Vaermina Vaermina the Dreamweaver ( in Daedric script , ) , also called Vaernima , is one of the seventeen Daedric Princes . Her sphere of influence includes nightmares , psychological terror and torment , dreams , bringing evil omens , and stealing memories . Appearance and personality . Vaermina ' s physical appearance is usually that of a female mage , complete with a flowing robe with deep sleeves and a magic staff . She rules the plane of Oblivion known as Quagmire , which is described as a constantly shifting nightmare realm . She is one of the Daedric Princes that is consistently depicted as evil or demonic , with a strong preference for psychological torture . At the same time , Daedra worshipers will often pray to her just before sleeping , likely in hopes of warding off any potential meetings during their rest . Vaermina is often said to be strongly connected with Magnus , the source of magic on Tamriel . Many scholars believe that , through their dreams , even otherwise magically - untalented mortals can slip into Quagmire , and behold Vaermina ' s presence . Upon speaking to her , Vaermina will explain that mortals visit her constantly in their nightmares , speak to her in their sleep , and often wake in a cold sweat upon leaving her presence . Most mortals are unaware of this meeting , however , as they cannot remember anything that occurred during their dreams . After a true , remembered encounter with the Daedric Lord , her followers often claim that nothing on Nirn holds any fear for them , as nothing can possibly be as frightening as being in Vaermina ' s presence . Vaermina does not appear much in the lore of Tamriel , with one notable exception . When seeking a cure for vampirism on Vvardenfell , in , Vaermina is named as the source of Molag Bal ' s information on how to cure the disease . Quests . Oblivion . During Vaermina ' s quest , the player gets a first - hand look at her penchant for psychological terror . To even speak to the Daedra , you must present a Black Soul Gem , a device whose purpose is to trap the soul of a sentient creature . You are then tasked with retrieving an artifact stolen from Vaermina by a wizard . When you track down the wizard ' s hideout , you enter a nightmare world full of lesser daedra and bizarre , otherworldly scenery . Some portions of the wizard ' s tower resemble the Deadlands , including the ever - present lava and claw - like bridges . Vaermina ' s final warning to you strongly implies that she , not the wizard , is responsible for the state of the tower . The wizard himself is found comatose , nearby Vaermina ' s precious Orb . Upon returning her artifact , the Daedra tells you that the wizard will be trapped in his nightmare forever , as punishment for his theft . Vaermina rewards you with the Skull of Corruption , a staff capable of creating a nightmare double of any humanoid creature , which automatically attacks the original being with a vengeance . Skyrim . In the town of Dawnstar , the Dragonborn will encounter — either inside the inn or just outside of it — a couple of citizens speaking with a robed man , speaking to them about their horrific nightmares . The man , named Erandur , seems to know something about the situation , but will not fully explain what it is when he ' s approached by the Dragonborn . The man claims to be a Priest of Mara , and that he can indeed remedy the situation , but is in need the Dragonborn ' s help . He then leads the Dragonborn to a tower overlooking the town . Upon reaching the tower , the priest explains that the tower used to be a shrine dedicated to Vaermina . Long ago , a band of Orcs invaded the tower and had a bloody conflict with all those dwelling inside . As a last - ditch effort to prevent the Orcs from seizing the inner sanctum in which the Skull of Corruption stands , the priests released the Miasma , a gas which instantly puts all those who inhale it into an unbreakable deep hibernation , while also keeping those slumbering perfectly preserved . Unfortunately , the longer one stays asleep under the Miasma ' s influence , the more their mind breaks down . As such , upon entering the tower and breaking the air - tight seal , the Miasma recedes , allowing the Orcs and priests to awaken and begin attacking in a frenzy . Upon entering the shrine , the priest explains to the Dragonborn how the Skull of Corruption is the source of everyone ' s nightmares , since it devours dreams and memories for Vaermina to collect . Along the way to the inner sanctum , the Dragonborn must drink a special potion called Vaermina ' s Torpor in order to get past a magical barrier . This potion allows one to enter a state of being called " The Dreamstride . " In theory , this allows someone to physically teleport across great distances . Any who drink it instantly fall asleep and enter a dream - like world of the memories from someone nearby . Where they are in the world during The Dreamstride when they wake up is where their physical body will be in the physical world . As such , the hero visits the memory of a Priest of Vaermina on the day that the Orcs invaded , allowing the hero to witness as this priest runs to the device that sets up the barrier and releases the Miasma . Upon doing this in the dream , the hero awakens in the physical world , looking at the barrier control device ( a soul gem ) . Having circumvented the barrier , the priest and the hero make their way into the inner sanctum where they find two of the priest ' s former companions . Upon defeating them and having the Skull within sight , Vaermina ' s disembodied voice speaks out , telling the Dragonborn that the priest is trying to deceive them , and that they should kill the priest and claim the staff for their own . If the priest is allowed to finish the ritual , he won ' t turn against the player , and he may be recruited as a companion . As a result , though , the Skull can not be obtained . Alternately , if he is killed by the Dragonborn , then the Skull of Corruption will be rewarded to them and count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement . Online . Vaermina serves as the main antagonist of the Stormhaven region in . Vaermina ' s cultists led an assault against Stormhaven , with her having her lover and champion , the Night Terror , help her in High King Emeric ' s kidnapping to bring to Quagmire through the use of Vaermina ' s Mirror . Upon saving the king and killing the Night Terror , the Vestige is promised that even if he or she escapes from Quagmire then , she would cause extreme suffering for killing her lover in the future .