to the Keepers' sacrifice, the Vestige managed to save many of the eggs before they could wither and die in the pools. The eggs were then entrusted to Vicecanon Servyna of Stormhold and brought to Hissmir, where they would be safe.[3] The Pact subsequently defeated Ruuvitar and claimed possession of the Mnemic Egg, restoring the Hist's memories and allowing the Hatching Pools to be used once again.[9]

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hatching Pools in ESO
  2. ^ a b Keeper Uxith-Ei's dialogue in ESO
  3. ^ a b Keepers of the Shell quest in ESO
  4. ^ Keystones of Loriasel
  5. ^ Esqoo of Dhalmora Answers Your Questions — Esqoo of Dhalmora
  6. ^ Ruuvitar's Journal — Ruuvitar
  7. ^ Lieutenant Aldononde's dialogue in ESO
  8. ^ Assistant Telixith's dialogue in ESO
  9. ^ The Dream of the Hist quest in ESO
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