3: A Better Mousetrap

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Guide - Shivering Isles

Quest 3: A Better Mousetrap

Sheogorath has given you the Manual of Xedilian and a special device called the Attenuator of Judgement. You're told to travel to Xedilian and restore it to proper working order. See Haskill for more information, or simply read through the Manual of Xedilian. To restore Xedilian to its prior state you must activate the Resonator of Judgement inside, but first you'll have to retrieve three Focus Crystals and place each one in a Judgement Nexus.

Xedilian has been marked on your map. It's quite far from your current location, but if you fast travel back to the Gates of Madness, it's just a short trek from there. Xedilian itself is inhabited by Grummites, so ensure that you're well prepared before setting out.

Make your way to Xedilian.

Once inside Xedilian, activate the Push Button to the right of the gate to raise it. With 'A Better Mousetrap' set as your active quest, follow the arrow on your compass to reach another gate. At the second gate, look for a Push Button on one of the adjacent walls and activate it to raise it. Then, follow the arrow on your compass to reach the Judgement Nexus. In the immediate vicinity should be a Grummite holding a Crystal Staff. Kill this Grummite and remove the staff from its corpse. One of the Focus Crystals is attached to the Crystal Staff. The Focus Crystal will automatically be detached from the staff and added to your inventory.

With the first Focus Crystal in your inventory, activate the Judgement Nexus. Then, start following the arrow on your compass to the next Judgement Nexus. You will come to an area where there is a Push Button on the base of a statue. Activate the Push Button to fall down to the room with the Judgement Nexus. Find and kill the Grummite Shaman here, kill him, and take the Crystal Staff to add the second Focus Crystal to your inventory. With that, activate the Judgement Nexus.

Steal Crystal Staffs from Grummite Shamen to obtain Focus Crystals. Use these crystals to activate the Judgement Nexus in Xedilian.

When you have activated two out of the three Judgement Nexus, the arrow on your compass will point to the door into the 'Xedilian, Halls of Judgement' area. In the Halls of Judgement, follow the arrow on your compass to the final Judgment Nexus. Kill the Grummite Shaman in the area, retrieve the Crystal Staff for the last Focus Crystal, and then activate the Judgement Nexus. A new path will open. Follow the arrow on your compass to reach the Resonator of Judgement.