ESO: Scribing Guide

What is Scribing?

Scribing is a new system that allows you to customize your skills and craft them to your liking. This system is the precursor to Spellcrafting which you may remember from other Elder Scrolls games like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Archmage Ulfsild the Evergreen and the spirits of magic known as Luminaries were the first to dabble in Scribing.

Players will get to travel to The Scholarium and embark on a quest to restore The Scholarium to its former glory, along the way meeting the mystical Luminaries. As you complete each of the quests you will unlock rewards, learn about the lore of The Scholarium, and learn how to Scribe.

How to Get Started

To begin your Scribing journey, you can claim it for free via the Crown Store in-game. You no longer need to own the Gold Road Chapter in order to access the Scribing feature. Claim the upgrade for Scribing from the Upgrades tab of the Crown Store. You must be Level 30 or higher or have access to the Champion Point System to begin the quest. To unlock Scribing on an alternate character, you only have to repeat the tutorial quest “The Second Era of Scribing” to unlock every Sigil you already have on your main character. To take advantage of this, complete the whole quest line on one character first. Locate Adept Irnard Rirnil in Skingrad, Shornhelm or Wayrest to begin “The Second Era of Scribing” quest.

Getting to the Scholarium:

To access The Scholarium by a wayshrine, open your map and zoom out then click on the Eyevea symbol located in between Coldharbour and Clockwork City. The Scholarium is located below Eyevea.  If you want to use a portal, you can take the one next to the Mages Guild in Skingrad or outside other Mages Guild Halls. 

Using the Scribing Altar

Once you complete “The Wing of the Indrik” quest, you’ll have full access to the Scribing Altar. At the Scribing Altar, you can check out the various components (Scripts) you own and Scribe new skills. Scribing consists of a Grimoire, a Focus Script, a Signature Script, and an Affix Script. A Grimoire is the base spell that you can then adapt into your own Scribed skill. You can customize your Grimoire by adding one of each of these Scripts. To view Grimoires you own, select the “Skills” tab in your menu and then click “Scribing”.  To create a Scribed Skill you will need to select the base spell which is the Grimoire and to create your skill you will need a material called Luminous Ink. Find out more about how to collect and use Luminous Ink from my Luminous Ink Farming Guide.

Making a Scribed Skill:

1. Choose a Grimoire 
2. Choose a Focus Script 
3. Choose a Signature Script 
4. Choose an Affix Script 

Choosing a Grimoire

If you need some help choosing what Grimoires to try out first, I recommend trying either Banner Bearer or Ulfsild’s Contingency. Both of these base spells have a lot of versatility and can be very helfpul for enhancing any build in different types of content in ESO. These two Grimoires allow for a balance of flexibility and can be quite powerful, so they are a great starting point for those new to Scribing. There are 11 Grimoires currently, there is one for every weapon type as well as one for the Mages Guild and Fighters Guild. Additionally, the Assault and Soul Magic skill lines have one Grimoire each. We may see new Grimoires added to the game with future updates. Check out my Grimoire Guide to learn more about the available Grimoires in the Elder Scrolls Online!

Types of Scripts

Scripts are used to customize your Grimoire, altering how the spell works and its effects. Scripts are unlocked on a per-character basis and can drop from various sources like daily reward coffers or can be purchased at the vendors in the Scholarium. 

Focus Scripts: These set the main function of the Scribed skill. The Focus Script determines its name, resource type, and cost. These also allow you to choose if the ability is enemy-targeted or ally/self-targeted. Focus scripts also determine if the buffs apply to you or also apply to your allies.  

Signature Scripts: This Script gives the Grimoire a unique effect such as making the skill a Damage Over Time or adding Resource restoration when cast. 

Affix Scripts:  Affix Scripts give the spell a buff or debuff effect (includes Major and Minor buffs) 

Class Mastery Signature Scripts

Class Mastery Scripts add unique effects that enhance specific passives or aspects of a class. To unlock your Class Mastery Script for purchase with Chronicler Firandil, complete the achievement “A Signature with Class”. This achievement is awarded to you for collecting 50 Class Script Scraps that drop around Tamriel. You can begin working on this achievement once you complete “The Wing of the Dragon” quest.

List of Class Mastery Signature Scripts

Vendors & Rewards

Chronicler Firandil has a selection of Grimoires and Scripts you can purchase with gold. Firandil is located in the East wing of the Scholarium. Firandil’s Scamp Caal, has Achievement Furnishings available for purchase. The furnishings can be unlocked by completing various achievements.  After completing “The Second Era of Scribing” quest, you get a new collectible furnishing for your home as a reward. The book “How to Scribe” can be found in your “Library” tab in the Furnishing Editor mode.

Luminary Sigils

When you complete a wing of the Scholarium quest you will receive a Luminary Sigil. As you unlock these Sigils you will receive the rewards listed below:

• The Luminary Indrik Sigil allows you to purchase Grimoires and Scripts from Chronicler Firandil at the Scholarium and access the Training room. Luminous Ink can drop from enemies sometimes.

• With the Sigil of the Luminary Netch, you can get Affix Scripts from World Event rewards, daily Imperial City rewards, and Daily Undaunted quest rewards. Vendors in the Scholarium and Infinite Archive will have them available. With the Luminary Netch Sigil, Luminous Ink can drop from harvesting nodes. Once you complete “The Wing of the Netch” quest, you can unlock this.  

• Next, the Sigil of the Luminary Gryphon allows Focus Scripts to drop from PvP rewards for the worthy, daily Delve rewards, and daily Mages Guild quest rewards. Focus Scripts are now available for purchase from vendors in the Scholarium and Infinite Archive.
• The Sigil of the Luminary Dragon allows Signature Scripts to drop occasionally from daily World Boss rewards, daily Cyrodiil rewards, and daily Fighters Guild quest rewards. Signature Scripts are available for purchase from vendors in the Scholarium and Infinite Archive. Additionally, 9 Scripts are available for free in Mages Guilds around Tamriel.

Mages Guild Subsidized Scripts

The image below has the locations of the Mages Guilds you need to visit for the various Scripts.