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Elder Scrolls

For other uses, see Nirnroot.

Nirnroot is an ingredient in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It can be used to make potions at an alchemy lab as part of alchemy.

History[]

Herbalist Chivius Regelliam noted that a solar event known as the Sun's Death severely depleted the presence of nirnoot in Tamriel, as it was a surface dwelling plant and needed the sun's rays in order to survive. One theory on how the plant survived is that the explosion of Red Mountain, mixed with the fertile soil of Cyrodiil, gave the soil healing properties, allowing the plant to "preserve itself" during the event and survive without light. The Dunmer used the volcanic ash mixed with soil as a cure for Blight, further supporting this theory. It is still unknown why nirnroot radiates a bluish-white glow, and is still today largely unstudied.[1]

"Nirnroot" is named because it is a root of Nirn, the planet on which The Elder Scrolls is set.

Cultural uses[]

The Gourmet's recipe for Potage le Magnifique in his book, Uncommon Taste does not call for a nirnroot, but if the Dragonborn impersonates the cook at Castle Dour, during the Dark Brotherhood questline, a nirnroot can be added to the casserole as a secret ingredient. Gianna, the Castle's chief cook comments that nirnroot is a common spice in stews and other dishes.

Locations[]

Giantnirnroot

A giant nirnroot which can be found only in Giant Nirnroot Island.

"Nirnroot is the easiest. It grows only by the water and makes a unique chiming noise. The only drawback is it won't regrow after harvesting."
―Ingun Black-Briar[src]

Nirnroot can be found throughout Skyrim, usually along lake and river banks. The plant makes a sound somewhat akin to chimes and emits a white glow. The glow is faint in daylight, but very bright—even from a distance—after dark. Crimson nirnroot, a cousin to standard nirnroot, also grows abundantly within Skyrim's Blackreach. A giant nirnroot variety can be found on Giant Nirnroot Island, in The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn.

Merchants[]

Natural growths[]

  • One can be found by following the stream down from Half-Moon Mill, and three more by continuing towards a waterfall and a hunter's camp. Following the stream to Evergreen Grove will yield two more (one on the body of an alchemist). An Alchemy skill book can also be found nearby.
  • Five north of Dawnstar. Hit the beaches to the north and there are at least five of them among the islands close by and on the horker beach to the west.
  • Eight can be found on Sarethi Farm.
  • One by a rock mound in the river fork west of Geirmund's Hall.
  • One or two down the mountain from Sky Haven Temple, around the river under Karthspire Camp
  • 30+ nirnroot plants can be found along Skyrim's northwestern shoreline. A one-day walk along the coast can also yield 70+ grass pods, at least 20 pieces of clam meat, and plenty of canis root.
  • At least 44 crimson nirnroot in Blackreach.
  • Two at the Sleeping Tree Camp.
  • One just to the west of Goldenglow Estate.
  • Found often under bridges and in niches across Skyrim.
  • At least one near Honeyside.
  • One between Pinewatch and Lakeview Manor, on a small body of water.
  • Around 10 on the Giant Nirnroot Island, off of the northeast shore of Solstheim.DB
  • One under the bridge across from the Honningbrew Meadery. Follow the stream towards Whiterun for another behind a fallen log.
  • One on an island to the east of the Serpent Stone.
  • One next to a fallen tree about halfway between Bleakcoast Cave and the Serpent Stone.
  • One due south and one west southwest of Treva's Watch, on the south side of the river.
  • One west of Ivarstead, on the east side of the river, south of the mill.
  • Inside Fort Greenwall, where a dead body is found, one can harvest a single sample from inside a locked cage.
  • A couple can be found around Morthal.

On display[]

Regrowing patches[]

Unlike nirnroot in Cyrodiil, it does eventually grow back once harvested, despite in-game claims that it does not. Also unlike nirnroot in Cyrodiil, this ingredient can also be bought from Alchemy merchants and sometimes looted from enemies that are mages or falmer.

Quests[]

Few and Far Between[]

Ingun Black-Briar, an Apprentice alchemist, asks the Dragonborn to obtain 20 nirnroot to help replenish the diminishing supply of her mentor and teacher. She also asks for 20 deathbell and 20 nightshade.

Potions[]

Main article: Potions (Skyrim)
Damage Health Damage Stamina Invisibility Resist Magic

† Multiple effects

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • In The Elder Scrolls V: Hearthfire add-on, nirnroots cannot be planted in a garden.
  • A good way to find the effects of nirnroot is to combine it with crimson nirnroot in a potion as they both have the same effects but are considered different ingredients, making a potion with all four ingredient effects.
  • In Fallout 4, an "experimental plant" can be found that greatly resembles nirnroot.
  • Harvesting the giant nirnroot can yield up to three samples of the ingredient per plant.
  • As with Oblivion, nirnoots are harvested rather than taken. Therefore, they cannot be stolen even if the plant is found indoors.

Bugs[]

This section contains bugs related to Nirnroot (Skyrim). Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:

  1. Please reload an old save to confirm if the bug is still happening.
  2. If the bug is still occurring, please post the bug report with the appropriate system template  360  /  XB1  ,  PS3  /  PS4  ,  PC  /  MAC  ,  NX  /  PS5  ,  XS  , depending on which platform(s) the bug has been encountered on.
  3. Be descriptive when listing the bug and fixes, but avoid having conversations in the description and/or using first-person anecdotes: such discussions belong on the appropriate forum board.
  •  PC   360   Even after harvesting, there is a faint glow where the nirnroot plant used to be. This can mislead the Dragonborn into thinking it has regrown.
  •  360   PS3   If not harvested immediately, after some hundred of hours of gameplay, the glow around the nirnroot can increase in brightness reaching a very intense white that does not clear even if the nirnroot is harvested.
    •  PC   All the layers of the white light can be erased, one by one, with the console command "MarkForDelete" and selecting each layer with the cursor. Caution is advised because it is easy to delete important textures using this method.
  •  PC   360   PS3   North and slightly west of Bleakcoast Cave, and (far) east of the city of Winterhold, there is a nirnroot located inside a fallen tree trunk on a small island that cannot be picked up, no matter how it is approached.

References[]

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