Unveiling the Mystery of Skyrim's Imperfect Varla Stones

Rare Curios is a part of Skyrim Anniversary Edition, introducing a wide array of fresh items to enhance the gameplay. One intriguing addition is the Flawed Varla Stones, which unfortunately lack substantial in-game information.

If Skyrim players are seeking guidance on how to utilize their Flawed Varla Stones, this comprehensive guide provides all the necessary details. Despite its slightly restricted capabilities, this item proves immensely valuable and is certainly worthwhile for dedicated Enchanters to possess.

Updated July 7, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: Varla Stones, as well as Flawed Varla Stones, are newly introduced items in Skyrim's Anniversary Edition release. However, avid Elder Scrolls fans will instantly recognize these iconic objects. Originally found in Oblivion, Flawed Varla Stones are a potent resource for those who possess magical abilities. They not only help save inventory space but also alleviate the hassle of managing multiple types of Stones. While Skyrim Varla Stones have a known glitch that can erase the captured souls within a stack, it is still worthwhile to familiarize oneself with the functionality of Flawed Varla Stones. Despite this rare bug, obtaining them is considerably easier than one might expect given their unique effect.

What Is A Varla Stone, And What Is a Flawed Varla Stone?

In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, players can find Varla Stones in ancient Ayleid ruins. With the release of Anniversary Edition, these stones now have a different functionality. Varla Stones and Flawed Varla Stones share similarities with Soul Gems, but there is one major difference: they can be reused. Unlike Soul Gems, Varla Stones do not break upon use, allowing players to recharge them repeatedly for future applications.

Although Flawed Varla Stones are considered "flawed," they can still be reused and possess the same power as Common Soul Gems. Consequently, the Flawed Varla Stone becomes a valuable tool for enchanting weapons and armor in Skyrim, eliminating the need for players to hoard Common Soul Gems.

By acquiring a few of these stones, players can consistently level up their Enchanting skill, and they can also be sold for a respectable price once they are no longer useful. While a Common Soul Gem-level enchantment may not be particularly remarkable, players may eventually opt for regular Varla Stones and stronger Soul Gems instead.

Alternatives to Flawed Varla Stones In The Base Game

In addition to Flawed Varla Stones, there are other Soul Gems in this legendary RPG that can be reused. Two examples of these are Azur's Star and the Black Star, which offer a similar functionality. It is worth noting that players can only possess one of these Soul Gems at a time, even though both are available in the base game.

These special Soul Gems are obtained by completing Skyrim's Black Star quest. The quest can be started by speaking with Aranea Lenith at the Shrine of Azura, located just outside of Winterhold. The Black Star is generally regarded as the superior choice among the two available rewards. However, players are encouraged to select Azura's Star if it aligns better with their roleplaying preferences.

How To Get A Skyrim Flawed Varla Stone

As with the other objects showcased in the Rare Curios Creation, one can acquire these stones from Khajiit caravan traders who traverse the various settlements scattered throughout Skyrim. In addition, they may also be unearthed in specific dungeons, albeit exceedingly infrequently.

Flawed Varla Stone Locations: Caravan

In Skyrim Anniversary Edition, players can encounter three Khajiit trading caravans. One caravan travels between Whiterun and Markarth, another between Windhelm and Solitude, and the last between Dawnstar and Riften. Flawed Varla Stones are commonly sold by vendors in these caravans.

It is more efficient to visit the cities where the Khajiit caravan stops rather than attempting to locate them on the road. When the caravan members reach these cities, they set up camp and stay for a few days. Therefore, it is easier to wait outside one of these cities repeatedly until the caravan appears.

Flawed Varla Stone Locations: Bosses and Chests

Moreover, players may occasionally obtain Flawed Varla Stones from boss chests; however, it should not be expected to encounter them frequently through this method. Notably, it seems that these stones are restricted to Anniversary Edition regions or locations that have been enhanced with Anniversary Edition content, particularly those associated with Saints and Seducers.

Flawed Varla Stones and normal Varla Stones are not found in the regular loot table of merchants and cannot be found on the ground, except in specific areas related to the Saints and Seducers questline. A few of these stones can be found in Ayleid ruins discovered during this questline, and they should respawn like other crafting materials after a short period of time.

Some players have reported issues with stacking Flawed Varla Stones. Occasionally, stacks of these stones appear to function as a single stone, causing the captured souls on each individual stone to be erased and rendering them mostly empty and useless.

If this occurs, try dropping the Flawed Varla Stones that are affected and then picking them up again, as this seems to resolve the problem in many instances. However, it's worth noting that for certain players, the missing souls of the Flawed Varla Stones may persist even after implementing this solution. In such cases, you might want to consider reducing your autosave interval or developing a habit of frequently saving manually.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Anniversary Edition can be found on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.