Magic from the Sky ( Online ) Content . The ancient Ayleid s believed that Nirn was composed of four basic elements - - earth , water , air , and light - - and of these four elements , they believed the most sublime form of light was star light . The stars are our links to the plane of Aetherius , the source of all magic al power , and therefore , light from the stars is the most potent and exalted of all magical powers . From time to time , fragments of Aetherius fall from the heavens . The people know these fragments as ' shooting stars ' , and from time to time , such Aetherial fragments are found on Nirn . The most common varieties are known as ' meteoric iron ' ; this metal is prized by armorers and enchanters for its properties in the forging of enchanted weapons and armors . This meteoric iron is also the primary component in ' Ayleid Wells , ' ancient enchanted artifacts found throughout Cyrodiil . Another , rarer form of Aetherial fragment is called ' meteroic glass ' . It is from such fragments that other rare Ayleid enchanted artifacts are crafted - - Welkynd Stones and Varla Stone s . Ayleids Wells are scattered across Cyrodiil ' s landscape . Their siting is a mystery ; they are not associated with any known Ayleid cities or settlements . It is presumed that , in some manner , they harvest magical power from starlight . It is also suggested , without evidence or support , that they are located at the meeting points of ancient lines of magical power ; however , modern arcane arts have discovered no perceptible evidence of such lines of power . Those with magical talents can draw magicka from Ayleid wells to restore their own reservoirs of magical power . No ritual or arcane knowledge is necessary , suggesting that these wells were designed to serve persons not skilled in the magical arts . Once drained , the wells replenish again only at magical midnight . Once recharged , they appear to radiate magical power back into the sky , which prompts some to theorize they are also objects with religious or magical ritual significance - - perhaps a means of offering magic back to the heavens . Welkynd Stones ( Aldmeris - " sky stone , " " heaven stone " ; literally , " sky child " ) are pieces of cut and enchanted meteoric glass which apparently act as storage devices for magical power . A magical talent can restore his reservoirs of magicka from such stones . Alas , the means of restoring power to these stones may have been lost with the Ayleids . Currently , these objects simply crumble to dust after they have been used . Great Welkynd Stone s are exceptionally large pieces of enchanted meteoric glass . Scholars believe that at the heart of each ancient Ayleid city , a Great Welkynd Stone was the source of the settlement ' s magical enchantments . It may be that these great stones were linked to the lesser stones , restoring and maintaining their power . In any case , research on these Great Welkynd Stones is impossible , since all the known Ayleid ruins have been looted of their great stones , and no examples of these great stones are known to survive . Another rare enchanted item found in Ayleid ruins is called a Varla Stone ( Aldmeris - " star stone " ) . Varla Stones are remarkably powerful , enabling untrained users to restore magical energy to any number of enchanted items . Because of their great value and utility , these items are also extremely rare , but since they are small and easily concealed , diligent explorers may still occasionally come across them in any Ayelid ruin . Ayleid Wells . Welkynd Stones . Varla Stones . Consider , then , these marvels of magical enchantment . Are we then to conclude that the Ayleids were a superior race and culture ? Did they so exceed us in art and craft that they mock the feeble powers of Second Era Wizards ? Never ! The Ayleids were powerful , yes , and cunning , but they were neither good nor wise , and so they were struck down . Their works have passed from Nirn , save these rare and sparkling treasures . Their ancient cities are dark and empty , save for the grim revenants and restless spirits condemned forever to walk the halls , keeping their melancholy vigils over bones and dust .