The Rueful Axe is a unique battleaxe found in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Background[]
According to Barbas, this axe was given to Sebastian Lort, who had begged Clavicus Vile to help him cure his daughter of Lycanthropy. Clavicus Vile likely did this as a sinister joke.
Acquisition[]
- "There's an axe. An incredibly powerful axe. An axe powerful enough for me to have quite a bit of fun, indeed."
- ―Clavicus Vile[src]
It can be obtained during the Daedric quest "A Daedra's Best Friend" and may be granted as a reward from Clavicus Vile in exchange for killing Barbas (Barbas must be killed with the axe, no other weapon or spell will work).
Smithing[]
The axe can be upgraded with an Ebony Ingot and the Arcane Blacksmith perk. However, it does not benefit from any Smithing perks.
Quotes[]
- "'Tis a wicked axe you wield there, friend. That blade looks sharp enough to cut through a god." —Hold Guards, if the axe is equipped.
- "One of Clavicus's little jests. A wizard named Sebastian Lort had a daughter who worshiped Hircine. When the daughter became a werewolf it drove Sebastian over the edge. He couldn't stand to see his little girl take on such a bestial form. The wizard wished for the ability to end his daughter's curse. Clavicus gave him an axe." —Barbas, when asked about the axe.
Trivia[]
- The Rueful Axe does not count towards the achievements/trophies Daedric Influence and Oblivion Walker, despite Vile offering it as a reward.
- The Rueful Axe swings much slower than any other weapon.
- The axe has two howling wolf motifs on the sides, a nod towards what became of Sebastian's daughter.
- The Rueful Axe will sound like a one-handed sword when drawn and sheathed.
Bugs[]
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This section contains bugs related to The Rueful Axe. Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:
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- If placed on a weapon rack in Hjerim, it will descend into the floor until it disappears. This bug is also associated with Volendrung. This also occurs at Lakeview Manor, it will sink progressively over time and will "reset" if taken off and placed back again.
- The Rueful Axe will sound like a sword when unsheathing and sheathing.
- Occasionally, if placed on a weapon rack and the Dragonborn's follower picks it up from the rack, it will count the weapon as stolen causing housecarls to attack the Dragonborn. The Rueful Axe will now always be labeled as stolen. If it is sold to a fence to remove the stolen label, it will just come back as stolen.confirmation needed
- Upgrading the axe may lower the damage it causes instead of improving it.
- Holding the Rueful Axe causes NPC dialogue lines to trigger suggesting that the axe has a fire enchantment, which it does not.