Ebony Blade

Base Damage	11
Speed	0.7
Weight	10
Value	2000
Level	36+
Category	Greatsword
Class	Daedric Artifact
Variants	-
Skill	Two-Handed
Unique	Yes
Item ID	000EA29C
Game/DLC	Skyrim

The Ebony Blade is the Daedric artifact of Mephala, a two-handed katana with 11 base damage that grows stronger through betrayal. It waits behind the whispering door in the basement of Dragonsreach in Whiterun. The Whispering Door opens at level 20, once Dragon Rising is complete.

Weapon Enchantment

Each hit absorbs 10 points of Health at first. Every two friends killed with the blade add 4 points, up to 30 points after ten such kills. Mephala speaks each time the blade grows stronger. The enchantment has unlimited charge.

The Enchantment Effects page lists every weapon enchantment.

Enchantment
Absorbs Health from base 10 to max 30, upgraded by killing friendly NPCs

How to Get Ebony Blade

Ebony Blade Map Location and Quest Guide

Ebony Blade map location:

The Ebony Blade waits behind the whispering door in the basement of Dragonsreach. The Whispering Door opens at level 20, after Dragon Rising.

Ask Hulda at The Bannered Mare for rumors.
Ask Jarl Balgruuf about his children.
Talk to Nelkir.
Listen at the whispering door in the basement.
Get the key from Balgruuf or Farengar Secret-Fire.
Open the door and take the Ebony Blade.

Map credit by Map Genie.

Smithing Guide

Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.

Crafting Materials	Upgrade Materials	Smithing Level	Smithing Perk
Cannot be crafted	Cannot be upgraded	-	None

Weapon Levels

Some weapons in Skyrim are Levelled. The power of a levelled weapon is based on your charcters level when you get them. Some get stronger in both physical and magical aspects, while others only improve their enchantments. These items don't get better as your character levels up.

Ebony Blade has the same damage at every character level.

Level	Damage	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Level ID
36+	11	10	2000	Absorbs Health from base 10 to max 30, upgraded by killing friendly NPCs	000EA29C

Notes

The book Admonition Against Ebony says not even the hottest fires of the Skyforge could melt the blade.

Two-Handed Weapon Categories

All Unique Greatswords

Name	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	DLC
Balgruuf's Greatsword	17	0.7	17	200	Cannot be enchanted	000946FC	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Skyrim
Bloodskal Blade	21	0.7	16	500	Releases energy blast with power attacks that deals 30 damage	XX01A578	1+	Silver Ingot	Cannot be Upgraded	Two-Handed	Dragonborn
Ebony Blade	11	0.7	10	2000	Absorbs Health from base 10 to max 30, upgraded by killing friendly NPCs	000EA29C	36+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Skyrim
Stormfang	17	0.7	17	1175	Target takes 30 points of shock damage, and half as much Magicka damage	XX026B0B	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Dragonborn
Umbra	24	0.7	23	4647	If target dies within 20 seconds, fills a soul gem. Absorb 25 points of health. Absorb 25 points of stamina	XX000D62	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	Creation Club
Ice Blade of the Monarch	17	1	17	1360	Target takes 30 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina	FEXXX815	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Creation Club
Chrysamere	25	0.7	20	3288	When equipped grants 15% resist fire, 10% absorb magic, slow health regen during combat	FEXXXD63	1+	Ebony Ingot, Ruby	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	Creation Club
Shadowrend (Greatsword)	25	0.7	23	2500	Target is 15% weaker to magic for 30 seconds	FEXXXD63	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	Creation Club