Blue Dwemer Crystal : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 6:04 am

In Skyrim and I think Morrowind, you can find many instances of Dwemer Technology having blue-white coloured crystals in it. Keening's blade appears to be made of it. The mechanism that contains the Elder Scroll contains panes of it, with the Elder Scroll itself being in a crystal egg thing. In Blackreach you can find rocks that appear to be made out of the stuff, suggesting it is the source of it. The Skyrim rendition of Spellbreaker has the blue crystal betwixt the white core and the bronze rim. One can also see three panes on it on the Dwemer Lockbox holding the Oghma Infinium. So, what is the nature of this unnamed crystal? What did the Dwemer use it for?

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:30 am

I say Amplifiers

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:39 pm

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120103185118/elderscrolls/images/9/91/Soul_gems.jpg

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:37 am

It could be Aetherium, or some sort of Morpholith.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:25 pm

It could be Aetherium, or some sort of Morpholith.

Aetherium is all glowy and stuff. The unnamed crystal doesn't have that florescence.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:08 pm

I assumed it was treated Aetherium. I also wondered whether it was related to that stone the Ayleids were so fond of back in Cyrodiil.

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:28 am

Aetherium and Welkynd/Varla stones are probably related, right?

I would say that the Unknown Dwemer Crystals are more closely related to soul gems, since you can mine soul gems from those crystal deposits in Blackreach.

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:16 am

~~Welkynd~~ Varla stones and soul gems are probably related considering both could be used to restore the power of magical weapons.

edit:

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 5:17 pm

I'd say it's Aetherium as well, which as I said in another thread, is probably refined Welkynd crystal. Morrowind didn't employ too much in the way of glow maps, so I don't know if we should consider that from a lore perspective. For instance, MW's Daedric armor doesn't glow. Skyrim's does. Doesn't mean that Skyrim's Daedric armor was made by a different process.

EDIT: @bittergreen smoker-- I'm inclined to disagree. Soul gems seem to originate from the Soul Cairn, whereas Welkynd stones are crystallized magicka, direct from Aetherius.

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:15 am

Welkynd stones and soul gems are probably related considering both could be used to restore the power of magical weapons.

Actually it was the Varla stones that were used for recharging.

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 7:14 am

EDIT: @bittergreen smoker-- I'm inclined to disagree. Soul gems seem to originate from the Soul Cairn, whereas Welkynd stones are crystallized magicka, direct from Aetherius.

How do you explain the Geode in Blackreach yielding soul gems of all sizes?

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:50 am

How do you explain the Geode in Blackreach yielding soul gems of all sizes?

Magic(ka).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM-UnV9TEzY

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 3:08 am

I always thought that it was massive soul gems

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 3:24 am

The crystals used in dwemeri constructs is fools-chimerite tempered with welkynstones via lunar-varlifictaion tempering operas.

[/monkeytruth]

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 3:49 am

Having never visited Blackreach in my game, I was unaware of the geode veins. I don't think that really shows a correlation to Aetherius and Welkynd stones though...

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 5:07 pm

Having never visited Blackreach in my game, I was unaware of the geode veins. I don't think that really shows a correlation to Aetherius and Welkynd stones though...

You never visited Blackreach?! It's the best zone in the game!

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:54 am

Having never visited Blackreach in my game, I was unaware of the geode veins. I don't think that really shows a correlation to Aetherius and Welkynd stones though...

"Another, rarer form of Aetherial fragment is called 'meteroic glass'. It is from such fragments that other rare Ayleid enchanted artifacts are crafted -- Welkynd and Varla Stones." -Irlav Jarol, Magic From the Sky

http://www.imperial-library.info/content/magic-sky

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:27 pm

Oh, I know that. I'm saying that I don't see any correlation between soul gems and Aetherius.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:37 pm

Oh, I know that. I'm saying that I don't see any correlation between soul gems and Aetherius.

There is none. Was a little confused, since you said welkynd stones earlier instead of soul gems, but AFAIK the two are completely unrelated.

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 1:38 am

Oh, I know that. I'm saying that I don't see any correlation between soul gems and Aetherius.

Well, Welkynd stones can grow within the ground of Nirn, like soul gems can.

As I entered the final chamber of Bramblepoint Cave, my eyes fell upon the goal of my expedition. In the inky blackness, the familiar aquamarine glow of the Welkynd Stone beckoned me in silent reverence. I was the first here in ages; evidenced by the thick layers of dust and debris strewn about. I don't remember how long I stood there, in awe of the beautiful crystals outside their natural environment.
They all said I was crazy; a fool, a buffoon. Crystals growing outside Ayleid ruins? Preposterous! I spent nearly a decade and all the money I had crossing Cyrodiil and exploring the many natural caves dotting her landscape. Then, on that fateful night, a Orc stumbled into the Imperial Bridge Inn where I happened to be drinking. He spouted off a line of nonsense about creatures that came out of the darkness, and I dismissed him as drunk, until he said something that gripped my heart with hope. He spoke of a light in the darkness "as blue as the lady sea." Could it be the Welkynd Stones I was seeking? I had to know more. A few gold and many drinks later, the Orc told me he'd been in Bramblepoint Cave. As I made my way through the night to the cave, my mind was racing. The stories had to be true! The Ayleid culture had mastered the art of creating these crystalline structures and was just beginning to cultivate them outside of their underground communities when they disappeared from history. That meant one thing; with the proper materials, magic and research the Welkynd Stone could adapt to any environment. I had to get to Bramblepoint and study them before anyone else found them. This would be my mark on history, my moment to shine.
And now, after climbing through the cave I've arrived at this chamber. After I finish this entry in my logbook, I'll have so much to do. So much to do indeed. This will be the day that Lithnilian will be remembered as the first to unlock the secrets of the Welkynd Stone.

http://www.imperial-library.info/content/lithnilians-research-notes

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 12:51 am

I believe it is Aetherius like the Aetherius shards you eventually find in Skyrim. Isn't Aetherius supposed to be the most powerful substance in the know TES universe.

» Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:06 pm

I believe it is Aetherius like the Aetherius shards you eventually find in Skyrim. Isn't Aetherius supposed to be the most powerful substance in the know TES universe.

Aetherium. I think. People have been talking about it as of late...I think. *hasn't played Dawnguard*.

I'd still stick with whatever Sunbirds are made of (varla stones?)

Aetherius is a place.

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 5:49 am

DarthRavager: I still don't think there's enough evidence to suggest that they "probably" are related though. They might be, I guess. But all we have for that theory is the fact that they're both shiny and can be used as a battery for enchanted items. Which we have to balance against what we know about Ayleid artifacts and the connection between soul gems and the Soul Cairn. I just don't see it, personally.

» Sat Aug 11, 2012 2:47 am

I don't really see the problem though. Both could be containers for magical energy, one empty that can be filled with souls, the other filled already, with magical energy from outside of Nirn. Leftovers from creation, pieces of rock coming from Oblivion or Autherius. They do have a lot of similarities.