Sheogorath (Online)

Sheogorath is the Daedric Prince of Madness, ruler of the Shivering Isles. Sheogorath is largely involved with the plot in the Mages Guild questline. He can later be encountered in Northern Elsweyr in the form of an Alfiq named Skooma Cat.
==Background==
Sheogorath once made a deal with Arch-Mage Shalidor; in exchange for the Folium Discognitum, Sheogorath would receive the Eyevea. Sometime after the exchange was made, Shalidor came to regret this deal and blamed the Mad God for tricking the Arch-Mage into it. 
During the Mages Guild questline, Sheogorath agrees to let Shalidor reclaim four tomes needed to reclaim Eyevea, but the Vestige must perform several tasks in order to receive each tome. Due to an enchantment placed upon the tomes, Shalidor cannot read the tomes himself and must rely on his assistant, Valaste, to translate the books for him at a slower pace. 
Unknown to the Vestige or Shalidor, Sheogorath had cursed the tomes to slowly drive Valaste insane. Sheogorath intends to offer a second deal - reminiscent of the first one he made with Shalidor - by taking Valaste back with him to the Shivering Isles in exchange for the Folium Discognitum, or cure Valaste of her madness and not give the Folium. The decision is up to the Vestige. 
==Personality==
Sheogorath is a sadistic Daedric Prince who finds entertainment by inflicting madness on helpless individuals and driving people to commit murder. He has little remorse for mortals, whom he calls "playthings," and will freely renegade on a deal with them if he finds an alternative to be more beneficial to him. He will also discard a loyal follower should they fail to meet his expectations, usually by getting someone to kill them.
As with mortals, Sheogorath has little regard for his fellow Princes and will happily steal from them to "keep them on their feet." The death of his personal underlings, such as the Dark Seducers, is fair game if watching them fight someone is entertaining.
==Interactions==
===Mages Guild===
====Long Lost Lore====
A high-ranking member of the Mages Guild, Valaste, wants the Vestige to perform a task for her. They must find a ruin nearby, which Valaste says may hold a store of ancient knowledge.
====Simply Misplaced====
Haskill asks the Vestige to recover two of the Daedric Artifacts of Sheogorath; the Fork of Horripilation and the Wabbajack.
====Circus of Cheerful Slaughter====
Valaste can't find anything in "Circus of Cheerful Slaughter" that tells her what the next of Sheogorath's trials is. She lets the Vestige try to read the book, and they are transported to the Circus of Cheerful Slaughter.
====Chateau of the Ravenous Rodent====
In the final test, Sheogorath wants the Vestige to take a vacation in his family's chateau. However, all the three guest rooms are occupied, and two guests are cannibals. The correct guest is the one that isn't playing his role right and wants to get out. Next, the Vestige must find their way through a dark maze. Finally, they must fight their way through Madmen and Madwomen to a boss fight with Uncle Leo, a flesh atronach.
====The Mad God's Bargain====
The Vestige and Shalidor journey to Eyevea, but Sheogorath left portals to Oblivion open and the island is covered in daedra. The Vestige fights Haskill. Sheogorath, who has been making Valaste slowly insane with his cursed books, offers to take her to the Shivering Isles. They can decide whether or not to save her.
===Side quests===
====The Grip of Madness====
The Vestige must find the source of the madness inflicting the townsfolk of Southpoint. This madness is caused by Mayor Aulus, who has been touched by Sheogorath and has helped him place a curse of madness on the town. 
====The Lunacy of Two Moons====
The Vestige is asked to investigate the cause of the mad behavior of the clergy at Two Moons at Tenmar Temple. 
====Chaos Magic====
Sheogorath offers to let the Vestige "borrow" Volendrung in Cheesemonger's Hollow to use in the Alliance War.
==Dialogue==
Show: Long Lost Lore
Show: Simply Misplaced
After acquiring the artifacts:
"Look Haskill! Forky's back! It's so nice to see him again! Oh. And good to see you too, mortal. I guess."
:Yes, here they are. "Wonderful! I'll just take ... forky! I've missed you so much, forky! Let's never be parted again. Gives me goosebumps to hold him in my hand again."
::What about this staff? "Ahh, the Wabbajack. Maleel held it down in that dusty tomb for so long ... Say, why don't you clear its throat. Take it in hand and use it on some of these holier-than-thou temple types."
:::What am I signing up for? "No need to worry your pretty mortal head. The Wabbajack ... it unleashes the potential in everyone. The unrecognized essence of artistic beauty that swells and beats within the ... Look, you want the book? Whack some folks with the Wabbajack."
::::If you insist.
After using the Wabbajack:
"A bit rusty, but not bad! So funny, watching you mortals muck around with things you can't possibly understand. I'll be needing that back, now."
:Here it is. "And, as promised, the book. Go ahead. Take it!"
::Thank you. "Once it's yours, it'll send you straight back to Tamriel. Funny how books have a way of transporting you ... Simply hold your breath, close your eyes. And count to ... let's say a million?"
:::All right?
Show: Circus of Cheerful Slaughter
Show: Chateau of the Ravenous Rodent
Show: The Mad God's Bargain
Outside the Grand Hall:
"Ah! Good! You and I can have reasonable conversations. Shalidor's just too old and crotchety for me."
:What are you doing here, Sheogorath? We had a deal. "You know, funny thing about deals. They're really the sorts of things you should get in writing. I said if you completed the trials, you could find the island.The portals to deepest Oblivion scattered here and there? A sort of bonus."
::So this is another trial, then? "If you want to see it that way, sure! It's another trial. I'm sure you and Valaste - oh, hello dearie! I'm sure you'll have no problems closing the portals.Honestly, I'm surprised the Mistress of Incunabula didn't see this coming."
:::Why are you so focused on Valaste? "No reason at all! What are you implying? That my choice to curse the books was a calculated move?That crazy old Sheogorath knew there were only a handful of people in the guild that could do the work she did? Madness!"
::::What are you talking about? "Oh, I'm sure you'll figure it out. You outwitted daffy old Sheogorath, right?Anyway, pull the crystals to close the portals. Have fun, see you soon!"
:::::Wait, what did you mean about Valaste?
In the Great Hall:
"Admit it ... you were surprised, weren't you? The look on your face was precious!"
:Can we talk about this? "Of course, of course! What can I tell you? Just so you know, as you talk I'm going to imagine there's a little person inside you moving your mouth like a puppet. It helps keep me interested."
::What's the catch? "No catch, mortal! Not this time. Look, no matter what choice you make, Shalidor's always going to know I got inside his head. Again! That's what I'm trading you the island for. This ... this is just something between the two of us."
::Tell me more about this Folium. "Well, see, if you sit a madman down and listen to him ramble he'll sometimes spout the most brilliant insights.I don't know if you know this, but I spend a lot of time around madmen."
:::So the Folium is the collected insights of madmen? "Aye! And they're some right insightful insights they are. You read through my Folium and, hoo! Like I said, worth the power and zip of half a dozen skyshards easy."
::If Valaste stays here, will you cure her? "You've got it! No strings, no "lingering magical afflictions", no nightmare beasties haunting her in her dreams. Ooo ... that's always fun ... but no, no, no, no. I'll undo what my books did to her. Fair and square. If you deny the Folium."
:::Why would you do that? "I'll be honest, mortal, I haven't had this much fun in years! Your struggle to collect the books, getting to poke Shalidor with a stick ... Oh, oh! Do you remember the time I had you close all those portals on Eyevea? Hah! Good times ...
:I'm ready to make my decision. "Right! A mortal making a decision! Free will and agency! Now then: does Valaste stay, become sane again, and live her life out here? Or! Does she go with me, and you receive the power of the Folium Discognitum? Which will it be?"
::[Valaste Stays] I want you to cure Valaste. "Hah! I knew you wouldn't take the book. Could see it in your eyes. Oh well, can't blame Uncle Sheo for wanting to give his favorite niece a good home now.As you wish, mortal. I'll undo what's been done to her."
::[Valaste Goes] I want the Folium Discognitum "Hah! I knew you'd take the book. Could see it in your eyes. Don't worry, Uncle Sheo will take good care of his favorite niece. It's been nice doing business with you, mortal."
Show: Chaos Magic
"Well, look who got their soul back from Molag Bal! And is that Meridia I smell? You've been a busy little vestige! Don't worry about these levelheaded losers. No one can see me but you. You possess a special untapped talent for unhinged insanity!"
:What do you want? "What does Sheogorath always want? I am the Mad Star! The Mad God! Ironically, I'm actually quite happy. But I'm neither here nor anywhere. All that matters at the moment is infusing some entertainment into this dreadfully dull bloodshed."
::War isn't supposed to be entertaining. "Not with that attitude, it isn't. I can teach you a trick that will swing the war in your alliance's favor while bringing a smile to the ever-changing face of your favorite Daedric Prince. I'm talking about me, just in case that wasn't clear."
:::I'm listening. "I don't mind you mortals constantly murdering each other, but would it kill you to crack more skulls? I think I have just the thing."
::::What do you have in mind? "That, my mortal friend, is a dangerous and delicious inquiry. I want to give you the power of Volendrung. Don't be fooled by the funny name. Malacath's giant hammer is no laughing matter. Unless you're like me and you enjoy watching skulls explode."
:::::You stole Malacath's hammer? "Of course not. I simply borrowed it for an indeterminate amount of time. And now you can borrow it from me to shower the battlefield with the brains of your enemies! I don't recommend literally showering in anyone's brains, by the way. Too slippery."
::::::Where is Volendrung now? "Back in Cheesemonger's Hollow, with the rest of my madness! Would you like to visit? I can open a portal, and take us there right now. I don't know how often you travel by portal, but it really is quite nice."
:::::::All right. I'll visit Chessemonger's Hollow.
"That was as brain-bashingly entertaining as I'd hoped! I've always said that everything is better with exploding heads. You have to use this hammer in the Three-Banners War. I might finally be able to watch an entire battle without falling asleep."
:But won't it eat my soul? "Souls are overrated. Just ask Cadwell. He doesn't have a soul, and he's happy as a decapitated clam. We both know you want the power. Sometimes getting what you want means giving up a little bit of your eternal soul. What do you say?"
::Can I get rid of Volendrung after I pick it up? "You can't leave Malacath's enchanted murder hammer lying around for just anyone to pick up. You can always bring it back here to play with. Uncle Sheo's house, Uncle Sheo's rules. But if you pick up a greater artifact in Cyrodiil, you're committed."
:::I don't want to trade my soul for power. "Ah! Confusion and guilt are my bread and butter! Madness is my cheese! Moral fortitude is my melon-chevre salad! If I wasn't immortal, I would be starving right now! We're done here! Get out! Happy head exploding!"
Show: The Grip of Madness
Outside Southpoint (Posessing Daraneth):
"Did Captain Elonthor send you to mock me? Did you come to tell me I don't know the work of a Daedric Prince when I see one?"
:Daedric Prince? What Daedric Prince? "Isn't it obvious? Madness swept through Southpoint like a plague, and so quickly! Only one Daedric Prince has such power."
::Sheogorath. "No, it's …. Wait, yes, that's it exactly! The Daedric Prince of Madness himself, here in Southpoint. It's all rather exciting, isn't it?"
:::You don't seem concerned about Southpoint. "I'm exceptionally concerned. It is my home, after all. But I'd rather show my concern by doing something about the problem. The captain wanted to find his scouts, didn't he? We should get going!"
::::You want to come with me? "Of course! You need someone who knows the town, and I need someone with whom to take a stroll in this lovely rain. No use arguing, I've been getting my way since before you were born. Or do you want a sweet old woman to show more courage than you?"
:::::Conservator Daraneth, from the Orrery? "Yes? What of it?"
::::::You're needed in Elden Root for the ratification ceremony. "Actually, I'm needed in Southpoint. Unless the queen prefers it left to the whims of a Daedric Prince, she can wait."
After speaking with Lieutenant Hervarion (possessing Daraneth):
"Soldiers turned into bears? People setting themselves on fire? And now a mad mayor, locked in a cathedral! I know I should be horrified, but it all sounds so exciting."
:What can we do about those scouts? "Hmm? Oh, I suppose I can reverse the effects of the mayor's magic. After many, many years of honing my craft, this should be a simple matter. But if we're hunting bears, I'll need you to be the bait."
::You want me to be the bait? "I'm an old woman! And such magic requires precision. Wrestling with bears impedes precision. Slap them about their faces, throw sticks at them, call them harsh names. However you must, keep their attention while I do the complex part."
:::What can we do about the mayor? "I have an old scroll tucked away in my basement laboratory. If we have it in hand, it won't matter how tightly he's locked that cathedral door. But first we should rid Southpoint of its bear problem. Shall we?"
::::Let's go.
After trying to get into her laboratory (possessing Daraneth):
"We won't make it inside my laboratory unless we stop the lightning."
:This storm isn't natural. How can we stop it? "If someone conjured this storm, they'd do it from somewhere they could see everything in Southpoint. There's an old Colovian tower nearby. It's the highest point in the town, aside from the cathedral."
::Let's check the tower.
Inside the Cathedral of the Golden Path's catacombs; first encounter:
"Well, if it isn't my old friend Hunts-For-Books! Now don't look so glum, or the skeevers'll notice. Then they hit you up for some spare gold, a few shin bones, your best pair of cheese-filled slippers. Insufferable beasts! They can't hold a conversation."
:What do you want? "Mayor Aulus is a curd in the soup. A real fly in the whey, don't you say? Made a mess of me gift, the kind from the wrong end of a dog. I tried to encourage him. Even brought him a hero to destroy! But he couldn't go through with it. Can you imagine?"
::You're talking about me. "I led you right here to make it all boring again. And what did he do to stop you? Nothing! There I stood in my best old-lady suit, and he said it was all my fault! Ah, he just needs motivation. What better than an escaped prisoner seeking vengeance?"
:::You want me to kill him? "Could you kill someone you love? I can't! Well, I have. But not Mayor Aulus, it would be too pedestrian. No, I want you to try killing him."
::::Why should I try to kill him? "I want him to reach deep down, below all the marmalade and crushing failures defining his life, to find a seed of confidence, and grow it into a tree of gumption he'll use to beat your brains to paste. But if not, any brain paste'll do. Even his."
:::::I'll do this if you swear to leave Southpoint forever. "Deal! Oh, and one more thing. Daraneth stays behind. If you bore me too much, I'll turn her into a goose, roast her, and feed her to you covered in fine Eidar glaze. The goose, I mean. It's a might bit chilly for my Eidar-pants."
::::::Whatever you say.
Second encounter:
"Oh, you can't seem to catch a break, can you? Chin up, just like the bridge! Adversity is the brother-in-law of propensity! As they say."
:Why are you doing this? "Eh, a proper hero needs obstacle. Struggle. Repeated attempts at bodily harm! You're going to play the proper hero so Autie can shine! Or our deal is off. And if it's off, so is Daraneth's head. To Skyrim! In a field! With berries growing from her eyes!"
Third encounter:
"I can never decide between Choice and Free Will. Which will triumph in the end? But why not settle the matter for me? Or you could yank a lever, but that's hardly fun for either of us."
:You asked me to kill the mayor. Why are you playing these games? "I just told you! Choice and Free Will are subjects I hold quite dear. So, you could fight a very good friend of mine. Or you could pull another lever. Choice!"
::I'll fight your friend. "Wonderful! Just say the word and I'll bring him here."
:::I'm ready to fight. 
::I'd rather pull another lever. 
Inside the Cathedral of the Golden Path, after defeating Mayor Aulus:
"And that's why you're my new favorite mortal. When you kill something wonderful, you keep it interesting. Fresh! Dare I say, jovial? Makes me wonder if I should stick around, see what wonderful things you'll kill next."
:We had a deal. "Think I don't remember, you daft little sprig? Call me a debt-hedger, will you? A deal-fondler? Ah, but you're forgiven. I've always said grudges are like a good cheese. Hold them inside for too long, and you're the one to suffer."
Show: The Lunacy of Two Moons
At the Skooma Cat's Cloister, after reverting from his Skooma Cat form
"It was me the whole time! Are you surprised? I was surprised."
:I already knew you were the Skooma Cat. I thought you said you'd let Sizenza go if I took her place. "Oh, right. So I did! But then I thought it'd be more fun to just keep you both. I was half right. You're a little too good as a plaything. Not fair if you're always winning!"
::What's not fair is you cheating. "That's the best part of playing games with lunatics, they're always changing the rules! You'd get it, if you just let me whack you on the noggin a few hundred times. No? Well, game's over. Off with you now!"
:::Don't be a sore loser. "Look at you. Making demands. In my games. In my realm. All right, one last impossible challenge for you then. How's that for sporting? Say my name three times backwards."
::::My name three times backwards. "You took the words right out of me mouth! Next you’ll be plucking my teeth for a new princely smile. Well, you can’t have them! I need them to bite Haskill. Take a bite out of my anchor instead, would ya?"
::::<Turn your back.> Sheogorath, Sheogorath, Sheogorath. "Bah! Knew I should have gone with frontwards! They never expect that. Anyone who'd turn their back to a Daedric Prince is a wedge short of a wheel. Go on and take that one. You earned it. Looney."
::::Htarogoehs, Htarogoehs, Htarogoehs! "Now how'd you--that can't be--I don't ... normally that'd twist your tongue around to taste the inside of your ears! Or was it my tongue? All right, you win again. Go on and take your prize. Oh! Ear cheese."
==Conversations==
;The Mad God's Bargain
Arch-Mage Shalidor: "This is not what we agreed to, Mad God! Leave this place."
Sheogorath: "Careful, mage. Remember who you're talking to.
Our mortal friend has arrived! Be quiet now, Shally. Adults talking."
Sheogorath: "Ahh, my favorite mortal. Shalidor finally figured out how to let you in. You're here to kick me out, I know. But fighting isn't really my thing. Haskill?"
Haskill: "Very good, sir. Ahem. Have at you, adept. We will now face each other in honorable combat. On your guard."
Arch-Mage Shalidor: "Enough with the games, Sheogorath. Are you going to relinquish the island to us or not?"
Sheogorath: "All right, all right. Settle down. I'll just gather my things and go. Valaste! Dearie, why don't you come over here?"
Valaste: "Uncle Sheo? Are we going somewhere?"
Sheogorath: "Yes, little one. You're coming with me. Home to the Shivering Isles! Won't that be nice?"
Arch-Mage Shalidor: "Mad God, stay back! Valaste isn't yours to take!"
Sheogorath: "Isn't she though? I can see it on her face, smell it in the air. She's crazy, mad, a lunatic. All that time with Uncle Sheo's stories and she's got the urge to visit the Isles. My Shivering Isles."
Valaste: "I do! I want to go with Uncle Sheo! He's got the butterflies! I love butterflies!"
Sheogorath: "Hmm, this is a conundrum. A riddle, a ... choice. I tell you what, mortal. Why don't we let you decide? Should Valaste stay? Or come with me to the dear old Isles?
In fact, let's sweeten the deal. You decide she stays, I'll cure her! That's right! Uncle Sheo will make her sane again. Boring old Valaste, whose only friends are books!"
Arch-Mage Shalidor: "And if the adept decides she goes with you?"
Sheogorath: "Well, as it happens I have one more book here. I'd give it to you in exchange for Valaste. It's called ... the Folium Discognitum."
Arch-Mage Shalidor: "Sheogorath, you bastard! You'd throw the Folium back in my face, after all these years?"
Sheogorath: "Wrote it myself, it's a delightful little artifact. It imbues the reader with the knowledge of madmen! It's very powerful ... worth oh, four or five of those Skyshard things you adventurers are always looking for.
So! Valaste stays and I cure her. Or ... she goes with me and you, my little mortal, become much more powerful. Your choice!"
Sheogorath: "The mortal's decided to let Valaste stay! So, this is where I say my goodbyes. Mortal, nice working with you! Shalidor ... never change.
Valaste ... sorry dear. Say goodbye to your little dreamlings.
The Prince of Madness doesn't stay where he's not wanted ... heh, except when he does. But in this case, he doesn't! Until next time, Magelings!"
Valaste: "It's like ... it's like a fog has lifted from inside my mind. Adept, I don't know what to say. You've saved me from a fate worse than death."
Arch-Mage Shalidor: "Valaste ... are you?"
Valaste: "Yes, I'm ... all right, Shalidor. I'm myself again."
;The Grip of Madness
In the cathedral:
Mayor Aulus: "Who's there? How did you get in? Go, I want to be alone!"
Daraneth: "Don't you recognize me, Mayor Aulus?"
Mayor Aulus: "Daraneth! Thank the Divines. Sheogorath did this, all of it. He used me!"
Daraneth: "And how exactly did he use you?"
Mayor Aulus: "He promised me power, the respect I deserve … but then he cursed my tongue with madness and let me make a mess of this town!"
Daraneth: "You're so pitiful, even for a mortal."
Mayor Aulus: "What?"
<Sheogorath emerges from Daraneth's body>
Sheogorath: "You heard me! I've always wanted to meet a person within a person! Tell me, what's it like?
Mayor Aulus: "I'm … I'm so sorry, Sheogorath! I thought you'd abandoned me!""''
Sheogorath: "Aulie, I left you a tongue that drives people mad! But I suppose if you don't want my gift, I can take it from your mouth and give it to my new favorite mortal friend."
Mayor Aulus: "No! Think of all I've built here, the wonderful screams I've created, all in your name. Doesn't that make me your favorite?"
Sheogorath: "Oh, very well. Sorry, my second favorite mortal friend! We had a good run, but it's time for your curtain call."
In the dungeons:
Sheogorath: "And make it entertaining, would you? After spending so much time in this town, I finally know where the Colovians keep their fur hats."
Daraneth: "This is your chance to fix this mess. Go, deal with the "mayor." If Southpoint bores him, Sheogorath will leave."
Back in the cathedral:
Mayor Aulus: "What do you mean, coming to kill me?"
Sheogorath: "It's a gift! A chance to shine, to prove you have some backbone that won't snap at the lightest touch! Really, Aulie, I'm quite fond of you. Mmm. Fondue. What was I saying?"
Mayor Aulus: "That you're fond of me. That you don't want to watch me die!"
Sheogorath: "Watch you die horribly, all alone, and laughing my head off when it happens? That doesn't sound like me. Does it? But I'm sure you can work the matter out for yourself."
Mayor Aulus: "Please, don't do this! Maybe we can work something out?"
If the Vestige chose to spare Mayor Aulus:
Mayor Aulus: "Sheogorath, I've been thinking. Southpoint can't truly appreciate your gift. But if you brought me to the Shivering Isles, I'd fit right in!"
Sheogorath: "You want to go where you're like all the others? Where you can be a shank of bacon in a house built of bacon shanks?"
Mayor Aulus: "No! I mean, think of how I could use your gift in a place that truly understood me."
Sheogorath: "Well, I suppose you'd make a fine addition to the garden. Very well! The killing's off. Couldn't bring you to my home with more holes in you than when we first met. Just not proper."
Mayor Aulus: "Thank you, Sheogorath! Thank you so much. I can't wait to see my new home."
Sheogorath: "I'll send you ahead. I need a moment to speak with my second favorite mortal. Don't mind the grummites! They always smell that way."
==Quotes==
*"Whatever happened to bludgeoning someone to death with a wheel of cheese?" 
*"Haskill? Oh, Haskill! Show them what the Wabbajack can do!" –When the Vestige is fighting Haskill.
*"The pigs, Haskill! Toss those huggable, squeezeable piglets!" –When the Vestige is fighting Haskill.
*"Now you've gone and done it. I've never seen Haskill so angry! At someone else, I mean." –When the Vestige is fighting Haskill.
*"All right, that's enough. Break it up you two!" –After the Vestige beats Haskill.
*"Such despair! Richer than a cheese sorbet!" – While imprisoned in the catacombs of the Cathedral of the Golden Path
*"Haste and blood! It's why you're my new favorite mortal. Well, also your buoyancy. But mostly haste and blood!" – In the catacombs of the Cathedral of the Golden Path
*"Bridge is out! My boredom washed it away. Really got in the cracks, there!" – In the catacombs of the Cathedral of the Golden Path
*"Do you have to lumber about like that? Show some …. Show some panache! A little swagger!" – In the catacombs of the Cathedral of the Golden Path
*"This just isn't your day. But your Uncle Sheogorath can make it better!" – In the catacombs of the Cathedral of the Golden Path
*"Free Will! Get out here, there's someone I want you to meet!" – If the vestige chooses to fight over pulling another lever
*"Not much gusto. But a smidge of verve, three jots brio … the essentials for a moxie fondue! Mmm, fondue. Hmm? What was I saying?" – After slaying Free Will
*"Don't be a stranger!" – Upon finishing "The Grip of Madness"
==Appearances==
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fr:Shéogorath (Online)
Category:Online: Daedric Princes
Category:Online: Deities