On the ethics of soul gems and soul trapping.

[Razorback174]

I never really got into enchanting in this game, but I do understand how it works (soul trap, black soul gems vs white soul gems, etc.). Anyways, I've always wondered what everyone else made of this aspect ethically. Yeah, I feel no remorse killing bloodthirsty bandits, but what if you soul trapped them before they died? I mean, you're taking their eternal soul to fuel your enchanting! You rob them of any sense of a pleasant afterlife and curse them to eternity in that dreadful place called the Soul Cairn (I won't elaborate due to spoilers). Just curious to know what everyone else thought. Do you think it's one of the most evil things to do in this game?

[Taiwan Number One]

I know it's a game, but I have moral qualms about it too. Kinda wish they hadn't explained where souls go after you use a soul gem.

[fran25]

Look just train to 90 and then disenchant some items if you think it is wrong. This is a game not a relegious sermon. I suggest you find a game on the bible if you find it offensive.

[Razorback174]

I'm not offended by it, I know it's just a game. But I just wanted to know what people see it from RP-wise, such as "Would a 'good' character do enchanting, even if it meant playing with others eternal souls?"

[Xingkitsu (Xemgoa)]

I'm still uncomfortable about it unless they are straight up evil or completely bad bandits.

To be honest though I wish there was a more complicated method but more ethically right method of using your own Magicka to place your own enchantments by hand.

[fran25]

You join the Dark Brotherhood and Murder People In Cold Blood. You see a Thailmore and you want to kill him. You join the Thieves Guild and steal from people. I do not see any real difference in a soul gem especially if you take it from someone who is trying to kill you.

[Stania]

I only soul trap very, very annoying enemies and use them to enchant my best weapons and armor.
I wish I could have the option to break a gem (obtaining soul gem fragments in the process, for immersion purposes), and free the soul. For my enemies, getting their soul trapped would be a temporal punishment for their bad behavior and for pissing me off.

It's ironic that, despite of soul trapping people and using black soul gems is highly taboo and illegal, you won't get in trouble if you use one near someone.

[fran25]

You also pick pockets. Forgot that one. The Dragonborn is not an innocent player.

[𝕊𝕋𝕌ℝ𝕄-𝕂𝔸𝕋]

Doesn't bother me..I like to think that my character releases their soul through magic of his own when enchanting...so that the souls dissipate into the Ether...to rest. Screw Lore..there ain't no one can tell me how I play my game. All souls I use get released upon using the gem, period :)

[Xingkitsu (Xemgoa)]

Originally posted by slofish_00:

I've got more of an ethical conflict with killing poor innocent wooly mammoths for
grand souls. Over time I've collected a bunch of filled soul gems from tombs and chests.
I build up enchanting using petty and lesser souls from crabs, those creepy spiders,
psychotic wolves and those ultra creepy Falmer. Save grand souls for later when you've
got the skill to put a powerful enchanment on something.

As far as that goes; I don't recall any difference in enchantmenrts with Black soul gems
versus Grand soul gems. So save Black soul gems for the truly evil type end Bosses.
Too bad you can't label them and display them.

There is a mod that labels whats in the soul gems.

[PixelPainter]

Soul Cairn: Better than a few other planes of Oblivion. Also, bandits murder people for their stuff, conjurers/necromancers murder or abduct them and do experiments on them (kids too accoding to that crucified guy's journal if I recall properly) , and vampires enslave people to be tortured or die for their pleasure/dinner. Most of them don't even feel bad about it, treating their victims worse than insects... Then there's the Thalmor... They should feel lucky that they got dropped off in the Soul Cairn, as opposed to Mehrunes' place.

I do feel bad about the animals, though...This could all be fixed with the ability to release people (and animals) from the Soul Cairn, or defeat the PMs. I wish I could do a better job of making mods...

[Juzt_Lernin]

They were trying to kill you, nuff said.

[Xingkitsu (Xemgoa)]

Originally posted by OrElise:

Soul Cairn: Better than a few other planes of Oblivion. Also, bandits murder people for their stuff, conjurers/necromancers murder or abduct them and do experiments on them (kids too accoding to that crucified guy's journal if I recall properly) , and vampires enslave people to be tortured or die for their pleasure/dinner. Most of them don't even feel bad about it, treating their victims worse than insects... Then there's the Thalmor... They should feel lucky that they got dropped off in the Soul Cairn, as opposed to Mehrunes' place.

I do feel bad about the animals, though...This could all be fixed with the ability to release people (and animals) from the Soul Cairn, or defeat the PMs. I wish I could do a better job of making mods...

Heh, it takes time lad. I think you did a fine job, if you did nothing... you wouldn't know where to improve~

...Hm... I've seen Dawnguard on Videos, about the Ideal masters...

...A Mod about taking on the Ideal masters to free souls...

[Sol]

1. Many of the things you are trapping are fiendish creatures.

2. Humanoids can only be trapped with Black Soul Gems, making it perhaps questionable, but you don't have to use them.

3. There are many immoral things you do throughout the game. I hope xians realize this is all in a pretend world and people aren't actually getting their souls trapped.

[Jogon]

Its a role playing dilemma which you have to decide on regarding the character you create. If you do not feel happy about the black soul gem capture, do not pick them up. As far as the other soul gems are concerned you need them to recharge your enchanted weapons. I have no worries about capturing the souls of vampires, necromancers and black mages. I carry two bows for that purpose. Only one captures souls.

[Armored Gato]

i just tell myself, bandits like these are the ones who kidnapped and raped Saphhire, ive no qualms using their souls to met out justice.