The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is the perfect way to experience Bethesda's classic RPG, not just because it completely overhauls the 2006 game's visuals, but because it also grants players access to the original's DLC, including The Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine. For new Oblivion Remastered players jumping into the game for the first time, it can seem overwhelming to tackle all the available content offered at once. However, it's become somewhat of an unwritten rule that players shouldn't start the Shivering Isles DLC until they've at least completed one side quest from the base game.
Although there is some debate as to when to start the Shivering Isles DLC in Oblivion Remastered for the best results from both a gameplay and roleplaying perspective, there are valid arguments for several different points at which players could potentially start the DLC. Whenever players do decide to start the Shivering Isles questline, they should be sure to check one side quest off their quest log to ensure they are well-prepared for what the Shivering Isles has to offer. With the Daedric Prince of Madness, Sheogorath, at the center of the Shivering Isles' story, players would be wise to meet the deity at his shrine and complete his quest for a taste of the madness to come.
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Oblivion Remastered's Sheogorath Shrine Quest is the Perfect Appetizer for the Shivering Isles DLC
Players Should Introduce Themselves to the Daedric Prince of Madness Before Heading to the Shivering Isles
Sheogorath is one of the most bizarre Daedric Princes to ever be worshiped in Tamriel, and his moniker as the Prince of Madness becomes obvious once players first encounter him. The shrine of Sheogorath can be found off the beaten path between the cities of Bravil and Leyawiin, near the border with Elsweyr, and players can easily miss it if they're not paying attention. To even get Sheogorath to acknowledge the player, they will need to bring a strange offering of a Lesser Soul Gem, Yarn, and Cabbage, which should clue them into just how eccentric this Daedric Prince really is.
After garnering the Prince of Madness' attention with this offering, Sheogorath will task players with playing a somewhat cruel prank on the nearby settlement of Border Watch. This enclave of Khajiit holds a deep belief in the K'Sharra Prophecy, which predicts that the end of the world will be heralded by a plague of rats, the mysterious deaths of livestock, and finally the unmentionable plague of fear. Sheogorath wants the player to liven up the town and make the villagers believe the prophecy is coming true by bringing these omens to life before the Prince of Madness intervenes for the final plague by causing burning dogs to rain from the sky.
As a reward for completing this quest, Sheogorath will give players the 
Wabbajack, a staff that will randomly turn one enemy into one of several other creatures, including a Daedroth, Skeleton Champion, Goblin Skirmisher, Troll, Ogre, Sheep, Deer, Xivilai, or Rat.
Tackling the Shivering Isles After Completing Sheogorath's Shrine Quest Puts the DLC in a New Perspective
This portion of the article contains spoilers for Oblivion Remastered's Shivering Isles questline.
This quest at Sheogorath's behest is one of the weirdest players can encounter in the base game of Oblivion Remastered, making it the perfect introduction to the Daedric Prince's mayhem ahead of the Shivering Isles. This DLC region is the domain of Sheogorath, and to even access the realm, he requires players to defeat the Shivering Isles' Gatekeeper that guards the Strange Door leading to the regoin. Players who have already completed Sheogorath's shrine quest will already be familiar with the Daedric Prince's expectations and well aware of the mayhem that follows him.
The revelations about Sheogorath's true nature that unfold over the course of the Shivering Isles' main quest take on a new meaning with the hindsight of the Prince of Madness's effect on the greater region of Cyrodiil as seen through his shrine quest. It's revealed that Sheogorath is actually Jyggalag, Daedric Prince of Order, who had been cursed into becoming the Prince of Madness. After slaying Jyggalag, the player themselves can become the new Prince of Madness, making Sheogorath's shrine quest obsolete if attempted after finishing the Shivering Isles.
The original release of the Shivering Isles DLC came a year after the base game's release, meaning players likely would have already completed Sheogorath's shrine quest by the time the DLC released. With Oblivion Remastered coming packaged with this DLC already available, it's possible that players could unintentionally make the mistake of starting the Shivering Isles questline without ever having encountered Sheogorath at his shrine.
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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
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
