Lore:Spriggan

Spriggans, often called Nature's Guardians, are tree spirits that take the form of female humanoids. They possess moderate intelligence, but despite being revered they are usually hostile towards travelers. Spriggans have their own unique language, which can be learned by scholars and used to calm the creatures. They are usually found protecting secluded glades and groves all over Tamriel, often blending in with the plant life and catching trespassers unaware. Spriggans attack with their long, sharp fingers as well as their teeth, and have the ability to poison enemies. They have incredible regenerative abilities, resulting in adventurers often having to defeat them several times before they remain dead. If threatened, they can call nearby woodland animals to aid them in battle, and some even have the ability to magically summon black bears.

Spriggans are associated with Kynareth, and regard the Boots of the Crusader as sacred. They oftentimes serve as the guardians of ancient trees, such as the Eldergleam and the First Tree. According to Skaal legend, the Spriggans of Solstheim came into being when the All-Maker breathed life into the land, and his Breath blew through the trees. Witches sacrifice Spriggans and use their defiled body parts in their rituals. The artifact Nettlebane was made by witches for this purpose.

There are several varieties of Spriggan. Regular Spriggans appear as female humanoids made of wood, sometimes covered in foliage or emitting magical green light. Spriggan Matrons and Spriggan Earth Mothers are stronger, and emit orange and purple light respectively. After the Red Year, the Hirstaang Forest on Solstheim was scorched by the eruptions from Red Mountain, which gave rise to mysterious Burnt Spriggans. These twisted creatures glow from eternally-smouldering embers, and have the ability to attack travelers with magical fire. They wander the ashlands of southern Solstheim, and are the subject of research for the Telvanni of Tel Mithryn.

The bodies of Spriggans provide Taproot, a valuable alchemical ingredient. They can also occasionally be harvested for Belladonna berries or rare Heartwood. Spriggan Sap and Burnt Spriggan Wood can be of some alchemical use, and Spriggan Bark and Supple Roots are also sometimes collected.

Lurchers are abominations usually created through dark nature magic by corrupting a spriggan. The spriggan's tortured spirit remains trapped inside the creature until it is slain.