ESO Scribing Database
ESO Scribing Database. A list of all available Grimoires, Focus Scripts, Signature Scripts and Affix Scripts for the ESO Scribing system.
1. What is Scribing in ESO?
The Scribing system in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is a feature introduced with the Gold Road Chapter and closely tied to the Mages Guild. It enables players to collect, build, and customize unique skills—called Scribed Skills—to diversify combat and support roles.
To access Scribing, you must own the Gold Road Chapter. Scribing is a free base game feature as of july 2025.
2. How to unlock Scribing in ESO
The scribing questline can be started one of three ways:
- In the Collections > Collectibles > Update menu, right-click the Scribing icon.
- Speak to Adept Irnard Rirnil, located outside any Mages Guild building.
- Read the pamphlet On Behalf of the Mages Guild of all Tamriel posted on the wall west of the Skingrad City Wayshrine.
The first quest, The Second Era of Scribing, requires a character level of at least 30 (or access to Champion Points). After completing all Scribing quests on one character, subsequent characters only need to finish the first quest to gain most benefits—such as Luminous Ink drops, Script drops, and access to Script vendors (Chronicler Firandil in the Scholarium and Filer Ool in the Infinite Archive).
3. Scribing Quests in ESO
There are six quests in the Scribing questline in ESO. While your main character must complete all six to unlock the full system, alt characters only need the introductory quest.
Quest | Achievement | Notes |
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The Second Era of Scribing | A Patrol to Last a Lifetime |
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The Wing of the Indrik | The Responsibility of Power |
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The Wing of the Netch | Stay Buoyant, Be Joyous |
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The Wing of the Gryphon | Feathered Knight, Furred Thief |
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The Wing of the Dragon | This One's a Puzzler |
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The Wing of the Crow | Beyond the Locked Door |
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4. Scribing skills in ESO
Scribed Skills integrate directly into your existing skill bars, costing Magicka or Stamina depending on the selected Grimoire + Focus combination. Unlike traditional skills:
- No skill points are required to unlock or morph scribed skills.
- No experience-based leveling is needed—customize or rescribe at will (each modification costs 1 Luminous Ink per changed script).
- Each Grimoire allows only one active scribed skill at a time per character; others remain stored in your Archive.
- Scribed weapon skills require the appropriate weapon equipped.
The name and icon of a scribed skill depend on the chosen Focus Script; some Affix and Signature Scripts can alter its visual effect. Any passive skills tied to the Grimoire’s skill line become active when you slot the scribed skill.
Scribing Archive
Once you scribe a skill, it’s saved in the Archive at the Scribing Altar (Scholarium). You can revert to any previous version—each change consumes Ink based on the amount of changed scripts.
The Archive is character-specific (scripts themselves are not shared). Each Grimoire has between 280 and 504 valid script combinations — 8494 possible skills (some combinations disallowed).
5. Luminous Ink - ESO

Luminous Ink is the core crafting material for Scribing. ESO Plus subscribers store it automatically in their Crafting Bag’s miscellaneous slot—freeing up inventory space and making ink accessible to all characters.
Crafting a new scribed skill costs 3 Luminous Ink (one per script type). Modifying an existing skill costs 1 Ink per changed script. These are obtained from:
- Quest rewards (each Scribing quest grants Ink).
- Harvesting nodes (unlocked after The Wing of the Netch).
- Enemy drops (unlocked after The Wing of the Gryphon).
- Looting containers (backpacks, urns, Dwemer pots).
- Purchased from guild traders View in Trade Center
Luminous Ink does not drop from survey nodes. As of Update 43, it can also rarely drop from treasure chests and heavy sacks if you have the Dragon Luminary’s Blessing or Gryphon Luminary’s Blessing.
7. Grimoires - ESO
Grimoires are books that unlock new skills for scribing. There are 12 total. Purchase each once per character from Chronicler Firandil in the Scholarium and use it from inventory to unlock in the Scribing interface.
Most Grimoires cost 50000 Gold for the first purchase and 10000 Gold for subsequent copies of the same grimoire. Exceptions for this are Wield Soul and Soul Burst which can be obtained for free by doing their respecive quests.
Grimoire | Skill Line | Requirement |
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Support | |
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Destruction Staff | Reach Rank 25 in the Destruction Staff Weapon Skill Line. |
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Restoration Staff | Reach Rank 25 in the Restoration Staff Weapon Skill Line. |
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One Hand and Shield | Reach Rank 25 in the One-Hand and Shield Weapon Skill Line. |
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Two Handed | Reach Rank 25 in the Two-Handed Weapon Skill Line. |
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Soul Magic | Complete the final quest in the Scribing quest line. |
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Fighters Guild | Reach Rank 5 in the Fighters Guild Skill Line. |
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Assault | Reach Rank 5 in the Assault and Support skill lines. |
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Dual Wield | Reach Rank 25 in the Dual Wield Weapon Skill Line. |
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Mages Guild | Reach Rank 5 in the Mages Guild Skill Line. |
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Bow | Reach Rank 25 in the Bow Weapon skill line. |
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Soul Magic | Complete the Scribing tutorial quest. |
8. Scribing scripts - ESO
To scribe a skill, you need three scripts: Focus, Signature and Affix. Each combination of scripts + Grimoire yields a unique skill - 8494 total possible variations.
Scripts are learned when used from inventory. In the Scribing UI (Scholarium Altar), tick “Usable” to filter only your known scripts. Unticking shows all compatible scripts (even unlearned).
Reward coffers curate drops so that each character learns every script of that type before random repeats. For mailed coffers (like Premium Undaunted supplies), curation is based on who opened the mail; for container-delivered scripts, it’s based on who opened the container.
8.1 Sources of Scripts
Players can obtain tradable (unbound) scripts by looting enemies (low drop chance) even without Gold Road Chapter. Bound, untradable scripts come from:
- Scribing quest rewards
- Free scripts at certain base-game Mages Guilds
- Daily quest coffers (capped, curated drops)
- Purchase from specialized Script Vendors
Scribing Quest Rewards
Two Scribing quests award scripts automatically:
Free Scripts from Mages Guild Locations
After obtaining the Sigil of the Luminary Dragon, a handbill “The Largesse of the Archmagister” appears opposite Chronicler Firandil (Scholarium). Nine free scripts (3 Focus, 3 Signature, 3 Affix) are scattered across base-game Mages Guilds. Scripts respawn if taken and banked without using—allowing one character to collect copies for alts.
Location | Script | Type |
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Auridon (Vulkhel Guard) | Physical Damage | Focus Script |
Bangkorai (Evermore) | Vulnerability | Affix Script |
Deshaan (Mournhold) | Hunter's Snare | Signature Script |
Glenumbra (Daggerfall) | Stun | Focus Script |
Elden Root (Elden Root) | Warrior's Opportunity | Signature Script |
Reaper's March (Rawl'kha) | Vitality | Affix Script |
The Rift (Riften) | Maim | Affix Script |
Stonefalls (Davon's Watch) | Damage Shield | Focus Script |
Stormhaven (Wayrest) | Druid's Resurgence | Signature Script |
Nine Daily Quest Rewards
After one character completes all Scribing quests, three handbills (Gryphon, Dragon, Netch Analysis) appear opposite Chronicler Firandil. They detail nine daily sources (3 Focus, 3 Signature, 3 Affix). Once you have the Sigils (Gryphon, Dragon, Netch), the first coffer from each source daily guarantees a curated script; subsequent coffers have a 25% chance.
The nine sources:
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PvP Activities:
- Rewards for the Worthy coffers
- Daily Cyrodiil town & mission board quest rewards
- Imperial City daily district quest rewards
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Guild Daily Quests:
- Mages Guild (Alvur Baren)
- Fighters Guild (Cardea Gallus)
- Undaunted delve quests (Bolgrul)
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DLC Zone Daily Quests:
- DLC dive/delve quest
- Kill a DLC-zone world boss
- Complete a DLC-zone incursion (e.g., Harrowstorms)
Other Reward Coffers
Besides the nine daily sources, other activities drop scripts:
- Dungeons, Trials, and Arenas (some guarantee Affix scripts in Premium Undaunted supplies).
- Infinite Archive rewards.
- PvP reward coffers (e.g., Tel Var, Battlegrounds).
Premium Undaunted Exploration Supplies:
- First normal random daily dungeon: guaranteed Affix script + 1 Class Script Scrap.
- First veteran/random daily dungeon (veteran HRM): guaranteed Affix script + 2 Class Script Scraps.
Script Vendors
After obtaining the Sigils (Gryphon, Dragon, Netch), buy bound scripts from:
- Chronicler Firandil (Scholarium) - Gold
- Filer Ool (Infinite Archive) - Archival Fortunes
- Tel Var Merchants (Imperial Sewers) - Tel var stones
Each vendor’s inventory rotates weekly (every Tuesday). Only scripts you haven’t learned appear. First copies cost more; subsequent copies are discounted.
Script Type | Gold Price | Archival Fortunes Price | Tel Var Stones Price |
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Focus Script | 40000 / 8000 | 15000 / 3000 | 75000 / 15000 |
Signature Script | 60000 / 12000 | 20000 / 4000 | 100000 / 20000 |
Affix Script | 20000 / 4000 | 10000 / 2000 | 50000 / 10000 |
8.2 Focus Scripts
Focus Scripts determine a scribed skill’s name, resource cost (Magicka or Stamina), and primary function. Some Focus scripts cannot pair with certain Signature/Affix scripts (e.g., offensive vs. defensive restrictions).
After obtaining the Sigil of the Luminary Gryphon, Focus scripts drop from:
- Rewards for the Worthy containers (PvP)
- Mages Guild daily quests (Alvur Baren)us
- DLC zone daily delve quests
8.3 Signature Scripts
Signature Scripts add unique mechanics—enhanced effects, secondary triggers, or interactions. After the Sigil of the Luminary Dragon, Signature scripts drop from:
- Daily Cyrodiil town & mission board quest coffers
- Fighters Guild daily quests (Cardea Gallus)
- DLC zone world boss daily quests
8.4 Affix Scripts
Affix Scripts add buffs or debuffs to scribed skills. After obtaining the Sigil of the Luminary Netch, Affix scripts drop from:
- Imperial City daily district quest coffers
- Undaunted daily delves (Bolgrul)
- DLC incursion daily quests