Waking the Tormented: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring Pelagius in Skyrim
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Waking Pelagius the Tormented in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a pivotal moment within the Daedric quest “The Mind of Madness,” bestowed by the eccentric Daedric Prince, Sheogorath. The process isn’t a straightforward wake-up call; it involves a chaotic and bizarre sequence of events using the Wabbajack, a powerful and unpredictable Daedric artifact. In essence, you must use the Wabbajack on a sleeping Pelagius and then on the various phantasms that arise until he ultimately awakens. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to accomplish this.
The Ritual of the Wabbajack
Entering Pelagius’s Mind
The first step is gaining access to Pelagius’s mind. This is achieved by traveling to The Blue Palace in Solitude, accessing the Pelagius Wing, and interacting with the quest location in the abandoned portion of the building. You will need to obtain a key, which can be achieved by speaking to one of the maids in the Blue Palace (like Erdi), or from Falk Firebeard if you completed The Man Who Cried Wolf quest. Once inside, you’ll find yourself in a disheveled and unsettling environment that reflects the chaos within Pelagius’s mind.
The Night Terrors Sequence
The core of waking Pelagius involves using the Wabbajack on him and the manifestations of his night terrors. When you find Pelagius asleep in his bed, fire the Wabbajack at him. This action will trigger the first manifestation – a wolf. Immediately shoot the wolf with the Wabbajack, and it will transform into something less threatening, like a sheep. Continue the cycle by shooting Pelagius again. This process will repeat, with different creatures appearing each time you shoot him with the Wabbajack.
You will encounter a series of transformations that may include other animals, or even hostile adversaries. Each time a new entity appears, target it quickly with the Wabbajack until it becomes benign. The sequence might seem random, but your goal is to clear all these phantasms and return things to normal to wake Pelagius.
Restoring Peace
Keep shooting Pelagius and the ensuing transformations with the Wabbajack until he awakens. This might take several cycles, as the Wabbajack’s effects are unpredictable and the transformations vary. Successfully completing this sequence will bring Pelagius back to consciousness, essentially ending this segment of the quest, but not the whole thing.
The Path to Restoring Pelagius’s Mind
Once Pelagius is awake, you’ll continue the quest by interacting with Sheogorath further, where you must help him resolve various aspects of Pelagius’ mind, ultimately curing his torment and allowing you to exit Pelagius’ mind. After completing the entire “Mind of Madness” quest, you’ll be able to return to his mental space. To do so, equip the Wabbajack in the Blue Palace or Pelagius Wing and use the Pelagius’ Hip Bone. This allows you to re-enter the mind if you wish, although this is typically for curiosity or fun, not required for any further progress in the game.
The Significance of the Wabbajack
The Wabbajack is central to this entire process. It embodies Sheogorath’s chaotic nature, and its unpredictable transformations are critical to navigating Pelagius’s disturbed mind. The weapon’s chaotic nature forces the player to adapt and react in a way that no other weapon would allow. It’s more than just a weapon; it’s the key to navigating madness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further clarify aspects of waking Pelagius and related quests:
How do I access the Pelagius Wing in the Blue Palace?
To access the Pelagius Wing, you need the key. You can get this by speaking to Erdi, one of the maids, or from Falk Firebeard after completing The Man Who Cried Wolf quest. The wing is located in an abandoned, cobweb-covered area of the Blue Palace.
How do I start the “The Mind of Madness” quest?
To initiate this quest, you must encounter and interact with Sheogorath in the Solitude Bards College. He is located in the far back room and easily noticeable by his unique clothing and posture. He will ask you to retrieve his lost staff, the Wabbajack.
What is the Wabbajack’s effect on targets?
The Wabbajack has random transformative effects. When used on a target, it can turn them into various creatures, objects, or even change their size. This randomness is part of its nature.
Can I return to Pelagius’s mind after completing the quest?
Yes, you can return to Pelagius’s Mind after completing “The Mind of Madness” quest. Equip the Wabbajack, and when inside The Blue Palace or Pelagius Wing area, use the Pelagius’ Hip Bone from your inventory.
Do I need to keep Pelagius’ Hip Bone after the quest?
The Pelagius Hip Bone is primarily used for re-entering Pelagius’s mind. After the quest, it becomes droppable/sellable, indicating you don’t need it for progression. It is however, a unique item and if you are a collector, might want to keep it.
How do I start the quest “The Man Who Cried Wolf”?
The quest “The Man Who Cried Wolf” starts when you speak to Falk Firebeard in the Blue Palace in Solitude. He will ask you to investigate and clear out Wolfskull Cave.
What do I do with the Sheogorath-Shaped Amber?
The Sheogorath-Shaped Amber can be used as an ingredient at the Atronach Forge in The Midden at the College of Winterhold. It can also be given to Staada as part of a quest in the Saints & Seducers Creation.
What happens if I give the Sheogorath-Shaped Amber to Staada?
Giving Staada the Sheogorath-Shaped Amber or the Sword of Jyggalag will reward you with her helmet, the Staada’s Helmet, which has an enchantment that increases the wearer’s stamina by 70 points. You also get to summon her in combat.
Can I go to the Shivering Isles in Skyrim?
No, you cannot directly travel to the Shivering Isles in Skyrim. The realm is only accessible briefly during the Daedric quest “A Night to Remember” where you follow Sanguine.
What is the Madness Ore used for?
Madness Ore is used to create Madness armor and weapons after it has been smelted into Madness Ingots. It was added through the Saints & Seducers Creation Club content.
Is Madness armor the best armor in Skyrim?
Madness armor is a type of heavy armor with the highest base armor rating for its respective slots, making it one of the best heavy armors in the game.
Where can I find Madness Ore?
Madness Ore is a rare material found in specific locations, primarily in dungeon boss chests across Skyrim. They are scattered throughout the map.
Who is Sheogorath, really?
Sheogorath is the Daedric Prince of Madness. According to lore, he was originally the Daedric Prince of Order, Jyggalag, who was cursed to become the chaotic being he is now. The Hero of Kvatch in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is strongly hinted to be Sheogorath as well.
What happens if I keep the Sword of Jyggalag?
The Sword of Jyggalag, while lacking special enchantments and having a low damage output, is still a rare item that can be sold for 3,200 gold. Additionally, the recipes for all the items associated with the quest will be unlocked, regardless of the choices made, allowing for further crafting opportunities.
What does it mean to be Thane of Solitude?
Becoming Thane of Solitude requires owning property in the city. After purchasing the property (Proudspire Manor for 25,000 gold from Falk Firebeard), talk to the Jarl, Elisif the Fair. She will then bestow you with the title of Thane of Solitude.
By understanding the process of waking Pelagius and exploring the related questions, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the bizarre challenges in The Mind of Madness and delve deeper into the lore of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.