Racial Motifs 37 : Ebony Content . By Frikkhild Coldheart of The Anvil & Pauldron The Ebony style of arms and armor : so striking , so strange , so distinctive that there ' s no mistaking it . But how are we to account for its bizarre admixture of stylistic forms , , , and even ? Where does it come from , and who established it ? I have spent years seeking the answers to these questions , and all I have for my pains are a few names and terms that may ( or may not ) apply . Mackkan . Caldera . Fickledire . " Glorious Upheaval . " I wish I knew what these words mean , but I do not . I only know that the Ebony style is ancient , and can be defined as described below . AXES The Ebony - style axe is notable for its oversized single blade , twice as long below the axle as above it . There is a spike opposite the blade , and another one , curved , at the ferrule . BELTS The Ebony belt is surprisingly simple , considering how ornate the rest of the armor set can be . It ' s constructed of black leather with metal rivets , and a shield - shaped buckle at the front . BOOTS The boots of Ebony armor are articulated metal sabatons , with overlapping chevron - shaped plates similar to those on other pieces of the set . The toes are pointed , but the heels are flat , and can be equipped with spurs . BOWS The Ebony bow is of heavy compound composition , dark springy hardwoods faced with ebony in the set ' s chevron pattern . It features inward - curving metal spikes above and below the central grip . The quiver , in contrast , is of supple black leather , holding arrows whose points have a slight , wicked curve . CHEST PIECES The cuirass is constructed of overlapping ebony plates atop leather or chainmail , articulated so the wearer can bend freely . The breastplate is shield - shaped , above double - chevron bands that protect the abdomen . They may be embossed with jagged flame symbols of Daedric inspiration . DAGGERS The Ebony dagger has a long , slender blade with a slight S - curve to it , reminiscent of the dark rocky Coldharbour spikes that accompany incursions of the Planemeld . Its crossguard is minimal : it ' s a dagger for thrusting , not parrying . GLOVES Ebony gauntlets are of black leather with thin , articulated plates protecting the backs of the hand and fingers . Pointed metal flanges protect the forearms on the heavier variations . HELMETS Ebony helms resemble those worn by Dremora , with full visors , crests , and flaring wing - shaped prongs over the ears . The eye - slits are narrow and deliberately sinister in aspect . LEG GREAVES The greaves are constructed to the same design as the rest of the armor set , with overlapping chevron - shaped plates , and shield - shaped poleyns at the knees . MACES The Ebony warhammer is a decidedly nasty affair , with a heavy flanged head and a curved back spike . The haft is partly sheathed in metal for parrying purposes , while the ferrule sports the same curved spike seen on the bottom of the axe handles . SHIELDS The Ebony shield clearly shows the armor set ' s mixed stylistic heritage : though kite - shaped like a heavy Nord shield , its bulbous central forms resemble Dunmeri bug - armor , all inscribed with unknown runes that look like Daedric script — but aren ' t . SHOULDER ARMOR The pauldrons on Ebony armor are sharp and shield - shaped , with an extra chevron - shaped plate flaring out over the upper arms . There is a layer of thick leather , or even chainmail , beneath the over - plates . STAVES Compared to the ornate detailing on the armor , Ebony spell staves are relatively simple in design , consisting of a shaft of dark hardwood , sheathed in metal toward the top , with a finial of down - flaring crescent wings . The ferrule is equipped with the same curved spike as other hafted Ebony weapons . SWORDS Ebony - style swords are definitely Daedric in inspiration , with crinkled , asymmetrical handles topped by twisted guards , from which sprout single - edged blades with disturbing curves . The sides of the blades are etched with runes that , though traditional to the Ebony style , are of unknown origin .