Find out how to start Vaermina’s quest in Oblivion Remastered, retrieve the Orb of Vaermina, and earn the powerful Skull of Corruption staff to wreak havoc on your enemies.
In Oblivion Remastered, Vaermina — the Dreamweaver of the Daedric Princes — sends players on a sinister little mission to reclaim her lost artifact, the Orb of Vaermina.
Complete her quest, and you’ll be rewarded with the legendary Skull of Corruption, a wicked staff perfect for anyone walking the darker path of magic.
If you’re aiming to collect every Daedric Artifact or just want a staff that can turn enemies against themselves, here’s your full walkthrough.
How to Find Vaermina’s Shrine in Oblivion Remastered
The Shrine of Vaermina is located south of Cheydinhal, perched on the western edge of Lake Poppad.
To begin Vaermina’s quest, there are a couple of requirements:
- You must be at least Level 5.
- You must bring a Black Soul Gem as an offering.
How to Get a Black Soul Gem:
- Buy a Grand Soul Gem from Mages Guild Halls or the Mystic Emporium in the Imperial City.
- Head to the Dark Fissure (southeast of Cheydinhal).
- Wait for the altar outside to be lit by a purple beam (it happens every 8 in-game days).
- Place your Grand Soul Gem on the altar, cast Soul Trap, and boom — Black Soul Gem acquired.
Once you offer it at Vaermina’s Shrine, she’ll grant you the task: recover her Orb from the clutches of a mortal wizard named Arkved.
How to Get the Orb of Vaermina (The Easy Way)
If you want the quick and easy route:
- Head south from Vaermina’s Shrine to find Arkved’s Tower.
- Instead of going through the tower normally, look for a trap door hidden in the grass near the north side of the building.
- Enter the Trap Door to Arkved’s Death Quarters.
Inside, the Orb of Vaermina will be immediately to your left. Grab it, and you’re done!
Note:
This trap door might be a glitch that Bethesda never patched properly. If it’s not there in your version of the game, you’ll have to take the long way through the tower (which honestly isn’t too bad).
Arkved himself is sleeping inside, but you can’t wake him.
Avoid killing him to dodge any bounty issues — but even if you do, it won’t fail the quest.
How to Navigate Arkved’s Tower (The Long Way)
If you prefer the “proper” method or can’t use the glitch, here’s the path:
You’ll fight through a ton of Daedra (Clannfears, Dremora, Flame Atronachs), and the layout is designed to feel like a twisted nightmare.
Follow this order:
- Arkved’s Tower
- Arkved’s Void
- Arkved’s Lost Halls
- Arkved’s Oasis
- Arkved’s Hall of Changes
- Arkved’s Retreat
- Arkved’s Rending Halls
- Arkved’s Death Quarters
Pro Tip:
Follow the quest marker closely, and don’t get distracted by random side rooms unless you want extra loot (like Grand Soul Gems and Gold).
It’s actually a lot more straightforward than it first appears.
How to Get the Skull of Corruption
Once you have the Orb of Vaermina, head back to Vaermina’s Shrine.
Speak to her again, and she’ll reward you with the Skull of Corruption, a truly unique staff with a pretty insane power:
- Creates a clone of an NPC hit by the staff.
- The clone fights the original NPC.
- Clone lasts 30 seconds.
- Only works on humanoid NPCs, not creatures.
Tactical Tip:
You can cause pure chaos in towns or turn tough enemies against themselves by forcing them to fight their own doppelganger.
It’s one of the most fun Daedric Artifacts in the entire game if you love a little mischief.
Whether you sneak into Arkved’s Tower through a hidden trapdoor or battle your way through the nightmare realm step-by-step, Vaermina’s quest is absolutely worth your time.
The Skull of Corruption isn’t just a powerful weapon — it’s a hilarious way to sow confusion and destruction everywhere you go. 🛡️🔮
Now go forth, steal Vaermina’s orb, and let the nightmares begin!
Related Article:
- How to Get & Use Welkynd Stones
- Ahdarji’s Heirloom Walkthrough
- How To Start Every Mages Guild Recommendation
- Where To Buy Mysticism Spells in Oblivion Remastered
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