Lore:Sigil Geode
Sigil Geodes are crystalline stones which can be used to trap the souls of sentient beings for consultation and eventual release. Although similar to black soul gems, Sigil Geodes cannot be used for enchanting. If attempted, the soul will instead be safely released from the Geode and permitted to pass on to Aetherius. Sigil Geodes are therefore viewed by some as a more ethical form of necromancy, as the soul trapped within can be drawn into an ectoplasmic shell through applied conjuration and consulted at leisure. Although Sigil Geodes lose their charge within a few days and are therefore of no use for enchanting, souls suspended within can continue to be transferred between Geodes.[1] Sigil Geodes are particularly useful for capturing the vestige of a Lesser Daedra; they become mesmerized by the stone's faceted glow, and are drawn within the Geode when it is pointed at them.[2]
History[edit]
Sigil Geodes were first created by Vastarie, a necromancer and former Psijic. A contemporary of both Mannimarco and Vanus Galerion, Vastarie followed Mannimarco when he departed Artaeum in order to pursue her study of soul magic. Together, the two conspired to enter Coldharbour and steal the secret of soul-trapping from Molag Bal himself. It was Vastarie who entered Coldharbour and first discovered the existence of black soul gems. She returned to Tamriel with a cache of these crystals, but deemed them to be deeply flawed creations. Unlike Mannimarco, Vastarie was unhappy with the fact that a sentient soul could not be released from the confines of a black soul gem without using it for enchantment.[1]
Vastarie set about the task of reproducing a black soul gem, breaking them down and testing them with a variety of substances. This led to the serendipitous creation of the first Sigil Geode. Mannimarco was furious at her for this, and demanded she modify her creation so that they could be used for enchanting. Instead, Vastarie gathered her followers and departed for Valenwood with her husband Telacar. She ultimately left Telacar and wandered Tamriel for a time before returning to Valenwood.[1] At some point, she achieved a state of lichdom.[3] She built a tower in the Green Hall region of Grahtwood, and took on apprentices to teach them her particular brand of necromancy. There, she continued her research into Sigil Geodes. Early attempts led to dangerous results, with the souls of some apprentices becoming trapped in the tiny fragments of Geodes that shattered during the creation process. Eventually, however, Vastarie perfected her craft.[1]
Vastarie wrote to the newly-founded Mages Guild to tell them of her discoveries, and Vanus Galerion himself came to witness her demonstration. However, he was horrified by what he witnessed, and rejected the use of Sigil Geodes.[1]
Although undeterred by what she viewed as Galerion's willful ignorance, Vastarie's attention subsequently turned away from this line of research when she discovered the Ayleid ruins of Laeloria (formerly Twyllvarlais) deep beneath the foundations of her tower in Grahtwood.[4][1] This ruin was warded by Molag Bal, and contained a portal directly to Coldharbour within its depths. Vastarie was tricked into entering Laeloria circa 2E 485 by a servant of Molag Bal, a Winged Twilight named Irrai who claimed to be a servant of Azura. Vastarie, herself a fervent worshipper of Azura, wished to free the spirit of an Ayleid priestess named Culanwe who was trapped within the ruins. In truth, Irrai was responsible for Culanwe's entrapment, and she lured Vastarie to the same fate.[3] There she remained trapped for the next ninety-seven years, until she was eventually freed circa 2E 582 when the Vestige unsealed the ruins by trapping Lesser Daedra within Sigil Geodes and feeding their souls to a relic known as the Twilit Heart.[5][2] Although it is unknown whether the Vestige chose to free Vastarie or not,[6] she eventually resurfaced in Northern Elsweyr that same year.[7]
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