Planes of Oblivion The Planes of Oblivion , home of the Daedric Princes , are areas of Oblivion that are generally dark , depressing and chaotic in nature . Oblivion is an extension of the Void and is considered the dualistic inverse of Aetherius , the utopian afterlife . There are sixteen planes in total with each Daedric Prince presiding over one . However , it should be noted that the " planes " of Oblivion are actually just different places in one larger plane . Although most are extremely dangerous and pretty much inhospitable to mortals , they differ in shape and size according to the ruling Prince . For example , the Plane of Oblivion that is encountered by the player in is the domain of Mehrunes Dagon , the Daedric Prince of destruction . In the expansion , the player is allowed access to Sheogorath ' s Plane of Oblivion known as the Shivering Isles . Some Planes of Oblivion are encountered during quest s , such as the quest for the shrine of Peryite . Accessing Oblivion . Oblivion Gates . The only way to reach Oblivion from Nirn is through Oblivion Gate s that are scattered throughout the game world . The chances for an Oblivion gate to spawn is mostly determined by what point in the main storyline you have reached . For example , there is a 0 % chance for an Oblivion gate to spawn in front of Bruma at the very beginning of the game , but a 100 % chance for it to spawn during the quest Bruma Gate . However , there are some individuals who have the technology and arcane ability to construct a gate to Oblivion . Valerica , a vampire of the Volkihar Clan was able to construct a portal to the Soul Cairn in her study . She was able to power and sustain the portal using soul gem shards , finely ground bone meal and purified void salts , and even a sample of her own blood . Closing a gate . In order to close an Oblivion gate the Hero of Kvatch must first enter it into the Plane of Oblivion . There , a Sigil Stone must be removed from the Sigilum Sanguis ( a room which is always at the topmost part of the largest tower in that particular area ) . Afterwards , the Hero and their companions are safely teleported back to Tamriel . Rituals . As outlined by the glyphs within " Mysterium Xarxes " , men and mer can enter Oblivion with the aid of a Daedric Artifact and the blood of an Aedric entity . During the Oblivion Crisis , the last Septim emperor Martin Septim used his knowledge of Daedric occultism to perform the ritual with Azura ' s Star and the blood of Tiber Septim left on his breastplate . Meditation . According to the transcripts of Morian Zenas ' s apprentice , Seif - ij Hidja , the conjurer was able to enter a deep trance - like meditative state where he could mentally travel through the Planes of Oblivion , without his physical body entering the realms . The text also describes that the Psijic Order and the Dwemer developed powerful telepathic magic that allowed them to communicate with beings in Oblivion , as well as there . Specifically , the Psijics knew of a place called the The Dreaming Cave , where travel into Oblivion was made possible , without an Oblivion Gate . Iachesis , Sotha Sil , Nematigh , Morain Zenas himself , and many , many others traversed the veil and entered the realms in The Dreaming Cave .