Several scientific and technological aspects have been described in the known world. This page is a representation of such topics, focusing mostly on Tamriel, although information as available on other locations in the known world will be stated whenever possible.
The perpetual state of medieval technology in the known world may be a result of the existence of magic. If men can achieve a higher quality of life by means of magic, technological advancement may not be a necessity. This is further supported by the Dwemeri civilisation which systematically avoided magic and religion, and can be considered the most technologically advanced civilisation Tamriel has ever known.
General[]
Scientific Institutes[]
The sapiarchs are an order of scholars, healers, messengers, mages, and scientists. They educate new students at their "seat", the College, which is located in Lillandril, a city in the Summerset Archipelago. The sapiarchs are sometimes called "the knights of the mind". Young Altmer and skilled thinkers from all over the archipelago come to study and learn. Novices (students who have yet to earn their first honours) and acolytes (students who have earned at least one honour) are educated together. Arch Sapiarchs give open lectures, which the students can attend at will. Once a student believes they have sufficient knowledge on a particular subject, they can go before an Arch Sapiarch to demonstrate their knowledge. If the Arch Sapiarch judges the student's knowledge to be proficient, they awards them with an honour. Once a student has earned honours, they can take the sapiarch's vow, after which the College might relocate them. Sapiarchs serving at a castle advise their lords on the operation of their households and lands. Some lords trust their sapiarchs to open and read letters and to convey their contents to them, while other lords prefer to do so for themselves. Sapiarchs can be tasked with writing letters for their lords as well, and might be trusted to read and write the letters of those who happen to be illiterate. They are in charge of the ravens used as messengers. Although most ravens can only be trained to fly to one castle, a few can be trained to distinguish between two, and rarely even more. Sapiarchs assist in childbirth, treat illnesses, and teach children arithmetic, language, and history.
A more specialised institute of knowledge is X (also called X). This old order of Xs, diminished in power during the recent centuries when their order has reduced in prominence, still claims to posses vast secret stores of knowledge.
The Monastery of Serene Harmony, the large cathedral of the Church of Alaxon atop Mara's Hill in Shimmerene, is a preeminent centre of religious education in the Summerset Archipelago.
Medicine[]
In Tamriel, medical treatments are most frequently given by the sapiarchs of the College. The medical knowledge of both the sapiarchs and lesser physicians is more advanced than real-life medieval medical knowledge.
The Tamrielic healing arts include potions that dull pain (e.g., X or X) and potions that either prevent pregnancy or induce abortions (e.g., tansy tea). Wounds are often cleaned with boiling wine, while maggots may be used to eat out rotten parts. Physicians have learned to stitch wounds closed and how to use poultices to prevent infection.
While the nobles have access to physicians, commoners usually do not. They instead rely on local healers, midwives, hedge wizards, or woods witches.
Astronomy[]
Astronomy is a topic studied by the scholars of Tamriel, such as the sapiarchs of the College. At some locations, dedicated observatories can be found (e.g., at X). The sapiarchs of the College compile maps of the starry sky for their research and studies and their knowledge is useful for all of Tamriel in navigation at the open sea.
The names of constellations can differ between cultural groups. For example, the constellation known by the people of Valenwood as the X is called the Atronach by the Altmer living across the Blue Divide on the Summerset Archipelago.
Songs & Books[]
Tamriel has a deep mythic and historic legacy recounted in song, story, and literature. Not only do these tales recount the epics of legendary heroes and romances, but they also retell romanticised history and fables of fantastic creatures.
Books, scrolls, parchment, and paper have been described as in common use. No society has ever been mentioned that use printing presses, or even wood block printing.
Units of Measurement[]
A measurement is the assignment of a number to a characteristic of an object or event, which can be compared with other objects or events. Numerous units of measurement are described in The Elder Scrolls, primarily their usage in Tamriel. The Tamrielic measurement units are non-metric, growing out of customary use and not abstract principles. Tamriel appears to have a uniform system of weights and measures, mentioned interchangeably by characters from Daggerfall to the Imperial City or Mournhold.
There are several basic units of measurement[N 1] that have been described in usage in Tamriel: length, weight, and time. Most other units of measure thus far mentioned in text are units which have been derived from these basic ones, such as area and volume. Additionally, some units of measurements commonly used in the novels are more archaic in their usage, e.g. the term "stone" to indicate weight and the term "league" to indicate distance.
Currency[]
For currency, coins are the manner used most frequently, especially by merchants, owners of establishments, and the noble classes. Commoners might use either coins or barter.
Thusfar, no society in Tamriel has been described as using paper currency. Most societies use currency in the form of coins made from precious metals such as gold, silver, or copper (with a few notable exceptions, such as the iron coins used in Akavir). Contracts written on parchment or paper are also accepted, though these are not "currency" as such.
See Also[]
- Bestiary: a list of all known animal types from the known world
- Armament: on military technology and equipment
- List of all known songs
- List of all known books, journals, notes, and scrolls
Notes[]
- ↑ Based on the defined base units as determined by the International System of Units.