My character has spell absorption in darkness, but recently he hasn't been absorbing any spells, not even his own. This has happened in a couple different dungeons. He also had his endurance drained to 1, which I need to fix. Would that matter? It's really annoying having such an important ability suddenly cease to work. I also am wearing a torc of magicka that supposedly absorbs spells (it says "item powers: absorbs spells") would that be screwing up my innate absorption ability?

I don't think the torc would negate your own ability to absorb spells, but I don't think it'd stack or provide benefits either. Try unequipping it and see if it makes a difference anyway, though.

Also, the 1 Endurance must be the result of a disease or an Attribute Drain spell. Did you try seeing a healer?

Tried taking off the torc, and putting it back on...still nothing. I won't absorb spells. Pretty frustrating having my character's one fundamental ability not work...

Just in case it is the torc interfering, try this: take off the torc, save your game and reload. If that doesn't restore your absorption, press F5 and click on your history or bio, it should first give you a list of your advantages and disadvantages. Make sure your absorption is still listed. If not, open your character up in a save game editor and fix it.

That did the trick. I unequiped the torc, saved, reloaded, and everything was fine. From now on, items "of magicka" are off limits....still good for gold though.