- "Auriel's Bow appears as a modest Elven Longbow, but it is one of the mightiest weapons ever to exist in Tamriel's history. Allegedly created and used like its sister, Auriel's Shield, by the great Elvish demi-god, the Bow can turn any arrow into a missile of death and any wielder invulnerable to any lesser attacks. Without Auriel's power behind it, however, the bow uses its own store of energy for its power. Once exhausted of this energy, the bow will vanish and reappear wherever chance puts it. Its most recent appearances have been subject of gossip for hundreds of years."
- ―The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Auriel's Bow is a legendary artifact of Tamriel, crafted by the Anui-El and wielded by Auri-El in an equally legendary battle during the Dawn Era. The Bow's mystical power is linked directly to the sun, with the sun itself being a direct link to Aetherius. [1]
History
The Bow was said to have been carried into battle by Auri-El himself against the forces of Lorkhan during the Ehlnofey wars of the Dawn Era. When Trinimac defeated Lorkhan and tore out his heart, Auri-El fastened it to an arrow and shot it long into the sea. The heart landed in the sea and, over the next millennia, Red Mountain eventually formed around it. [2]
The Elder Scrolls: Arena
Auriel's Bow has changed hands several times over the years, most commonly appearing in the hands of Tamriel's most famed heroes. The Bow was first found by the Eternal Champion during their quest to overthrow Jagar Tharn during the Third Era. The details as to exact discovery of the Bow by the Eternal Champion remain unclear, although three possible locations relating to where the Champion found the Bow are known (either in Elsweyr, Skyrim or Valenwood).[3]
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Six years after the Eternal Champion completed their quest, the Hero of Daggerfall was awarded the Bow by a witch after being given an opportunity to obtain an Artifact of Power by their Knight Order. The witch (after the Hero had kidnapped her great-granddaughter for her) informed them that the Bow could be found in a far-away dungeon, scattered among some other rusty equipment.[4]
The Bow's location was also offered to the Hero by a mage whom had angered Nocturnal. However, a few moments after the Hero took the Bow from its location, it fell apart, having been little more than an elaborate fake.[5]
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Auriel's Bow as it appeared in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
Nearly 25 years later, in the year 3E 427, the Bow was found in the possession of Ralyn Othravel. Mistress Therana discovered this fact, having smelt something "like ash yams" (it must be noted that Therana was rather eccentric) in Othravel's vicinity around the Ghostgate. She then sent the Nerevarine on a task to take the Bow from Othravel. [6] Later, the Museum of Artifacts in Mournhold offered the Nerevarine 15,000
for the legendary weapon.[7]
The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard
Once again, the legendary weapon then disappeared, this time for more than two centuries. In what has turned out to be the Bow's most recent appearance, it was rediscovered by the Last Dragonborn in 4E 201 within the Inner Sanctum, hidden deep inside the Forgotten Vale. The Bow was the key to the success of the Volkihar Clan's plan to fulfill the Tyranny of the Sun prophecy, although the Bow was used to kill the Clan's leader Lord Harkon before it could be fulfilled by the Volkihar Clan.[8] [9]
Power
Auriel's Bow draws its power directly from Aetherius, using the sun as a gateway. The Tyranny of the Sun prophecy had been based on this fact, as the bow drew its power from the sun, it could be used as a tool against it. Despite this direct relationship (which caused the Bow's arrows to appear as if on fire), however, the Bow had also been known to have several other effects, while at other times, had seemingly no effects at all.
Known Abilities
The Bow is known to have had many abilities, although these varied between its appearances. Below is a list of all known powers the Bow possessed.
- Fire.
- Never Miss (a unique ability which prevents the Champion from missing their target).
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard
- Sun Damage (tripled against undead)
- Sun Shroud (shrouds the Sun, turning day into darkness - when using Bloodcursed Arrows).
- Sunburst (Bolts of Light rain down from the sun - when using Sunhallowed Arrows).
Interestingly, for the first and so far only time, the Bow's appearance in Vvardenfell, during the events of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, it did not have any enchantments or effects. The only noticeable thing about it was that it "smelt of ash yams".
Appearances
Auriel's Bow appears in the following games: