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Elder Scrolls
For a list of game-specific artifacts, see Daedric Artifacts (Skyrim) and Daedric Artifacts (Online).
Not to be confused with Aedric Artifacts.

Daedric Artifacts are powerful items granted to the player by Daedric Princes after completing a favor quest for them. While a Daedric artifact is usually attributed to just one Daedric Prince, some Daedric Princes have multiple artifacts, such as Hermaeus Mora with the Oghma Infinium and the Black Books, or Hircine with the Savior's Hide and his ring.

Two Daedric artifacts are attributed to and are artifacts of the Dwemer civilization, as their engineers and blacksmiths built weapons and armor of great power and versatility, crafted from the unique ore that their miners excavated from under the earth.[1]

Although not specifically referred to as "Daedric Artifacts" in the game, several of these items make an appearance in The Elder Scrolls: Arena.

List of Artifacts[]

Azura's Star/The Black Star (Azura)[]

Azura's Star is a powerful soul gem, and unlike other soul gems, it is reusable. Soul gems are used to enchant or recharge powerful items. Azura's Star can also hold powerful souls like Almalexia and Vivec, while the most powerful conventional gem, the Black Soul Gem, cannot.

Black Books (Hermaeus Mora)[]

Black Books are tomes of esoteric knowledge that are magical and other-worldly in nature. When read, they present the reader with exceptionally powerful knowledge that comes with powers which mortals could never conceive.[2] These Black Books were created by Hermaeus Mora to lure mortals into his service. When a mortal, or when essentially anyone reads a Black Book, they are transported to Mora's realm of Apocrypha, and are lured to find powerful, forbidden knowledge without success, and roaming the endless halls and libraries of Apocrypha for eternity.[3] Some have been written in the past, while others appear to be from the future. There are seven known Black Books, which have all been found on Solstheim.

List of Black Books

Dawnbreaker (Meridia)[]

The Dawnbreaker is the weapon of Meridia. It possesses a unique enchantment that is quite useful for killing many undead at one time. It burns any target for 10–15 points, and, when killing undead, has a chance to cause a fiery explosion that turns or kills nearby undead.

Ebony Blade (Mephala)[]

Goldbrand (Boethiah)[]

the Goldbrand is a legendary blade crafted by the daedric prince Boethiah. It is rumored that the sword was used by Emperor Titus Mede II during the Battle of the Red Ring.[4]

Ebony Mail (Boethiah)[]

Gray Cowl of Nocturnal (Nocturnal)[]

300 years prior to the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, This cowl was stolen from Nocturnal by a thief named Emer Dareloth. Nocturnal then placed a curse on the cowl, so that whoever wears it shall have their name stricken from history. With the cowl, they'd become The Gray Fox; without it, they'd be a stranger, even to their loved ones. The cowl and the accompanying title were passed on among thieves guild leaders for 300 years until Corvus Umbranox broke the curse with the help of the Hero of Kvatch. Corvus then gave the cowl to the hero.

Due to the nature of the curse, only 3 wearers are known (Emer Dareloth, Corvus Umbranox and the Hero of Kvatch).

Hircine's Ring (Hircine)[]

A ring that allows a werewolf to control their transformations

  • The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon: It is found on the character, Tharsten Heart-Fang in the final quest Hircine's hunt (Bloodmoon) after you company him through the Mortrag Glacier inner circle. He will turn into a Werewolf and attack you, when you kill him you can loot the ring which turns you into a Werewolf.
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Possible quest reward for Ill Met by Moonlight. Initially, the dragonborn is given a cursed version of this ring by Sinding. If the Dragonborn is a werewolf, this cursed ring will cause them to transform uncontrollably. If the Dragonborn sides with Sinding at the end of the quest and kills the hunters, they will be rewarded with an uncursed version of the ring. otherwise, they will be rewarded with the Savior's Hide.

Mace of Molag Bal (Molag Bal)[]

A vicious mace with a strength-and-magic-drain enchantment.

Masque of Clavicus Vile (Clavicus Vile)[]

A "vain" masque that increases your speech skills and personality.


Mehrunes' Razor (Mehrunes Dagon)[]

A powerful daedric artifact created by the Daedric Prince Mehrunes Dagon and has the ability to kill a target instantly using its Daedric Banishing magic. The weapon also has the ability to take the souls of the enemies that it banishes. It is located in the lost Ayleid city of Varsa Baalim. In the fourth age the arch mage Frathen Drothan was excavating the ruins in an attempt to locate it. The fort of Sundercliff Watch was built atop of these ruins during the Reman Dynasty.

The Dark Brotherhood has coveted this ebony dagger for generations. This mythical artifact is capable of slaying any creature instantly. History has not recorded any bearers of Mehrunes' Razor. However, the Dark Brotherhood was once decimated by a vicious internal power struggle. It is suspected that the Razor was involved.

  • Morrowind: It is received by completing a quest for Mehrunes Dagon. It does not have the one-hit kill ability of lore.
  • Oblivion: It is available after downloading an extra content package of the same name and completing a quest which it adds (this version does have the one hit kill ability).
  • Skyrim: Received after completing "Pieces of the Past" quest, which begins at a small museum in Dawnstar, and retains its one hit kill ability.

Mysterium Xarxes (Mehrunes Dagon)[]

This book was supposedly written by Mehrunes Dagon himself.[5] Mankar Camoran wrote Four Books based on what he learned from the Mysterium Xarxes, and then used the book to create his Paradise. The Hero of Kvatch took the book to Martin Septim, who used it to find a way into Camoran's paradise.

Oghma Infinium (Hermaeus Mora)[]

  • Daggerfall: Oghma Infinium is rewarded to the player after completing Hermaeus Mora's quest on 5th of First Seed.
  • Oblivion: Oghma Infinium is a powerful skill book which is the reward for completing Hermaeus Mora's, quest. He will only give it to the Hero when they have completed every other Daedric Quest in Cyrodiil. The Hero must then capture a soul from every race with a special spell and soul gem and bring it to here. The Hero who does this is then given the artifact which will raise some of their abilities by 10, depending on the path they choose.
Path of Might: Strength, Speed, Blade, Blunt, and Heavy Armor
Path of Shadow: Speed, Acrobatics, Sneak, Security, Light Armor
Path of Magic: Intelligence, Willpower, Destruction, Conjuration, Restoration

Ring of Khajiiti (Mephala)[]

A useful tool for any thief, the Ring of Khajiiti has powerful Chameleon and Fortify Speed enchantments upon it, making the user faster and hard to spot.

  • Daggerfall: The Ring is given to the Agent, by Meridia after assisting in her on the 13th of Morning Star. Back then it was attributed to Meridia instead of Mephala.
  • Morrowind: The Ring is given to the Nerevarine by Mephala, after completing the quest assigned at her shrine in the Morag Tong headquarters beneath the Arena in Vivec. They do not have to be a Morag Tong member to take on the quest, though the quest is an assassination, and they can join the Morag Tong in the immediate area.
  • Oblivion: The Daedric Prince Meridia rewards her faithful with the Ring of Khajiiti.

Ring of Namira (Namira)[]

  • Oblivion: The Ring of Namira is a special ring created by the Daedric Prince Namira. It has the ability to reflect some of the strength of both physical and magical attacks.
  • Skyrim: Received after completing "The Taste of Death" quest and eating the flesh of the priest Verulus. Does not have the reflection ability known to Oblivion's ring, but rather increases stamina and allows for the act of cannibalism on the corpses of Characters. Cannibalism results in +50 health increase and an increase in health regeneration for a short time. Effects do not stack.

Sanguine Rose (Sanguine)[]

  • Oblivion: Sanguine Rose is a staff created by the Daedric Prince Sanguine. It has the ability to summon a random Daedra. Note: after attacking and/or killing the targeted enemy, the Daedra then turns on the wielder.
  • Skyrim: Received from Sanguine after completing the quest "A Night to Remember." Conjures a leveled bound Dremora to fight for the Dragonborn. Dremora usually carries a fire enchanted greatsword, will not turn on the Dragonborn unless repeatedly provoked, and does not drop any loot upon death.

Savior's Hide (Hircine)[]

Savior's Hide is a piece of armor created by the Daedric Prince Hircine. It gives the wearer a small resistance to magic.

Scourge (Malacath)[]

Scourge is a powerful mace with supposed abilities to Banish Daedra, created by Malacath.

Sheogorath's Signet Ring (Sheogorath)

Sheogorath's Signet Ring appears solely in Morrowind, and is one of the most valuable articles of clothing in Morrowind. The ring formerly belonged to Staada a golden saint in the lead of Sheogorath's Daedra in "Azura's Quest." The ring itself grants a constant Personality boost at the cost of draining willpower.

Skeleton Key (Nocturnal)[]

  • Arena: Obtained through a series of actions. First one has to hear the rumor about the man trying to sell information on the Skeleton Key. After agreeing on a price he will mark a dungeon on the map, which also contains another map that will give the location of the dungeon which the Key is currently hiding in. The Key is noted as being able to open any door and/or portal.
  • Morrowind: Though it does not have a Security boost attached in this game, the Skeleton Key is still noteworthy as a 50-use lockpick that will open any lock. It is given to the Nerevarine by Gentleman Jim Stacey at the end of the Thieves' Guild quest line.
  • Oblivion: The key is an unbreakable lockpick that boosts Security by 40 points, making it a powerful tool for thieves. It is the reward for recovering Nocturnal's Eye.
  • Skyrim: Obtained during the Thieves Guild quest "Darkness Returns." Essentially an unbreakable lockpick. It is optional whether the Dragonborn keeps it or not, but they cannot continue the Thieves Guild questline and it does not count toward the Oblivion Walker trophy/achievement.

Skull of Corruption (Vaermina)[]

  • Oblivion: The Skull is a staff which has the ability to create an evil clone of the humanoid it hits. It was created by Vaermina. Another thing one should bear in mind is to not to drop the Skull of Corruption, especially in combat, as a character can obtain and then use it.
  • Skyrim: The Dragonborn can only receive the Skull of Corruption by killing Erandur while he is attempting to destroy it during the quest "Waking Nightmare." If Erandur is not killed then he sends the staff back to Oblivion and will be forever out of reach.

Spear of Bitter Mercy (Sheogorath/Mehrunes Dagon/Hircine)[]

  • Battlespire: This spear is obtained as part of the quest to defeat Mehrunes Dagon in the Battlespire.
  • Morrowind: The product of the Mad Prince Sheogorath, the powerful Spear of Bitter Mercy is the reward for completing his quest, which involves the Nerevarine having to kill a large Netch with a fork so as to understand madness.

Spellbreaker (Peryite)[]

Spellbreaker is a powerful Dwemer shield [6] said to have been created by King Rouken, one of the last Dwemer kings, to aid him in his battles against the wizard Shalidor. Since that time, it has often been seen in conjunction with the Daedric Prince Peryite. It either reflects or dispels enemy magic (depending on the game) and can silence spellcasters.

  • Morrowind: This shield was hidden in the Dwemer ruin Bthuand, and the Nerevarine was asked to retrieve it by the vampire Mastrius. This vampire had been cursed by the Daedric Prince Azura, and Spellbreaker was required to break the curse. After he receives it, he asks the Nerevarine for half of their life force, needed to break the curse (among other things). He then attacks the weakened Nerevarine.
  • Oblivion Spellbreaker was the reward given by the Daedric Prince Peryite for retrieving the souls of several of Peryite's worshipers from where they had been trapped in Oblivion by a misfired spell.
  • Skyrim: Received after completing the quest "The Only Cure."

Staff of Sheogorath (Sheogorath)[]

The Staff of Sheogorath is the Symbol of the Madgod's office.[7] Whoever holds this staff holds the throne in the Shivering Isles. It was stripped of its power during the Greymarch, just before Jyggalag returned. However, the Hero of Kvatch managed to reforge the staff, taking the Mantle of Madgod upon themselves.

Sword of Jyggalag (Jyggalag)[]

  • The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles: This sword is used by Jyggalag in his final fight against the Hero of Kvatch. After Jyggalag is defeated, the sword may be found behind Sheogorath's throne.

Umbra Sword (Clavicus Vile)[]

  • Morrowind: Umbra Sword is just a short ways north of Suran on an Orsimer of the same name. He asks to you to kill him and slaying him allows you to loot the soul trapping sword off of his body.
  • Oblivion: Umbra Sword is an alternate reward instead of the Masque of Clavicus Vile. Instead of giving the sword found in the Ayleid ruin of Vindasel. On a Bosmer women named like the sword, Umbra. If you choose to keep the sword at the end of the quest. Unlike its Morrowind precursor Umbra is a one handed sword and not a two handed sword.
  • Skyrim: Umbra Sword is found in the Creation Club.

Volendrung (Malacath)[]

The Pocket Guide to the Empire relates the story of early Hammerfell history as a Dwemer holding. According to the guide, Hammerfell's original name was Volenfell, taken from the name of the Dwemeri Rourken Clan settlement in the region, the "City of the Hammer." The Rourken were opposed to the creation of the joint Dwemer-Chimer state of Resdayn, which prompted their move westward, sometime during the First Era. A myth arose surrounding their exodus, wherein their chieftain is said to have thrown his "mighty hammer, Volendrung, across Tamriel, promising to lead his clansmer to 'wherever it should fall.'"[8]

Volendrung reappears throughout the series, befitting the hammer's description as an item "prone to disappearing suddenly, resurfacing sometimes in days, sometimes in eons."[9]

  • Arena: A map in Hammerfell leads the player to the hammer in Morrowind.[10]
  • Daggerfall: The player may receive the hammer after doing a service for the Daedric Prince Malacath.[11] In both of these games, the attributes of the hammer remain similar; giving health to the player who wields it, leeching strength from the enemy on the receiving end of a blow, and possibly paralyzing said enemy.
  • Morrowind: It appears again, in the closet of Yagrum Bagarn, the Last Living Dwarf. In Morrowind, however, it is generally useless as a weapon, having lost its magic abilities. Curiously enough, Morrowind's Tamrielic Lore, an in-game book naming Yagrum Bagarn as its author, omits Volendrung in his compilation of ancient Dwemer artifacts.[12]
  • Oblivion: The hammer appears in the hands of Malacath once more, and can be received by the player as reward for completing Malacath's quest. As in Daggerfall and Arena, the hammer is magically enhanced, although it drains health rather than strength.
  • Skyrim: Received after completing the quest "The Cursed Tribe." Similarly, Volendrung drains stamina rather than health.

Wabbajack (Sheogorath)[]

While this weapon makes no appearance in Morrowind, it originally shows up in Daggerfall. Known only as Wabbajack, this mysterious staff changes any enemy into another random creature. This can completely change a battle by transforming an enemy into something weaker- or possibly something much stronger. As with most all of Sheogorath's work, it should be used with caution.

  • Oblivion: The Prince of Madness, Sheogorath, gives the Hero this confusing and potentially battle-changing weapon upon completing his quest, which involves causing chaos by making an apocalyptic prophecy come true in the Khajiiti village of Border Watch. Evidence of Sheogorath's madness can be seen in the final 'sign', where he causes the sky to redden and rain flaming dogs.
  • Skyrim: Sheogorath gives the Dragonborn this item during the quest "The Mind of Madness" received in Solitude.
  • Online: During the quest "Simply Misplaced," Sheogorath's chamberlain Haskill tells the Vestige to retrieve the Wabbajack for his lord. After returning with the item, Sheogorath lets the Vestige use the staff five times before taking it back.

Appearances[]

References[]


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