Regarding Souls and Soul Gems

Arunei · July 2015

So in Skyrim's Dawnguard expansion we were introduced to something called the Soul Cairn. It's been a while since I've played Skyrim, let alone the DG DLC, but iirc when a Soul Gem was used to enchant or charge an item, weren't the souls in those Gems sent to the Soul Cairn? And could a Daedra technically get sent there, or would it return to Oblivion? My Guildies were talking casually the other night and mentioned that the only way to really keep a Daedra from being reforned was to "make a weapon or gear" out of it. Also, what would happen to a soul (particularly a Daedra's) if the Soul Gem it's held in is somehow destroyed? Is the soul destroyed, released, thrown into the Cairn?

The reason I ask is I'm planning a small RP event for one of my Guilds, and this all ties in to a very specific plot point I want to ensure is possible before I go into it. Mostly I'm looking to find out what happens to a Daedra's soul if a) its Soul Gem is used to enchant an item, and b) its Soul Gem is somehow destroyed.

Frozstee · July 2015

That is a puzzler for sure, I'm unsure with the specifics of how the connection to Oblivion, Daedra and how they effect Soul Gems differently than other souls. This is really interesting though and I'm curious to how it will play out for your guild, as with all things magic/oblivion related there is always a huge scale of "unknown".
So if a trapped Daedra is in a Soul Gem and we break the Gem, I would imagine it would also destroy the soul that was trapped inside, Daedra or not. There again the insanity of the Princes could have a different effect on destroying a Soul Gem if say you were within their realm. IE you soul trap a Daedra in one of Sheogorath's realms, then proceed to smash the Soul Gem to bits and instead it's a cheese explosion.
If a trapped soul of a Daedra is used to enchant an item, would it be any different from a normal soul? I always liked to base a trapped Daedra Soul Gem will always remain a bit tainted with the evil/good presence. This could be a really neat jumping point for a RP quest.... what -does- happen?

Good luck with your RP event.

Nichordius · July 2015

In the EP questline, a giant was protected by a soul ward, and the Ghostfence of Morrowind uses the same power--same as phylacteries--which both are constantly being added to. Clearing the idea of phylacteries, it would make sense that it acts as their aetherius--source of all magic through tethered connections made at births through varying astronomical openings--similar to those born under the atronach, as referenced by Neloth; both of whom (liches, birthsign) share spell absorption. It makes sense that the soul would be consumed--a transfer of energy.--Though I can see deals being made.