Varla stones Options

[Furious_George]

I know varla stones are supposed to be in elvish ruins. I've been in several and found them in only one. In that one, they were charging up and shooting fireballs at me. When I approached, I could see where there was a cage that should theoretially lower to stop them from shooting you. I couldn't get them to lower either by pressing the action button when close, or looking for anything to activate them with in the ruins. I can't grab them, nor get them to stop shooting me.

Is this a common way to get varla stones, or is there another approach or ruin to get them easier?

btw, for new folks varla stones let you recharge your magical weapons....

[Foster]

I've found them in several ruins. Generally they are under metallic cages that require you to push a button to reveal them. I didn't actually know you could use them to recharge magical weapons though, I thought they were just junk like the smaller blue ones that are everywhere (and worth about ten times less). So far I've only found one artifact, but probably...oh... four varla stones. In one ruin I actually found two.

I just sell them. Don't bother with magical recharge items because they're a pain in the buttocks and my armourer skill is only 38 at the moment, so I can't repair them anyway. Much better to use my glass longsword to knock skulls, and the odd fireball to roast ghosts.