Divinity in The Elder Scrolls' Tamriel and the world of Nirn rest on the shoulders of various divine beings. Thanks to the efforts of Anu the Everything and his Aedra, the universe of Mundus and all of creation came to fruition at the cost of much of their power. Meanwhile, the Daedra who refused to participate in Mundus's conception reside in their respective realms, having taken an interest in this unique creation. Among the Daedra lie Daedric Princes, an immensely powerful Daedra governing a particular sphere or concept. And Molag Bal lie amongst these Daedric Prince, presiding over everything Domination and Enslavement.
Despite his otherworldly nature, Molag Bal has made a prominent presence across The Elder Scrolls universe. From Arena to Skyrim, Molag Bal reminds Tamriel's netizens that the Daedra can strike at any moment's notice. Alongside Molag Bal's presence lies the Mace of Molag Bal, his signature Daedric artifact. However, just what powers does the Mace of Molag Bal possess? What other secrets does the Mace hide?
10 Appears Across Multiple Games
Similar to other iconic weapons, the Mace of Molag Bal makes an appearance across various titles in the franchise. While it skips an appearance in the first game, the Mace appears in all subsequent games. In turn, players can obtain the Mace of Molag Bal in Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, and even the spin-off Blades. It also makes an appearance in Elder Scrolls Online, where players across various classes and specializations fight some of Tamriel's oldest threats years before the games' present setting.
Due to these various appearances, the Mace holds quite a reputation as one of the most popular weapons in the entire franchise. Interestingly, the lore surrounding the weapon might explain why it makes such a frequent appearance across the franchise's games despite their separate settings.
9 Created By Enslavement
As if sticking to his theme, even Molag Bal's creation of the Mace involved stripping away the freedom of the very smith who forged it. Despite multiple legends about its origin, one, in particular, stands out. Historians note that Molag Bal may have tricked an Orcish blacksmith into traveling to Coldharbour.
Unfortunately, Molag Bal trapped the blacksmith inside and transformed it into a Soul Shriven, a soulless remnant of a mortal that now serves Molag Bal. Afterward, Molag Bal forced this Soul Shriven to construct his Mace.
8 Sticking To The Brutal Motif
As with other Daedric artifacts, the Mace of Molag Bal does remain consistent with the Daedric Prince's themes and motif towards destruction. Essentially, the Mace sports the appearance of an ordinary mace, at least in terms of its rather ordinary steel shaft. However, its ferrule and crown do seem to have a rather terrifying design shift.
Unlike the unimposing shaft, the ferrule and crown have a more angular appearance, as though spikes have appeared and contorted in appearance. The spikes seem to follow a curved pattern that aims to stick and slice through an opponent upon hitting, instead of just bashing them with full force.
7 A Common, Frightening Enchantment
Since the Mace of Molag Bal has an intimate connection with Molag Bal himself, the Daedric artifact does share qualities similar to the Daedric Prince himself. In fact, the Mace of Molag Bal does share a similar powerset across its various appearances. For instance, the Mace of Molag Bal most commonly boasts an ability to transfer the strength of its enemies back to its wielder.
This ability reflects Molag Bal's dominion over enslavement and domination. After all, lack of stamina does make someone much susceptible to become captured. In terms of technicalities, the Mace most commonly has an Enchantment that drains the Magicka and Stamina of its victims and transfers it to the Mace's wielder.
6 Motivated By Mortal Meddling
Unlike other Daedric artifacts, Molag Bal doesn't care much about what happens to the Mace of Molag Bal in the world of Nirn. In fact, Molag Bal freely grants mortals access to his Mace, provided he deems them worthy. Essentially, Molag Bal counts on the artifact falling into the right hands to cause destruction and death.
Meanwhile, Daedric followers believe that the Mace serves as a symbol of Molag Bal's power. In fact, they refer to this artifact as "Master's Mace" and even swear by the Mace.
5 Daggerfall: Molag Bal's Quest
Players can acquire the Mace of Molag Bal in Daggerfall after completing Molag Bal's Quest. After his summoning, the Daedric Prince himself directs the player to a specific cave. Moreover, players have to kill a mage inside that particular cave. Afterward, the player needs to meet Molag Bal's servant in a tavern within a specified time limit to obtain the Mace of themselves.
As with its description, the Mace in Daggerfall steals Strength and Spell Points whenever it strikes an enemy. Interestingly, this Daggerfall quest sheds some insight towards Molag Bal. For instance, players can only obtain the Mace during Molag Bal's summoning day called Chil'a, the 20th Day of the Evening Star.
4 Morrowind: The Vampire's Mace
Players can obtain the Mace of Molag Bal in Morrowind after completing a quest chain in the shrine of Molag Bal. Interested parties can reach the shrine by traveling west of Tel Aruhn, in the ruins of Yansirramus. Upon arrival, the Prince tasks the players to kill a Daedroth called Menta Na in the Kora-Dur caves.
As with the Daggerfall iteration, the Mace of Molag Bal in Morrowind still steals Strength and Magicka. However, players can find a unique tidbit of insight in the artifact's description. As per lore courtesy of the last living Dwemer Yagrum Bagam, the Vampire's Mace seems to specialize in eliminating mages. Fans might remember that Daggerfall's Molag Bal will ask them to kill a mage to gain the artifact.
3 Oblivion: For A Daedric Quest
As with the other games, Oblivion players can obtain the Mace of Molag Bal after completing the Daedric Prince's Daedric Quest. In this quest, the Daedric Prince will force the player to travel to the home of Melus Petillus in Brindle Home. Molag Bal will task the players to provoke this man to the point of killing the player, as Melus himself actually possesses the Mace. In doing so, Molag Bal will resurrect the player and will gain possession of the Mace.
The Mace in Oblivion still has the same qualities as its other iterations. However, perhaps what's interesting is the way players acquired the item this time around. As Molag Bal explained, Melus Petillus is actually an honorable man - a quality he hated.
2 Skyrim: A Fight Of Princes
Interestingly, Skyrim's iteration of the Mace adds a twist to Molag Bal's quest to players. As always, players need to beseech Molag Bal to acquire the quest that will grant them access to the item. This time around, players can only interact with the Prince after he enters the Abandoned House in Markath when he encounters the Witchhunter Vigilant Tyranus. In their exploration, Molag Bal will goad the player to kill the Witchhunter. It's only after this that Molag Bal appears and gives his true quest: make Logrolf the Willful worship Molag Bal and kill him.
As with other games, the Mace possesses the same Enchantments. What's interesting is its Skyrim backstory. Logrolf the Willful actually serves Boethiah, the Daedric Prince of Plots, and holds dominion over secrets and conspiracy. Molag Bal felt insulted as Logrolf performed rites to Boethiah to his altar, so he wanted to see the priest broken and then killed.
1 Interesting Interactions
As it turns out, even other denizens of Tamriel seem to feel "off" should the player come in possession of the Mace. In Skyrim, some people will feel apprehensive, hesitant, and threatened to approach the player. Additionally, this instance only happens once they notice the Mace in their possession.
For instance, some NPCs will comment on the Mace, telling players to get it away from them. These may come in the form of lines such as, "Get it away" or "Get that accursed mace away from me." This is an interesting tidbit, as it seems some NPCs can recognize a Daedric artifact.