Shivering:Thadon

Thadon is the Bosmer Duke of Mania, who plays an important role in the Main Quest. He resides in the House of Mania in the New Sheoth Palace District. A true Maniac, he lives a life of ease and frivolity, full of merriment and joy. He likes to dance, sing and paint. He is also very familiar with drugs, specifically Greenmote, Felldew and alcohol. Apparently this hobby has made him absent-minded, leading some to doubt whether he can cope with his position as Duke. Sheogorath himself will tell you about him: ''"The long-reigning Duke of Mania. A Master of Merriment, if you will. Or if you won't; I suspect it wouldn't matter to him."'' It is rumored he's had an affair with his counterpart: Syl, the Duchess of Dementia.

Thadon wears a unique enchanted light helmet, the Diadem of Euphoria, and a unique, unlootable robe. He carries a respawnable Cheese Wedge, a paint brush, a copy of From Frog to Man, and the key to the House of Mania. He wakes up at 6am in the morning to dance for three hours in his garden, the Halcyon Conservatory. After his dance lesson, he will paint for a long six hours, from 9am to 3pm. After that, he will be found reading on his throne in the House of Mania until 7pm. He will wait to eat until 8pm, when he will make up for skipping breakfast and lunch by having a long, four hour dinner with his steward, Wide-Eye, and his chef, Gundlar. At 12am he heads to bed in his quarters.

At different stages in the Main Quest, Thadon may share various rumors with other NPCs:
"Someone new comes to the Isles. Much more interesting than someone old."
''"Gatekeeper's gone. For good. Or not. Might just be on holiday. We'll see."
"The Resonator sings its sweet song once more. Promises of riches and fame, fulfilled with death and madness. How delightful."
"The Chalice is once again in its rightful place. And places are rightfully mine. And Chalices. Right?"
"My, my, my. Seems we're all anxious to know something, even if we already know it. Or, Syl knows it. Or not."
"A torch is lit. The light is lighted. Or lit. It's a Great Torch. Much better than most."

Quests Given


Related Quests





Quest-Specific Events
Addiction
Talking to him before the Understanding Madness quest will be useless: "What? What is it? Very busy. Things to do. Or see. Or something." When you have started the quest, however, he will greet you with excitement: "Ahh yes, THERE you are! You couldn't imagine how long I've been waiting for you. So little to do, and so much time. Hmm, could you, in fact, imagine just how long I've been waiting? I don't think you could, but I might be wrong. I might also not care. Which is it?" You will have four different possible replies, starting the quest Addiction:

"You haven't waited long at all."
:"Haven't I? Hmm, perhaps not. It felt like rather a long time, but then long times get longer when you're standing around thinking about them. A curious thing, that. Long roads get longer too, if you're thinking about them, but what about long words? They don't change nearly as much. Long, short -- it all ends up the same. Dust and tears. Usually tears first, then the dust. Dust can't cry, you see. That would be... well, amusing. You know what's NOT amusing? I don't have my Chalice of Reversal. It makes me sad. When I get sad, I don't care to do much of anything. I certainly don't care to help people who show up on my doorstep wanting something. Are we getting the picture here?"
thumb|right|Thadon dancing in the Halcyon Conservatory
"You've been waiting a long time."
:"Oh, I wouldn't say that. How long is an eon, when you're ten thousand feet tall? Or if you're purple? It's all relative, you see. You wouldn't really know how long it's been, since you weren't here. If you'd been here, it would've been no time at all, so who's to say? Don't answer that. I know the answer. I knew far more answers once, but they seem to have dried up. Or perhaps they drowned. I don't know anymore. You see? You see what I have to deal with? I can't recall if I'm coming or you're going without the Chalice of Reversal. Oh, now you've upset me."
"You've been waiting forever."
:"Yes, yes... That just might be true. Or I've not been waiting at all. Forever and nothing are almost the same thing, wouldn't you say? How do you tell one from another if you're smack in the middle? Don't answer that, I already know the answer of course. It came to me during a meal. Not a very good meal, though. Too much pie. Pie is a tricky thing, wouldn't you say? Don't answer that either. Now that forever is over and you're here, you need to go away. Yes, away. There are places you should be, far away from here. The Chalice of Reversal is waiting for you. When I say you, I mean me, but it's no difference to the Chalice. One ends up being the other."
"You... don't care?"
:"Don't I? I thought I did. But then I also thought that you would be heavier. Look at you, you're light as a chair. How DO you walk around like that? It's all the same to me, either way. All of it. Nothing is right without the Chalice. Have you ever used it? No, of course not. You simply must! You just have to try it. It'll change your world, expand your horizons. Contracting leads to expanding, you know. Well, most of the time."

When you ask about the Chalice of Reversal he will say: "Oh, so you've heard of it?"'' If you say you haven't, he will be a bit confused at first: ''"You haven't heard of it, yet you know its name? What a strange creature you are. One of my favorite toys. Does wonders for creativity. Well, not by itself, but it helps. Those Elytra, clever little bugs that they are. Is this making sense? Look, you eat the Felldew, then use the Chalice, and find the world a much brighter and happier place. Honest. But I don't have it. So I can't eat Felldew, because that would just be bad. I mean, really bad. Damn her!" If you tell him you have heard of it instead, he will be brief: "Then you know why I want it back! Can you imagine trying to eat Felldew without it? Disastrous! Curse that woman!"'' When you question him about the woman, he'll explain: ''"We hold on to fleeting things even as we slip. I knew, and yet I indulged myself anyway. I indulged her a fair bit, too. Hee hee! It was passion, it was... forbidden. Oh, the things that would be said if word got out. That made it all the more delicious. From Dementia's own court, no less. Scandalous! Fatal, perhaps. But passion makes no   for self-preservation." At this point, you have three possible replies. You can skip right to asking what happened, but you can also say one of the following:

"Do I know her?
:"Don't you? If you don't, you might. You wouldn't fall for her, though. Not the type."
"You mean Syl!"
:"Well, aren't you the clever one. Mind you don't get too full of yourself. You might explode."

When you ask him what happened, he will tell you:"Opposites repel, strangely enough. All that pleasure and pain locked away now, as if it never happened. Unfortunately, the Chalice is locked away as well. I have no wish to retrieve it myself, but fetching it might do you some good. My head is positively throbbing now... can you see it? I need to lie down. Find someone to tell you the rest of the story. Get the Chalice." 

Talking to him again will make him ponder: "Didn't we have this conversation already? Or was that someone else... No, it was me. And you. And so you know what you should be doing right now. The Chalice, remember? Don't forget, because if I forget then no one will remember, and it might cease to exist. Reality is fickle like that."'' If you ask about the chalice again, you'll cause him confusion again: ''"I feel as though we've talked about this. Am I mistaken? Perhaps you're mistaken, and we have spoken of it. I simply can't recall. I could think so much more clearly if I had the Chalice."
thumb|right|Thadon painting in the Halcyon Conservatory
At this point, you can ask several people about the Chalice of Reversal:

"The Chalice is one of the Duke's prized possessions. He has been at a loss without it." - House of Mania Guards

"The Chalice has altered the effects that Felldew has on you. You'll find that it now provides minor benefits, without any of the withdrawal." - Haskill, upon having retrieved it

"Thadon's problem. Not mine." - Anya Herrick

"Not my place to talk about it. You need to know, you talk to Wide-Eye." - Gundlar

"You think I care for Thadon's toys? It matters not to me whether he suffers in agony, or erases his mind with drugs. But if you insist... Do you know the lengths of his depravity? How low he stoops to pursue his pathetic lifestyle? Felldew is a poison. It kills. And yet Thadon uses the Chalice he created to twist Felldew into a drug he takes for his own amusement. How sick. If he were smart, he'd thank Sheogorath it's out of his hands now. And, of course, he'd never risk himself traveling through Dunroot Burrow to get it" - Kithlan

"I don't ask too many questions of Thadon. It's precious to him, and that's all that matters. It's his own business. But, didn't he mention where it is? Oh... I see. How brilliant of him. This is for you as much as it is for him. Oh, very good Thadon! Dunroot Burrow is your goal, my friend. And what a goal it is." - Wide-Eye'''

You may also be working on the concurrent quest, The Lady of Paranoia, and will discover that the conspiracy centers around the fact Thadon has been "passionate" with Lady Syl. Ma'zaddha will tell you about it: ''"She and Thadon... they've been meeting in secret. They've been doing things together. Consorting. You understand me?" If you confront Thadon about the conspiracy, all he will say is: "Oh, no. You'll not drag me into Syl's mess. She made this bed, now it's up to her to burn it."

After having consumed Felldew, Thadon may make a remark upon seeing you in your state: "Oh my. Look at you. You're in the thick of it now, aren't you?" When you return with the Chalice, however, he may make a different remark upon seeing you: "Alive and kicking, are you? Welcome back." He will be overjoyed upon greeting you: "The triumphant champion returns! So, do you feel any different? Now that you've been through this experience, I mean. You know what it's like now... Always wanting that next fix, hating it but craving it at the same time, and hating yourself for all of it. Ah, well. All over now. The Chalice helps, doesn't it? Indeed it does, and I could use some helping right now. I'll just take that back from you. And as a token of my gratitude, I grant you the role of Courtier of Mania, with all of its entitlements. Which is to say, none."

Ritual of Mania
thumb|right|Thadon''' having a bit of a heart problem during his soliloquy
If you choose to become Duke/Duchess of Mania, you're going to have to get rid of Thadon through the Ritual of Mania. Instead of murdering him in cold blood, you are to give him an overdose of Greenmote, for you need the blood from his exploded heart to satisfy the ritual. This is a mission that will put your stealth to the test: you won't have anything worse to fear than gaining a bounty. Sheogorath himself will tell you it's a safer choice than having to kill Syl: ''"A safer choice, perhaps. Maybe you'll live through this. Thadon's a bit lost these days. Not that it's a bad thing. It suits him. Until now. Besides, won't it be a grand surprise when you make his heart burst from too much Greenmote? Thadon loves surprises!" He will give some additional information if you ask him: "Thadon may be in a constant state of euphoria, but I wouldn't underestimate his intelligence. Oh, this is so much fun!"'' Throughout the whole ordeal, Thadon won't have time to talk to you, as he will remark upon greeting you: ''"Ah, you again! A pleasure, I'm sure. No time for chatter now; I have a few important things to attend to, or did I? Ah well..."''

In order to find Greenmote, you're going to have to talk to his steward, Wide-Eye. If you greet her after having been pointed to her, she'll suspect you've been talking to Thadon: ''"You've been speaking to Thadon. I can tell. He has a certain... effect on people." She will give you her opinion of Thadon: "Such a kind and noble man. In times like these, it's good to have a leader who still enjoys all the modern pleasures Mania has to offer." If you ask her about her routine with a disposition of less than 60, she will prove uncooperative: "Thadon has too many enemies that may turn that knowledge against him. He depends on me quite dearly."'' Raise her disposition though, and she will give some specific information about Thadon's evenings: ''"Around 8 p.m., we are served dinner. Gundlar is quite a chef and prepares Thadon's meals personally, adding just a hint of Greenmote. After that, we dance, we sing, or we do whatever else suits my lord's tastes."

thumb|right|Thadon's heart exploding
After having successfully dosed his meal with Greenmote, all you have to do is wait until the 8pm dinner. Should you attend this dinner, he will rise from his throne as the rest enjoys their meal. Sit back and enjoy his soliloquy:

"Oh my yes, I feel especially delighted this evening! Perhaps it's time I recited my latest soliloquy.

Ahem. The lady fair, our love is told. With hair as fine as soft-spun gold.

Lips as red as a sun-drenched dawn, skin as soft as a newborn fawn.

Eyes as blue as a cerulean sea...uhh...what...

...my heart...can't breathe...help me..."''

After that, he will drop dead as his heart bursts, leaving you to gather his blood. Wide-Eye will cry over Thadon's death, but will try to accept what has happened upon greeting you: ''"I never suspected it was Thadon's time, but what's done is done. I honor his choice." Gundlar will be happy however, raising his arms in enjoyment: "There's no need to mourn. The Ritual has begun! Be happy!"''

Ritual of Dementia
If you opt to replace Syl during the Ritual of Dementia however, Thadon will obviously play much less of a role in your road to Duke/Duchess. He will, however, interrupt your ceremony in the Sacellum right after being claimed Duke/Duchess of Dementia by Arctus. You'll hear him shout as he walks up to the altar, accompanied by two Golden Saints: 
thumb|right|Thadon arguing with Sheogorath in the Shivering:Sacellum Arden-Sul|Sacellum

''Thadon: "Wait! I must speak! Halt! Cease! Desist!"

:Sheogorath: "Thadon, how dare you interrupt me! Only I interrupt me. Like just then. I'm speaking with someone. We'll talk later. Or not. When is later, exactly? Not now, I'm sure of that. Guards, I think Thadon forgot how to use the door. Kindly show him out. Before I forget myself."

''"Syl... my... Syl is dead? This can't be right. Is this right? What have you done? Have you done this?"''

:"Hold your tongue, little Duke, or I'll tear it from your mouth."

''"But, this... stranger? Someone new? From somewhere else? Not here. I'm sure of that. I don't understand. Or I can't."''

:"Calm yourself, Thadon. You're making my teeth itch. You still hold your office. I suggest you see to your duties."

''"Ridiculous! You can't do this! Although... you're omnipotent. Or just tall. It's one of the two, I'm sure. And a fool!"''

:"Fool? Visionary! Change is in the air, Thadon. Breathe it deep! Bathe in its scent! Bottle it up. Save some for later."
thumb|right|Thadon arguing with Sheogorath in the Shivering:Sacellum Arden-Sul|Sacellum
''"Order approaches! It's taken the Fringe already! With Order clothes and Order hats! And you speak of "change"?"''

:"Change will preserve us! It is the lifeblood of the Isles. It will move mountains! It will mount movements!"

''"No. No. Certainly not. This isn't good. I'm sure it's bad. I can't do this anymore. No more."''

:"Then go, Thadon. Have your Greenmote. Take a bath. But leave. Before I decorate my throne with your insides."

''"Yes. That's it. I'll go. Away. Far away. Working for them is like working for us, but without all the dying."''

[Guards draw weapons]

:"No! Let him go!"

''"Enough! I go to Jyggalag. I give myself to him, as a Priest of Order! This isn't done, Madgod. I think it's just started."''

After the dispute, Thadon will leave the Sacellum and the Madgod will comment: "Wondering why I let him go, aren't you? I can see it in your face. Mostly in the eyes. I may take those from you when this is done. This has never happened before! The ruler of Mania turning traitor? Unprecedented! But different is good. A new act in this play. Maybe we're on to something here. We'll see how it plays out. It can't be worse than what's happened before."''  Thadon will then be disabled and will be removed from all of his factions.

The Helpless Army
Provided you're the Duke/Duchess of Dementia, Brellach will be taken over by Order during The Helpless Army. Thadon is said to be the one to have let them in before the Golden Saints could organize themselves. Although Thadon plays a major part in this quest, you won't actually get to see him. Instead, he will be mentioned frequently as you progress the quest:

"Thadon let them in. More than I could count. It was all we could do to fall back and regroup out here." - Issmi
"Where is Thadon? Have you seen him? That traitorous coward!" - Staada
''"Thadon... the snake. He showed up, asked for a contingent of guards. Said there was trouble, and that we were needed. We were so focused on organizing quickly that by the time we realized he'd let Order in himself, it was too late. We were split up and picked off." - Staada
"No sign of him yet. We'll do our best to track him down, and deliver him to Lord Sheogorath for a fitting punishment. The traitor must be brought to justice!" - Staada
"Our own Duke, aligned with the forces of Order? An infuriating thought! He will suffer greatly at the hands of Lord Sheogorath." - Golden Saints at Brellach'''

The Roots of Madness
If you completed the Ritual of Dementia, you will get to see Thadon once more during The Roots of Madness. You'll find him helping Priests of Order contaminate either the Pool of Mania or the Pool of Dementia; he will be found in the second pool you cleanse. As he will now be added to the Forces of Order, he will be wearing an Order Priest's Robe this time, and will be armed with a leveled dagger or shortsword of the highest possible quality of your level, possibly enchanted. He will also carry either another dagger or shortsword of Iron, Steel, or Silver quality depending on your level; or starting from level 6, he will carry a leveled Crystal Staff instead. He will also have two leveled potions, of which one is a healing potion. He will also be able to cast a leveled set of Priest of Order Spells.

At this point, there are several possible encounters, either determined randomly or depending on reasons unknown as of yet. As he sees you, he may continue to contaminate the pool, and give the following speech as the other Priests of Order attack you:
thumb|right|Thadon in Order clothing

''"You. Of course. Sheogorath's assassin."

"I see so clearly now, what a fool I have been. A happy, heedless fool."

"How he must have mocked me, with my poems, and my painting, and my meaningless revelry."

"But no more. No more!"

"If only I had seen it sooner. My beloved Syl might stand here next to me."

"Instead, she is dead, at your hand. And Sheogorath's command!"

"I hope you enjoyed your reign, as it is almost at an end."

"Jyggalag is coming. He cannot be stopped. He will rule this land, and all our delusions will be stripped away."

"None too soon. We have lived too long as the playthings of the Madgod." [He will draw his weapon and attack you when he says this line]

"Now, taste the power of the true Lord of this realm!"''

He may also attack you if the priests have been killed before he finished his speech. It's possible he will immediately attack upon seeing you saying only the first line of the speech or the following line: ''"Sheogorath's pet! His/her head will make a fitting ornament for our Lord Jyggalag's throne room!" It is probable any of these happen due to him having a low disposition towards you.

Additionally, he may shout out one of the following lines once during combat: 

"Where is Sheogorath now? He has abandoned you, as he did me."
"My Lord Jyggalag will never be turned aside by the likes of you, fool!"
"Jyggalag will reward me well for your death!"

If you manage to talk to him, be it through using a Charm spell or through a high Sneak skill, he will show some more devotion towards Jyggalag as you talk to him: "Why did you come here? Why do you still do the bidding of that prattling madman? When I bowed the knee to Jyggalag, my eyes were opened. All that had come before - meaningless. Pointless frivolity. My lord Jyggalag has given me clarity, and purpose. Order's time has come. The Greymarch is upon you."'' He will attack you after this exchange, however.

Notes
His class is always Priest of Order and he'll always have their set of spells, even before joining the Forces of Order.
On occasion, you can see him attempt to talk to his Golden Saint guards, but they respond to him rudely like to any other mortal.
Thadon also appears in the story expansion Isle of Madness for Legends as the card  .