How to Finally Ditch That Pesky Strange Amulet in Skyrim
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
So, you’re burdened with the Strange Amulet in Skyrim, that ever-present reminder of a quest gone sideways? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This amulet, tied to the “Blood on the Ice” quest in Windhelm, is notorious for its stickiness. Here’s the straightforward answer to your question:
The only surefire way to completely remove the Strange Amulet from your inventory is to sell it to Calixto Corrium before you advance the “Blood on the Ice” quest to the point of accusing and potentially imprisoning Wuunferth the Unliving. This allows you to later loot the Necromancer’s Amulet from Calixto’s corpse, completing the quest and removing the “Strange Amulet” quest flag. If you’ve progressed too far in the quest without selling it, you’re likely stuck with it.
Understanding the “Blood on the Ice” Quest
The “Blood on the Ice” quest is notoriously buggy, and many players find themselves with an unremovable Strange Amulet. It all starts with investigating a series of murders in Windhelm. You’ll find a dead woman in the graveyard and, eventually, discover the Strange Amulet. This is where things get tricky.
Why the Amulet Gets Stuck
The amulet is designed to be a quest item. This means the game prevents you from dropping, selling, or storing it in most circumstances. The intended path is to show the amulet to Calixto, who will offer to buy it. Selling it to him is the key to progressing the quest properly and eventually obtaining the Necromancer’s Amulet.
However, if you skip this step and proceed with the quest by gathering evidence and accusing Wuunferth, the amulet becomes permanently flagged as a quest item, essentially gluing it to your inventory.
Possible (But Unreliable) Workarounds
While selling to Calixto is the definitive solution, some players have reported success with glitches and exploits. These are not guaranteed to work and may even break your game further, so proceed with extreme caution and always create a backup save first.
- Planting the Amulet: Some older forum posts suggest planting the amulet on a deceased NPC related to the quest (like the stable girl, if she was killed). However, this is highly unreliable and often doesn’t work.
- Console Commands (PC Only): On the PC version, you can use console commands to remove the amulet. The command would be
player.removeitem 0002D325 1. This removes one instance of the item with the ID “0002D325” which is the Strange Amulet. Be extremely careful when using console commands, as they can have unintended consequences. - Reloading an Earlier Save: This is the most reliable (if frustrating) solution. If you have a save from before you accused Wuunferth and still have the amulet, reload that save and ensure you sell the amulet to Calixto.
The Necromancer’s Amulet: The Real Prize
The ultimate goal isn’t just getting rid of the Strange Amulet; it’s transforming it into the Necromancer’s Amulet. This amulet provides a significant boost to your Magicka and can be a valuable asset for mage characters.
How to Get the Necromancer’s Amulet
- Sell the Strange Amulet to Calixto: This is the critical step.
- Continue the “Blood on the Ice” quest: Follow the questline, which will eventually lead you to discover Calixto is the killer.
- Kill Calixto: Confront and defeat Calixto.
- Loot the Necromancer’s Amulet: The Necromancer’s Amulet will be on Calixto’s body.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Strange Amulet and the “Blood on the Ice” quest:
1. Why can’t I drop the Strange Amulet?
Because it’s flagged as a quest item. Quest items are designed to be essential to the completion of a quest, preventing you from accidentally losing or selling them before they’re needed.
2. Should I sell the Strange Amulet to Calixto?
Yes! Selling the Strange Amulet to Calixto is the intended and only reliable way to eventually get the Necromancer’s Amulet and remove the “Strange Amulet” flag from your inventory.
3. What happens if I don’t sell the Strange Amulet?
It will likely remain in your inventory permanently, taking up space and serving as a constant reminder of a quest gone wrong.
4. Where is Calixto in Windhelm?
Calixto runs a museum called Calixto’s House of Curiosities. He’s typically there during the day. The museum is only unlocked from 9am until 8pm.
5. Can I pickpocket the Strange Amulet back from Calixto after selling it to him?
Yes, you can attempt to pickpocket the amulet back from Calixto after selling it to him. You can crouch and pickpocket him. He has the Amulet.
6. Can I still get the Necromancer’s Amulet if I’ve already accused Wuunferth?
Unfortunately, no. Once you’ve accused Wuunferth, the opportunity to sell the Strange Amulet to Calixto is lost, and you’ll likely be stuck with it. You will need to reload an earlier save before accusing Wuunferth.
7. Is the “Blood on the Ice” quest always buggy?
It has a reputation for being buggy, but not everyone experiences issues. Following the quest steps carefully (especially selling the amulet) can help prevent problems.
8. What are the benefits of the Necromancer’s Amulet?
The Necromancer’s Amulet grants the following enchantment: +50 Magicka, Magicka Regeneration decreases by 75%, Health Regeneration decreases by 75%. It’s useful for mages who rely heavily on Magicka but can be detrimental to those who need health regeneration.
9. Can I wear multiple amulets in Skyrim?
No, you can only wear one amulet at a time.
10. What time does Calixto strike?
Patrol the market district after about 5pm (in game) for the murderer to appear.
11. Is Calixto the killer?
Yes, Calixto Corrium, also known as The Butcher, is the main antagonist of the Skyrim quest Blood on the Ice.
12. Is Calixto the butcher?
Yes, Calixto Corrium was a retired Imperial adventurer that was active in the Fourth Era. For most of his life, he was an adventurer that was accompanied by his sister, but later on, he became an infamous serial killer that stalked the streets of Windhelm, working under the alias of the Butcher.
13. Do I have to sell the Strange Amulet?
Yes. As for the Strange Amulet, if you didn’t sell it to Calixto, you’ll be stuck with it for the rest of the game.
14. Can you save Arivanya in Skyrim?
She can be killed during the quest by Calixto Corrium, however it can be prevented by choosing to talk to Wuunferth the Unliving before Jorleif.
15. What to do with Calixto in Skyrim?
One of the things you can do in this quest is sell the amulet to Calixto for 500 gold, so when you discover him as the assassin you can take it from his corpse, becoming then the Necromancer amulet, who has nice stats for pure mages.
In conclusion, the Strange Amulet’s fate rests entirely on your actions during the “Blood on the Ice” quest. Selling it to Calixto is the only guaranteed way to get rid of it and obtain the more powerful Necromancer’s Amulet. If you’re interested in the educational potential of games, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society website. The Games Learning Society shares resources, research, and perspectives on games-based learning through its website at GamesLearningSociety.org.