Aetherium is an incredibly rare, luminescent blue crystal found deep underground. The crystal has a strong magical aura, but it is alchemically inert and harmonically volatile, and no known conventional process can enchant, smelt, mold, bind, or break it. It was discovered by the Dwemer of Skyrim in their deepest mines some time in the First Era,[1] and it is only known location where it is found.[2] Based on its name, the crystal may have some connection to Aetherius and the Aetherial Fragments which sometimes fall to Nirn, such as the meteoric glass harnessed by the Ayleids.[3]
The Aetherium is embedded in Gold and Dwarven Metal to create Aetherial artifacts. Other materials such as Malachite, Ebony and Sapphire are also used. Crowns, shields and staffs can all be crafted with Aetherium. The artifacts have unique and powerful enchantments, such as the ability to turn enemies ethereal, summon Dwemer Animunculi, or harness the power of the Standing Stones.[4] An aetheric lodestone is a perfectly round orb that is highly magnetic and threaded with veins of glowing blue Aetherium.[5]. Certain Dwemer Animunculi are imbued with Aetherium crystals.[6]
HistoryEdit
First EraEdit
Circa 1E 221, the Dwemer uncovered a considerable source of Aetherium, primarily mined in the city of Raldbthar, which connects to Blackreach. Four Dwemer city-states, led by Arkngthamz, formed an alliance to oversee its extraction, processing, and study. An Aetherium Forge was created to smelt the crystal under precisely controlled conditions, far below the settlement of Bthalft in the Rift. The forge harnessed magma and was used to create artifacts of immense power, imbued with powerful enchantments.[1]
Raldbthar Dwarves were believed to experiment with devices designed to extract the Aetherium before devising heavier machinery. As of 1E 240, they used personal extraction tools as well aside from the tools for large scale extraction.[7]
The Dwarven alliance eventually discovered the Dark Heart, creating various apparatuses to study and control its power. They opted to create the Library of Arkthzand, a place to share knowledge among these clans,[8] and built an orrery powered by the Dark Heart to chart the Void using the aetheric energy from the crystals, as well as kinetic and tonal forces.[9]
Eventually, internal disputes would occur over Aetherium and the forge, and the alliance between the city-states shattered, with the four cities and their rivals vying for control of the forge. This conflict lasted decades and was known as the Aetherium Wars. This internal fighting weakened the city-states, which allowed for King Gellir's brief conquering of the Dwemer of Skyrim.[1] These events led to the Library of Arkthzand's abandonment.[8]
None of the city-states were successful in capturing the Aetherium Forge. The Great Lift to the Aetherium Forge was sealed, and the Aetherium Crest required to open it was shattered into four shards. The shards were scattered across Skyrim and guarded by the four city-states: Arkngthamz, Raldbthar, Bthar-zel (colloquially known as Deep Folk Crossing) and Mzulft. Following the disappearance of the Dwemer in 1E 700, scholars exploring their ruined settlements (including the Kragen capital of Arkngthamz-Phng) uncovered samples of the crystal, which were regarded as little more than a curiosity when it was proven impossible to work with.[1][10]
The Nedes revered the stars and constellations as gods, and used stones infused with Aetherium to bring them down to the earth as the Celestials. They also constructed apex stones using knowledge stolen from the Dwemer to bind the celestials to the mortal realm and allow them to manifest in Mundus.[11][12]
Second EraEdit
Several items that were imbued with Aetherium were kept in the vaults of the Markarth as of the 2E 582.[13][14] They were given to the Vestige as token of gratitude after the defeat of the Gray Host by the order of the Reachfolk ruler Ard Caddach.[15]
Circa 2E 582, the Wayward Guardians sent the adventurer to recover the blue gems[16] embedded within the Dwemer Architons, the kind of Dwemer Animunculi that is known for being typically imbued with Aetherium.[6] The constructs were guarding the recently rediscovered Library of Arkthzand. These Reachmen hoped to use the gemstone's powerful enchantments to arm themselves against the encroaching forces of Rada al-Saran's Gray Host.[17] Their armors were imbued with those gems, but whether or not they managed to harness the powers of Aetherium is unclear.[18]
Fourth EraEdit
The Nord adventurer Katria researched the Aetherium Wars, although her findings were claimed and published by her apprentice, a Dunmer named Taron Dreth. Katria attempted to take credit for her work by proving the existence of the Aetherium Forge, but she died while exploring Arkngthamz. In 4E 201, her restless spirit helped guide and protect a fellow adventurer in recovering the four shards of pure Aetherium and bringing them to the Ruins of Bthalft. After defeating a powerful Dwarven Centurion named The Forgemaster who guarded the Aetherium Forge, the adventurer used the restored Aetherium Crest to craft an artifact at the forge, and Katria's spirit was put to rest.[4]
GalleryEdit
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An Aetherium Ingot
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Aetherial Crown
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Aetherial Shield
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Aetherial Staff
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An Aetherium Dynamo Core
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An Aetheric Lodestone
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Dwarven armor imbued with Aetherium
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Reachfolk armor imbued with Aetherium
See AlsoEdit
- For game-specific information, see the Skyrim Aetherium Forge page and quest page.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c d The Aetherium Wars — Taron Dreth
- ^ Tonal Resonation Chamber antiquity codex entry in ESO: Gold Road
- ^ Magic from the Sky — Irlav Jarol
- ^ a b Events of Skyrim
- ^ Aetheric Lodestone item in ESO
- ^ a b Crafting Motif 96: Arkthzand Armory Style — Mathinn Palard, University of Gwylim
- ^ Ancient Extraction Tool antiquarian codex entry in ESO
- ^ a b Legend of Arkthzand — Neramo, Scholar of Extraordinary Merit
- ^ Count Verandis Ravenwatch's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Caluurion's Notes — Caluurion
- ^ Hermaeus Mora's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Valla's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Bulwark of Markarth item appearance and description in ESO
- ^ Radiant City Pauldrons item appearance and description in ESO
- ^ Ard Caddach's dialogue during Second Chances in ESO
- ^ Arkthzand Gemstone quest item description in ESO
- ^ Ardanir's dialogue during The Light of Arkthzand in ESO
- ^ Wayward Guardian Style in ESO