Summary
- Shivering Isles' Mania realm offers unpredictable adventures filled with bizarre humor and moral ambiguity.
- Complete quirky quests like Taxonomy of Obsession emphasize character-driven storytelling.
- Choose sides in the Cold Flame of Agnon quest to symbolize alignment with either Mania or Dementia factions.
In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, the Shivering Isles DLC has players choose from the two realms of Mania and Dementia, with the realm of Mania representing the vibrant and eccentric half of Sheogorath’s domain. Unlike its shadowy counterpart, Dementia, Mania is a world of artistic expression and euphoric madness where its inhabitants are flamboyant, obsessive, and often consumed by creativity or vanity.
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The vast number of quests tied to Mania reflects this madness, offering stories filled with bizarre challenges, twisted humor, and moral ambiguity. From aiding deranged nobles to navigating hallucinations and psychological illusions, Mania’s path promises unpredictable adventure.
8 A Liquid Solution
Heal The Sick
In Crucible, the player encounters Sickly Bernice, the owner of Sickly Bernice's Taphouse, who believes she's dying from a fatal disease. She requests the player's assistance in retrieving a cure known as ‘aquanostrum,’ which is located in the depths of Knotty Bramble, a cavern overrun with Grummites.
Armed with an empty flask provided by Bernice, the player ventures into the cave, navigating its perilous passages to reach a pool guarded by a statue. The reward of the Circlet of Verdure, an enchanted item offering resistance to disease and poison, along with buffs to health and endurance, makes this quest a must.
7 Falling Awake
Musical Beds
The quest begins in Bliss, where the player encounters Amiable Fanriene, a resident plagued by claustrophobia. Terrified that his home's walls will collapse on him, Amiable seeks a safer place to sleep outdoors. To help him, the player must perform a series of scavenger hunt-type tasks given to them by the other residents of Bliss, from trading sweetrolls for information to returning stolen property.
This hunt eventually culminates in a game of musical beds where Amiable can swap living arrangements with another man who is more than happy to take over the former's inside abode. This quest encapsulates the whimsical and eccentric nature of the Shivering Isles while emphasizing character interactions over combat.
6 Taxonomy Of Obsession
Complete The Collection
This quest revolves around Mirili Ulven, an eccentric resident of Mania who is obsessed with cataloging all of the ingredients and animals within the Shivering Isles. She tasks the player with finding and delivering these ‘items,’ offering a reward of gold for each one.
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The quest doesn't revolve around combat but instead emphasizes the quirky character-driven storytelling that defines the Shivering Isles, and Mirili’s odd behavior and dialogue exemplify the DLC’s themes of madness and obsession. It’s a nice ongoing quest to keep money in the player's pocket.
5 Ushnar's Terror
He Just Doesn’t Like Cats
Ushnar’s Terror is a bizarre and darkly humorous side quest and begins when the player meets Ushnar gro-Shadborgob, a paranoid Orc who resides in the city of Crucible. Ushnar is terrified of a beggar named Bhisha, convinced that the Khajiit harbors some undefined but terrifying threat, but in reality, Bhisha likes scaring Ushnar and following him and his pet dog around.
Rather than facing his fear, Ushnar hires the player to eliminate the beggar. The player can choose to kill Bhisha outright or delve a bit deeper and find an alternative solution. Helping Ushnar gets players an equally bizarre reward.
4 Ghosts Of Vitharn
I See Dead People
Upon discovering the ruined stronghold of Vitharn, players are drawn into a supernatural mystery where restless ghosts are trapped in a cycle of failure. The player must correct the mistakes made by the city’s army by finding their equipment and guiding them to victory in a replay of the battle that previously led to their demise.
This unique quest blends puzzle-solving, combat, and storytelling, offering insight into the darker aspects of Sheogorath’s realm. It’s an atmospheric and emotionally rich mission that rewards careful observation and strategic thinking.
3 Cold Flame Of Agnon
Pick A Side
The player must relight the sacred Flame of Agnon in the city of New Sheoth and calm its citizens. To do so, they must choose to aid either the Golden Saints of Mania or the Dark Seducers of Dementia. Each faction offers a different approach to combat and ideology, reflecting the duality of the Isles.
Depending on whom the player supports, the cold blue flame in the palace will ignite, symbolizing their growing alignment with one of Sheogorath’s divided courts. This quest is memorable for the immense choice the player must make and the differing rewards to come from those decisions.
2 Lady Of Paranoia
Delve Into Dementia
Assigned by Sheogorath, this quest delves into the Dementia side of his realm, where suspicion and secrecy reign. The player is tasked with uncovering a conspiracy against Syl, the Duchess of Dementia, who believes her subjects are plotting her downfall. Navigating this dark and twisted court, the player must investigate various NPCs, gather evidence, and ultimately decide whether to protect or betray Syl.
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The quest is rich with paranoia-fueled dialogue, deceptive characters, and hidden motives, immersing players in the unsettling atmosphere of Dementia. It gives players a chance to taste a bit of what life would have been like had they gone through the other door.
1 Ritual Of Mania
Become The Ruler
As part of Sheogorath’s elaborate succession plan, players must choose between the paths of Mania or Dementia to claim a seat of power. The quest involves the assassination of Thadon, the Duke of Mania, by poisoning him via a hallucinogenic drug.
Players must infiltrate the palace, steal Greenmote, and carefully tamper with it to make it look like anything but murder. Completing the Ritual of Mania rewards players with the power and favor of the Court of Mania, shaping the rest of their Shivering Isles journey.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- April 22, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
