The Rueful Axe is Clavicus Vile’s idea of a joke – a powerful battleaxe that drains stamina, offered as an alternative reward in the Daedric quest A Daedra’s Best Friend.
How to get it
At the end of the quest, Clavicus Vile offers you the axe in exchange for killing Barbas – with the axe itself, no other weapon or spell will do. Accept, and the Rueful Axe is yours instead of the Masque of Clavicus Vile.
The story behind it
According to Barbas, a wizard named Sebastian Lort had a daughter who worshipped Hircine and became a werewolf. Sebastian wished for a way to end her curse – and Clavicus gave him an axe. The howling wolves carved on its sides say the rest.
Stats
22 damage and only 10 weight – remarkably light for a battleaxe – plus 20 points of stamina damage per hit. It swings slower than any other weapon, though.
Smithing
Ebony Ingot (Arcane Blacksmith), but no Smithing perk helps.
Note
It doesn’t count toward the Daedric Influence or Oblivion Walker achievements – only the Masque does.