Where to buy grand soul gems oblivion

Struggling to find those elusive Grand Soul Gems in Oblivion? You’re not alone! These powerful soul gems are key for enchanting your gear or completing important quests, like the dreaded Vampire Cure. The best way to get them is often a mix of buying from specific merchants and knowing exactly where to look for them out in the world. Whether you’re playing the original game or one of the “remastered” versions, the locations and strategies generally hold true. You’ll want a good supply of these, especially if you’re deep into enchanting, so let’s get you stocked up! For any adventurer looking to enhance their experience in Tamriel, having the right tools is essential, and a comfortable gaming headset can truly immerse you in the world. And don’t forget a reliable gaming mouse and gaming keyboard for precise spellcasting and movement!

Where to Buy Empty Grand Soul Gems in Oblivion

When you’re hunting for Grand Soul Gems, especially empty ones, merchants are often your first stop. It’s usually quicker than dungeon diving, though it’ll cost you some gold. Here’s where I’d recommend looking.

The Imperial City: Your Go-To Spot

The Imperial City Market District is probably the most reliable place to start your shopping spree for Grand Soul Gems.

• Mystic Emporium: This shop is run by Aurelinwae and Calindil, and they often have Grand Soul Gems in stock. Calindil, in particular, might sell two empty ones, while Aurelinwae usually has one. They might also sell filled ones, so make sure you’re picking up the empty ones if that’s what you need! Their inventory refreshes, so if they don’t have what you need immediately, you can try waiting 72 hours in-game for their stock to reset. This trick works for pretty much any merchant. For any keen enchanter, having a reliable source for these gems is crucial, so consider picking up an Oblivion game guide to keep all the best tips handy.

Mages Guild Halls Across Cyrodiil

If you’re a member of the Mages Guild which you really should be if you’re dealing with soul gems!, you’ll find that many of their merchants in various city guild halls sell Grand Soul Gems.

• Chorrol Mages Guild: This is a fantastic spot. Angalmo, the merchant, often sells one. Beyond buying, you can also find a couple of empty Grand Soul Gems in display cases here. One is in a display case on the main floor behind a Very Hard lock, and another is in a display case to the left of the front door. If you’re a guild member, picking these locks won’t count as a crime, which is a nice bonus!
• Anvil Mages Guild: Felen Relas typically sells one.
• Bravil Mages Guild: Ardaline is your person here, often stocking one.
• Bruma Mages Guild: Selena Oriana is known to sell them.
• Cheydinhal Mages Guild: Eilonwy usually has one available.
• Leyawiin Mages Guild: Look for Alves Uvenim, who often sells one.

Remember, these merchants’ inventories also refresh, so checking back periodically or using the 72-hour wait trick can be very effective. Just remember that Grand Soul Gems are considered rare loot, so they might not appear every time a merchant restocks, especially if your character isn’t a higher level typically level 12 and above for sellers. Where to buy fenbendazole

Acquiring Filled Grand Soul Gems

While it’s usually easier to find empty Grand Soul Gems and fill them yourself, some merchants might occasionally have them filled.

• Mystic Emporium Imperial City: Aurelinwae and Calindil at the Mystic Emporium might sometimes have filled Grand Soul Gems in their inventory. It’s less common than finding empty ones, but definitely worth checking if you’re already there.
• Arcane University: In the Arch-Mage’s lobby, you can sometimes find filled Grand Soul Gems in display cases, though these are often behind very hard locks and count as stealing if you’re not careful. Two filled ones can be found there, alongside an empty one.

Honestly, though, buying pre-filled Grand Soul Gems isn’t the most efficient or cost-effective method. They’re usually quite expensive, around 300 gold or more, and not always available. It’s almost always better to buy empty ones and fill them yourself. For those who love the lore and adventure of Oblivion, a good fantasy RPG book can be a great companion.

Alternative Ways to Get Grand Soul Gems Beyond Buying

Sometimes, gold is tight, or you just prefer the thrill of the hunt. Luckily, there are several ways to get your hands on Grand Soul Gems without opening your wallet directly.

Dungeon Delving and Looting

This is a classic Elder Scrolls approach! Grand Soul Gems can pop up as random loot in various containers and on certain enemies as you explore Cyrodiil. Where to buy a switch 2

• Ayleid Ruins: These ancient ruins are often treasure troves. Keep an eye out for Ayleid Casks and other containers. they have a chance to yield Grand Soul Gems.
• Mage and Necromancer Lairs: Enemies who deal in magic, like mages, conjurers, and necromancers, frequently carry soul gems. Always make sure to loot their bodies after a fight. you might find one on them. This is a great way to “farm” them if you enjoy combat.
• Display Cases: Many Mages Guild halls, and even the Arcane University, have display cases containing soul gems. These are often locked, but if your lockpicking skill is up to snuff or you have the Skeleton Key, you can snag them. Be mindful that some might count as stealing!

Quest Rewards and Specific Locations

Some quests and specific spots in the world offer guaranteed Grand Soul Gems, especially the empty kind.

• Azura’s Star: This is a must-get if you plan on doing a lot of enchanting. Completing the Daedric Quest for Azura will reward you with Azura’s Star, a reusable Grand Soul Gem. It never breaks and can be used indefinitely to trap grand souls though not humanoid ones, unless you turn it into a Black Soul Gem.
• Arcane University: Beyond the purchasable ones, there are some guaranteed spots. In the Arch-Mage’s Lobby, behind a Very Hard lock in a display case, you can find three Grand Soul Gems two filled, one empty. There’s also one in the Mage’s Quarters, again behind a Very Hard lock.
• Chorrol Mages Guild: As mentioned before, display cases here hold Grand Soul Gems. Two are in a display case on the main floor, and three more are in another display case to the left of the front door.
• Drakelowe: In the basement of Melisande’s house accessible via a secret fireplace entrance, there’s a Grand Soul Gem. This is often important for the Vampire Cure quest.
• Nornal: This Ayleid ruin west of Drakelowe contains one Grand Soul Gem, especially if you’re on the Vampire Cure quest.
• Squandered Mine: Northeast of Drakelowe, you can find one Grand Soul Gem behind a hidden door on the lower level.
• Crayfish Cave: South-southeast of Drakelowe, this cave has one Grand Soul Gem.

The Duplication Glitch

Now, if you don’t mind a little “cheesing” of the game, there’s a well-known duplication glitch that works in Oblivion and often in “remastered” versions unless patched. If you have just one empty Grand Soul Gem, you can duplicate it.

• How it works generally: Drop the item you want to duplicate in this case, an empty Grand Soul Gem from your inventory. Then, select a stack of scrolls that you have at least two of or arrows, or any item with a quantity. Activate the dropped item, then quickly activate the stack of scrolls. If done correctly, the number of scrolls will determine how many duplicates you get. This can quickly stock you up! Just be careful not to leave duplicated items in chests for too long like over a week as they might disappear. For those who appreciate the original experience, finding an Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year Edition physically might be a collector’s item.

The Imperial City and Other Key Locations for Grand Soul Gems

The Imperial City isn’t just a hub for quests. it’s a prime location for all things magical, including Grand Soul Gems.

• Imperial City Market District – Mystic Emporium: We’ve already touched on this, but it’s worth reiterating. Calindil and Aurelinwae are your go-to merchants here. They typically have empty Grand Soul Gems for sale, and their stock refreshes every 72 in-game hours.
• Imperial City Arcane University: Once you’ve gained access by completing the Mages Guild recommendations, the Arcane University becomes a goldmine. In the Arch-Mage’s Lobby, there’s a display case with a Very Hard lock that holds three Grand Soul Gems. Two of these are usually filled, and one is empty. There’s another in the Mage’s Quarters in a locked display case. If you’re a Mages Guild member, stealing these might not incur a bounty. A great gaming chair can make those long sessions of lockpicking and dungeon crawling much more comfortable!

Beyond the Imperial City, don’t forget the individual Mages Guild branches in each major city. As we discussed, almost every guild hall has a merchant who sells them and often a locked display case with one or more.

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Grand Soul Gems for the Vampire Cure Quest

If you’ve unfortunately contracted vampirism, you’ll eventually embark on the “Vampire Cure” quest, which requires five empty Grand Soul Gems. This can be a real pain, especially if you’re a full vampire and NPCs refuse to talk to you!

Here’s how to secure them for the cure, especially if you’re a vampire:

1. Melisande’s Basement: Melisande, the witch who helps with the cure, actually has one empty Grand Soul Gem in her basement. Access it through a trapdoor in the fireplace next to her bed.
2. Quest-Spawning Gems: The game helps you out a bit! Once you start the Vampire Cure quest, three empty Grand Soul Gems are guaranteed to spawn in specific dungeons that might not have had them before:
   • Crayfish Cave: South-southeast of Drakelowe.
   • Nornal: An Ayleid ruin directly west of Drakelowe.
   • Squandered Mine: Northeast of Drakelowe, behind a secret door.
3. Stealing as a Vampire: If merchants won’t talk to you, your best bet is to steal. The Arcane University and Chorrol Mages Guild display cases as mentioned above are prime targets. Just be ready for those Very Hard locks! If your lockpicking isn’t great, consider using a trick like continuously holding up on the tumbler until it sets, which can prevent lockpicks from breaking.
4. Vampire’s Seduction: If you’re a stage 4 vampire, you can use the Vampire’s Seduction spell to charm NPCs, making them temporarily friendly enough to trade with. This is a great workaround for buying from the Mystic Emporium or Mages Guild members.

Having trouble remembering all these locations? Maybe a physical Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion map could help you navigate Cyrodiil more efficiently!

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Understanding Soul Gem Mechanics: Grand vs. Black

It’s helpful to know a little about how these gems actually work.

• Grand Soul Gems: These are the largest “standard” soul gems, capable of holding “Grand” level souls from powerful creatures like Minotaur Lords, Liches, Gloom Wraiths, and Xivilai. However, they cannot capture human NPC souls. If you capture a lesser soul in a Grand Soul Gem, it fills the gem to that lesser capacity, essentially “wasting” the Grand Soul Gem’s potential.
• Black Soul Gems: These are special. They have the same capacity as a Grand Soul Gem but are unique because they are the only gems that can hold humanoid souls, which are always considered Grand souls. You can create Black Soul Gems by placing an empty Grand Soul Gem in a Necromancer’s Altar during the “Shade of the Revenant” phenomenon when a red beam shines on the altar and casting a Soul Trap spell on it. Altars can be found in places like Dark Fissure or Wendelbek.

Knowing the difference is key to efficient enchanting and soul-trapping! If you’re delving into these magical arts, a good gaming desktop or gaming laptop will ensure your adventures run smoothly.

Grand Soul Gems in Oblivion Remastered

Good news for those playing “Oblivion Remastered” or highly modded versions: the core mechanics and locations for Grand Soul Gems remain largely consistent with the original game. The information we’ve covered here applies directly to those versions as well. Whether you’re playing on PC, PS5, or Xbox, the hunt for Grand Soul Gems will follow these same paths.

So, whether you’re buying, stealing, or adventuring for them, you’ve got plenty of options to get your hands on Grand Soul Gems. Happy hunting, and may your enchantments be ever powerful! Is Now a Good Time to Buy? The Current Landscape

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the absolute best place to buy empty Grand Soul Gems in Oblivion?

The most reliable spot to buy empty Grand Soul Gems is the Mystic Emporium in the Imperial City Market District. Calindil and Aurelinwae often have them in stock, and you can reset their inventory by waiting 72 in-game hours. Many Mages Guild members in various cities also sell them.

How can I get Grand Soul Gems if I’m a vampire and merchants won’t talk to me?

If you’re a full vampire, you have a few options:

1. Vampire’s Seduction: Use this spell to charm an NPC, making them friendly enough to trade with you temporarily.
2. Stealing: Target locked display cases in Mages Guilds like Chorrol or the Arcane University. Be prepared for Very Hard locks!
3. Quest-Guaranteed Spawns: Start the “Vampire Cure” quest, and the game will place three empty Grand Soul Gems in specific dungeons: Crayfish Cave, Nornal, and Squandered Mine. Melisande’s basement also has one.

What’s the difference between an empty Grand Soul Gem and a filled one?

An empty Grand Soul Gem is just a vessel, ready to capture a soul. A filled Grand Soul Gem already contains a captured soul. For enchanting powerful items, you need a filled one. For certain quests, like the Vampire Cure, you specifically need empty ones.

Can I use a Grand Soul Gem to trap a human’s soul?

No, regular Grand Soul Gems cannot trap human or humanoid souls. For those, you’ll need a special Black Soul Gem. Human souls are always considered “Grand” level, but they require the unique properties of a Black Soul Gem.

What level do I need to be to start finding Grand Soul Gems more easily?

Grand Soul Gems generally start appearing more frequently in merchant inventories and as loot when your character reaches around level 11-12 or higher. The types of powerful creatures that yield Grand souls also appear at higher levels, typically level 18 and above for creatures like Minotaur Lords and Liches. Navigating the Gold Market: When to Buy XAUUSD for Smarter Trades

Is there a way to get unlimited Grand Soul Gems without cheating?

The closest thing to “unlimited” is Azura’s Star, a reusable Daedric Artifact. Once you complete Azura’s quest, you receive this special soul gem that never breaks and can be used over and over again to trap any soul except humanoid, unless it’s a Black Soul Gem. Pair it with a “Soul Trap” enchantment on a weapon or spell, and you’ll always have a way to get grand souls.

What’s the best way to fill a Grand Soul Gem once I have an empty one?

To fill a Grand Soul Gem, you need to cast a Soul Trap spell on a creature and then kill it before the spell wears off. Make sure the creature has a “Grand” level soul e.g., Minotaur Lords, Liches, Gloom Wraiths, Xivilai. If you kill a weaker creature, it will fill the Grand Soul Gem with a lesser soul, making it less useful. Equipping a weapon enchanted with Soul Trap can make this process much easier.