Locations ( Oblivion ) Locations in the province of Cyrodiil are varied and may be hidden . The area that is able to be explored is estimated to be 16 square miles ; unlike cities , locations must be discovered before one can fast travel to them . For more information on traveling throughout the country , see Travel . Map locations . For a list of locations for each type , see its main article . You are able to fast travel back and forth to the following locations once you first discover them . Ayleid Ruins . Ayleid Ruins are ancient structures built by an ancient race of elves known as the Ayleid s . Besides the usual enemies that inhabit the ruin , these ruins usually contain Ayleid casks and reliquaries , several traps , Welkynd Stones , and occasionally some rare Varla Stone s , secret passages , and special magical towers known as Dark Welkynd Stone s that shoot out balls of magicka as you pass by . Camps . Many small camps are scattered throughout Cyrodiil . They usually contain a bed or two , a chest , and a few bandits or marauders . Caves . Caves often wind underground and may have multiple levels . Most simply contain a few barrels and chests , a variety of creatures , and traps if occupied by goblins or NPCs . Caves usually are abundant in Wisp Stalk s and Cairn Bolete . Daedric Shrines . Daedric Shrines are scattered across Tamriel and are a means of communication with Daedric Princes . They offer quests , but some require you to be above a certain level and / or to give an offering . The rewards from these quests are powerful items and weapons . Fort Ruins . Fort Ruins are ancient forts , built most likely during the late First Era to protect the land from foreigners such as Akaviri invaders ( a likely explanation , since the quest " Lifting the Vale " implies an Akaviri attack on such a fort long ago ) . Mines . Mines are man - made underground caverns built for harvesting gold , silver , and iron . Landmarks . Landmarks are usually geographic points of interest , such as a mountain peaks , gardens , cemeteries , or bridges , and most do not have a fast travel location to them and must be reached on foot or horseback . Oblivion Gates . Oblivion Gates are the gates to the realm of Oblivion , which is Mehrunes Dagon ' s realm . Once the Amulet of Kings is delivered to Jauffre and Kvatch is visited during the main quest , many Oblivion Gates will open around Cyrodiil . Settlements . Settlements can be places such as farms and smaller towns , without the full services of a large city , such as inns , armorers or weapon shops . Taverns / Stables . Taverns are convenient places to rest in the wilderness from one ' s adventures , there are side quests involved with many of the taverns . Stables are often located outside major cities and are a place to leave your horse as you shop the city . Other locations . These locations have no map marker and must be found by direction or exploration . Doomstones . There are twenty - one doomstones scattered across Cyrodiil . Thirteen of these monoliths are named after the birthsigns , while the other eight are believed to be named after long forgotten cults . Rune Stones . Rune Stones are slightly different than doomstones in that they offer Bound Items to those that use them . They do not offer powers gained by the doomstones but their conjured weaponry can be valuable in a fight . Wayshrines . Wayshrines are shrines to the Nine Divines in the wilderness . Making pilgrimages to these shrines bestows a blessing on the character , and allows the player to receive the same blessing from city chapel s . Pilgrimages to all nine wayshrines gives the ultimate blessing of the nine , the Pilgrim ' s Grace . Wayshrines are not marked on the world map , and so they cannot be fast traveled to .