Unleash the Darkness: A Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining the Ebony Blade in Skyrim
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The Ebony Blade is a highly sought-after Daedric artifact in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, known for its unique properties and dark allure. This two-handed sword, obtained through the “Whispering Door” quest, becomes increasingly powerful as you “feed” it with the life force of those who trust you. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to acquire this formidable weapon and answers frequently asked questions to ensure you master the quest.
Initiating the Quest: “The Whispering Door”
To begin your journey toward wielding the Ebony Blade, you’ll need to meet specific requirements:
- Reach Level 20: Your character must be at least level 20 before the quest becomes available.
- Complete “Dragon Rising”: This main quest must be finished. It involves delivering news of the dragon attack at Helgen to the Jarl of Whiterun.
Once you’ve met these prerequisites, follow these steps:
- Head to the Bannered Mare in Whiterun: Locate Hulda, the innkeeper.
- Ask About Rumors: Engage in conversation with Hulda and select the option to inquire about any rumors she’s heard. If Hulda has died and Ysolda has taken over as innkeeper, due to a bug, the quest may not be available.
- Investigate the Whispering Lady: If Hulda provides the rumor, she’ll mention a strange occurrence involving the Jarl’s son, Nelkir, and a locked door in Dragonsreach.
- Speak to Nelkir: Find Nelkir in Dragonsreach. He is usually found wandering the halls or in the living quarters.
- Uncover the Truth: Talk to Nelkir. He will reveal that he hears a voice coming from behind a locked door in the basement of Dragonsreach. He knows the Jarl’s mage, Farengar Secret-Fire has the key.
- Steal the Key or Persuade Farengar: You can either pickpocket the key from Farengar Secret-Fire or persuade him to give it to you, but it is an illegal action either way.
- Unlock the Whispering Door: Head to the basement of Dragonsreach. Locate the locked door at the end of the hallway and use the key to unlock it.
- Communicate with Mephala: Once the door is opened, a voice will speak to you. This is the Daedric Prince Mephala, who resides within the Ebony Blade. She will instruct you to unleash her blade.
- Speak to the Jarl: Return to Jarl Balgruuf the Greater. He will inform you that Nelkir is causing him problems and will ask you to check on him.
- Acquire the Ebony Blade: Talk to Jarl Balgruuf the Greater. He will give you a key and tell you that you can have whatever is behind the Whispering Door. Enter the room and claim the Ebony Blade, ending the quest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you get the Ebony Blade after joining the Stormcloaks?
Yes, even if you join the Stormcloaks and force Jarl Balgruuf to leave Whiterun, the Ebony Blade will still be obtainable. The most important prerequisites are reaching level 20 and completing the “Dragon Rising” quest. The political landscape of Whiterun doesn’t affect the quest’s availability.
What level should I start the Ebony Blade quest?
You must be at least level 20 to initiate the quest. Starting at level 20 is crucial as it triggers the rumor from Hulda in the Bannered Mare, leading to the discovery of Nelkir and the Whispering Door.
Is the Ebony Blade the best weapon in Skyrim?
The Ebony Blade is powerful and unique, but it isn’t universally considered the “best” weapon. Other weapons, such as those from the Dragonbone and Daedric sets, may offer higher base damage. However, the Ebony Blade’s ability to absorb health and its rapid attack speed make it a formidable choice, especially when fully powered.
Is the Ebony Blade the Necrosword?
No, the Ebony Blade and the Necrosword are distinct weapons from different universes. The Ebony Blade is a magical sword from the Marvel Comics universe, wielded by Black Knight, while the Necrosword is found by Gorr the God Butcher, transforming him into a god-slaying monster.
What is the max damage the Ebony Blade can do?
The Ebony Blade’s base damage is 11. It is not the damage that makes it an exceptional weapon. The enchantment increases, it absorbs health from targets. For every two “friends” slain, the perk increases by 2 points up to a maximum damage rating of 30.
How many kills does it take to fully power the Ebony Blade?
To fully power the Ebony Blade, you need to kill 10 NPCs who have a disposition of “friend” or “ally” towards you. This means they must have a level of trust or positive relationship with your character. Mephala will speak to you after every two kills, indicating the blade’s power is increasing.
Can anyone wield the Ebony Blade?
While anyone can physically hold the Ebony Blade, its true power is unlocked only when wielded by those with impure hearts, drawing out their negative emotions and turning them into bloodthirsty berserkers, according to lore.
What happens if Hulda dies?
If Hulda is killed, Ysolda will become the innkeeper of the Bannered Mare. However, a bug may prevent Ysolda from offering the rumor that triggers the “Whispering Door” quest, potentially making it impossible to start the quest if Hulda is already dead.
Who should I sacrifice to the Ebony Blade?
Valid targets for charging the Ebony Blade include NPCs like Bujold the Unworthy, Elmus, Halbarn Iron-Fur, and Hilund. These characters can be killed to empower the blade, as long as they are considered “friends”.
How do you fully power the Ebony Blade?
The most straightforward method is to kill 10 NPCs who have a positive relationship with your character. Another, more complex method involves using the Ritual Stone to resurrect a slain enemy and then killing the resurrected enemy with the Ebony Blade, repeating the process until the blade is fully charged.
How do you trigger the Ebony Warrior?
The Ebony Warrior is an unrelated encounter, triggered when your character reaches level 80. He appears in major cities like Whiterun and challenges you to a final battle.
Can you enchant the Ebony Blade in Skyrim?
The Ebony Blade cannot be enchanted through traditional methods in the base game. However, with mods or console commands, it is possible to alter its properties and enchant it, but this deviates from the original game mechanics.
Should you take the Ebony Blade?
Whether you should take the Ebony Blade depends on your character’s morality and play style. While it is a potent weapon with health absorption capabilities, using it involves killing innocent or trusting NPCs, which may conflict with a roleplaying as a “good” character.
Can Ebony Blade cut Mjolnir?
While the Ebony Blade is incredibly powerful, its ability to cut through Mjolnir is speculative. The Ebony Blade has been shown to cut through adamantium, but whether it can overcome Mjolnir’s enchanted properties is debated.
Why can’t I improve the Ebony Blade?
The Ebony Blade cannot be improved through conventional smithing. As the book Admonition Against Ebony states, the blade is made of material that cannot be smithed by mortals, explaining why it cannot be improved at a forge.
The Ebony Blade is more than just a weapon; it’s a tool of darkness and manipulation. Its power comes at a cost, forcing players to make difficult choices. Understanding its mechanics and quest requirements ensures you can wield this powerful artifact to its full potential, if you dare.
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