Shade of the Revenant Calculator
Your essential tool for tracking the Necromancer’s Moon in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
What is the Shade of the Revenant?
The Shade of the Revenant, also known as the Necromancer’s Moon, is a crucial celestial event in the world of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. It is a specific time, lasting 24 hours, during which necromancers can perform a dark ritual to create powerful Black Soul Gems. This event does not follow the regular calendar months; instead, it occurs precisely every 8 days, starting from the very first day of your adventure. Understanding its cycle is vital for any player wishing to delve into the dark arts of soul trapping, and this shade of the revenant calculator simplifies that tracking process.
Shade of the Revenant Formula and Explanation
The game determines the appearance of the Shade based on a simple mathematical cycle. The key is the “Days Passed” statistic found in your journal. The event is active if the number of days passed, minus one, is perfectly divisible by 8. Our calculator uses this exact logic to provide an instant and accurate result. Want to know when to plan your next dark ritual? Check out our Oblivion Character Build Planner to schedule your necromantic activities.
The formula is: (Days Passed - 1) % 8 == 0
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days Passed | The total number of full days elapsed since the game started. | Days (in-game) | 1 to ∞ |
| Result | The outcome, determining if the Shade is active. | Boolean (Active/Inactive) | N/A |
Practical Examples
Example 1: The Shade is Active
Let’s say you open your journal and see “Days Passed: 41”.
- Input: 41
- Calculation: (41 – 1) % 8 = 40 % 8 = 0
- Result: Since the remainder is 0, the Shade of the Revenant is active today. It’s time to find a Necromancer’s Altar!
Example 2: The Shade is Inactive
Imagine your journal shows “Days Passed: 52”.
- Input: 52
- Calculation: (52 – 1) % 8 = 51 % 8 = 3
- Result: The remainder is 3, so the Shade is not active. The calculator will also show that the next Shade will occur in 5 days (8 – 3 = 5). Perfect time to go gathering Grand Soul Gems or consult an Oblivion Alchemy Calculator for potions.
How to Use This Shade of the Revenant Calculator
- Open Your Journal: In Oblivion, navigate to the “Stats” page in your journal.
- Find “Days Passed”: Locate the statistic labeled “Days Passed” and note the number.
- Enter the Value: Type this number into the input field of the calculator above.
- Interpret the Result: The calculator will instantly tell you if the Shade is active. If not, it will state how many days you need to wait. The table of upcoming dates also helps you plan far in advance.
Key Factors for the Black Soul Gem Ritual
Using the shade of the revenant calculator is the first step. To successfully create a Black Soul Gem, you must have all the following components ready on the correct day:
- The Correct Time: The Shade must be active. Our calculator ensures you don’t miss this 24-hour window.
- A Necromancer’s Altar: You must find one of the four special altars in Cyrodiil. These are located near Dark Fissure, Fort Istirius, Fort Linchal, and Wendelbek.
- A Grand Soul Gem: The ritual only works with an empty Grand Soul Gem. Lesser gems will not be transformed. Stocking up on these is a good idea, and our Grand Soul Gem Farming Guide can help.
- The Soul Trap Spell: You must cast a Soul Trap spell directly onto the altar after placing the gem inside. A spell scroll or a custom-made spell will work. Weapon enchantments of Soul Trap will not.
- Visual Confirmation: On the day of the Shade, a beam of red or purple light will shine down from the sky onto the altar, confirming the ritual is possible.
- Understanding the Lore: Knowing the story behind Mannimarco and the Necromancer’s Moon can enhance the experience. Dive deeper with our Guide to Mannimarco’s Lore.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What makes Black Soul Gems so special?
Black Soul Gems are the only type of soul gem in Oblivion capable of trapping the souls of humanoid NPCs (like bandits, mages, or citizens). All NPC souls are Grand-level, making Black Soul Gems the most reliable way to get powerful enchantments.
2. Why does my journal say “Days Passed: 9” but the calculator says the Shade is active?
That’s correct! The formula is based on an 8-day cycle that starts on Day 1. So, the active days are 1, 9, 17, 25, 33, etc. Our shade of the revenant calculator handles this logic perfectly.
3. Where are the Necromancer’s Altars located?
They are found at four exterior locations: outside the cave Dark Fissure, near Fort Istirius, by Fort Linchal, and at the ruins of Wendelbek. The Mages Guild quest “Necromancer’s Moon” will lead you to one.
4. The calculator said the Shade was active, but there was no light at the altar. What’s wrong?
There is a rare glitch where the cycle can be offset by a day. If you are certain of your “Days Passed” number, try waiting another 24 hours. Also, ensure you are at the correct outdoor altar location. Our Guide to Common Glitches has more info.
5. Can I perform the ritual if I haven’t started the Mages Guild quests?
Yes. The ritual mechanics are part of the core game and are not locked by the questline. You can perform the ritual anytime as long as you have the components and the timing is right.
6. Do I need an empty Grand Soul Gem?
Yes, absolutely. The ritual will not work on a soul gem that is already filled, nor will it work on any gem smaller than Grand.
7. How do I get the Soul Trap spell?
You can purchase the Soul Trap spell from various Mages Guild members (like Druja in Skingrad or Alberic Litte in Chorrol) once your Mysticism skill is high enough, or find it on spell scrolls.
8. How many gems can I convert at once?
You can place multiple empty Grand Soul Gems into the altar’s inventory and convert them all with a single cast of Soul Trap.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Mastering the arcane arts in Oblivion requires knowledge. Use our other resources to become an unstoppable force in Cyrodiil.
- Alchemy Ingredient Calculator: Find the perfect potion recipes with any ingredients.
- Character Build Planner: Plan your skills and attributes for the ultimate character.
- Grand Soul Gem Farming Guide: A comprehensive guide on where to find the gems you need for the ritual.
- Enchanting 101: Learn the basics and advanced techniques of enchanting your gear.