Beastfolk



, archaically known as Betmer, is the collective term used to refer to bestial races. Included in this phylum are the Khajiit and Argonian. These races are separate from humans and mer, due to their inability to reproduce with those races, different skeletal structure, and metabolic processes. Due to their physical differences, beastfolk are subjugated, ridiculed, verbally and physically abused, enslaved, and assumed to be Skooma smugglers and criminals.

Etymology
Although the term "Beastfolk" is used more pervasively    the term "Betmer" is still used, often pejoratively. The word "Betmer", in Aldmeris, translates to "Beast Elf", "Bet-" being the suffix for beast and -mer being the common suffix for elvish races.

Vvardenfell savant, Okan-Shei, professed that Betmeri, or "Beastmen", were the aboriginal inhabitants of Tamriel. Each beastial race reports differently on Mythic Era history, before the human and meri invasions.

Argonians
The lizardfolk of the Black Marsh, the Argonians are highly resistant to disease and can breathe underwater. Both male and female Argonians exhibit sexual qualities similar to men and mer, but no well-documented cross-breed offspring have been discovered, possibly because Argonians are egg-layers.

Khajiit
The Khajiit are a feline race native to Elsweyr, with inherit nocturnal vision. Their pointed ears have led some to believe their phylum contains mer blood. The physiognomy is determined by the position of the moon during their birth.