Black Soul Gems? The Dark Secret Bethesda Doesn’t Want You To Know!

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Summary

  • Black Soul Gems have a dark origin linked to Molag Bal and were refined in Coldharbour for potent soul trapping.
  • Mannimarco and Vastarie played key roles in introducing Black Soul Gems, defying Arkay’s protection of mortal souls.
  • Sotha Sil later experimented with similar gems in Morrowind, leading to Factotums creation and subsequent bans due to instability.

In the fictional world of Elder Scrolls, Black Soul Gems are potent and contentious relics, serving to imprison the spirits of intelligent entities, which are collectively referred to as “black souls.” The act of soul confinement can be traced back to at least the First Era of this universe, during which it was commonplace in Black Marsh to bind a soul to an unhatched egg until the practice was outlawed. Black Soul Gems, on the other hand, were developed during the Third Era as a means to more effectively capture the spirits of intelligent beings, with these entities remaining aware within the gem.

In the latest installment of the series, “The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim,” set during the Fourth Era, it’s now easier to find Black Soul Gems. This suggests that these gems have a rich past, one that’s intriguing to delve into. From the origins of soul trapping to the ongoing quest for more efficient methods, Black Soul Gems have demonstrated significant influence within the realm of “The Elder Scrolls.

The Dark Origins of Black Soul Gems in The Elder Scrolls

Molag Bal, Mannimarco, and the Corruption of Soul Magic

Black Soul Gems, appearing frequently throughout The Elder Scrolls series, can be tracked back to their origins with Molag Bal, the Daedric Prince of Domination and Soul Harvester. As per The Elder Scrolls lore, Molag Bal imbues these gems with a piece of his own power, enabling them to capture mortal souls. Subsequently, they undergo refinement in Coldharbour, Molag Bal’s domain, elevating their potency and distinguishing them from common soul gems.

During the Second Era, both Mannimarco, an influential Altmer necromancer who established the Order of the Black Worm, and Vastarie, another Altmer necromancer and scholar who collaborated with Mannimarco, significantly contributed to the widespread use of Black Soul Gems. It was actually Vastarie who returned from Coldharbour with these gems initially, while Mannimarco viewed them as means for gaining power. Interestingly, Vastarie thought they could be employed in a more ethical manner, which adds depth to her role considering the ultimate fate of these gems within the broader lore.

Through the course of The Elder Scrolls series, Black Soul Gems have appeared, but their true origin can be traced directly to Molag Bal, a Daedric Prince known for his dominance and soul reaping abilities.

Later on, Sotha Sil, one of the three deities of Morrowind known as the Tribunal (the others being Almalexia and Vivec), chose a unique path. In the city known as the Clockwork City, he adapted soul gems into items similar to Black Soul Gems, using them to power his research that moved souls into mechanical contraptions. These studies eventually culminated in the creation of Factotums — artificial beings designed for work, assistance, and companionship within the Clockwork City. However, many of these experiments allegedly ended in madness. As a consequence, the Clockwork Apostles outlawed Black Soul Gem research entirely, not because it was ineffective, but because it was too volatile to manage.

How Black Soul Gems Bypass Arkay’s Divine Protection

In the universe of Elder Scrolls, Black Soul Gems are considered exceptions to Arkay’s divine rule that forbids the trapping of souls without consent. According to lore, Arkay ensures that mortal spirits can’t be confined against their will in the cycle of life and death. However, powerful necromancers such as Mannimarco discovered a workaround by engaging with the Ideal Masters, entities linked to the Soul Cairn. These interactions provided them access to soul gems capable of circumventing Arkay’s protection, making Black Soul Gems essentially loopholes in his divine order.

During the Third Era, Mannimarco and the Order of the Black Worm mastered the art of crafting Black Soul Gems independently. The secret lay in an unusual phenomenon known as the Shade of the Revenant, connected to the Necromancer’s Moon. When a Grand Soul Gem was positioned on a designated altar during this event and a Soul Trap spell was invoked, the gem transformed into a Black Soul Gem. This ritual became the cornerstone of their dark magic, serving not only for capturing souls but also for doing so in ways that blatantly contradicted Arkay’s intended order.

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2025-04-16 14:34