Lore:Artifacts

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This is a list of legendary artifacts in Tamriel. Only artifacts which have appeared in more than one game are included.

Contents
Auriel's Bow Auriel's Shield Azura's Star Bloodworm Helm Chrysamere Ebony Blade Ebony Mail Goldbrand Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw Hircine's Ring	Lord's Mail Mace of Molag Bal Masque of Clavicus Vile Mehrunes' Razor Necromancer's Amulet Oghma Infinium Ring of Khajiiti Ring of Namira Ring of Phynaster Sanguine Rose	Savior's Hide Scourge Skeleton Key Skull of Corruption Spell Breaker Staff of Magnus Umbra Volendrung Wabbajack Warlock's Ring

[edit] Auriel's Bow

Arena	Fires kill spell
Daggerfall	Lightning, hand of sleep, and magicka leech
Morrowind	Unenchanted

Auriel's Bow appears as a modest Elven Longbow, but it is one of the mightiest 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 destruction. 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 the subject of gossip for hundreds of years.

[edit] Auriel's Shield

Arena	Resist Fire and Magicka, Lends Health
Daggerfall	Resist Fire, Shield, and Spell Reflection
Morrowind	Unenchanted

Auriel's Shield, an Ebony shield said to have once belonged to the quasi-mythical Elvish deity Auriel, can make its wielder nigh invulnerable. In its resistance to fire and magic, Auriel's Shield is unsurpassed. Like many artifacts of Tamriel, the Shield has life and personality of its own, and does not feel bound to its user. A popular fable tells the tale of it abandoning one wielder in her greatest hour of need, but this is perhaps apocryphal.

[edit] Azura's Star

Daggerfall	Reusable Soul Gem
Morrowind
Oblivion

Few mortals have the stomach to trade in souls. The Dark Brotherhood does it, as do certain groups within the Mages Guild. For these cruel folk, Azura's Star has a particular fascination. The Star acts as a reusable soul gem. The soul of any creature killed by the bearer of the Star is trapped within it. If the Star already carries a soul, nothing happens. Using Azura's Star empties it, freeing the trapped soul to make its journey to Oblivion. Azura's Star can be used to make magical items over and over and over.

[edit] Bloodworm Helm

Morrowind	Turn Undead, Summon Skeleton Minion
Oblivion	Fortify Conjuration, Essence Drain spell

The King of Worms was said to have left behind one of his prized possessions, the Bloodworm Helm. The Helm is a construct of magically formed bone. The Helm allows the user to summon skeletons and control the undead. It would be a prized artifact to a necromancer.

[edit] Chrysamere

Arena	Heals, Resist Fire, Reflect Spells
Daggerfall	Resist Fire, Shalidor's Mirror, and Heal
Morrowind	Resist Fire, Restore Health, Reflect

Chrysamere, the Paladin's Blade and Sword of Heroes, is an ancient claymore with offensive capabilities only surpassed by its defenses. It lends the wielder health, protects him or her from fire, and reflects any deleterious spells cast against the wielder back to the caster. Seldom has Chrysamere been wielded by an individual for any length of time, for it chooses not to favor one champion.

[edit] Ebony Blade

Arena	Kills, type unknown, Save vs. Magic
Daggerfall	Far Silence, Vampiric Touch, and Energy Leech
Oblivion	Absorb Health, Silence

The Ebony Blade, sometimes called the Vampire or the Leech, resembles an ebony katana, and its power is very dark indeed. Every time the Ebony Blade strikes an opponent, part of the damage inflicted flows into the wielder as raw power. The Blade itself may not be any more evil than those who have used it, but at some point in its history, a charm was cast on it so it would not remain with any one individual for long. The wizard who cast this charm sought to save the souls of any too infatuated by the Blade, and perhaps he was right to do so.

[edit] Ebony Mail

Arena	Resist Fire, Spells, Shield
Daggerfall	Resist fire, Shield, Spell Shield
Morrowind	Resist Fire, Shield, Resist Magicka

The Ebony Mail is an artifact created before recorded history, according to legend, by the Daedric Prince Boethiah. It is he who determines who should possess the Mail and for how long a time. If judged worthy, its power grants the wearer invulnerability to all common magical attacks that drain talents and health. It is Boethiah alone who determines when a person is ineligible to bear the Ebony Mail any longer, and as a Daedra, can be very capricious.

[edit] Goldbrand

Morrowind	Fire Damage
Oblivion

This magical Sword is almost a complete mystery. Thieves tell tales about its golden make and how it was actually forged by ancient dragons of the North. Their tales claim that it was given to a great knight who was sworn to protect the dragons. The Sword lends its wielder the ability to do fire damage on an enemy. Goldbrand has not been sighted in recent history and is said to be awaiting a worthy hero.

[edit] Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw

Morrowind	Fortify Agility and Endurance
Oblivion

One of Valenwood's legendary heroes is Oreyn Bearclaw. Son of King Faume Toad-Eye, he was a respected clan hunter and a future leader. Wood Elven legend claims Oreyn single handedly defeated Glenhwyfaunva, the witch-serpent of the Elven wood, forever bringing peace to his clan. Oreyn would go on to accomplish numerous other deeds, eventually losing his life to the Knahaten Flu. His Helm stood as a monument of his stature for future generations to remember. The Helm was lost eventually, as the Clan split, and is now a treasured artifact for adventurers. The Helm of Oreyn Bearclaw is rumored to improve the wearers agility and endurance.

[edit] Hircine's Ring

Daggerfall	Allows bearer to transform into a werewolf at will
Bloodmoon

[edit] Lord's Mail

Arena	Resist Spells, Regenerate, Cure Poison
Daggerfall	Cure Poison, Spell Shield
Morrowind	Cure Poison, Resist Magicka

Sometimes called the Armor of Morihaus or the gift of Kynareth, this is an ancient cuirass of unsurpassable quality. It grants the wearer power to absorb health, resist the effects of spells, and cure oneself of poison when used. It is said that whenever Kynareth deigns the wearer unworthy, the Lord's Mail will be taken away and hidden for the next chosen one.

[edit] Mace of Molag Bal

Daggerfall	Drains Spell Points and Strength
Morrowind	Absorb Strength, Absorb Magicka
Oblivion

Also known as the Vampire's Mace, the Mace of Molag Bal drains its victims of magicka and gives it to the bearer. It also has the ability to transfer an enemy's strength to its wielder. Molag Bal has been quite free with his artifact. There are many legends about the Mace. It seems to be a favorite for vanquishing wizards.

[edit] Masque of Clavicus Vile

Daggerfall	Improves reputation as Charm spell
Morrowind	Fortify Personality
Oblivion

Ever the vain one, Clavicus Vile made a masque suited to his own personality. The bearer of the Masque is more likely to get a positive response from the people of Tamriel. The higher his personality, the larger the bonus. The best known story of the Masque tells the tale of Avalea, a noblewoman of some renown. As a young girl, she was grossly disfigured by a spiteful servant. Avalea made a dark deal with Clavicus Vile and received the Masque in return. Though the Masque did not change her looks, suddenly she had the respect and admiration of everyone. A year and a day after her marriage to a well connected baron, Clavicus Vile reclaimed the Masque. Although pregnant with his child, Avalea was banished from the Baron's household. Twenty one years and one day later, Avalea's daughter claimed her vengeance by slaying the Baron.

[edit] Mehrunes' Razor

Daggerfall	Save vs. Magic or Die
Morrowind	Disintegrate Armor, Weakness to Poison, Poison
Oblivion (with plugin)	Disintegrate Armor, Daedric Banishing

The Dark Brotherhood has coveted this ebony dagger for generations. This mythical artifact is capable of slaying any creature instantly. History does not record 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.

[edit] Necromancer's Amulet

Arena	Absorb Spells, Regenerate, Intelligence Fortified
Daggerfall	Absorb Spells, Spells: Troll's blood and wisdom
Morrowind	Resist Normal Weapons, Fortify Intelligence, Restore Health, Spell Absorption
Oblivion	Drain Strength and Endurance, Fortify Willpower, Intelligence, Conjuration, and Magicka

The legendary Necromancer's Amulet, a relic of the mad sorcerer Mannimarco, grants any spellcaster who wears it the ability to regenerate from injury, and absorb magicka. The bearer also becomes wise beyond his years. This artifact is popular amongst mages. It is the one flaw of the Amulet that it is unstable in this world forever doomed to fade in and out of existence, reappearing at locations distant from that of its disappearance.

[edit] Oghma Infinium

Arena	50 Points to Distribute among stats
Daggerfall	30 Points to Distribute among Attributes
Oblivion	+10 to two Attributes, +10 to three Skills

The Oghma Infinium is a tome of knowledge written by the Ageless One, the wizard-sage Xarses. All who read the Infinium are filled with the energy of the artifact which can be manipulated to raise ones abilities to near demi-god proportions. Once used, legend has it, the Infinium will disappear from its wielder.

Daggerfall

It leaves one with 30 bonus points to distribute among the character's attributes as one wants.

Oblivion

When you read the book, it increases three skills and two attributes by 10 points each, permanently. Which skills and attributes depends which of three paths you choose when you use it.

[edit] Ring of Khajiiti

• Also known as: Ring of Khajiit

Arena	Invisibility, Non-Target, Fortify Speed
Daggerfall	Invisibility, Fortify Speed
Morrowind	Invisibility, Fortify Speed
Oblivion	Chameleon, Fortify Speed

The Ring of the Khajiiti is an ancient relic, hundreds of years older than Rajhin, the thief who made the Ring famous. It was Rajhin who used the Ring's powers to make himself as invisible, silent, and quick as a breath of wind. Using the Ring he became the most successful burglar in Elsweyr's history. Rajhin's eventual fate is a mystery, but according to legend, the Ring rebelled against such constant use and disappeared, leaving Rajhin helpless before his enemies.

[edit] Ring of Namira

• Also known as: Namira's Ring

Daggerfall	Opponent takes damage from own attacks
Oblivion	Reflect Damage, Reflect Spell

Namira is aligned with the darker side of nature, as is her ring. While the ring is being worn, any damage the bearer takes is suffered by the attacker as well. Spells and missile attacks are ignored. How much damage the attacker suffers depends upon his nature. Animals and Spriggans take no damage, being creatures of natures. Daedric beings only take half the damage they do, being supernatural creatures. Humanoids and monsters take full damage. Undead take twice the damage they dole out, because they are wholly unnatural creatures.*

*The information in italics applies only to Daggerfall.

[edit] Ring of Phynaster

Arena	Resist Poison, Spells, Shock; Shield
Morrowind	Resist Poison, Shock, and Magicka

The Ring of Phynaster was made hundreds of years ago by a person who needed good defenses to survive his adventurous life. Thanks to the Ring, Phynaster lived for hundreds of years, and since then it has passed from person to person. The ring improves its wearer's overall resistance to damage and grants total immunity to poison, spells, and electricity. Still, Phynaster was cunning and said to have cursed the Ring. It eventually disappears from its holder's possessions and returns to another resting place, uncontent to stay anywhere but with Phynaster himself.

[edit] Sanguine Rose

Daggerfall	Summons a Lesser Daedra to fight for caster
Oblivion*

The Sanguine Rose is not an artifact most folk would care to have. It summons a lesser daedra to the user. The daedra will attack any other creature in the area except the bearer of the rose. The rose is like any other in that it will wilt. The more of its power that is used, the more wilted it becomes. Eventually all its petals fall off and it loses its powers. Somewhere in Oblivion a new rose blooms and is plucked by Sanguine himself to be given to a new champion.

*In Daggerfall, it appears as a usable item. In Oblivion, it becomes a staff.

[edit] Savior's Hide

• Also known as: Cuirass of the Savior's Hide

Morrowind	Resist Magicka
Oblivion

Another of Hircine's artifacts was the Cuirass of the Savior's Hide. The Cuirass has the special ability to resist magicka. Legend has it that Hircine rewarded his peeled hide to the first and only mortal to have ever escaped his hunting grounds. This unknown mortal had the hide tailored into this magical Cuirass for his future adventures. The Savior's Hide has a tendency to travel from hero to hero as though it has a mind of its own.

[edit] Scourge

Battlespire	(banishes a daedra when she uses it)
Morrowind	Summon Dremora and Scamp

The Daedric Scourge is a mighty mace forged from sacred ebony in the Fires of Fickledire. The legendary weapon of Mackkan, it was once a fierce weapon used to send spirits of black back into Oblivion. The weapon has the ability to summon creatures from Oblivion, Once a tool used against the Daedric Lords in the Battlespire, it now roams the land with adventurers.

[edit] Skeleton Key

Arena	Open Door (once/day)
Daggerfall
Morrowind	High quality lockpick (50 uses)
Oblivion	Fortify Security (unbreakable)

The power of the Skeleton's Key is very simple, indeed. With it, any non-magically locked door or chest is instantly accessible to even the clumsiest of lockpickers. A particularly skillful lockpicker may even open some magically barred doors with the Key. The two limitations placed on the Key by wizards who sought to protect their storehouses were that the Key could only be used once a day and it would never be the property of one thief for too long. Some of those who have possessed the Key have made themselves rich before it disappeared, others have broken into places they never should have entered. Once a day this key allows one to open one non-magical lock, or a good chance at opening a low level magical lock.*

*Text applies only to Arena and Daggerfall.

[edit] Skull of Corruption

Daggerfall	Creates clone of opponent which it attacks
Oblivion*

Using the Skull of Corruption on an opponent creates a duplicate of the victim. However, this duplicate will attack the original, not the wielder of the Skull. There is a story about the Thieves Guild Master and the skull that is probably fiction, but highly amusing. The Master used the skull on her enemy, creating a clone of him to fight. After defeating the original, the clever duplicate snatched the Skull from the Master and used it on her. Although the cloned enemy could not directly attack the Master, it could use the Skull to create a duplicate Master. The two clones jointly ruled the Thieves Guild for years.

*In Daggerfall, it appears as a usable item. In Oblivion, it becomes a staff.

[edit] Spell Breaker

Arena	Reflect
Daggerfall	Spells: Silence (touch), Free Action (caster) and Spell Reflection (caster)
Morrowind	Silence, Reflect
Oblivion	Reflect Spell

Spell Breaker, superficially a Dwarven tower shield, is one of the most ancient relics of Tamriel. Aside from its historic importance dating from the Battle of Rourken-Shalidor, the Spell Breaker protects its wielder almost completely from any spellcaster, either by dispelling magicks or silencing any mage about to cast a spell. It is said that the Breaker still searches for its original owner, and will not remain the property of any one else for long. For most, possessing Spell Breaker for any time is power enough.

[edit] Staff of Magnus

Arena	Absorb Spells, Regenerate Health
Daggerfall	Regenerate Health, Spells: Spell Absorption
Morrowind	Spell Absorption, Restore Health

The Staff of Magnus, one of the elder artifacts of Tamriel, was a metaphysical battery of sorts for its creator, the Arch-Mage Magnus. When used, it regenerates the wielder's health at remarkable rates. In time, the Staff will abandon the bearer who wields it before he becomes too powerful and upsets the mystical balance it is sworn to protect.

[edit] Umbra

Morrowind	Soultrap
Oblivion

The Umbra Sword was enchanted by the ancient witch Naenra Waerr, and its sole purpose was the entrapment of souls. Used in conjunction with a soul gem, the Sword allows the wielder the opportunity to imprison an enemy's soul in the gem. Naenra was executed for her evil creation, but not before she was able to hide the Sword. The Umbra Sword is very choosy when it comes to owners and therefore remains hidden until a worthy one is found.

The Umbra sword can be found in both Morrowind (near Suran) and in Oblivion (in an Ayleid Ruin). In both cases, it is held by a warrior who takes it as their name and must be taken after killing the owner.

[edit] Volendrung

Arena	Lends health to user Spells: Paralysis, and vampiric touch
Daggerfall
Morrowind	unenchanted
Oblivion	Drain Health, Paralyze

The Hammer of Might, Volendrung is said to have been created by the Dwemer of the now abandoned clan of Rourken, hundreds of years before they disappeared from the world of Tamriel. It has the ability to grant health to its wielder, but it is best known for the paralyzing and strength leeching effects it has when cast at an enemy. Like the Dwarves who created it, Volendrung is prone to disappearing suddenly, resurfacing sometimes in days, sometimes in eons.*

*Description from Arena and Daggerfall. Partially true of Oblivion version, but does not apply to Morrowind at all.

[edit] Wabbajack

Daggerfall	Turns creature into another random type
Oblivion

Madness and chaos are the trademarks of Sheogorath. The Wabbajack embodies these same traits. Using the artifact on a creature will transform it into something else.

Daggerfall:The creature can become any one of the following monsters

Rat, imp, spriggan, giant bat, grizzly bear, spider, nymph, harpy, skeletal warrior, giant, zombie, giant scorpion, iron atronach, flesh atronach, ice atronach, fire atronach, or lich. The problem is the bearer has no way of controlling the transformation. He could change a giant bat into a lich, or a fire atronach into a rat.

Oblivion:The creature can become any one of the following monsters

Daedroth, skeleton champion, goblin skirmisher, troll, ogre, sheep, deer, or rat. The same uncontrollable property in Daggerfall also applies in Oblivion.

See Wabbajack for more information about this artifact.

[edit] Warlock's Ring

Arena	Reflect Spells, Fortify Speed, Heal
Daggerfall	Shalidor's Mirror, Heal, Feet of Notorgo
Morrowind	Reflect, Fortify Speed

The Warlock's Ring of the Arch-Mage Syrabane is one of the most popular relics of myth and fable. In Tamriel's ancient history, Syrabane saved all of the continent by judicious use of his Ring, and ever since, it has helped adventurers with less lofty goals. It is best known for its ability to reflect spells cast at its wearer and to improve his or her speed and health, though it may have additional powers. No adventurer can wear the Warlock's Ring for long, for it is said the Ring is Syrabane's alone to command.