Shivering:Dungeons

This page provides general information on what to expect when exploring dungeons.  Here, dungeons is being used as a general term to refer to the underground sections of all the various places in the game: Ruins and caves.  Some of the information is also relevant to any place where you are likely to encounter random creatures and/or loot.

This page lists only the information specific to the Shivering Isles. For information on dungeons in the standard game of Oblivion, see this page.

Occupants
Grummites
Bipedal, frog-like creatures with a primitive culture and basic utilization of weapons. Grummite enemies can include shamans that use magicka, and archers that can use poison arrows. 

Grummite Dungeons

Monsters
Any of the different wildlife or creatures in the Isles. Includes Elytra, Flesh Atronachs, and Gnarls.

Monster Dungeons

Undead
Undead, such as ethereal spirits, skeletons, zombies, and shambles.

Undead Dungeons

Heretics
Heretics are mage-type NPCs that occupy the Mania side of the Isles. Similar to other mage NPCs, Heretics wear faction specific clothing, utilize a limited variety of leveled spells in combat, and may carry (and use) a variety of potions, poisons, and scrolls.

Specific to the faction; Heretics summon Hungers, prefer blunt weapons, and possess a lesser power that allows them to dispel mind-affecting effects. Wearing a Heretic robe and hood provides a limited disguise; reducing the area of triggered aggression.

Heretic Dungeons
Zealots
Zealots are mage-type NPCs that occupy the Dementia side of the Isles. Similar to other mage NPCs, Zealots wear faction specific clothing, utilize a limited variety of leveled spells in combat, and may carry (and use) a variety of potions, poisons, and scrolls.

Specific to the faction; Zealots summon Flesh Atronachs, prefer blade weapons, and have some capacity for spell absorption. Wearing a Zealot robe and hood provides a limited disguise; reducing the area of triggered aggression.

Zealot Dungeons

Traps
In addition to darts, and spike pits, dungeons in the Shivering Isles boast their own variety of unique traps with types specific to root tunnels and ruins. 

Root tunnels have organic style traps, such as spiky roots that shoot out of holes in the tunnel wall, and mushrooms that release a cloud of poisonous gas that deals damage over time. These traps are triggered by pressure sensitive mushrooms that can be avoided by careful movement. However, due to the large amounts of foliage in the tunnels the traps are usually well camouflaged and can prove fatal.

Ancient ruins also have deadly traps. Mainly, these take the form of statues of grummites, scalons or just monstrous heads that fire magical projectiles from their mouths. These projectiles sometimes induce negative effects. The statues will continue to fire at any adventurer in their line of sight until they move away. As not all statues are active, the best tactic is just to move normally until hit, or you see a magic bolt coming toward you. Then run to a corridor or some kind of cover. Alternatively, if there are monsters around, maneuver yourself so they are between you and the statue, then they will die quite ironically.

Loot
Loot is usually dependent on level, and can include generic magic and mundane items from standard Oblivion, as well as Shivering Isles specific items.

Misc
In addition, Dark Seducers and Golden Saints each have their own dungeon, Pinnacle Rock and Brellach respectively, containers from which also appear in other locations:
Dark Seducer Containers
Golden Saint Containers