Lore No Nos (Guide)

A list of topics from lore including rare ingredients, magical practices, cross racial breeding, and more.

Magics to Avoid

Thu'um

It takes years of practice and mastery to even begin, and no one in Hofborg is a dragonborn.

Sword Singing (Shehai)

A sword made from a soul, only the sword singers know this and very very few or none at all are around anymore.

Time Magic

Only master Psijic should know this, and Psijics aren't really visiting villages for no reason. They rarely leave Artaeum.

Shadow Magic

Magic that rivals the power of the Elder Scrolls. There are no known teachers of this and the first official Shadow Mage was Azra Nightwielder - no one in Hofborg would be a student of his.

Necromancy

Raising or controlling the dead is illegal throughout Tamriel, and Hofborg is no exception.

Meteors

Your magic shouldn't reach space, and the resulting impact would destroy villages and cities. Do not destroy Hofborg.

Flying

You aren't Superman, levitation does not move that fast.

Daedric Equipment

Not only is this made with ebony and all its drawbacks (more on that below), but it's infused with powerful Daedric magic. There's a reason Divayth Fyr is the only mortal we see wearing it.

Dwemer Automata

Many study the Dwemer, but the skills needed to repair and reprogram Dwemer machines are highly specialized and take a lifetime to learn. Besides, we like our pets to be fuzzy in Skyrim.

Case by Case Magics

Levitation

Small feats of levitation are possible, around 1-20ft for 30 seconds or less. Or to break one’s fall.

Shape-Shifting

Feats of Shape-Shifting are possible, but this should have a reasonable backstory as to how your character knows this; as well as what they are changing into, which should be simple animals: Birds, Felines, Canines, Ursines. Caution should be exercised however when considering if shape-shifting in town would be appropriate.

Teleportation (Portals)

If the DM agrees to it, but such magicks should be very draining. There is an approved portal location in the tower just outside of the South Gate location for visitors who are arriving via portals. Please do not portal into our town directly.

Necromantic Healing

This is not a welcome practice in Hofborg for anything but the most extreme cases managed by a DM.

Bound Weapons

Bound weapons are achieved by bringing a minor Daedric spirit to our reality and forcing it into a shape of your choosing for a time. Maybe not something the locals of Hofborg would like, and would most likely incite consequences; but definitely within the capability of a competent mage.

Soul Gems

Unfilled soul gems can only be mined from geode veins (such as in Blackreach) and while the common versions can be found in any number of magic shops, they are frowned on in Hofborg as the primary use of soul gems is to capture souls which is considered necromancy. Dealing in filled soul gems would be illegal. Players are encouraged to use more traditional methods of enchantment by seeking out an experienced enchanter. (https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Guild_Memo_on_Soul-Trapping)

Dwemer Tech

Smaller, practical applications of Dwemer tech are possible, within reason. Dwemer goggles that let you see magic auras are fine, small lamps and tools too; but more complex contraptions like jetpacks or prosthetics are too much.

Rare or Sacred Items

Stalhrim

Stalhrim is a rare, ice-like metal that is said to be unnaturally cold to the touch and capable of stronger frost enchantments. It is only found on the island of Solstheim, where the Skaal consider it sacred and only their most talented smiths can work with it. Even among their number, it is mainly used for heirloom or ceremonial arms and armor.

Ebony

Ebony is a rare volcanic glass and one of the most precious substances in Tamriel. It is both difficult to work and obscenely expensive. Although it is most common on Vvardenfell, even a Dunmer would likely need to be highly ranked in one of the great houses to have the money and connections to have something made from ebony.

Adamantium

Adamantium (also called Adamantine) is a silvery metal that can be used to make valuable weapons and armor. It is very rare, to the point that there are no known examples of its use in ESO.

Dwarven Metal

Dwarven Metal is a unique alloy created by the mysterious Dwemer. The secret to making this brassy gold metal has long been lost, although “dwarven ore” deposits in the Second Era can be worked into a less durable facsimile. Genuine dwemer equipment is comparatively rare, as it can only be acquired in their underground strongholds, which are still guarded by ancient automatons. Replica dwemer equipment fashioned from “dwarven ore” is more common (and may even be sold as the genuine article by unscrupulous merchants)

Frog-Metal

Frog-Metal is an ancient alloy that is light enough to float in water. However, the method of its creation has long since been lost. Surviving samples are exceedingly rare, and effectively priceless.

Malachite (Glass)

Malachite is a rare volcanic crystal that can be formed into arms and armor by a sufficiently skilled smith. It is typically only used by Altmer and Dunmer, but it is quite expensive regardless. Vivec’s Buoyant Armigers wear it as a symbol of prestige.

Meteoric Iron

Meteoric iron is a dark, dull, and slightly bronzy metal that is most famously used in Ayleid architecture. Although it is said to be especially useful for enchanted arms and armor, no known examples exist.

Mithril

Mithril is a wondrously light metal that is either lustrously silver or blue. It was commonly used in ancient times, but has become extinct by the Second Era. It is unknown what happened to the old equipment made of this metal, but any surviving examples would be extremely rare and valuable artifacts.

Orgnium

Orgnium is a light metal used by the Maormer of Pyandonea. Non-Maormer would have neither the reasons nor the means to possess it.

Palladium

Palladium was used by blacksmiths to forge arms and armor in the style of the Ayleids during the mid-Second Era. It is Ayleid, few people (if any) probably know how to shape it properly.

Silver

Silver is most famous for its potency against undead and daedric entities like atronachs, vampires, and werewolves. Silver is not a particularly strong metal, so most “silver” equipment is simply steel with silver coating/plating.

Lore Points You Might Have Missed

Mixed Races

The mixing of races in Tamriel is somewhat rare but not unheard of, so how come we don’t see many mixed-race characters? The answer is simple, we might see them but they don’t stand out. According to “Notes Racial Phylogeny”, the offspring ALMOST ALWAYS bears the racial characteristics of the mother, though sometimes minor characteristics of the father’s race MIGHT be present. As such, you may get a slightly darker Altmer if you mix with a Dunmer, or a slightly more pale Redguard if they have a Breton father, but their appearance will be overwhelmingly that of the maternal race. (The ESO character generator should offer enough options for these mixed race characters without having to role-play above and beyond what is possible on the avatar.)

Beast Races

There are no half-breed Argonians or Khajiit.