Records on Daedric Artifacts, Vol. I
153rd Year of the 4th Era, Marcus Averius, Synod Historian, Synod Artifact Recovery Division
Foreword
The following are records on the various Daedric Artifacts that the Synod has taken an interest on. This document is to be used and viewed only by the appointed retriever of said Artifact. Note that not all sightings are recent and some sources on these Artifacts are questionable. It should be taken into account that one of these Artifacts was destroyed by Martin Septim, during the Oblivion Crisis in order to obtain the “Blood of a Daedric Prince.” However which artifact he destroyed was not recorded, the Blades likely have records on this, but their documents regarding the Oblivion Crisis are still confidential even after a hundred and fifty years.
Azura’s Star
Properties
Azura’s Star is used as a re-usable soul gem, able to carry a Grand Soul. The star is known to be gifted by Azura to those that have pleased the Daedric Prince. Known sightings seem to state that the star may randomly vanish only to reappear as a gift to another worshipper of Azura
Sightings
If the Charwich-Koniinge Letters are to be believed, the Star vanished at sometime during 3E 412, however an unnamed biographer who claimed to know the Nerevarine claims that the Nerevarine performed a service to Azura and was awarded the star around the year 3E 427. Though there is a more recent claim that occurred around the end of the Third Era, at a shrine to Azura in the Jerall Mountains, It states that the star was again rewarded by Azura to an adventurer who performed an errand for her. The star was claimed several more times the next century but most claims are unsupported, and unclear.
Current Situation
It seems likely that the star has once again vanished, though any new sightings of the Star should be reported to the Synod Artifact Recovery Division. Recovery of this Item would be highly beneficial in our researches in enchanting, and in our research on the Daedric Princes. The Risk level for the star however has been set to Medium, as the tasks of Azura usually come with fighting beasts, or vampires.
Goldbrand
Properties
Goldbrand is a golden katana crafted by the dragons of the North. It is said that Boethiah gave the blade power, and it can burn those that the sword strikes. There are rumours that the sword has a more powerful version known as Eltonbrand, though these rumours are yet to be confirmed.
Sightings
A few years before the Oblivion Crisis, an unknown pilgrim hired a sculptor to construct a Shrine of Boethiah on the Bitter Coast Region of Vardenfell, was given the Goldbrand by Boethiah herself. Another claim that occurred around the time of the Oblivion Crisis states that Boethiah declared a Tournament of Ten Bloods in the Realm of Boethiah. The Victor returned to Cyrodiil carrying with him the Goldbrand. A claim made several months ago states that another Tournament of Ten Bloods occurred and the Goldbrand was given to the victor, who now resides in the City of Rihad.
Current Situation
The recovery team has recovered the Goldbrand from the Champion, it is now under guard at the Synod’s Treasury room. Boethiah’s Champion however, has been dealt with. The sword will be presented as a gift to the Prince Titus Mede II from the Grand Council, once we have finished our research on the swords enchantments.
Sanguine’s Rose
Properties
It is widely accepted that Sanguine’s Rose takes the form of a Rose the size of a staff. It is said to be able to summon Daedra that would attack all except the one who possesses it. Unlike conjured daedra, the daedra that this staff conjures are wild and uncontrollable, but powerful nonetheless.
Sightings
There are records that the late Emperor Martin Septim once held the Rose before he became a priest, and before the Oblivion Crisis. Though it is unknown how but a later sighting reports that It was given to a worshipper of Sanguine, who performed a tasked given by the Daedric Prince. This was the last sighting of the Staff and it is 150 years old, it’s likely that this staff has withered and Sanguine has chosen and blessed a new rose in that time. The Risk in getting this staff is estimated to be low however, as the tasks of Sanguine are usually petty, yet still vile.
Current Situation
The Staff has not been seen in over a hundred years a new one has most likely appeared in that time, but no reports have been given. I recommend that we put the Recovery priority on this staff as Minimal, the staff itself is consumable since it withers with time, and would be no benefit to the Grand Council’s Treasury. The enchantments on the staff although useful, is risky since the Daedra are uncontrollable and summoning one with conjuration spells would be safer.
Ebony Blade
Properties
The Ebony Blade is a well known katana made of Ebony, it was created by Mephala for unknown reasons. Reports on what the blade can really do are debatable. Some Claim that the Blade grows stronger when the wielder betrays someone they know; other reports claim the blade transfers the life and magicka energy of its victim to the wielder; and another claim states that the blade increases the stamina of the wielder and makes them more proficient with bladed weapons. The wielders of this blade are eventually corrupted by the blade’s evil, and go insane.
Sightings
One account during that occurred before The Warp in the West, states that Mephala sent one of her followers to assassinate a Noble in the Illiac Bay region, and was rewarded with the Blade. Later around the time of the Oblivion Crisis, the Blade was given to a follower of Mephala who initated a feud between two familys; Ulfar and Dalvilu, by murdering the leaders of both families. The Blade was last seen a week ago being carried by a Travelling Merchant headed North to Skyrim.
Current Situation
The Blade is most likely to be in Whiterun Hold in Skyrim, no recovery teams can be sent as of now. The recovery of this blade will be at mid importance to the Synod, with a risk factor of high. Since all who wield it eventually go insane, the recovery team should practice caution when handling the Blade. If found however the blade will be researched then put under guard in the Grand Council’s Treasury.
Volendrung
Properties
Volendrung was created by the Dwarven Rourken Clan, and became the artifact of Malacath. It is famous for being the Hammer that the Chieftain of the Rourken Clan threw to across Tamriel, intending to settle where it lands. They did settle there and the land is now known famously as Hammerfell. The hammer is immensely powerful capable of paralyzing it’s foes, and draining their stamina.
Sightings
For a long time the Volendrung belonged to a Divayth Fyr, a Dunmer Sorceror who resided at Vvardenfell at the time. Sometime around 3E 427 the hammer disappeared from Fyr’s possession and would not be seen for a long time. It is reported that the Nerevarine stole this hammer from him, but we are not sure of the validity of this claim. Around the time of the Oblivion Crisis, Malacath sent one of his followers to free Ogre slaves from the Estate of a man called “Lord Drad”, this follower was later seen wielding the Volendrung. Two months ago, one of our sources claims that he saw an Orcish Pilgrim headed North carrying a hammer, fitting perfectly with the description of the Volendrung.
Current Situation
The Hammer is probably in either High Rock, Skyrim, or Morrowind, as reports vary. Recovery of the Hammer would be beneficial to our research on ancient Dwemer craftsmanship. The Hammer is a Symbol of Great Might and claiming it would prove the Might of the Synod, therefore the search priority for this Artifact is set to High, and Risk level to Low, as its protectors are probably just few Orcs.