Where To Buy Soul Gems Oblivion: The Definitive Guide
Understanding Soul Gems
The Different Sizes and Their Strengths
Before delving into the realm of merchants and markets, a solid understanding of Soul Gems is essential. These shimmering crystals serve as vessels, capable of containing the souls of creatures and beings slain within the game. This soul energy then serves as the fuel for a wide range of magical applications, most prominently enchanting and spell creation.
Soul Gems come in a variety of sizes and strengths, directly impacting the power they can bestow upon your creations. The most potent and coveted of all is the Grand Soul Gem. Grand Soul Gems are capable of housing the souls of the most powerful creatures in Oblivion, including humanoids, and are vital for crafting the strongest enchantments. Capturing a Grand Soul requires either a Black Soul Gem or the Azura’s Star (a Daedric artifact, discussed later).
Next in line come Greater Soul Gems, which can capture the souls of larger, more formidable monsters. They are still incredibly valuable and offer excellent enchantment potential. Lesser Soul Gems follow, suitable for capturing smaller creatures, while Petty Soul Gems can contain the souls of the weakest beings in the game. The size of the Soul Gem dictates the soul’s value in enchanting and the duration of spell effects.
It is critical to differentiate between filled and unfilled Soul Gems. An unfilled Soul Gem is simply an empty container, while a filled Soul Gem contains the soul of a creature. You can only use filled Soul Gems to enchant items or create spells. Therefore, knowing *Where To Buy Soul Gems Oblivion* is only half the battle; knowing how to acquire souls and fill them completes the process. The Soul Trap spell is the primary means of accomplishing this.
Navigating the Merchant Locations: Primary Vendors
The quest for Soul Gems often leads adventurers to the establishments of those who peddle magical wares. Fortunately, Cyrodiil’s landscape boasts several reliable locations that consistently stock these treasures. Primary vendors are those merchants who make Soul Gems a regular part of their inventory.
The Mages Guild Halls: A Source of Arcane Wonders
The Mages Guild is, without a doubt, the first port of call for any aspiring mage seeking to acquire Soul Gems. Throughout Cyrodiil, Mages Guild halls offer a treasure trove of magical items and services, including the all-important Soul Gems.
The Mages Guild Halls offer some of the most reliable access to these essential components. The vendors within these hallowed halls usually sell a variety of Soul Gem sizes, frequently including the highly prized Grand Soul Gems.
When searching for Soul Gems within the Mages Guild, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific locations. The hall in the Imperial City, the heart of the Empire, is often a good starting point. The Mages Guild halls located in Anvil, Bravil, Cheydinhal, Chorrol, Leyawiin, and Skingrad also regularly stock Soul Gems.
For those who are not members of the Mages Guild, gaining access is a straightforward, if time-consuming, process. Joining the Mages Guild is as simple as finding one of the guild halls and speaking to the representative. This will allow you to buy Soul Gems.
Alchemy Shops: Potions and Potent Purchases
Alchemy shops, another vital component of the crafting experience, are also excellent places to look. These shops specialize in potions, ingredients, and other alchemical supplies. While the selection of Soul Gems in these shops may be less consistent than in the Mages Guild, they are always worth a visit.
Alchemy shops are found in various towns and cities. One particularly reliable example is the Divine Favor shop located in the Imperial City Market District. Visiting Alchemy shops should become a regular part of your Soul Gem procurement routine.
Merchant Locations: Secondary Vendors
Beyond the primary sources, a few other merchants might occasionally stock Soul Gems, although their reliability is far less guaranteed. These are best seen as supplementary resources, useful when you’re in a pinch, but not ideal for your primary purchasing needs.
General Stores: A Chance Encounter
General stores, found in almost every town and village in Cyrodiil, can sometimes offer Soul Gems. However, they are less reliable compared to Mages Guild halls or Alchemy shops. The selection of Soul Gems is often limited, and it’s not always certain whether they’ll have any in stock.
General stores serve more as a last resort than a regular source. Visiting these shops when you are already in the area is wise, but don’t make a special trip solely to search for Soul Gems.
Enchanting Merchants: Services Over Supplies
Enchanting merchants, primarily found within the Arcane University, are another category of potential vendors. They are, however, primarily focused on providing enchanting services. While it might be tempting to assume that they also provide enchanting supplies, the reality is that these merchants often do not have a robust supply of Soul Gems available for purchase. Their stock is usually very limited, and finding a reliable supply from these merchants is difficult.
Tips and Strategies for Purchasing Soul Gems
Knowing *Where To Buy Soul Gems Oblivion* is only the beginning. To make the most of your purchasing efforts, several strategies can help you optimize your acquisition of Soul Gems.
Check Vendor Inventories Regularly
One of the most crucial pieces of advice is to check vendors’ inventories on a regular basis. Merchant inventories in Oblivion refresh every three days, sometimes more. This means that the items they sell will be restocked after a period of time. By visiting vendors frequently, you can ensure that you have access to their current stock of Soul Gems. Make it a habit to check the vendors in the Mages Guild halls and Alchemy shops you frequent every few days.
Purchase in Bulk
When you find a vendor with a good selection of Soul Gems, especially Grand Soul Gems, consider buying several at once. Having a stockpile of these invaluable resources gives you a greater degree of flexibility in your enchantment and spell creation endeavors. You can create several enchanted items or spells without the need to repeatedly search for the resources.
Consider the Price
The price of Soul Gems varies based on their size. A Grand Soul Gem, with its capacity to hold the most powerful souls, is naturally the most expensive. When purchasing, consider the value of the souls you intend to capture and use, and don’t be afraid to invest in this important resource. Keep an eye on your gold reserves and ensure you have enough gold before visiting a vendor.
Manage Your Funds
Accumulating enough gold is crucial to purchasing Soul Gems. To do this, consider selling your items and using your skills.
Alternative Methods for Obtaining Soul Gems
Purchasing is the most reliable way to get Soul Gems, but other methods can sometimes supplement your supply.
Looting: The Spoils of Adventure
Looting, while less predictable than buying, can sometimes reward you with Soul Gems. While exploring dungeons, forts, and other locations, keep an eye out for Soul Gems within chests, on shelves, and as loot from fallen enemies. However, it is crucial to understand that looting Soul Gems is not a consistent source.
Creating Soul Gems (via the Arcane University)
As a bonus, you can potentially *create* soul gems yourself through certain means at the Arcane University. However, this requires special skill and will be difficult for beginner players.
Azura’s Star: A Reusable Treasure
Finally, the Daedric quest “Azura” provides a significant reward: Azura’s Star. This is a reusable Grand Soul Gem, a significant boon for any aspiring enchanter. Its unique properties make it invaluable for capturing Grand Souls without the need to constantly purchase new Soul Gems. Completing this quest is a highly recommended activity.
Conclusion
Knowing *Where To Buy Soul Gems Oblivion* is a fundamental skill for any aspiring mage or enchanter in the game. By focusing your efforts on Mages Guild halls and Alchemy shops, you can build a reliable supply of Soul Gems, thus enabling your enchantment and spell creation pursuits. Remember to check vendor inventories frequently, buy in bulk when possible, and manage your gold wisely. Supplement your supply by looting and the quest rewards like Azura’s Star. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master of the arcane arts in Cyrodiil. Explore the world, hone your skills, and may your enchantments always be potent, and your spells always be effective. Consider your journey to becoming a more advanced spellcaster or enchanter.
