Dark Essence is a type of gem used in crafting.
Characteristics[]
Dark Essence is used in a myriad of crafting recipes. It is used to create Deep Dark Essence, reforge Twili Weapons, and corrupt the Master Sword.
It is also needed to craft the Skyloft Iron Bow, Sacred Bow, and Dominion Rod (Thrall).
Location[]
One Dark Essence can be found within Kinolangdanzel behind a group of Falmer chests. Another sample can be found in the Spirit Temple, Hilda's Tomb, and Ganon's Tower. Dark Essence can also be created by offering a Grey Gem or filled Black Soul Gem at the Goddess Font within Goddess Shrines.
Ferran has a 28.6% chance to sell at least one Dark Essence and may sell up to two samples. A sample has a 14.3% chance to spawn in Malicious Hollow within a Dwemer chest, in The Ruptured Towers - Fear within the Aublade Ancient Chest, or as part of Soul Cairn leveled loot.
Similarly, Dark Essence has a 14.3% chance to be found on Vivian, Hylian or Gerudo Vampires, Nameless Whites, Reds, Greens, or Blues, and Lost Hylian Mages, Scouts, or Soldiers.
A single gem has a 5.7% chance to be obtained from a Blue Kinstone fusion and a lesser chance to be within a Dark Chest of Wonders.
Crafting[]
Dark Essence can be crafted at an Ancient Enchanter using Black Soul Gems or Grey Gems. Recipes require either an appropriate artifact or Ocarina Song to be present as a catalyst.
| Required Items | Match Conditions | Alternate Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Black Soul Gem (Empty) (1) |
Trident of Power | Deep Corrupt Master Sword or Triforce of Knowledge or Ebony Blade or Ebony Mail or Mace of Molag Bal or Mehrunes' Razor or Skull of Corruption |
| Human Heart (6) |
| Required Items | Match Conditions | Alternate Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Black Soul Gem (Empty) (1) |
Command Daedra | N/A |
| Trident of Power or Deep Corrupt Master Sword or Triforce of Knowledge or Ebony Blade or Ebony Mail or Mace of Molag Bal or Mehrunes' Razor or Skull of Corruption |
| Required Items | Match Conditions | Alternate Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Grey Gem (1) | Nocturne of Shadow | Elegy of Emptiness or Triforce of Knowledge or Command Daedra |
| Required Items | Match Conditions | Alternate Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Black Soul Gem (Empty) (1) |
Nocturne of Shadow | Triforce of Knowledge |
| Elegy of Emptiness | ||
| Command Daedra |
Lore[]
Dark Essence is an example of ancient Lolian magic, and can be considered to be crystallized darkness or fragments of the Dark World. Command Daedra is used because Lolian magic is ancient and forgotten to the citizens of Tamriel.
The Dragonborn has to improvise and use tools at his or her disposal to reclaim Dark Essence. Command Daedra happens to be capable of forcing the inherent darkness of a Grey Gem to the surface. It is also capable of pulling darkness from Daedric Artifacts, the Deep Corrupt Master Sword and Trident of Power into a soul gem. Dark Essence is an example of makeshift magic in that sense.
Background and Inspiration[]
Dark Essence was introduced early in the development of Relics of Hyrule as a unique, rare ingredient for corrupting the Master Sword. It is deliberately easier to obtain compared to Light Essence to comment that an evil path is often easier than a good path.
The Daedric Artifacts used in the Black Soul Gem recipe were chosen because of their connection to the Daedric Princes that are arguably the most evil. Command Daedra is used to move the essence from the artifacts into the Black Soul Gem to create the Dark Essence.
In version 6.2.7, Daedric Artifacts became required for certain crafting recipies. Prior to version 6.42, the Nocturne of Shadow was required in the crafting of Grey Gems, alongside either the Elegy of Emptiness or Command Daedra spell.
Gallery[]
