Lore:Bismuth

Bismuth formations in the Glittering Cave

Bismuth is a crystalline metal with an iridescent appearance that can be found in trace amounts on the Tamriel continent. This is contrast to the large deposits that can be found on the island of Solstice in the Southern Sea. The formations on Solstice can grow to an immense size, which suggests the environment for their growth is quite unique, and these formations can be found in the mines and caverns of the island.

The unique properties of bismuth, of it refracting light within itself was theorised to have similar effects on other kinds of energies by scholars of the Antiquarian Circle. In earlier times, experiments held by Maormer necromancers on bismuth in the Carapace Cavern found it amplified necromantic energy. In particular, their experiments confirmed it was possible to successfully transfer a trapped soul from a soul gem to a small piece of bismuth. The process was described as taking little effort, and that the bismuth sample did not need to be the same size as the soul gem.

The Argonian tribes of Solstice used bismuth for decorative and ritualistic purposes, some surviving examples include, ceremonial bowls, xanmeer building site markers and harmonic components for a music box. Around 2E 582, samples of bismuth were discovered in a Worm Cult nest in Rivenspire that was working on the construction of Soul Reaper devices, suggesting the cult had learnt of the arcane qualities of the mineral.

See Also

• Bismite