Soul Gem

This lore article or section is in need of immediate attention because:
Needs to check and remove speculative tone, for example "likely".
Please improve this article however you can and remove this notice once finished.

For the gems as they appear in games, see Soul Gem.

Soul Gems have been used by mages of various schools for all of recorded history and more, yet the mystic properties of the soul gems remain largely a mystery. Few wizards who have dared to research the subject more deeply often just disappear.^[1]

By Game[]

• Soul Gem (Redguard)
• Soul Gem (Morrowind)
• Soul Gem (Oblivion)
  • Console Commands (Oblivion)/Soul Gems
• Soul Gem (Skyrim)
  • Console Commands (Skyrim)/Soul Gems
• Soul Gem (Online)
• Soul Gem (Legends)

Properties[]

Appearance[]

Common categorization of black and white soul gems have little to do with their appearance. Usually the color of a soul gem is purple and creation of a black soul gem does not make it black, but darkens it significantly. Rarely exceptional soul gems can be found that are colored differently.^[1][2]

Another way to tell a soul gem apart from other precious gems is their crystalline form. Soul gems are rarely cut as they are not commonly used in jewelry. Moreover, changing the form of a soul gem will influence its mystic properties, suggesting that a successful attempt can only be performed by a skillful mage.

Lastly, soul gems can be found in various sizes, scaling from the size of a precious gem to a size of a fist.

Mystic[]

As the name suggests, soul gems can be used to imprison souls. These imprisoned souls can be used as a power source for several magical activities and in bargains with various powerful entities.

Soul gems can be found in different qualities. The most obvious indicator of the quality is the size of the gem, the bigger the better. Higher quality gems can be used to hold souls of stronger creatures. Quality of regular soul gems are categorized as petty, lesser, common, greater and grand, but rarely gems with even higher capacity can be found.

There are two known categories of souls: white and black. White souls are had by lesser creatures of Nirn and Oblivion. These can be held by natural soul gems. Souls of men, mer and beastfolk are considered black.^[1] According to Arkay's Law their souls are protected by the Arkay himself,^[3] but black soul gems can be used to bypass this protection and trap souls of sentient beings.^[1]

The act of imprisonment occurs using the Soul Trap spell or a similar soul trap enchantment. Those few capable of using Thu'um can also use a Soul Tear shout to extract the soul and is raise the corpse from the dead.^[4] However, the gem also behaves as a soul vacuum and an improperly filled gem will slowly drain casters soul into it.^[1]

It is known that the being trapped inside the gem remains fully aware and sentient.^[5] But a sudden death may confuse the soul making it lose the sense of time and place.^[6]

In most cases, if a filled soul gem is damaged it will release the soul. The trapped being will not, however, regain its physical form. Daedric Princes and Ideal Masters are known to posses ability to extract and alter the souls trapped inside the gems. Only known sorcerer to be able to restore a gem trapped being is the Sload necromancer N'Gasta.^[7]

Acquisition[]

White soul gems occur naturally and can be found in underground deposits just as any other gem. One of the places rich with soul gem geodes is a vast underground cavern in Skyrim named Blackreach.^[8]

Black Soul Gems[]

Unlike the white soul gems, black soul gems do not occur naturally and must be created using great or grand white soul gems. Little is known about what exactly happens during the alteration of the soul gem. At least two ways of creating a black soul gem are known.

First and, likely, most common way of creating a black soul gem is by the Shade of the Revenant, a necromantic ritual performed by the Order of the Black Worm. The ritual can only be performed on certain dates and in certain locations. During the ritual grand soul gems are placed as offerings to the infamous Altmer necromancer Mannimarco, who is believed to darken the gems afterward.^[9][10]

The second way of creating a black soul gem is by going directly to the Soul Cairn, the realm of the Ideal Masters. Lightning attractors found throughout the barren landscape can transform white soul gems into black soul gems when lightning strikes them.^[4] What makes this method particularly difficult is the fact that, in order to enter the Soul Cairn, a person must be undead or partially soul trapped.^[11]

The knowledge of creating a black soul gem has not always been had by the men, mer and beastfolk. The first known use of a black soul gem dates 2E 864, when a Redguard prince A'Tor was trapped inside one.^[7]

Utilization[]

Schools of Magic[]

It is believed, that the art of Enchanting was first developed and prized by the lost Ayleid.^[12] Among the modern Tamrielic races, however, skill of binding a soul to a gem and the art of Enchantment was first developed by the witch Raven Direnni sometime in the early First Era.^[13]

Since then dealing with souls and their power has been a part of the school of Mysticism, that was developed by the Psijic Order.^[14] Soul Trap used to be considered an apprentice level spell under the school of Mysticism.^[15][16][17] In the Fourth Era, however, the spells and dealings with souls merged with the school of Conjuration as the school of Mysticism no longer existed.^[8]

Enchanting[]

Main article: Enchanting

Among modern races Enchanting was first only practiced by solitary mages.^[18] Enchanting was first popularized by the famous Vanus Galerion in the Second Era. The Archmagister also invented automatized enchanting tools, that could enchant items upon a request of any unskilled individual.^[19] In Third and Fourth Eras Enchanting became, probably, the most known and universally accepted use of soul gems. The fine art was kept and studied at the Arcane University. In 4E 174 during the sack of Imperial City, much of the established knowledge in the field was lost.

Enchanting uses the mystic power of a soul to grant items magical properties.^[18] Most commonly enchantments are made to improve personal gear, such as armor, weapons or jewelery, but improvements of other items and tools, such as quills, is also possible.^[19]

To enchant an item it must be melded with a filled soul gem.^[20] Usually to accomplish this an Altar of Enchanting^[17] or an Arcane Enchanter^[8] is used. After enchanting the improved item becomes the new prison for the soul. An unwilling soul will often go mad, however the time a soul can keep its sanity is dependent on the strength of the soul and skill of the enchanter.^[21]

The magical abilities of an enchanted weapon will decay on use. Thus to regain the power of the weapon quickly it is often refueled by molding in another soul gem.^[22] Sometimes enchantment may recharge over time like a persons magicka would.^[16] It is theorized, that it is the destructive nature of the weapon, that depletes the soul, or, perhaps, soul is slowly absorbed by the victims.^[20]

Armor and jewelery enchantments behave differently. Recharge of an enchanted armor is never necessary. It is once again theorized, that this is possible due to the wearer himself contributing small amounts of energy or just by the will of the Magnus himself.^[20]

Conjuration[]

Main article: Conjuration

School of Conjuration includes summoning of creatures and other vital resources from Oblivion. After the disbandment of the school of Mysticism in the Fourth Era, school of Conjuration has also taken over the Soul Trap spell.^[8] Unlike the Enchanting, that completely relies of the power of the soul gems, Conjuration spells and rituals can be performed independently without any additional power sources.

Soul can be used as currency in bargains with the daedric creatures of the Outer Realms. Exotic alchemical ingredients, daedric gear and wide range of different daedric creatures can be summoned by exchanging soul gems at an Atronach Forge^[8] or an Atronach Altar.^[17]

Soul gems and similar magical containers can be used as a remote power outlet to maintain portals between the Nirn and Oblivion.^[17]

Necromancy[]

Main article: Necromancy

Necromancy is a sub-school of Conjuration, that deals precisely with capture and utilization of black souls. It is considered to be the origin school of black soul gems.

Any creature captured in a black soul gem is thought to be eventually sent to the Soul Cairn.^[23] The lords of the realm, Ideal Masters, are often communicated and bargained with by many necromancers. In exchange of souls Ideal Masters often offer great rewards, but are known to trick their followers into slavery.^[24]

Soul gem shards are also among the ingredients necessary to open a portal to the Soul Cairn.^[25]

Technology[]

Soul gems are known to be included into the complex Dwemer animunculi. Although the purpose of the gems is unknown, amateur expeditions confirm, that the soul gem is not used as the main source of power. Several different hypotheses have been made including the soul gem being the source of heat for the boilers^[26] or the soul gem being the source of Destruction magic capable of shocking transgressors.^[8][27] Large quantities of soul gems have been found in the Dwemer Arcanex, small structures believed to house their research in magic.^[28]

Dwemer, however, are not the only lost race to use this form of power. Ayleid are known to have used different enchantments to protect their cities and outposts. Their enchantments were, however, not powered by regular soul gems, but Welkynd and Varla stones.^[17][12]

Soul gems can also be found powering traps and defenses in ancient Nord burial grounds and now buried fortresses and cities.^[8]

An interesting and still applied use of soul gems is the growth of House Telvanni towers and towns. Mages of Telvanni use soul gems to rapidly grow the Morrowind native Emperor Parasol to gigantic proportions. This results in the unique and organic architecture that House Telvanni possess. Strangely enough, this appliance of soul gems also seem to grow the gems themselves.^[29]

Culture[]

Worship[]

Due to the high value of souls to all magic-users, soul gems have gained a role of appropriate offerings in many traditional and religious practices.

Probably the most powerful entities to value the souls of mortals are the Daedric Princes. Outside the magical bargains, Princes will often demand soul gem offerings from their worshipers.^[30] Combined with knowledge in magic, offerings to the Daedra may even cure the normally incurable Vampirism.^[31]

More traditional use of soul gems, that is not a direct offering, is seen in Morrowind, where it is customary for the Pilgrims of the Seven Graces to leave a soul gem in remembrance of their ancestors who were bound to the Tribunal's service.^[32]

Yet another cult to use soul gems as offerings is the previously mentioned Order of the Worm. During their ritual in which the soul gems are offered to the Mannimarco, they recognize their once mortal idol as a deity capable of hiding his worshipers from Arkay.^[9]

Public opinion[]

Trade and use of white soul gems is not an uncommon sight throughout the Tamriel. Schools of Enchanting and Conjuration are commonly practiced. Black soul gems, with its school of origin, Necromancy, however are universally looked down upon by the general public. Immorality and heretical nature of Necromancy has been known to mages since before the recorded history. Even the legendary Psijic Order had forbidden the use of Black Arts.^[33]

In the Empire Necromancy was first forbidden by the founder of Mages Guild Vanus Galerion. The law has been questioned and even ignored by many mages since, resulting in a heavier enforcement by the Arch Mage Hannibal Traven in 3E 433. Since then any Necromantic research had to be heavily monitored by the Mages Guild, and anyone who practice the school outside was considered an enemy of the guild, making him a target for the Order of the Lamp.^[33]

In Skyrim the College of Winterhold had allowed the Necromancy to some degree. Those, who ventured too far with their research were, however, expelled from the college.^[5]

Despite the common belief in the Empire school of Necromancy is especially disliked in the ancestor-worshiping Morrowind. House Telvanni allow necromancers to be among them, but only perform non-ritual spells with the souls of, in their opinion, lesser races - men, Argonian and Orc.^[21]

Notable Soul Gems[]

• Azura's Star - a daedric artifact of Azura, looks like an ornamented star, can hold white souls, but does not break when a soul inside is consumed, making it reusable.^{[8][17][15][16]}
• The Black Star - an altered version of Azura's Star, capable of holding black souls.^[5]
• Red Diamond - a red soul gem included in the Amulet of Kings, believed to hold the transformed soul of Alessia, worn by all Cyrodiilic Emperors,^[34] played a role in ending the Oblivion Crisis.^[35]
• Soul Tomato - a soul gem found in Shivering Isles, Sheogorath's realm of Oblivion, looks like a tomato.^[36]
• Mantella - a massive green soul gem intended to replace the Heart of Lorkhan and be the heart of the Numidium, played a role in the historic event known as the Warp in the West.^[15]
• Reaper's soul gem - used to summon the Reaper, daedra inhabiting the Soul Cairn, unknown if parts of his soul were actually trapped in the shattered fragments.^[4]
• Quintilla's soul gem - a yellow soul gem, that had been enchanted and imbued in several pieces of jewelry, played a role in lives of such historical figures as Quintilla, Pelagius II,^[37] Potema^[2] and Pelagius the Mad.^[38]
• Hannibal's soul gem - a colossal black soul gem Arch-Mage Hannibal Traven used to trap his own soul, the gem was used in the battle, that lead to the death of the infamous Mannimarco.^[39]

Similar Containers[]

Sigil Stones[] Main article: Sigil Stone Sigil stones are crimson, usually spherical morpholits. They are daedric[40] in origin and can be used to enchant items[17] and are used in high level Conjuration rituals.[41] Sigil stones of various potency were used by the Mehrunes Dagon to power the Oblivion Gates during the Oblivion Crisis.[42]
Varla Stones[] Main article: Varla Stone Varla stones, "sky stones" in Aldmeris, are white and radiant morpholits. They are believed to be Aetheral in origin and were made by the Ayleid from meteoric glass.[12] Modern races can use these stones to recharge their magical items, unfortunately destroying the stone in the process. Ayleid took the art of crafting Varla stones to their grave, rare leftovers can be found illuminating Ayleid ruins throughout the Cyrodiil.[17]
Welkynd Stones[] Main article: Welkynd Stone Welkynd stones, "heaven stones" in Aldmeris, are more potent variation of Varla stones, sharing their appearance and origin. Welkynd stones are believed to have been used as a power source for whole Ayleid cities. Each Ayleid city is believed to have had a great welkynd stone to power its enchantments. Art of crafting these stones is lost as well and study of these incredibly rare stones is made even harder by the ruin looters.[12]
Dark Welkynd Stones[] Main article: Dark Welkynd Stone Unlike the black soul gems, dark welkynd stones have nothing to do with the imprisonment of souls. Dark welkynd stones are glowingly red welkynd stones, that have been enchanted with powerful Destruction magic. Designed to punish thieves and invaders, dark welkynd stone will burn, freeze or shock anyone who touches it. These stones can still be found in Ayleid ruins.[17]
Meteoric Iron[] Main article: Ayleid Well While not a morpholith, meteoric iron was used by the Ayleid to build Ayleid wells. These wells posses the ability to recharge magicka from the stars and store it until somebody absorbs it.[12] Utilization of these wells do not require any skill in magic and still work in the Fourth Era.[17]
Crystalline Structures[] Main article: Soul Cairn (Dawnguard) Crystalline structures that can be found in the Soul Cairn resemble gigantic soul gems and share the appearance of common soul gems found on Nirn. These soul gems will rapidly drain any soul who comes near them. For protection a plant only growing in the Soul Cairn, the Soul Husk, can be eaten or the more potent Soul Husk Extract can be used. It remains untested if the potion protects the user from the effects of other similar gems outside the Soul Cairn.[4] Some believe that these structures are the Ideal Masters, others think they are just conduits from which the Ideal Masters are able to speak and feed from.[23] Whatever the true purpose of these structures are, it is known that the Ideal Masters are able to speak through them.[43]

See also[]

For information about the soul gems in specific Elder Scrolls games, please see the following:

• Soul Gem (Morrowind)
• Soul Gem (Oblivion)
• Soul Gem (Skyrim)
• Soul Gem (Online)

References[]