Quick Links
Exploring Cyrodiil inOblivion Remasteredis a great time, but you’ll begin a different adventureonce you step into the Shivering Isles.This bizarre new area is the home of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness, and his realm lives up to his divided personality. There are several unusual side quests to enjoy in the Shivering Isles, like Ghosts of Vitharn.
This quest might take a bit of searching to start, but once you discover the strange scene at these forgotten ruins, you’ll be compelled to learn more. Prepare to help put a group of tortured souls to rest in Ghosts of Vitharn.
How To Start Ghosts Of Vitharn
Ghosts of Vitharn is a side quest found in the Shivering Isles location in Oblivion Remastered.
This quest hastwo ways you can initiate it:
If you want to trigger the quest by talking to people, head to New Sheoth and persuade people to increase their disposition, then ask them about rumors.
Occasionally, you will hear someone mention the haunted location, and you’ll receive a pop-up indicating that you’ve received the quest along with its map location.
Vitharn is located in the southern area of the Shivering Isles,directly above the ‘as’ in ‘Shallow Grave’ on your map.
Once there, you’ll see two sets of ghosts fighting each other: blue ghosts and green ones.
If you don’t see anyone, you may be experiencing the invisible Vitharn ghost glitch, which makes it impossible to see some or any of the ghosts until you enter Vitharn.
Use the combat sounds to find the invisible ghosts or look for floating arrows sticking out of your invisible targets. ‘Detect life’ items and spells can also help.
Once you’re done with the exterior fight (assuming you can see it), approach the front gates on the southern edge, which are locked by a supernatural force.
Instead, search around the large rootsto the left of the main entrance,where you’ll find aRoot Door to Vitharn Sump.
Enter theVitharn Sump and follow the linear path,then dive underwater to find the entrance to theVitharn Reservoir,where you should quickly surface to avoid running out of air.
Head forward, and you’ll discover anotherchained door to the Vitharn Bailey,which is also locked by a supernatural force.
Ignore the door and keep heading through the tunnels via the south path until you reachVitharn Keep.
How To Help Correct Every Ghost’s Mistake
Head up the stairs where you’llmeet Count Cirion’s Ghost,who decrees that you have violated Vitharn’s sanctity.
Tell him you meant no offense, as choosing the other option angers him and leaves you to figure everything out alone.
Once you say this, the count tells you that Vitharn was overrun, and they failed to defend themselves. Now, Sheogorath has cursed the ghosts to repeat the final moments of failure repeatedly.
The Count asks you to find out what went wrongwith his soldiers and help them correct their grave errors.
You won’t need to worry about combat here, as the ghosts won’t attack you.
How To Help Desideratus Annius' Ghost
Pass through the main hall where you’ll find the ghosts of citizens, andenter the Vitharn Bailey via the large dooracross from the count’s throne.
Once you enter the Bailey, watch the battlefield where you’ll see a scene taking place, along withseveral ghosts markedon your compass.
Ignore the majority of the ghosts and wait by the door forDesideratus Annius' Ghost,whose mistake you must correct in this section. You’ll notice him respawn nearest to the door every time the battle starts.
Ask him about the Siege of Vitharn and hear Annius' story, including his duty to stop the fanatics from entering the keep.
Talk to one of the other ghoststo learn that his betrothed is just adoll,and return inside.
Immediately turn left, then left again to proceed north through the hallway, stopping when you see Desideratus' Doll glowing along the wall.Grab the doll,then return to the Bailey.
Your goal is to force Desideratus to stay and fight the fanatics,so you can do this by either giving them the doll so Desideratus is compelled to fight to get it back, or you can just burn the doll to remove the reason why he made a mistake in the first place.
The easiest optionis to just run up to the Brazier next to the gate andput the doll in the fire, then return to Desideratus to tell him what you did,and he says he will throw himself at the Fanatics and do his job.
The quest will update, andthe next person you’ll need to help is the mage Hloval Dreth,who usually spawns right behind Desideratus.
How To Help Hloval Dreth’s Ghost
Speak to Hloval Dreth and then the archer to learn about his stunted Magicka, which you’ll need to help remedy. There aretwo ways to do this:
The Mausoleum is in the northwestern section of the courtyard.
The quickest way is to go to the Mausoleum, where you can spot theWelkynd Stone perched on top of an archwaydirectly in front of you.
Grab it and head back to Hloval Dreth,then give it to him so he can use his powers to help with the battle.
How To Help Althel’s Ghost
Third, you should speak with Althel’s Ghost,who is in the middle of a counting crisis, and she doesn’t have any arrows.
Talk to the other defending ghosts and find out thatBat gro-Orkul stole them.
Go back inside the Keepand head to thenortheasternsection, where you’ll find Bat standing behind a counter.
Ask him about Althel’s Arrows,and he’ll refuse to give them to you in case someone needs them.
Instead, you’ll need tosteal the arrows without Bat noticing,so sneak around the right side and unlock the hard lock on the metal door to break in.
If you run out of lockpicks,you can find the armory key on a table in the western section of the keep.
Head back outside and give Althel her arrows,helping to solve the third of four mistakes.
Watch the fight unfold one more time, at which point your quest will update, telling you that you must head back inside to correct the final error.
How To Help Count Cirion’s Ghost
The fourth and final mistakeyou must correct can be discovered byspeaking to Count Cirion,who tells you that he was a coward and fled.
The Count tells you that you musttake his Helm and defeat the Devoted Fanaticin combat to atone for his cowardly actions.
The helmet is automatically applied to you, so head back outside when you’re ready. Once youslay the Devoted Fanatic,the curse of Vitharn will be lifted.
What Rewards Do You Get From Ghosts Of Vitharn?
Wait for Count Cirion to appear and thank you for helping lay Vitharn’s spirits to rest, completing the quest.
As a reward, you can keep Count Cirion’s Helmet,which becomes uncursed after the quest andfortifies Block and Heavy Armor by ten points.
The gates to Vitharn are now also unsealed thanks to your efforts.
