Right, so I did a quick search, and didn't really find anything like what I am about to mention.

So, for a long time we have known about the Guardian Stones, and the first three of these, The Warrior, Thief, and Mage stones.
They merely boost your rate of skill increase in respective areas.

Now, Todd said there are 13 of these, although I know people have been discussing whether that means 13 *stones* or 13 *sets* of stones.
Here I will assume the former - that there are only 13, each representing an Elder Scrolls birthsign.

So what do they do?


Todd mentions the others are more "specialized", which leads me to assume they may not simply affect your rate of skill increase.
Here are some rough ideas;


The Apprentice

Those born under the sign of The Apprentice have increased Magicka, but also have a weakness to it.

I think this will do pretty much the same. Increased magicka pool and weakness to magic.


The Atronach

Those born under the sign of The Atronach cannot regenerate Magicka, but have a chance of absorbing any magic cast at them.

As the description says, I think it will do just that.


The Lady

Those born under the sign of The Lady have increased Willpower and Endurance.

Here's where it starts to get interesting. Will it merely add some bonus health/stamina and resistance to magic?
Since Willpower and Endurance are no longer visible stats, I mean.
Or will it give us something brand new, which rings true to the nature of the name?
Unfortunately, I'm stumped as to what that might be. Ideas?


The Lord

Those born under the sign of The Lord can regenerate Health, but are vulnerable to fire.

Health apparantly regenerates by default in Skyrim, although slowly. Maybe this increases the rate?
Weakness to fire would probably remain.


The Lover

Those born under the sign of The Lover can paralyze others with a kiss.

Sounds pretty weird if this is to be given as a Power in Skyrim.
I am hoping it would rather be a social bonus. Maybe performing better in speech with the opposite gender?


The Mage

Those born under the sign of The Mage have increased Magicka.

As we know, this increases your Magic skill gain rate by 20%. (I believe it was changed to this from 30%, no?)


The Ritual

Those born under the sign of The Ritual can heal themselves and turn the undead.

Probably pretty much the same as stated.


The Serpent

Those born under the sign of The Serpent can poison others at a loss of their own Fatigue.

Not sure what to say. Probably gives, as in Oblivion, some strange Power.
Would like, though, if this Stone gives you the ability to secrete a potent venom through your spit, which you can coat your weapon in.


The Shadow

Those born under the sign of The Shadow can make themselves invisible.

Invisibility Power? Or maybe added skill gain rate for Sneak and other "Assassin" skills?


The Steed

Those born under the sign of The Steed can move faster.

Ah! Finally getting to one I was eager to discuss! You know those people complaining about the removal of Athletics and Speed,
and how everyone will run at the same rate, given the same equipment, and fast, agile characters are now impossible to play?

Ta-daaah!

Enter this stone, which, I believe is fair to say, will give a boost to your movement speed!

Unless, of course.... it merely drains stamina while sprinting at a much slower rate....


The Thief

Those born under the sign of The Thief have increased Agility, Speed, and Luck.

We already know what happened here. Moving on.


The Tower

Those born under the sign of The Tower can unlock doors magically, and the Tower Warden power reflects damage from attackers.

Hmm. What about this one? Will it merely give the same "Unlock" Power, or something more thought out? Ideas?


The Warrior

Those born under the sign of The Warrior have increased Strength and Endurance.

Again, we know this one.



So... if that's it.... that's pretty.... underwhelming. Not THAT much room for specialization for a wide range of character types.
Now, I have noticed there are quite a few Stones geared towards Mage and Thief- type players (The Atronach, The Apprentice, The Mage, The Ritual, The Serpent, The Shadow, The Thief etc...)
and only ONE directly aimed at Warrior types... namely The Warrior.
So what would be considered Stones that specialize your Warrior Stone user further? There's nothing that would fit my Berserker type warrior.
As a side note, I suppose this sort of supports the idea further of there actually being 13 *sets* of stones. Which I personally would welcome.

I read somewhere that The Shadow and Serpent stones were confirmed. I think it was those two anyway. Anyone know what they did?

So, anyone have further ideas or suggestions? I personally hope most of the Stones have been appropriately overhauled to feel unique and worthwhile.

Birthsigns never had much to do with specialization or major character choices. They were an added bonus, just like they are in Skyrim.

The first stones he shows are clearly going to be the first ones you encounter, and it makes sense that they're geared towards leveling up your abilities faster (how you think that doesn't fit your warrior character, I really don't understand). I'm assuming the others will offer different abilities, but based on the first three, I'm not betting on any of them being too similar to their Oblivion or Morrowind counterparts.

Yes, of course The Warrior stone fits my warrior character. What I mean is, he says later stones are more specialized. But if we go by the known birthsigns, which these stones are evolved from, there's nothing that would specialize your Warrior further than the Warrior Stone. Although I sincerely hope there is.

I always thought the other stones would be more specific classes. Warrior is just the combat stats etc, but maybe there is a battlemage one, like the old preset classes that boosts a selection of magic and warrior abilities etc?

I'm gonna roll with the invisibity power due to the fact that I plan on being an archer(archery and sneak, no archery stone so I'll settle with one for sneak).

I don't know why they would change the actual names of the constellations, since they've kept that consistent. The only thing I can see happening is some adjustment of the actual bonuses granted.

I agree with Scrapper since there are no birth-signs at character creation.

Maybe by "more specialised" he meant more specialised skill sets. So The Mage is boosts levelling speed of enchanting, restoration, destruction, conjuration,alteration and illusion. But what if you wanna play a spellsword character, you'd have the speed of levelling increased in one-handed, light armour, enchanting, destruction, restoration and I dunno something else, can't think.