Weapon Artifacts are weapon items that have a unique appearance and item ID. Like unique items, it is impossible to find a second copy of these exceptional (often powerful) items. Unlike unique weapons, however, artifacts do not share appearances with other generic magic weapons; they have a distinct one-of-a-kind look. Most of these artifacts also make an appearance in other games.
There are a number of weapon artifacts that can be found throughout the island of Vvardenfell. For artifacts in Mournhold and Solstheim, check the artifact pages for Tribunal and Bloodmoon, respectively.
Notes
- Charge/Cost= Uses indicates how many uses you can get, on average, before the weapon needs recharging. Note that the actual cost depends on your Enchant skill, so your results may vary.
- Damage Ratio gives the damage per time for the weapon with higher values indicating a more powerful item. Ratios are given for the base weapon and any magic based damage the weapon may have.
- Speed specifies how fast the weapon swings with higher values indicating a faster weapon.
Axes, One-Hand
[edit]
Cleaver of St. Felms
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Axe One Hand | |||
 Damage |
||||
| Chop | 1−37 | Slash | 1−20 | |
| Thrust | 1−5 | Ratio | 46.25 | |
| Statistics | ||||
 Health |
2,400 | |||
| Speed | 1.25 | Reach | 1.0 | |
 Weight |
48 |  Value |
12,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 40/4 = 10 | |||
The Cleaver of St. Felms is a holy axe in the Ash Vampire lair of Tureynulal, on the slopes of the Red Mountain.
Uvoo Llaren in the Ghostgate Tribunal Temple will ask you to recover this artifact. If you return when Patriarch of the Temple she will give you this artifact back to keep.
Axes, Two-Hand
[edit]
Wings of the Queen of Bats
 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Axe Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 1−44 | Slash | 1−33 | |
| Thrust | 1−4 | Ratio | 55 (61.25 w/ spell) | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
3,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.25 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
30 | Value |
12,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 500/50 = 10 | |||
The Wings of the Queen of Bats is a two-handed axe that cannot be obtained normally within the game. It is an unused item and can only be acquired via console commands. For more information on unused content in general, please see the related page.
Notes
- An icon for the Wings of the Queen of Bats exists in ESO, where it would have been named Bat-Queen's Wings. However, it does not appear in-game.
Blunt, One-Hand
[edit]
Mace of Molag Bal
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt One Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 3−30 | Slash | 3−35 | |
| Thrust | 1−4 | Ratio | 45.50 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
4,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.3 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
45 | Value |
25,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 1,500/150 = 10 | |||
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. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
The artifact can be acquired during a quest started at the shrine of Molag Bal, in the ruins of Yansirramus, west of Tel Aruhn. He will ask you to kill Menta Na in the caves of Kora-Dur. See Molag Bal's Quest for more information.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 12,500 gold.
- Additional Weakness to Magicka effects can increase the amount absorbed by the mace's enchantment.
- This is a great backup weapon for casters, as this is the only weapon which has an Absorb Magicka enchantment.
[edit]
Scourge
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt One Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 10−35 | Slash | 10−35 | |
| Thrust | 6−8 | Ratio | 52.50 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
4,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
30 | Value |
80,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 300/60 = 5 | |||
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 lhas [sic] 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. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
This weapon is associated with the Daedric Prince Malacath. It can be found in the tower of Tel Fyr, Hall of Fyr, in a chest next to Divayth Fyr. Like most of Divayth Fyr's locked-away goods, he doesn't mind if you take it if you're good enough to get into the chest.
Notes
- This mace was first seen in Battlespire, and is described in the book The Legendary Scourge.
[edit]
Skull Crusher
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt One Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 10−60 | Slash | 10−50 | |
| Thrust | 7−10 | Ratio | 60 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
8,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.0 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
15 | Value |
48,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
The Skull Crusher is an amazingly large, and powerful weapon. The Warhammer was created in a fire, magically fueled by the Wizard, Dorach Gusal, and was forged by the great weaponsmith, Hilbongard Rolamus. The steel is magically hardened and the weight of the weapon is amazingly light, which makes for more powerful swings and deadly blows. The Warhammer was to be put on display for a festival, but thieves got it first. The Skull Crusher still travels Tamriel in search of its creators. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
Skull Crusher is one of the harder weapons to obtain. This warhammer is located in the Forgotten Vaults of Anudnabia, Forge of Hilbongard, which can only be accessed via the Omaren Ancestral Tomb (east of Sadrith Mora), in an enchanted chest hovering above the lava pool. It is found during an Oracle's Quest for the Imperial Cult. The weapon's constant feather effect cancels its weight when equipped.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 24,000 gold.
[edit]
Sunder
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt One Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 10−70 | Slash | 10−60 | |
| Thrust | 1−4 | Ratio | 105 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
6,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
40 | Value |
400,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
Sunder is a legendary hammer crafted by the Dwemer Tonal Architect Lord Kagrenac. Together with Keening and Wraithguard, these tools are necessary to handle the Heart of Lorkhan. All three artifacts came into the possession of the Almsivi following the Battle of Red Mountain. Sunder, along with Keening, was subsequently lost during an annual pilgrimage to the Heart some time in the Third Era.
The hammer is carried by Dagoth Vemyn in the citadel of Vemynal, northwest of Dagoth Ur's Citadel in the center of the island.
This artifact is obtained at the end of the Main Quest and is required to finish it. Though available at any time, it can't be safely equipped without first equipping Wraithguard due to the 'mortal wound' script effect. This damages your health a random amount between 50 and 125 each second, displaying the message "Sunder has dealt you a mortal wound." See the Sunder Artifact Quest for more information.
Notes
- There is a voice over for Dagoth Ur that goes unused, referencing a "false copy" of Sunder. No such item is available in the game. However, two unused copies of said hammer, both named
* Sunder *, can be found in the Construction Set. Bethesda Softworks has assigned them the IDsfalse_sunderandsunder_fake. Additionally, in Plan to Defeat Dagoth Ur, Vivec mentions, "If Nerevarine can equip [Sunder or Keening] while not wearing Wraithguard and receive no injury, the item is a counterfeit." A counterfeit version of Sunder was most likely planned for the game but later scrapped.
It has been reported that one of the fake Sunders was added to a Russian localization of the game and could be found on Red Mountain.
- Sunder also appears in the Legends story expansion Return to Clockwork City as an unobtainable card during the quest The Tools. As well as in the Sunder & Wraithguard creation for Skyrim.
- Mortal wound only applies to you and will not damage Calvus Horatius and merchants if they wield it.
- NPC users of Keening and Sunder can trigger the destruction of the Heart of Lorkhan.
- Because it fortifies strength by 20 points, when equipped, it has an effective weight of -60.
Blunt, Two-Hand
[edit]
Crosier of St. Llothis
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 2−12 | Slash | 3−12 | |
| Thrust | 1−9 | Ratio | 21 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
180 | |||
| Speed | 1.75 | Reach | 1.5 | |
| Weight |
4.80 | Value |
5,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 370/37 = 10 | |||
This holy staff is in the crater of Red Mountain in Dagoth Ur's own stronghold. Its enchantments give you a very clear image as to the previous owner's demise. Using this weapon in combat is inadvisable.
Uvoo Llaren in the Ghostgate Tribunal Temple will ask you to recover this artifact. See the Crosier of St. Llothis the Pious quest for more information. If you return when Patriarch of the Temple she will give you this artifact back to keep.
[edit]
Staff of Hasedoki
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 5−10 | Slash | 1−10 | |
| Thrust | 5−15 | Ratio | 26.5 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
4,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.75 | Reach | 1.8 | |
| Weight |
10 | Value |
75,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 525/105 = 5 | |||
Hasedoki was said to have been a very competitive wizard. He wandered the land in search for a wizard who was greater than he. To the best of all knowledge, he never found a wizard who could meet up to his challenge. It is said that he felt so lonely and isolated because so many feared his power, that he bonded his life-force into his very own staff, where his soul remains to this very day. Magic users all over Tamriel have been searching for this magical staff. Granting its wielder a protection of magicka, it is a sure prize for any magic user. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
Carried by Koffutto Gilgar in the Gimothran Ancestral Tomb, which is due west of Wolverine Hall, Sadrith Mora, and due south of Falensarano. A scrawled note gives details about the whereabouts of the staff.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 30,000 gold.
- The Staff of Hasedoki also appears in Skyrim via the Creation Club.
[edit]
Staff of Magnus
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 5−15 | Slash | 1−10 | |
| Thrust | 5−15 | Ratio | 26.5 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
4,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.75 | Reach | 1.8 | |
| Weight |
10 | Value |
210,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 5,700/1,140 = 5 | |||
The Staff of Magnus, one of the elder artifacts of Tamriel, was a metaphysical battery of sorts for its creator, Magnus. When used, it absorbs an enemy's health and mystical energy. In time, the Staff will abandon the mage who wields it before he becomes too powerful and upsets the mystical balance it is sworn to protect. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
It is carried by Dreveni Hlaren in the cave of Assu, in the mountains northwest of Molag Mar.
Ajira gives you a quest to find this staff after you reach the rank of Warlock in the Mages Guild.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 30,000 gold.
- However, you should keep it until you have shown it to Ajira to progress the Quest.
- This staff also appeared in Arena and Daggerfall with similar enchantments. In Skyrim it appeared with different effects.
[edit]
Volendrung
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blunt Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 1−39 | Slash | 1−33 | |
| Thrust | 1−2 | Ratio | 39 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
5,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.0 | Reach | 1.5 | |
| Weight |
32.0 | Value |
600 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
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. --Daggerfall description
Volendrung is a Dwemer weapon whose value is mostly historical in Morrowind. It lacks any enchantment, and is instead simply a unique-looking but functionally identical Dwarven Warhammer. It is associated with Malacath, though unrelated to his quest. Instead, it can be found in a chest in the Corprusarium Bowels beneath Tel Fyr, near Yagrum Bagarn's platform. It is the last in a series of chests opened by successive keys hidden in other chests, but you can also pick the lock or use an Open spell if you have one that can open a 100 point lock. Neither Yagrum nor Uupse Fyr, who are nearby, will mind if you take it.
Notes
- Despite being an artifact, it cannot be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts in Mournhold.
Bows
[edit]
Auriel's Bow
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Bow | |||
| Statistics | ||||
| Damage |
2−50 | Health |
1,000 | |
| Weight |
16 | Value |
30,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
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 whereever [sic] chance puts it. Its most recent appearances have been the subject of gossip for hundreds of years.
Telvanni Councilor Therana will talk to you about this bow, which she says "smells faintly of ash yams". She says the smell is strongest in Ghostgate near Ralyn Othravel. Ralyn can be found in the Tower of Dawn and is indeed carrying the bow, though you'll have to kill or pickpocket him in order to get it.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 15,000 gold.
- Only the unenchanted version can be sold, as its ID will change after enchanting it.
- This bow also appeared in Arena, Daggerfall, and Skyrim (via the Dawnguard add-on), though it includes powerful enchantments in those games, instead of being unenchanted as it is in Morrowind (presumably "exhausted of [its] energy" for a time).
[edit]
Bow of Shadows
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Bow | |||
| Statistics | ||||
| Damage |
4−40 | Health |
3,000 | |
| Weight |
10 | Value |
42,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 340/68 = 5 | |||
Legend has it that the Bow of Shadows was forged by the Daedra Nocturnal. The legendary ranger, Raerlas Ghile, was granted the Bow for a secret mission that failed, and the Bow was lost. Raerlas did not go down without a hearty fight and is said to have, with the aid of the Bow, taken scores of his foes with him. The Bow grants the user the ability of invisibility and increased speed. Many sightings of the Bow of Shadows have been reported, and it is even said that the sinister Dark Elf assassin of the Second Era, Dram, once wielded this bow. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
This bow is found lying on a desk in the Venim Ancestral Tomb, north of the Zainab Camp.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 21,000 gold.
- With the Bow of Shadows Creation, the bow reappears in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Long Blades, One-Hand
[edit]
Eltonbrand
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Long Blade One Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 10−60 | Slash | 5−55 | |
| Thrust | 5−25 | Ratio | 90 (120 w/ spell) | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
4,500 | |||
| Speed | 1.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
40 | Value |
150,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 500/5 = 100 | |||
Eltonbrand is a one-handed longsword obtainable by upgrading Goldbrand. Its statistics are better than those of Goldbrand's, with a higher possible damage output, more enchantments, and more uses of those enchantments.
Notes
- The odd nature of this sword seems to stem from Bethesda developer Mark Nelson. The NBA basketball player Elton Brand was a member of his favorite team in college, the Duke Blue Devils (itself referred to by his nickname "BlueDev", and the object ID of the sword), whose most bitter rivals are the North Carolina Tar Heels. The number "11171" is sometimes thought to be a reference to Nelson's birthday, 11/1/1971. It has also been thought to be a reference to a 111–71 Duke victory over the Tar Heels, however Duke has never beaten the Tar Heels by this score, and it appears to be a misattribution of Duke's 111-71 victory over West Virginia in 1963[1]. The name of the quest, "Shashev's Key", is also a reference to the long-time coach of the Blue Devils, Mike Krzyzewski, whose last name is pronounced "shə-SHEF-ski".
- Unlike Goldbrand, Torasa Aram won't buy Eltonbrand.
- If you have already sold or donated Goldbrand to the museum, you won't be able to acquire Eltonbrand using the stolen Goldbrand.
[edit]
Goldbrand
|
(lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Long Blade One Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 10−50 | Slash | 10−45 | |
| Thrust | 10−25 | Ratio | 75 (105 w/ spell) | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
4,500 | |||
| Speed | 1.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
40 | Value |
150,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 50/5 = 10 | |||
The sword Goldbrand 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. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
This magical katana is received as a reward from Boethiah. See Boethiah's Quest for more information.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 30,000 gold.
- This sword can be upgraded to the Eltonbrand. See the Eltonbrand page for details.
- Goldbrand also appears in Oblivion as well as in the Creation of the same name in Skyrim, with similar enchantments. However, it can't be upgraded to Eltonbrand.
Long Blades, Two-Hand
[edit]
Chrysamere
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Long Blade Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 5−70 | Slash | 5−60 | |
| Thrust | 5−40 | Ratio | 87.5 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
6,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.25 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
60 | Value |
95,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 1,140/228 = 5 | |||
The Paladin's Blade is an ancient claymore with offensive capabilities surpassed only by its own defenses. It lends the wielder health, protects him or her from fire, and reflects any spells cast against the wielder back to the caster. Seldom has Chrysamere been wielded by any bladesman for any length of time, for it chooses not to favor one champion. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
Chrysamere, one of the most powerful weapons in the game, is carried by Draramu Hloran in Abanabi (southwest of Sadrith Mora) and is needed for the Lord's Mail quest.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 30,000 gold.
- This sword also appears in Arena, Daggerfall, and SkyrimCC with similar enchantments. It was later revealed to be Breton in origin in ESO.
[edit]
Daedric Crescent
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Long Blade Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 15−40 | Slash | 20−50 | |
| Thrust | 5−15 | Ratio | 62.5 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
5,400 | |||
| Speed | 1.25 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
35 | Value |
180,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 250/25 = 10 | |||
Probably the most rare and even outlawed item of all the great prizes is the Daedric Crescent Blade. The Blade was used by Mehrunes Dagon's Daedric forces in the capture of the Imperial Battlespire. These extremely unique Blades were gathered up and destroyed after the Battlespire was recaptured by the Empire. All but one it seems. Though the Empire believes them all to be destroyed, it is rumored that one still remains in existence, somewhere in Tamriel, though none have ever seen it. The Blade lends it's [sic] wielder the ability to do great damage on an enemy and allows him to paralyze and put heavy wear on his enemy's armor. Quite the prize for any mighty warrior, if it does indeed exist. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
This unique weapon is carried by the Dremora Lord Dregas Volar in Magas Volar. The Daedric Crescent is reminiscent of the weapon in Battlespire, where it first appeared but was not usable.
The only way to acquire this weapon is to travel to Magas Volar using the Daedric Sanctuary Amulet.
[edit]
Ice Blade of the Monarch
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Long Blade Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 5−50 | Slash | 4−40 | |
| Thrust | 3−30 | Ratio | 62.5 (93.75 w/ spell) | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
6,000 | |||
| Speed | 1.25 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
60 | Value |
95,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 60/6 = 10 | |||
The Ice Blade of the Monarch is truly one of Tamriel's most prized artifacts. Legend has it that the Evil Archmage Almion Celmo enchanted the claymore of a great warrior with the soul of a Frost Monarch, a stronger form of the more common Frost Atronach. The warrior, Thurgnarr Assi, was to play a part in the assassination of a great king in a far off land, and become the new leader. The assassination failed and the Archmage was imprisoned. The Ice Blade freezes all who feel its blade. The Blade circulates from owner to owner, never settling in one place for long. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
The Ice Blade of the Monarch is carried by Llaren Terano, who can be found in the arena of Rotheran, a stronghold south of Dagon Fel on the island of Sheogorad. This weapon is needed for the quest of the same name.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 30,000 gold.
- This sword also appears in SkyrimCC with a similar enchantment.
- At one point during Morrowind's Development Frost Monarchs did exist. The lore for this weapon seems to be a remnant of this.
[edit]
Umbra Sword
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Long Blade Two Hand | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 10−50 | Slash | 10−45 | |
| Thrust | 10−40 | Ratio | 67.5 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
6,500 | |||
| Speed | 1.35 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
40 | Value |
110,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 90/18 = 5 | |||
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. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
Carried by the Orc warrior Umbra, just northeast of Suran, over the hill from the tradehouse (acquired during the Umbra quest).
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 30,000 gold.
- Umbra reappears in Oblivion and Skyrim, features in Greg Keyes's novels The Infernal City and Lord of Souls, and is a Legends card.
Short Blades
[edit]
Fang of Haynekhtnamet
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Short Blade | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 11–20 | Slash | 11–20 | |
| Thrust | 13–30 | Ratio | 75 (150 w/ spell) | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
5,500 | |||
| Speed | 2.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
5 | Value |
32,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 110/11 = 10 | |||
Black Marsh was once known to be inhabited with what the Argonians called the Wamasus. Northern men considered them to be intelligent dragons with lightning for blood. One such mighty beast, Haynekhtnamet, was slain by the Northern men, though it took 7 days and nights, and a score of men. One of the surviving men took a fang home as a trophy. The fang was carved down into a blade and fashioned into a small dagger. The Dagger mysteriously houses some of the beast's magical properties and grants the user the ability to do shock damage on an opponent. This unique Dagger is seen occasionally by traveling heroes. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
This dagger can be obtained by searching in an altar trough in the Shrine of Pitted Dreams, within the Sixth House base Mamaea (southeast of Gnisis).
The unimpressive-looking Fang actually deals the most stock damage (base + pre-enchantment) of all short blades in the entire game (including all official expansions and plugins), except against foes immune to shock, in which case the 10–35 base damage of the Goblin SwordTR has a 2-point edge. In the vanilla game, the closest to equivalence is the Daedric Wakizashi at 10–30 (however, it can be custom-enchanted to deal 20–58 in Shock Damage, or even more in Fire or Frost Damage, versus the Fang's 20–40, making the Daedric Wakizashi by far the most potent custom short blade in the game.) A character not yet capable of enchanting or paying for the enchantment of such a weapon can obtain the Fang relatively risk-free by using Invisibility to get to it, then heavily boosted Chameleon and Sneak to steal it, then Invisibility to get back out again; Chameleon potions and gear are fairly common and are effective when used in combination to exceed 100 points of the effect.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 16,000 gold.
- This is probably the ultimate weapon for mages and thieves, given its light weight and high damage.
[edit]
Fork of Horripilation
 (lore page) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Short Blade | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 1−2 | Slash | 1−2 | |
| Thrust | 2−3 | Ratio | 7.5 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
400 | |||
| Speed | 2.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
1 | Value |
1 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
This cursed fork drains 200 points of your Magicka when equipped, and does very little damage at that. But Sheogorath insists that you use it to slay a Giant Bull Netch during his quest. It's well worth the effort, though, as you will be rewarded with the Spear of Bitter Mercy.
Notes
- The name comes from horripilation, the technical term for goosebumps.
- In the Construction Set there is an unused item named "Iron Fork" that seems to be the item base for the Fork of Horripilation.
- The fork also appears in the Shivering Isles expansion for Oblivion, and as part of the Staff of Sheogorath Creation in Skyrim.
[edit]
Keening
 (lore page) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Short Blade | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 9−15 | Slash | 9−15 | |
| Thrust | 9−18 | Ratio | 45 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
1,300 | |||
| Speed | 2.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
9 | Value |
400,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
Keening is a legendary Short Blade crafted by the Dwemer Tonal Architect Lord Kagrenac. Together with Sunder and Wraithguard, these tools are necessary to handle the Heart of Lorkhan. All three artifacts came into the possession of the Almsivi following the Battle of Red Mountain. Keening, along with Sunder, was subsequently lost during an annual pilgrimage to the Heart, sometime in the Third Era.
The blade is located in the citadel of Odrosal, southeast of Dagoth Ur's Citadel in the center of the island.
Keening is obtained during the end of the Main Quest and is required to finish it. Though available at any time, it can't be safely equipped without first equipping Wraithguard due to the 'mortal wound' script effect. This damages your health a random amount between 50 and 125 each second, displaying the message "Keening has dealt you a mortal wound." See the Keening Artifact Quest for more information.
Notes
- Keening also appears in Skyrim, though it is less powerful, and not accompanied by Wraithguard nor Sunder without the Sunder & Wraithguard Creation installed.
- Keening also appears in the Legends story expansion Return to Clockwork City as an unobtainable card during the quest The Tools.
- Mortal wound only applies to you and will not damage Calvus Horatius and merchants if they wield it.
- NPC users of Keening and Sunder can trigger the destruction of the Heart of Lorkhan.
[edit]
Mehrunes' Razor
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Short Blade | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 12−15 | Slash | 12−15 | |
| Thrust | 12−17 | Ratio | 42.5 (75 w/ spell) | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
600 | |||
| Speed | 2.5 | Reach | 1.0 | |
| Weight |
6 | Value |
5,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 210/21 = 10 | |||
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. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
You find this artifact via a quest for the Daedra Mehrunes Dagon, in his shrine at Yasammidan, just west of the Dwemer Ruins of Arkngthunch-Sturdumz, west of Ald Velothi on the coast north of Gnisis. Mehrunes Dagon will ask you to retrieve the Razor from the Alas Ancestral Tomb, in the center of the Molag Amur mountain range, north of Molag Mar, and south of the Erabenimsun Camp. Find and return the rusty dagger to Mehrunes Dagon who will turn it into the Razor. See the Mehrunes Dagon's Quest for more information.
Notes
- This dagger also appears in Daggerfall, Oblivion (with downloaded content), and Skyrim, though with different abilities.
Spears
[edit]
Spear of Bitter Mercy
 (lore page) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Spear | |||
| Damage |
||||
| Chop | 1−15 | Slash | 1−15 | |
| Thrust | 15−60 | Ratio | 60 | |
| Statistics | ||||
| Health |
2,500 | |||
| Speed | 1.0 | Reach | 1.8 | |
| Weight |
20 | Value |
130,000 | |
| Enchantment | ||||
|
||||
| Charge/Cost = Uses | 2,160/432 = 5 | |||
One of the more mysterious artifacts is the Spear of Bitter Mercy. Little to nothing is known about the Spear. There are no recorded histories but many believe it to be of Daedric origin. The only known legend about it is its use by a mighty hero during the fall of the Battlespire. The hero was aided by the Spear in the defeat of Mehrunes Dagon and the recapturing of the Battlespire. Since that time, the Spear of Bitter Mercy has made few appearances within Tamriel. —Yagrum Bagarn, Tamrielic Lore
Obtained on a quest for the Daedra Sheogorath in the Ihinipalit shrine in the Underworks of St. Delyn Canton in Vivec. Sheogorath will ask you to recover the Fork of Horripilation from a mad hermit near Ald Redaynia, on the long island north of the mainland, and use it to kill a Giant Bull Netch that lives nearby. See Sheogorath's Quest for more information.
Notes
- With the Tribunal expansion, this artifact can be sold to Torasa Aram in the Museum of Artifacts for 30,000 gold.
- The Spear of Bitter Mercy was previously stated to have been created by Mehrunes Dagon in An Elder Scrolls Legend: Battlespire. It has however become most associated with Hircine in future installments of The Elder Scrolls series.
- For more information on the spear and on the ritual hunting see The Posting of the Hunt.
- This spear also appears in SkyrimCC with a different enchantment, although it is not obtainable by the player.