Practice of Magic: Conjuration, Lesson One

  • Imperial mages have arguably advanced the study of conjuration magic far more than most, but it first fell to Elven wizards to crack open the door to Oblivion without its screaming horrors spilling uncontrollably into Mundus. Corvus and Calani Direnni and their clan first lit the torch and peered into this unholy darkness, lighting the path for the magical school of conjuration. Their precise binding chants are still used to this day when summoning lesser Daedra.

     

    Nonbelligerent atronachs offered something of a boon to Clan Direnni, acting as protectors and occasionally servants or familiars. Even the naturally mischievous imp was easily coerced into behaving. But one can always count on the natural curiosity, and almost calamitous pomposity, of the Elves, who swung the door open still farther—a door to the Daedric planes that became impossibly difficult to shut.

     

    Late into the First Era, Direnni acolytes first attempted to cajole enthrallment from Greater Daedra. Although the most skillful of conjurers succeeded reasonably against these chaotic agents, some Elves were weak, and the portal to Oblivion can now never be completely sealed. Subsequent catastrophic confrontations with Daedric princes turned our lands to turmoil. Thus, it falls to every mage in Cyrodiil to actively dissuade traffic with the Greater Daedra in the strongest possible manner. Communion with them is strictly forbidden.

     

    See? Grulmar shook his head. This is why ya don't tusk around with the damn Daedra!

     

    It took him few days to gather enough books he could study and he sneaked with every single one of them down into the Midden, which had become his fortress of solitude in recent days. The College became too lively for his liking, not enough personal space, stupid questions being asked, someone always annoying him. And he needed to focus.

     

    The Atronach Forge became his second home and he put some effort into making it as hospitable as possible. He built a small fireplace in the center of the room in front of the Forge to banish the darkness and chilling air. The walls were lined with torches and even a few hovering mage lights, creating an artificial imitation of sun light. He was thinking about making a bed there, but decided it was better to sleep in his room, where there wasn't the risk of freezing to death.

     

    He breathed into his hands to warm them up and took another book sitting on the table - which was already in the room before Urag first brought him there. Speaking of Urag, since the Orc became the Arch-Mage he very rarely ventured down into Midden, mostly taking care of his precious Arcaneum or being locked in his chambers.

     

    Which provided him with enough room to...peer into the unholy darkness. Conjuration has became his latest subject. Not because he wanted to learn how to use it...No, how to counter it, that was his intent. Conjuration in his eyes was a path leading right into doom, everyone practicing was putting himself in the harm's way and for what? Control over others? More power?

     

    Power was certainly Grulmar's goal, but not this kind. He wanted to free himself, take control of his own life. Conjuration...there was a risk that something else might take control over his life. Or just squash me like a bug. And for that reason, he was studying the subject, the theory. To understand it, to know its strengths and weaknesses. Knowledge is power.

     

    He reached for another book, written by some Direnni as the previous one and opened it. The Principles of Conjuration. Hmm.

     

    Conjuration is the arcane art of summoning creatures and items from other planes for the usage and benefit of the conjurer. Its study has long languished due to its inherent perils, for summoned entities, particularly the more intelligent Daedra, resent being brought to Nirn to do another's bidding, and often seek to do the conjurer a mischief.

     

    No kiddin'...I would probably seek to do some serious mischief too if someone brought me to Oblivion...

     

    The notable success I have had in formulating safe and reliable conjuration spells comes from my system of defining such magics as always having two essential and interlocking components: a summoning incantation and a binding rune. It is the latter part, of course, that protects the conjurer from the entity or item summoned by enthralling it to the summoner.

     

    Really? I guess not everyone gets that part right… Being ripped apart by Dremora turning on its summoner was a very vivid image in Grulmar's mind, one that always reminded him that Conjuration isn't something he should trifle with. The screams of the summoner...I still hear them in my dreams. Not interested to be on the receivin' end the next time.

     

    Heretofore conjuration has been quite a dangerous pursuit due to the fact that a conjuring wizard had to cast summoning and binding as two separate spells, and if the binding was miscast or cast too slowly, the conjurer might pay for the error with his life. My innovation has been to interweave the magics of summoning and binding so that they become one spell that manifests both effects simultaneously, thus ensuring that what is summoned is also necessarily bound.

     

    The apprentice is urged to apply himself diligently to study of the spells in the accompanying grimoire: though my methods have rendered conjuration less perilous, it is by no means an art to be attempted lightly and carelessly. The apprentice who does so will only briefly be a burden to his or her master.

     

    Grulmar frowned and went through the rest of the book which contained the mentioned spells and methods. Two components weaved into one spell. That's no easy feat and still plenty can go wrong. I wonder if it’s possible to break the summoner's bindin' without banishin' the Daedra back into Oblivion… Well, in that case ya would see more rippin', but it is a tool as any other. He carefully looked at the manual and he was quite sure he would be able to reverse the summoning spell into spell that would severe the binding link between caster and a summoner. Though I certainly won't be testin' it any time soon. While this life sucks it's still the only one I get. I think. So I would like to keep it.

     

    He put the book back on the table and grabbed another one. Where Magical Paths Meet.

     

    Mastering Conjuration means having access to an entire spectrum of utility.

     

    —Are you in need of a flame spell? Conjure a Flame Atronach. You'll have command of a dozen such spells, in the form of a fiery avatar.

     

    —Are you caught in the dead of night and wishing you had prepared a light spell? Conjure a Will-o-the-Wisp: its natural luminescence banishes darkness.

     

    —Do you lack a telekinesis spell to move a boulder out of your way? Conjure a Storm Atronach to lift it for you.

     

    —Did you forget the shield ward you'll need to protect yourself from a sudden hail? Conjure a Frost Atronach to crystallize the air above for temporary shelter.

     

    —Is your life detection spell unable to discern a fleeing target from all the other living things in the wilderness? Conjure a Wolf Familiar to pick up the scent.

     

    The flexibility of Conjuration magic has been an unsung passion of mine, and I've compiled a comprehensive guide for replacing specific, commonly-used spells with Conjuration substitutions (see Volume II, page seven, for more).

     

    Conjuration even allows access to Daedric abilities (for those who dare to wield them). A mage well-versed in Conjuration can summon all variety of Daedra, from Scamps to Dremora Lords. Mine wouldn't be the first primer for spells like these, but Volume III of this collection contains detailed instructions on beckoning the denizens of Oblivion. "The Origins of Conjuration" is also a useful read on the subject.*

     

    I realize I write highly of Conjuration here, almost extravagantly, but if you'll do me the favor of reading the rest of this collection (Volumes II-XXII), you'll find that my words have weight.

     

    *Author's Note: It should go without saying, but contact the Oblivion planes only with the utmost discretion: the unwary mage could lose her life—or worse—in dealings with the Daedra.

     

    Grulmar continued through the rest of Volumes the Arcaneum had and after several hours he put down the last book and rubbed his eyes. Well...Now I know what Daedra and Atronachs can do. While I applaud the author for goin' to such lengths to describe how amazin' the School of Conjuration is, the whole series are inherently flawed. There is one big flaw that the author never seemed to address.

     

    Summonin' all these Daedra to replace the effects of other Schools...that makes ya depend on someone else. Ya have to depend on creatures of Oblivion to save ya in life and death situations, to do the hard work for ya. Is that the power that Conjuration promises? Havin' someone to do yer dirty work? I can see how that is temptin', but there will come a time when somethin' goes wrong and ya will have to rely on yer own spells. Or what happens when the Daedra turns on ya? Ya summon another Daedra? Fightin' fire with fire?

     

    Grulmar heard that phrase several times in his life, but the truth was that it was impossible to fight fire with fire each and everytime. Sometimes there was water needed, or wind. Limitin' yerself only to fire reduces yer options. There are only so many ways how to deal with a problem when ya rely only on Conjuration.

     

    In Morrowind, both worshippers and sorcerers summon lesser Daedra and bound Daedra as servants and instruments.

     

    Most Daedric servants can be summoned by sorcerers only for very brief periods, within the most fragile and tenuous frameworks of command and binding. This fortunately limits their capacity for mischief, though in only a few minutes, most of these servants can do terrible harm to their summoners as well as their enemies.

     

    Good. Every single one of the books reminds everyone that it's a bad idea to dabble in Conjuration. And yet everyone tuskin' does it anyway. Morons...

     

    Worshippers may bind other Daedric servants to this plane through rituals and pacts. Such arrangements result in the Daedric servant remaining on this plane indefinitely -- or at least until their bodily manifestations on this plane are destroyed, precipitating their supernatural essences back to Oblivion. Whenever Daedra are encountered at Daedric ruins or in tombs, they are almost invariably long-term visitors to our plane.

     

    Likewise, lesser entities bound by their Daedra Lords into weapons and armor may be summoned for brief periods, or may persist indefinitely, so long as they are not destroyed and banished. The class of bound weapons and bound armors summoned by Temple followers and conjurors are examples of short-term bindings; Daedric artifacts like Mehrunes Razor and the Mask of Clavicus Vile are examples of long-term bindings.

     

    Hmm. So Bound Weapons are basicaly daedric spirit weapons that are summoned from Oblivion. Interestin'. Ugh...I just realized what actually means holdin' that weapon. Does it like it? When someone's touchin' it? Grulmar shuddered at that thought and rather focused on the text again.

     

    The Tribunal Temple of Morrowind has incorporated the veneration of Daedra as lesser spirits subservient to the immortal Almsivi, the Triune godhead of Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec. These subordinate Daedra are divided into the Good Daedra and the Bad Daedra. The Good Daedra have willingly submitted to the authority of Almsivi; the Bad Daedra are rebels who defy Almsivi -- treacherous kin who are more often adversaries than allies.

     

    The Good Daedra are Boethiah, Azura, and Mephala. The hunger is a powerful and violent lesser Daedra associated with Boethiah, Father of Plots -- a sinuous, long-limbed, long-tailed creature with a beast-skulled head, noted for its paralyzing touch and its ability to disintegrate weapons and armor. The winged twilight is a messenger of Azura, Goddess of Dusk and Dawn. Winged twilights resemble the feral harpies of the West, though the feminine aspects of the winged twilights are more ravishing, and their long, sharp, hooked tails are immeasurably more deadly. Spider Daedra are the servants of Mephala, taking the form of spider-humanoid centaurs, with a naked upper head, torso, and arms of human proportions, mounted on the eight legs and armored carapace of a giant spider. Unfortunately, these Daedra are so fierce and irrational that they cannot be trusted to heed the commands of the Spinner. As a consequence, few sorcerers are willing to either summon or bind such creatures in Morrowind.

     

    The Bad Daedra are Mehrunes Dagon, Malacath, Sheogorath, and Molag Bal. Three lesser Daedra are associated with Mehrunes Dagon: the agile and pesky scamp, the ferocious and beast-like clannfear, and the noble and deadly dremora. The crocodile-headed humanoid Daedra called the daedroth is a servant of Molag Bal, while the giant but dim-witted ogrim is a servant of Malacath. Sheogorath's lesser Daedra, the golden saint, a half-clothed human female in appearance, is highly resistant to magic and a dangerous spellcaster.

     

    Huh? What the tusk is an Ogrim? Another word for Orc? Nah, ya are such an idiot Grulmar. It was mentioned in that other book. An Ogre but not an Ogre, just a stupid Daedra. Though I've never heard about this Ogrim being associated with Malacath, no wise-woman says that. Well...maybe in Morrowind it's different, but to me it seems like some Tribunal bullshit. And they were famous for bullshit.

     

    Another type of lesser Daedra often encountered in Morrowind is the Atronach, or Elemental Daedra. Atronachs have no binding kinship or alignments with the Daedra Lords, serving one realm or another at whim, shifting sides according to seduction, compulsion, or opportunity.

     

    Well...that's enough for one day, no? Too much Conjuration and ya might get an idea that summonin' might actually not be that bad. So...ya better sleep out of it, cause Conjuration is bullshit.

     

    Sources used in this Lesson: The Origins of Conjuration, The Principles of Conjuration, Where Magical Paths Meet, Darkest Darkness

     

Comments

8 Comments   |   The Long-Chapper and 7 others like this.
  • Caladran
    Caladran   ·  January 5, 2018
    Those books brings old Morrowind back in my mind.  Daedric spirits for conjured weapon? Interesting!
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  January 22, 2017
    What about the Familiars and Flaming Familiar? You've missed out the two most important Daedras of the lot.......
    *growls threateningly...............


    We all know who they belong to and all. There's no mention of him either.......  
  • A-Pocky-Hah!
    A-Pocky-Hah!   ·  January 21, 2017
    So if bound weapons and armor are basically daedric spirits molded into form. While I've seen what happens when you can't control your bound weapons (as seen in Straag Rod). I wonder if bound weapons could have a mind of their own and turn on their caster...  more
    • Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      So if bound weapons and armor are basically daedric spirits molded into form. While I've seen what happens when you can't control your bound weapons (as seen in Straag Rod). I wonder if bound weapons could have a mind of their own and turn on their caster...  more
        ·  January 21, 2017
      Summoned creatures like Dremora can definitely turn on you. Bound Weapons are basicaly lesser spirits with very little mind of their own, so it´s very unlikely - funny fact, Bound Weapons can be created by killing Daedra. More precisely, in Coldharbour on...  more
      • A-Pocky-Hah!
        A-Pocky-Hah!
        Karver the Lorc
        Karver the Lorc
        Karver the Lorc
        Summoned creatures like Dremora can definitely turn on you. Bound Weapons are basicaly lesser spirits with very little mind of their own, so it´s very unlikely - funny fact, Bound Weapons can be created by killing Daedra. More precisely, in Coldharbour on...  more
          ·  January 21, 2017
        And I thought soul-trapping black souls was inhumane... *-)
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  January 20, 2017
    Urag the Arch-Mage, eh? Everyone be doubly careful around your texts, the entire college is his plane of Oblivion now.

    *spills soy sauce on book*

    AAAAAARRRRRGHHHH NOO NOT THE ATRONACHS
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  January 20, 2017
    I love how all magic Grulmar doesn't quite understand is automatically bullshit. HAHA
    • Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      The Long-Chapper
      The Long-Chapper
      The Long-Chapper
      I love how all magic Grulmar doesn't quite understand is automatically bullshit. HAHA
        ·  January 20, 2017
      He says that a lot, right? xD