The world ofThe Elder Scrollshas a vast history that has been shaped by a lot of people. Mages in particular have played both huge and small roles in the way the world of Tamriel has been shaped. The world of magic is just as unique and different as the races that live in it.
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While there are many mages inSkyrim, there are a few that have played important roles. Some have passed on totheir respective afterlives, while others are still alive and changing the way the magical universe works.
Updated July 19, 2025, by Sarah Prado:Whether the people of Tamriel like it or not, mages have had a heavy hand in shaping the world around them. It’s understandable why most people are wary or distrustful of them since mages have done just as much bad as they have good. Some mages have become so powerful that even the Daedric Princes will acknowledge their strength and try to get them on their side. That, or stay out of their way. Whether they’re seeking power, knowledge, or something else, the most powerful Skyrim mages have played major roles in shaping Tamriel and the way that mages are viewed.
20Abnur Tharn
Fans ofThe Elder Scrolls Onlineknow this talented mage very well since he’s part of the main quest in both the main storyline and theElsweyrDLC. Abnur Tharn was the Imperial Grand Chancellor of the Elder Council as well as being the Imperial Battlemage for various emperors for 117 years. Thanks to dealings with the Daedric Princes and having immense power, the Three Banners War started in an attempt to dispose of Tharn and his family.
Despite this, Tharn remained in power as very few could even match him. He was theonly one who knew the spellto imbue the Vestige (the player character) with enough power to stop Molag Bal and his Planemeld. He also helped to stop the dragons and prevent the magicka of the Aeonstone from destroying Elsweyr.
19Verandis Ravenwatch
A pureblood vampire that uses his powers for moral good and a very powerful mage, Verandis is the founder of House Ravenwatch: a noble house that provided a safe haven for vampires who forsake their murderous ways and use their powers for good. For centuries, Verandis has helped other vampires to change their ways and make them part of his family. He’s a very powerful mage that knows how to hide his vampiric appearance so that mortals won’t feel uneasy around him, or know his true nature.
He helped in destroying the Lightless Remnant, an artifact that would’ve corrupted and devastated the entire region of Rivenspire byturning everyone into vampiresor bloodfiends. Verandis also helped in stopping the Grey Host from using the Dark Heart to sacrifice all the souls in the Reach to bring back the Grey Host souls from Coldharbour. However, this means that Verandis is forever tied to the Dark Heart and now watches over it to make sure that it can never be used again.
18Luciana Pullo
In game, Luciana might seem like any other high-ranking member of the Apostles of Clockwork City, butthis mage has some interesting historybehind her. Before becoming an Apostle, Luciana was a battlemage and lieutenant in Reman Cyrodiil’s (founder of the Reman Dynasty) army during the First Akavari Invasion during the First Era. It is said that Luciana burned down a whole regiment of Tsaesci, which earned her the Tsaesci title of “Xhiado Kas,” the Flame Maiden.
Luciana also played a key part in the main quest for theClockwork CityDLC. She was the only one who could use a shadow-banishing light spell that was strong enough to keep the Daedric Prince, Nocturnal’s shadows at bay. Thanks to this spell, Sotha Sil was able to regain his shadow from Nocturnal’s control and banish her from his realm.
17Vastarie, AKA The Witch Of Azurah
Vastarie is an Altmer Lich who studied on Artaeum before leaving to further her studies on soul magic. She was also one of the first, if not the first, people to discover Black Soul Gems. Though Necromancy is outlawed in most areas and brings fear to most people, Vastarie has made it clear that she doesn’t wish to control the dead for power, but rather speak with and learn more about them. She and her husband, Telacar, were a part of Mannimarco’s Worm Cult for a short time, but Vastarie left when she saw he was after power. She also left because she saw Telacar following the same path after the death of their son.
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Since then, Vastarie has achieved lichdom and serves Azura, the Daedric Prince of Dawn and Dusk. She knows how to use illusion magic to keep her decayed appearance hidden, showing that she is well-versed in other schools of magic. If anything, Vastarie shows that not all necromancers have ill intentions when it comes to the art and uses her powers for good.
16Mankar Camoran
The leader of the Mythic Dawn, the cult that started the Oblivion Crisis. Mankar Camoran was given the Mysterium Xarxes,a Daedric Artifact, by Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedric Prince of Destruction. The Mysterium Xarxes is known to corrupt the minds of those who have it, but Mankar didn’t suffer from any ill effects and was able to use it without any problems.
He was able to create his own plane of Oblivion known as Gaiar Alata/Paradise thanks to this book. Mankar was also able to wear the Amulet of Kings, an amulet that can only be worn by Dragonborn. This led some to believe that he is a Dragonborn or that he gained some kind of magic to be able to wear it.
15Vanus Galerion
Vanus Galerion is one of the most well-known mages in Tamrielic history. Born to common laborers, Vanus was taught by his father to read even though it was against the law for them. After his father was executed when he was eight years old, he fled to the other side of the Summerset Isles by himself. A traveling group of troubadours found him and nursed him back to health. A soothsayer in the group found Vanus to be gifted and sent him to Artaem when he was eleven years old.
It was here that Vanus trained under the Psijic Order. He and his friend, Mannimarco, were the best apprentices but were very different from each other. When Mannimarco left the Psijic Order to pursue the arts of necromancy, Vanus left to start the Mages Guild to stop him and be free of the Psijic Order’s rules. Vanus fought against his former friend during the Second Era and died in battle.
14Mannimarco, The King Of Worms
The Leader of the Worm Cult and one of the most notorious necromancers in Tamrielic history. Before becoming the King of Worms, he was a mage in the Psijic Order along with Vanus Galerion. During this time, he became interested in the art of necromancy. After being banished from the Order, Mannimarco didn’t stop his research and delved deeper into his studies of the dark arts. He started the Worm Cult during the second era and served the Daedric Prince of Domination, Molag Bal.
After Molag Bal’s failed attempt to take over Tamriel, Mannimarco and his former friend, Vanus Galerion would battle each other in a battle called The Great Battle. Mannimarco would turn himself into one of the first-known liches, an undead mage, during this.
13Queen Potema Septim, AKA Potema The Wolf Queen
Considered “unambiguously evil” by scholars, Queen Potema Septim is a very powerful mage. Born to the famous Septim family, Potema craved power and wanted to rule Tamriel as empress instead of settling for being the queen of Solitude. After she tried underhanded tactics to try to take over the Empire, she assembled an army and started the War of the Red Diamond.
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Potema used necromancy to summon armies of the undead to fight for her alongwith summoning Daedra. This has made her one of the most notable necromancers in history and cemented her evil reputation. She was almost successful in her attempt to resurrect herself but was stopped by the Dragonborn inSkyrim.
12Divayth Fyr
A powerful sorcerer that has lived for 4,000 years. Divayth Fyr is a mage from the famous House Telvanni. He has lived far longer than the average Dark Elf and has experienced a lot in his long life. He’s dabbled in necromancy, studied alongside Sotha Sil, went to Oblivion, and later studied with the Psijic Order.
One other thing that shows just howpowerful and well-versed in magiche is, he created four female clones of himself. All four of his clones are not just mindless dolls but have their own personalities.
11Neloth
Another powerful wizard from House Telvanni. Elder Scrolls fans will recognize him fromThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, but he also appeared inThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim: DragonbornDLC. This wizard is one the best in the Telvanni family and has lived a long time. He is a master-ranked member and a Councilor which shows just how powerful he is.
Some have even considered him the most powerful wizard in Morrowind. Though his experiments can be a little sketchy, there is no denying that his research has led to great feats. While in Solstheim, he was able to somewhat successfully transplant his former apprentice’s heart with a heart stone, a stone with magical properties.
