Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-24.44.141.89-20131113224543/@comment-6881629-20160105150509

The book that says Imperials prized the facial features and surnames (called the Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Cyrodiil) say the Akaviri not specifically the Tsaesci, i think the Akaviri were the ones that integrated with the Imperials (sex is one thing reproducing to pass on traits is another especially with mammals and reptiles).

I think the Tsaesci and the Akaviri are separate races. The Tsaesci are some form of snakemen, the Akaviri (the first Blades and the ghosts we've seen) were human. TES being TES though it's hard to say for sure (and again i think).