How to Raise the Soul Level of a Grand Soul Gem in "Oblivion"

In "Oblivion," magic is essential and common throughout the world, and nearly every character wields it in one way or another. Magic "Soul Gems" allow you to "recharge" enchanted items when they're no longer effective, and you even use them to create your own enchantments. The highest soul level a gem can capture is a "grand" soul within a "Grand Soul Gem," but you can actually raise the gems' abilities to make them even more powerful. Normally you can only capture the souls of beasts and other creatures, but if you create a "Black Soul Gem," you can capture the souls of NPCs and humanoids.

Things You'll Need

• "Soul Trap" spell

Instructions

1. Locate or purchase a "Grand Soul Gem." You must obtain one that's empty; a filled soul gem cannot turn into a "Black Soul Gem." Often you can purchase a "Grand Soul Gem" in alchemical and magic shops, especially in the various mages guilds throughout Cyrodiil. Another option is to pick the locks on soul gem display cases in the guilds or in the Arcane University. The gems are also loot items in various caves and Ayleid Ruins, though they may be hard to find since loot is randomized.

2. Visit either "Dark Fissure," "Wendelbek," "Fort Istirus" or "Fort Linchal" on the correct day. "Dark Fissure" is perhaps easiest to find; it's a cave to the southeast of Cheydinhal, and you're required to visit the cave during one of the Mages Guild quests. You can calculate the correct day to visit by observing the number of days passed, listed in your journal in the "Stats" section and under the "Accomplishments" tab. You must visit one of these places on the "Shade of the Revenant," which occurs once every eight days. The first occurrence is day one, so just add multiples of eight to see if your current day lines up. The first few days are 1, 9, 17, 25, 33 and 41.

3. Locate the altar outside of the location you decided to visit. It's a large, white altar with a red cloth draped over it.

4. Place one or more "Grand Soul Gems" into the altar. You interact with the altar like it's a standard container.

5. Cast a "Soul Trap" spell on the alter. You can use a scroll for this or a spell that your character has learned.

6. Open the alter and remove the items inside. All your "Grand Soul Gems" have transformed into "Black Soul Gems," allowing you to capture the soul of any non-essential character in the game.

Tips & Warnings

• Note that you must cast a "Soul Trap" spell on a character or creature to capture its soul when it dies; simply having a "Soul Gem" in your possession is not enough. Also, to take full advantage of a "Black Soul Gem," you should only use it to capture a "Grand" soul from a humanoid, like the soul of bandits or marauders, since those souls are normally unavailable for capture.

References

• "The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion: Official Game Guide"; Peter Olafson; 2006