Abilities (Skyrim)

Abilities in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim are defined by their passive nature. They are magical effects that increase various stats and values of the Dragonborn's.

Abilities are determined by the Dragonborn's race, or obtained by completing quests and tasks throughout the game. Active abilities will appear in the Active Effects list, under Magic.

Abilities are considered separate from powers, as they do not require activation.

Racial abilities
The following are abilities inherent to certain races of Skyrim. Not all races are mutually exclusive: i.e., the Dragonborn can be a Vampire or a Werewolf in addition to whichever starting race was chosen. It is, however, impossible to be both a Vampire and a Werewolf simultaneously.

Quest abilities
The following are permanent abilities granted at the conclusion of particular quests.

Blessings
Blessings are passive, temporary buffs that normally last for eight actual hours of gameplay (as opposed to eight hours of in-game time). They can be obtained by praying at altars, typically located in temples. Only one blessing can be active at a time.

Temporary abilities
These are similar to blessings in that they are temporary in nature, but they can be active at the same time as any of the blessings.

Guardian Stone abilities
Only one of the following passive abilities can be active at a time. They can be acquired by visiting the desired Guardian Stone and activating it.
 * EDIT: Shadow Stone still needs added, it grants one minute of invisibility once a day, it's just south of Riften.

Meditation on the Words of Power
These are made available by talking to Paarthurnax. Only one can be active at a time.