The Hist. Sentient, otherworldly trees that whisper to the Argonians, shape their very biology, and seem to have an agenda that no one outside of Black Marsh fully understands. They’re not just background lore—they are terrifying. They see things. They know things. And they’ve got a plan.

But the question is… what is that plan? Are the Hist benevolent caretakers, guiding the Argonians through the horrors of Tamriel out of pure arboreal kindness? Or are they subtly manipulating an entire species for their own inscrutable goals? Let’s take a deep dive into the most mysterious hive-mind in The Elder Scrolls universe and see what the Hist might really be up to.

What Even Are the Hist?

Before we start accusing them of being all-knowing, reality-bending masterminds, let’s cover the basics. The Hist are ancient, sentient trees, and they predate pretty much everything else in Tamriel. Unlike the generic trees scattered around Skyrim (which mostly exist to be chopped down or admired for their autumnal aesthetic), the Hist are deeply connected to the Argonians. Their sap is literal liquid knowledge, and any Argonian who drinks it essentially bonds with the Hist, gaining insight and direction from their wisdom.

But here’s where things get weird:

• The Hist aren’t native to Nirn. They come from a completely different plane of existence and were somehow dragged into the mortal world during its formation.
• They exist in a collective consciousness, meaning they don’t function like individual beings but as one vast, interconnected mind. Think Elder Scrolls meets The Borg—but swampier.
• Their influence over Argonians isn’t just cultural; it’s biological. They change their people’s physiology based on need, which is why Argonians born outside Black Marsh look so different from those raised near the Hist.

So far, so ominous. But what’s their endgame?

The Benevolent Caretakers Theory

One argument for the Hist being benevolent is that they genuinely seem to care about the Argonians. When the Oblivion Crisis hit and Mehrunes Dagon’s daedric legions poured into Tamriel, it was the Hist that warned the Argonians. Not only did they warn them, but they supercharged their warriors, sending them into the Deadlands to utterly wreck Dagon’s forces. Seriously, while most of Tamriel was flailing about in panic, the Argonians went on the offensive so brutally that the Daedra just shut their gates to Black Marsh and gave up.

This paints the Hist as protectors. Guides. Ancient beings who look after their chosen people and ensure their survival in a world that largely dismisses them. The Hist help Argonians adapt to changing climates, they keep them connected to their roots (literally), and they seem to intervene only when absolutely necessary.

Sounds great, right? Except…

The Puppet Master Hypothesis

What if the Hist aren’t selfless guardians? What if they’re playing the long game, and the Argonians are just pawns?

Let’s start with the most obvious concern: the Hist control everything about Argonian life. Their biology. Their memories. Their connection to the world. When an Argonian dies, their soul returns to the Hist—meaning the trees don’t just shape the living; they own the afterlife of their people, too. That’s not guidance; that’s complete dominance.

And then there’s the Shadowscales. The Argonian assassins raised from birth to serve Sithis, trained in secret, and conditioned to follow their role without question. But who decides which Argonians are born under the sign of the Shadow? Who directs the Shadowscales to be raised as killers? Oh, that’s right—the Hist.

And then there’s the fact that the Hist can seemingly override an Argonian’s free will when necessary. This was most famously demonstrated during the Oblivion Crisis, where the Hist essentially activated Argonians for war. The lizard folk didn’t decide to charge into Oblivion en masse—the Hist flipped a switch and made it happen.

So, are the Argonians a proud and unique race, or are they just organic extensions of the Hist’s greater plan? Are the Hist farming an army? Preparing for something bigger? And if so… what?

What Could the Hist Be Planning?

Here’s where things get truly unsettling. If the Hist do have an ultimate goal, what is it?

1. Defence Against an Unknown Threat

The Hist might not be controlling the Argonians for evil reasons. Maybe they’re the only ones aware of some looming disaster that’s centuries (or millennia) in the making. They might be stockpiling warriors, knowledge, and resources for an eventual conflict that no one else can see coming. Could this be tied to the missing Hist from the Dawn Era? Do they know something about Lorkhan’s plan that we don’t? What are they preparing for?

2. Reclaiming Their Place in the Universe

The Hist are not from Nirn. They were ripped from their original plane of existence and forced into Tamriel. What if they’ve spent millennia trying to regain their lost paradise? Maybe they need an army, a kingdom, or something even greater to finally return home—and the Argonians are just a means to that end.

3. A Slow, Quiet Takeover

Tamriel’s nations are built on the assumption that humans, mer, and beastfolk govern themselves. But the Hist have been growing, expanding, and subtly altering their people for centuries. What if they’re playing a long game, ensuring that one day, the Argonians rise not just as an independent force, but as the dominant power in Tamriel? No flashy conquest, no dramatic war—just quiet, inevitable control.

Final Thoughts: Benevolent Guides or Master Manipulators?

The Hist remain one of the most enigmatic forces in The Elder Scrolls, and whether they are caretakers or conquerors is still up for debate. What we do know is that they are far more powerful and influential than most races in Tamriel realise, and their true intentions are still shrouded in mystery.

Maybe they truly love the Argonians. Maybe they’re using them for their own ends. Maybe it’s a bit of both. But one thing’s for sure: when the Hist whisper, Argonians listen. And that alone should make everyone else in Tamriel very nervous.

So, what do you think? Are the Hist guardians or puppet masters? Let’s discuss (before the trees hear us).

You can find more posts like this, going a bit deeper into The Elder Scrolls lore, at my Patreon.