TESV Eye of Magnus

Ancano, using magic to harness the power of the Eye with Savos Aren attempting to stop him.

For the quest, see The Eye of Magnus.
"As you may have learned, this object... The Eye... is immensely powerful. This world is not ready for it."

The Eye of Magnus is an ancient magical artifact first discovered by Atmoran settlers during the late Merethic Era, when the first group led by Ysgramor came to Skyrim and built the city of Saarthal.[1]

Later, the Dragonborn and Tolfdir of the College of Winterhold found the ancient magical relic in the ruins of the ancient Nordic city of Saarthal during the events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.



Sarthal Magnus

The Eye within Saarthal

"The Nords found something when they built their city, buried deep in the ground. They attempted to keep it buried, but the elves learned of it and coveted it for themselves."
Dranor Seleth[src]

When the Atmoran settlers landed in Skyrim, they founded the city of Saarthal. During the excavation, they discovered the artifact, but not knowing what it was, tried to keep it buried.[1]

Eventually the Snow Elves discovered the Eye, and coveted the power for themselves. They assaulted Saarthal, hoping to capture the Eye, but Ysgramor rallied his forces and fought them back in an event known as the Night of Tears.[1]

Only Ysgramor and his sons survived, and traveled to Atmora to rally the Five Hundred Companions. When the Elves were defeated in the Nordic-Falmer War and Skyrim was recaptured, they hid the Eye back within Saarthal and buried it deep below the earth.[1]


TESV Psijic Order Visit

Quaranir visiting the Dragonborn.

Upon entering the room that the Eye is housed in, the Dragonborn and Tolfdir discover that the massive orb is guarded by a draugr named Jyrik Gauldurson, one of the sons of the ancient arch-mage Gauldur. When an attempt is made to damage Jyrik, Tolfdir states that the Eye is allowing for Gauldurson to become invulnerable to damage, and thus begins to cast lightning spells at the Eye, subsequently allowing for the Dragonborn to damage and kill Jyrik.

After destroying the creature, Tolfdir sends the Dragonborn on an errand to research the Eye of Magnus during the quest "Hitting the Books." Finding the research material in Fellglow Keep, the Dragonborn reads more about the object in Night of Tears.

Afterward, Quaranir, a member of the Psijic Order, visits the Dragonborn, telling them the object is dangerous and to seek out the Augur of Dunlain. This then leads to the search for the Staff of Magnus.

Ancano's betrayalEdit

After returning to the College, the Dragonborn learns that Ancano has tapped into the power of the Eye and gained tremendous power. The Dragonborn then has to travel to Labyrinthian to locate the Staff of Magnus. They must then use the Staff to break through a magical barrier and use it to absorb the power of the Eye and so defeat Ancano. After Ancano is defeated, Quaranir, Gelebros and Tandil appear. Quaranir then says that the world is not ready for the Eye's unlimited power and that the Psijic Order will guard it. He, Gelebros, and Tandil then teleport the Eye away.


"The Eye of Magnus is always upon us, in the spells and enchantments that devout Mages conjure."
Uurkar of Auri-El[src]

Tolfdir can be heard questioning the runic markings on the artifact. "It's not Dwemer...not Falmer...not Ayleid...certainly not Daedric..."

Another possible origin that Tolfdir did not mention include the possibility of the Eye being Aedric in origin. The Aedric god, known as Magnus, created the Staff of Magnus, but it is currently unknown whether or not he actually created the Eye of Magnus.



This section contains bugs related to Eye of Magnus. Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:

  • The color palettes may invert: the blues and blacks switching. This minor cosmetic bug corrects itself after a few minutes.



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