When you think of assassins in The Elder Scrolls, your mind probably jumps to a Dunmer in tight-fitting leathers, whispering sweet nothings about Mephala and poison-coated daggers. Maybe you think of the Dark Brotherhood, with their creepy rituals and penchant for unsettling nursery rhymes. But lurking in the shadows of Tamriel’s deadliest killers are the Argonians—specifically, the Shadowscales. And if you thought being raised in the Dark Brotherhood was rough, imagine being born into a life of murder and secrecy with zero say in the matter.

Born to Kill, Literally

Shadowscales are Argonians born under the sign of the Shadow, and in Black Marsh, that means one thing: congratulations, you’re an assassin now. While most people get to grow up and decide whether they want to be a bard, a blacksmith, or some poor sod picking nirnroot, these Argonians don’t get that luxury. From the moment they hatch, they belong to the Dark Brotherhood, trained from childhood in the deadly arts of stealth, deception, and murder. No pressure, right?

Now, one might argue that raising an entire sect of killers is morally dubious, but Black Marsh operates on an entirely different level of logic from the rest of Tamriel. The Hist, the ancient sentient trees that guide Argonian society, seem to approve of the practice, and if the Hist says something is a good idea, well, that’s that. Argonians follow the will of the Hist without question, which means a Shadowscale’s fate is sealed before they even break out of their eggshell. Free will? Never heard of it.

Sithis: The Father of Shadows (and Questionable Parenting)

Like the Dark Brotherhood, Shadowscales revere Sithis, the primordial force of chaos and change. Sithis isn’t so much a ‘god’ in the traditional sense as he is the embodiment of entropy—basically, the cosmic equivalent of flipping the table when the game isn’t going your way. While the Dark Brotherhood worship Sithis through their macabre rituals, Shadowscales are Sithis’ blades in the dark, acting as enforcers of order in Black Marsh through very chaotic means.

But here’s where it gets interesting: the Shadowscales aren’t just a religious cult of assassins. They’re a state-sponsored group, meaning Black Marsh’s rulers employ them as political tools. Need a corrupt Argonian noble to disappear? Call a Shadowscale. Have an imperial governor getting a bit too comfortable in the region? Shadowscale time. They’re less of a rogue organisation and more of an officially sanctioned hit squad—an unsettling thought for anyone who thinks Tamriel’s guild system is complicated enough.

Oh, and before you start thinking this is just an Argonian thing, keep in mind that plenty of Tamriel’s major powers have had similar practices. The Morag Tong? Legal assassins for the Dunmer. The Blades? Imperial spies and silent eliminators. The Thalmor? Let’s just say if you see one smiling at you, you should probably start running. Shadowscales are just the Argonian version—except with more swamp stench and fewer elaborate robes.

Shadowscales vs. Dark Brotherhood: A Family Feud in the Making

Most Shadowscales eventually join the Dark Brotherhood, as they already follow Sithis and have more than enough experience stabbing people in the dark. But this isn’t always the case. Some Shadowscales remain in Black Marsh, continuing their work on behalf of their homeland. Others might abandon their training entirely and attempt to lead normal lives (spoiler: this rarely works out).

The relationship between the Shadowscales and the Dark Brotherhood is fascinating because while they share the same core beliefs, their methods and purposes differ. Shadowscales are, in theory, loyal to Black Marsh first and Sithis second, while the Dark Brotherhood serves Sithis above all else. This has led to some conflicts between the two, particularly when the Dark Brotherhood’s interests don’t align with those of Argonia. Imagine a secret assassin civil war, but with more reptiles and swamp gas.

The Decline of the Shadowscales

If all of this makes the Shadowscales sound like a well-oiled, terrifyingly efficient machine, I have some bad news. By the time of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the Shadowscales have all but disappeared. Their last known leader, Veezara, is one of the last of his kind, and even he admits that the order is gone. The fall of the Shadowscales likely ties into the wider upheaval in Black Marsh following the Oblivion Crisis and the Argonian invasion of Morrowind. Without strong leadership and a stable Black Marsh to return to, the Shadowscales seem to have faded into obscurity.

Of course, this is Tamriel, where everything old eventually comes back in some dramatic way (looking at you, Numidium). Could the Shadowscales rise again? Possibly. The Hist have a habit of playing the long game, and if they decide Black Marsh needs its deadly assassins once more, well… there’s no stopping them.

Plus, let’s be honest, if Bethesda ever decides to set an Elder Scrolls game in Black Marsh, you know the Shadowscales are making a comeback. It’s practically a requirement at this point.

Final Thoughts: The Shadows of Tamriel

The Shadowscales are one of the most intriguing factions in The Elder Scrolls, blending deep-rooted cultural traditions with the cold efficiency of an assassin’s blade. Unlike the Dark Brotherhood, which thrives on theatrics and elaborate rituals, the Shadowscales operate in quiet, calculated precision. Their connection to Black Marsh, the Hist, and Sithis makes them a unique force in Tamriel’s political landscape, even if their numbers have dwindled.

And honestly, can we take a moment to appreciate how terrifying it must be to be a foreign dignitary visiting Black Marsh, knowing that the shadows literally have eyes? Because if a Shadowscale decides your time is up, you probably won’t even hear them coming. Not that you’d have time to worry about it—by then, you’d already be on the receiving end of a well-placed blade.