Magic Magic , also known as the Clever Craft , is the art or ability to alter the world through magicka . Magic is the manipulation of magicka in order to directly control reality in some way . The individual casting of this force to form a mystical effect is called a spell . One who works magic is a mage . Although all races have magical aptitudes , those with elvish blood outshine the others . Magic is governed by the Intelligence and Willpower attributes . Types of magic . There are eight schools of magic . Each type works in different ways and creates different effects . Other arcane arts . Powers . Powers are magical effects that can be used by people to produce unique and powerful magical effects . They differ from spells in that Powers have zero Magicka cost , are not learned from Spell Tome s , and some can only be used once per day . Different races have their own unique , specific power ( s ) , but all races can gain powers from completing a quest for someone , or from various crafted armor , clothing and other apparel , and / or from unique magical artifacts . Basically , while a spell is a learned technique to channel magic , a power is naturally gifted to the user . Abilities / Active Effects . Abilities / Active Effects are magical effects that , once obtained , are constantly active and increase various statistics and values relative to the person who has them . Abilities / Active Effects differ from Powers in that they do not require activation and are not restricted to once - per - day uses like some powers are . Different races have their own unique abilities , but all races can acquire abilities by completing a quest for someone , or from armor and other apparel that was crafted , clothes that were made , and / or from unique magical artifacts or relics . Enchanting . The art of enchanting involves adding a magical enchantment to a regular item , causing it to have special effects when used . An enchantment is a spell sealed , trapped into an object to confer mystical attributes , which are supported by Souls . To create an enchanted item , one must have an unenchanted item , a soul gem of the desired size , and a specific enchantment that is known and can be placed on the item . Any type of unenchanted item can be enchanted , whether it be weapons , armor , clothing and / or jewelry . Alchemy . The art of Alchemy does not actually use the essence of magicka , but mages and non - mages associate alchemy with the arcane arts and magicka . Alchemy is the study and use of many materials with powers that may influence the flow of magicka in the world . Alchemy involves an interface system known as an alchemy lab , and takes multiple ingredients and mixing them together to create a potions . Several different parts of an alchemy lab determine the many variables and results of making a potion . A mortar and pestle is a bowl and grinding tool used for physically and mechanically breaking down alchemical ingredients into powders , pulps or juices used in alchemical operations . A retort is a vessel with a beaked cap or head used to transform , purify , clean or refine raw ingredients into more refined substances used in alchemical preparations . A calcinator is a stove or crucible used to reduce metals and other refined substances to ash so their arcane properties can be separated from the ash . It is also used to increase the magnitude of all known effects of the specific item . An alembic is a double glass container in which the arcane properties of raw , refined , arcane , non - arcane and supernatural substances are distilled from their raw ingredients . The materials are infused , then heated until vapor is produced ; then , the vapor moves to and condenses in the other container , precipitating the distilled materials with the desired alchemical and magical effects . Classes . Magic is the specialization of the following playable classes in and : In both games , custom classes can be created which employ magic as a specialization . Magic items . Reality need not be influenced by spell - casting ; spells can be imbued into objects . These objects can then be used to influence reality . Imbuing items with magical effects is called " enchanting . " Those without magical affinities can still use these objects . Objects imbued with magic often have limited uses , expiring or becoming destroyed when the final charge is used . Few exceptions can be recharged ; for example , weapons enchanted with magic and staves . Armor , clothing , jewelry often bear a constant effect which never expires . In Cyrodiil , members of the Arcane Universitycan enchant items using an Altar of Enchanting . Citizens of Skyrim enchant using tables known as Arcane Enchanters . Magical stones . Magical stones are naturally occurring , organic substances that possess magical properties . These fall into four categories .