You've been adventuring in Cyrodiil, battling goblins and conjurers, and you've picked up a few Soul Gems along the way. They sit in your inventory, looking rather unassuming. But how do you know if one is actually ready to capture a soul, especially when you're aiming for something more potent than a simple wolf's essence?
It's a question many players grapple with, especially when they first delve into the magical intricacies of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The truth is, the game doesn't always spell it out in the most obvious way, but there are clear indicators, and a special kind of gem that changes the game entirely.
First off, let's talk about the standard Soul Gems. When you cast a spell like 'Soul Trap' on a creature, and then defeat that creature before the spell's duration ends, the gem in your inventory will fill. You can usually tell if a gem is filled by looking at its icon in your inventory. A filled Soul Gem will often have a slightly different appearance, sometimes depicted with a swirling energy or a darker hue, compared to an empty one. Hovering over it will also usually tell you its status, often stating 'Filled' or indicating the type of soul it holds (e.g., 'Petty Soul').
However, the real magic, and the source of much confusion, lies with Black Soul Gems. These aren't your everyday finds. You can't just buy them off a merchant or stumble upon them in every dungeon. Black Soul Gems are special because they are the only type of Soul Gem capable of capturing the souls of humanoids – think bandits, necromancers, even those seemingly innocent villagers if you're feeling particularly dark.
Creating a Black Soul Gem is a bit of a quest in itself, tied to the Mages Guild storyline. You'll need a Grand Soul Gem, and then you have to perform a ritual at a Necromancer's Altar during a specific celestial event known as the 'Shade of the Revenant.' This event occurs every eight days. When you successfully perform the ritual with an empty Grand Soul Gem, it transforms into a Black Soul Gem. The key here is that a Black Soul Gem, once created, is always considered 'filled' with the potential to capture a humanoid soul. It doesn't get 'filled' in the same way a regular Soul Gem does by trapping a creature; its purpose is specifically for those more powerful, sentient souls.
So, to recap: for regular Soul Gems, check their inventory description or icon for a 'filled' status. For Black Soul Gems, their very existence signifies their readiness to trap a humanoid soul. They are the ultimate tool for those looking to maximize their enchanting power, though they come with the rather grim implication of what you've had to do to acquire them.