The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion presents a world brimming with magical artifacts, but few are as coveted and enigmatic as Azura's Star. Unlike common soul gems, which are consumed upon use, this Daedric artifact is a reusable grand soul gem, capable of trapping the souls of creatures and then being emptied to enchant or recharge items anew. However, its initial state is inert. The quest to activate it, commonly referred to as "charging" Azura's Star, is a pivotal moment for any mage or enchanter. This guide delves into the precise methods, strategic considerations, and profound implications of harnessing this powerful tool.
Table of Contents
Understanding Azura's Star The Quest: The Black Star Methods of Charging Azura's Star Strategic Uses and Considerations Ethical and Gameplay Implications Conclusion
Understanding Azura's Star
Azura's Star is not merely a tool; it is a Daedric artifact bestowed by the Prince Azura. Its unique property of reusability sets it apart from all other soul-capturing vessels in Cyrodiil. While a standard grand soul gem shatters after its captured soul is used, the Star can be filled and emptied indefinitely. This makes it an invaluable asset for sustained enchanting or for maintaining powerful weapon charges without the constant need to hunt for new grand soul gems. Its value is not just practical but also narrative, tied deeply to the lore of the Daedric Prince of Dusk and Dawn.
The artifact's inert form is a crystalline sphere that cannot hold a soul. To unlock its potential, the Star must be awakened through a specific Daedric quest. This process transforms it from a curious trinket into a functional, legendary item. Recognizing the difference between the inert artifact and the charged, usable one is the first step toward mastering its power.
The Quest: The Black Star
Charging Azura's Star is synonymous with completing the quest "Azura" or "The Black Star." The journey begins at the Shrine of Azura, located south of Winterhold. Upon speaking to the priestess Aranea Ienith, you learn that the Star has been stolen by a necromancer named Malyn Varen, who seeks to use it for his own immortality. Azura tasks you with retrieving her artifact.
The quest leads you to Ilinalta's Deep, a flooded ruin. After navigating its dangers and confronting Malyn Varen's disciples, you enter the Star itself—a pocket realm called the Inner Sanctum. Here, you face the corrupted essence of Malyn Varen. Defeating him is the key. Upon his defeat, you are presented with a critical choice: return the Star to Azura's priestess or give it to the Dunmer mage Nelacar in Winterhold.
This choice defines the artifact's final, charged state. Returning it to Aranea Ienith purifies it, creating the standard Azura's Star, which can trap the souls of all creatures except humans. Giving it to Nelacar corrupts it, creating The Black Star, a reusable soul gem that can trap only the souls of humans and humanoid creatures like Elves and Orcs. This decision is the true act of "charging," as it permanently activates the artifact's soul-trapping function according to your ethical alignment.
Methods of Charging Azura's Star
Once the quest is complete and the artifact is in its functional form—either Azura's Star or The Black Star—the term "charging" shifts meaning. It now refers to the routine process of filling it with a soul. This requires two components: the Star itself and a weapon or spell with the Soul Trap enchantment.
The most reliable method is to wield a weapon enchanted with Soul Trap. As you combat creatures, ensure the killing blow is struck with this weapon while the enchantment is active. For magic users, casting the Soul Trap spell on a target before its death is equally effective. The Soul Trap effect must be active on the creature at the moment of its demise. If successful, and if the creature's soul is of the appropriate size and type (grand for most high-level creatures, and non-human for Azura's Star or humanoid for The Black Star), the soul is captured within the artifact.
Strategic preparation is essential. Before embarking on a dungeon delve or facing powerful foes like Minotaurs, Xivilai, or Storm Atronarchs, ensure your Soul Trap method is ready. For The Black Star, targeting humanoid enemies like bandits, necromancers, or Marauders is the goal. The captured soul remains within the Star until you use it at an altar of enchanting to recharge a magical item or create a new enchantment, at which point the Star is emptied and ready to be filled again.
Strategic Uses and Considerations
The strategic advantage of a reusable grand soul gem cannot be overstated. For enchanters, it allows for repeated practice and experimentation with the enchantment skill without the prohibitive cost of constantly acquiring grand soul gems. For adventurers, it guarantees a permanent source of grand souls to keep powerful weapons like the Umbra Sword or the Mace of Molag Bal at peak performance.
The choice between Azura's Star and The Black Star warrants careful thought. Azura's Star is more versatile for general adventuring, as grand souls from creatures like Daedra and undead are plentiful in Oblivion Gates and dungeons. The Black Star, however, offers a distinct logistical advantage. Humanoid enemies are the most common foes in Cyrodiil. Bandits, conjurers, and rogue guards are encountered constantly, making it easier to keep The Black Star charged during routine exploration. This turns a major ethical decision into a practical gameplay consideration.
Managing the artifact involves a simple cycle: trap a soul, use it to recharge or enchant, then trap another. It eliminates inventory clutter from multiple soul gems and provides a sustainable magical economy. For a character specializing in Conjuration or Mysticism, the Star becomes the cornerstone of their power, enabling relentless magical assault.
Ethical and Gameplay Implications
The process of charging Azura's Star extends beyond mechanics into the realm of role-playing and morality. Azura is a Daedric Prince with a specific code; betraying her by giving the Star to Nelacar is an act of corruption. Choosing The Black Star aligns your character with a more mercenary, pragmatic path, willingly corrupting a divine artifact for personal convenience. Conversely, honoring Azura's wish reinforces a character's integrity or devotion.
From a gameplay perspective, the artifact subtly changes how one approaches combat. Every encounter with a suitable enemy becomes a resource-gathering opportunity. It encourages active use of enchanted weapons and spells, as letting a grand soul escape feels like a waste. The permanent soul gem fundamentally alters the game's economy of enchantment, making the player character significantly more self-reliant and powerful over time. It is a tool that rewards foresight and punishes neglect, as venturing into a dangerous area without a means to trap souls means missing a chance to power your most prized gear.
Conclusion
Charging Azura's Star in Oblivion is a multifaceted process encompassing a legendary quest, a moral crossroads, and an ongoing cycle of strategic resource management. It begins with awakening the artifact through the defeat of Malyn Varen and a fateful choice, culminating in its daily use as the centerpiece of an adventurer's magical arsenal. Whether purified as Azura's Star or corrupted as The Black Star, its reusable nature provides an unparalleled advantage. Mastering its charge cycle—the methodical trapping and releasing of souls—is to master a key component of magical sustainability in Cyrodiil. This Daedric artifact is more than a powerful item; it is a commitment to a particular style of conquest, forever tying the player's journey to the twilight realm of Azura's influence.
Trump administration freezes 2.2 bln USD funding to Harvard after it rejects sweeping changesU.S. sees increase in cancer incidence rates among adults under 50: study
Over 20 schools in Delhi receive bomb threats
Two planes bump wings at Washington D.C.'s Reagan airport, no injuries reported
Cough syrup death toll reaches 24 in India's Madhya Pradesh
【contact us】
Version update
V3.76.244