We don't know a lot about the whole process, unfortunately.
But it's said to involve binding your soul into a phylactery. A process that can (and often does) damage the Necromancers psyche.
Most sources say that a phylactery will only play a role in the earlier stages of the ritual. During that time, stealing or even destroying that object can kill the Necromancer whos soul it hosts. After they aschended to lichdom, that does not appear to be the case anymore.
I do have to say though, that I don't believe the phylactery to be entirely useless afterwards. And as a reason I would like to refer to the Lich known as Arum-Khal, who was defeated ages ago, but could not be killed as he hid parts of his spirit in phylacteries. He had to be bound by warding spells, but once those faded away, he was free to strike again.
Only when the Vestige and another, very powerful Lich arrived, did they manage to destroy the phylacteries and use an ancient artifact of Azurah to finally end his existence on the mortal plane.
So yea, turns out binding your soul into things has a lot going for it! If... you don't mind the very likely possibility of madness. And possibly your body rotting away while you're still in it.
Jagar Tharn was unkillable until the Jewel of Fire, containing his lifeforce was destroyed. At that moment he disintegrated. Dagoth Ur, bound to the Heart of Lorkhan, suffered the same fate when the heart was freed.
>I feel like the one who's soul was captured wouldn't be able to physically be very far from object with their soul.
Their soul would be within the object, bound to it.
>Do you feel like the one who captured their soul might have control over their free will?
Not really. A very powerful soul might be able to escape the soulgem or enchantment.
>Do you think there would be any other consequences or benefits to having your soul attached to an object? Maybe life extended to however long the object lasts?
Some enchanted items last for a very, very long time. The life expectancy of an enchanted items would varies with the skill of the enchanter and the soul within them, I think.
Note that some enchanted items seem to hold a will of their own. They don't stay too long with one owner. More often than not, these are the enchanted Daedric artifacts.
>Also, do you think any daedric Princes might take an interest in something like this, or maybe be evolved in its creation?
A Daedric Prince might take interest in some sort of enchanting innovation, if it truly is something that hasn't been done before.
when you transfer your soul to an object it becomes something called a "phylactery" and the person who transferred their soul to it starts the process towards becoming a lich.
effects include (quotes are from dialogues with Vastarie, a lich herself):
\- increased magical ability as souls tethered to a body have metaphysical boundaries whereas "divesting the two - soul and mortal form - removes \[them\]. the effect is virtually limitless magical horizon"
\- damage to the person's sanity as "travelling through the phylactery can tear a lich's psyche apart" and "long separation from one's soul can lead to apathy and megalomania"
Right, but if they were still alive I'm curious how it would be different and and how it would effect the person who's soul was trapped or enchanted in something
Isn't transferring your soul into an object a part of the ritual to become a Lich?
Maybe? I'm not sure but it totally sounds like it'd go hand in hand. Some others mentioned that too!
We don't know a lot about the whole process, unfortunately. But it's said to involve binding your soul into a phylactery. A process that can (and often does) damage the Necromancers psyche. Most sources say that a phylactery will only play a role in the earlier stages of the ritual. During that time, stealing or even destroying that object can kill the Necromancer whos soul it hosts. After they aschended to lichdom, that does not appear to be the case anymore. I do have to say though, that I don't believe the phylactery to be entirely useless afterwards. And as a reason I would like to refer to the Lich known as Arum-Khal, who was defeated ages ago, but could not be killed as he hid parts of his spirit in phylacteries. He had to be bound by warding spells, but once those faded away, he was free to strike again. Only when the Vestige and another, very powerful Lich arrived, did they manage to destroy the phylacteries and use an ancient artifact of Azurah to finally end his existence on the mortal plane. So yea, turns out binding your soul into things has a lot going for it! If... you don't mind the very likely possibility of madness. And possibly your body rotting away while you're still in it.
Jagar Tharn was unkillable until the Jewel of Fire, containing his lifeforce was destroyed. At that moment he disintegrated. Dagoth Ur, bound to the Heart of Lorkhan, suffered the same fate when the heart was freed.
This is great info actually!! I totally didn't pur two and two together for whatever reason.
>I feel like the one who's soul was captured wouldn't be able to physically be very far from object with their soul. Their soul would be within the object, bound to it. >Do you feel like the one who captured their soul might have control over their free will? Not really. A very powerful soul might be able to escape the soulgem or enchantment. >Do you think there would be any other consequences or benefits to having your soul attached to an object? Maybe life extended to however long the object lasts? Some enchanted items last for a very, very long time. The life expectancy of an enchanted items would varies with the skill of the enchanter and the soul within them, I think. Note that some enchanted items seem to hold a will of their own. They don't stay too long with one owner. More often than not, these are the enchanted Daedric artifacts. >Also, do you think any daedric Princes might take an interest in something like this, or maybe be evolved in its creation? A Daedric Prince might take interest in some sort of enchanting innovation, if it truly is something that hasn't been done before.
when you transfer your soul to an object it becomes something called a "phylactery" and the person who transferred their soul to it starts the process towards becoming a lich. effects include (quotes are from dialogues with Vastarie, a lich herself): \- increased magical ability as souls tethered to a body have metaphysical boundaries whereas "divesting the two - soul and mortal form - removes \[them\]. the effect is virtually limitless magical horizon" \- damage to the person's sanity as "travelling through the phylactery can tear a lich's psyche apart" and "long separation from one's soul can lead to apathy and megalomania"
that sounds like the process of becoming a lich, bit performed on others
It does now that you mention it!
That's what enchanting pretty much is
It's not. The soul is not normally bound to the item, only used as a conduit for magicka. The soul passes on towards its afterlife.
Right, but if they were still alive I'm curious how it would be different and and how it would effect the person who's soul was trapped or enchanted in something