9: Ritual of Accession

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Guide - Shivering Isles

Quest 9: Ritual of Accession

When the Great Torch of Mania or Dementia has been lit, Sheogorath will appear in the pews at Sacellum Arden-Sul. Speak to him to learn that you are to become a sovereign of either Mania or Dementia, depending on this next choice you make. A ritual must be carried. To learn more about each ritual, speak to Aretus, High Priest of Dementia, and Dervenin, High Priest of Mania.

Speak to both Aretus and Dervenin to learn about the Mania and Dementia Ritual of Accessions; both exceptionally gruesome tasks. On the Mania side, you must get Thadon to commit suicide by taking three doses of a substance called Greenmote. When Thadon is dead, you then must bring his blood to the Altar of Arden Sul at Sacellum. For Dementia, you must kill Syl, cut out her heart, and bring it to the Altar of Arden Sul at Sacellum.

Pick between the Mania and Dementia rituals. When the Ritual of Accession is complete, your character will become the Duke or Duchess of that House.

It would be good idea to create an alternate save game before going to Sheogorath with your decision. On the Xbox 360 version of the game, the 'Duke Dementia, Shivering Isles' and 'Duke Mania, Shivering Isles' achievements require that you become the Duke/Duchess of either Mania or Dementia. Creating an alternate save game will enable you to unlock both achievements without having to play through Shivering Isles twice, as you can simply reload the save game and selecting the other ritual at a later time. If you are playing the PC or PS3 version of Oblivion there is no real reason to do this, unless you wish to experience both rituals without having to create another character.

Note that you will at one point be rewarded with the guard armour opposite the side you choose to become the Duke/Duchess of. So, if you were to choose the Dementia ritual thus becoming the Duke/Duchess of Dementia, you will eventually receive the Golden Saint armour set. Whereas, if you choose to complete the Mania ritual, you will eventually receive the Dark Seducer armour set. You may choose to make your decision based on this knowledge.