The Roots of Madness is a quest available in The Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles.
Background
Sheogorath has asked the Hero to be his champion and defend the Shivering Isles from Jyggalag and the onset of the Greymarch. Sheogorath also revealed that he is, in fact, Jyggalag, and will eventually destroy his own kingdom. During the last quest Symbols of Office, Sheogorath vanished and is now presumably Jyggalag.
Haskill said that it was still possible to defeat Jyggalag, but it would require one ascending to the Throne of the Madgod. One would need to rebuild the Staff of Sheogorath before that was possible, however. So they have successfully rebuilt the staff, and now they are ready to recharge it in the Palace's Font of Madness. Finding it overgrown in Order Crystals, speak to Haskill.
Walkthrough
Haskill tells the Hero that Jyggalag has poisoned the font by fouling the pools of Mania and Dementia below the fountain itself. The pools are where the insanity of the Shivering Isles' inhabitants settles. They will need to clear both the Pool of Mania and the Pool of Dementia before one can finish crafting the Staff of Sheogorath.
A Priest of Order by a pool
Fountainhead
The entrance to the Fountainhead is behind the throne. The Gnarl Cultivators that inhabit the Fountainhead are tame and will not attack. However, you will also encounter standard Gnarls that will need to be dispatched before you can proceed. Hostile Gnarls can be identified by their blueish-silver glow.
Pool of Mania
In Fountainhead there are several small pools with a Priest of Order guarding them and they are actively poisoning. Kill them and take their Shards of Order. The Shards are used to break the seals on certain root doors in the Fountainhead as well as some crystal covered hollowed tree stumps.
However, if they don't have any Shards one can usually go to the side of the door into a small chamber. Hanging above is a Gnarl Chrysalis, activate this and a Gnarl Cultivator will pop out and then proceed to walk to the door and destroy the order crystals on it.
Pool of Mania
Pool of Dementia
Once the Hero has two Shards, follow the arrows to the two main pools: the Pool of Mania and the Pool of Dementia. These pools are defended by more Priests of Order. If the Hero is Duke of Dementia they will find Lord Thadon here, he will wear his unique helm, the Diadem of Euphoria.
Fight the Priests and take their Shards, they are needed to shut the large Obelisk in the middle. Attack and fight Thadon until he is killed, don't forget to take his helm and continue to the Pool of Dementia.
Pool of Dementia
Arriving at the Pool of Dementia there are several Priests of Order guarding and if the Hero is Duke of Mania they will find Lady Syl waiting on the stairs. Syl will use the unique levelled Amber Warhammer Nerveshatter.
Fight the Priests and Syl, take their Shards if needed and once Syl is dead, her body can be looted for her enchanted warhammer Nerveshatter.
Thadon will only appear during this quest unless the Hero has decided to become the Duke/Dutchess of Mania, and that they have killed him to take up his position as ruler of Mania.
Syl becomes a Priest of Order if the Hero became the ruler of Mania
Syl will only appear during this quest unless the Hero has decided to become the Duke/Dutchess of Dementia and, that they have killed her to take up his position as ruler of Dementia.
The Throne Room
Once both pools are restored, it is time to return to the Throne Room. The crystals from the Font of Madness will be gone, and activating it will give the Hero the fully-functional Staff of Sheogorath. This can be recharged at any time at the Font of Madness.
This will end the current quest and begin the final quest, The End of Order.
Journal entries
| Journal Entry |
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Something is wrong with the Font of Madness. It won't accept the Staff of Sheogorath and imbue it with power as Dyus described. Perhaps Haskill will know what's wrong with it. |
The Font of Madness has been poisoned by Order! If it becomes fully Ordered, the realm is lost and Jyggalag has won. Haskill suspects that Order has somehow gained access to the Pools of Madness that nourish the Font. I need to enter the Fountainhead beneath the tree before it is too late. |
I've witnessed a gnarl removing the Order crystals that were poisoning a door here in the Fountainhead. It seems that the tame gnarls here can halt the spread of Order throughout the dungeon. I may be able to use their help as I work my way to the Pools of Mania and Dementia. |
Just as Haskill suspected, Jyggalag's priests are poisoning the roots of the Tree of Madness. I have cleansed one of the minor pools, but I must find the Pools of Mania and Dementia in order to save the Tree. |
I've discovered a chrysalis that generates a tame Gnarl Cultivator. Perhaps these gnarls can help me halt the spread of Order throughout the Fountainhead. |
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If pool of Dementia is cleansed first:
I've killed the Priests of Order who had cursed the Pool of Dementia. Now to cleanse the Pool of Mania. |
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If pool of Mania is cleansed first:
I've killed the Priests of Order who had cursed the Pool of Mania. Now to cleanse the Pool of Dementia. |
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If pool of Dementia is cleansed second, and Hero is ruler of Dementia:
I've killed the Priests of Order who had cursed the Pool of Dementia. The traitor, Thadon, was among them. Now that I've cleansed both Pools that feed the Font of Madness, I should be able to imbue the Staff of Sheogorath with power. |
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If pool of Dementia is cleansed second, and Hero is ruler of Mania:
I've killed the Priests of Order who had cursed the Pool of Dementia. The traitor, Syl, was among them. Now that I've cleansed both Pools that feed the Font of Madness, I should be able to imbue the Staff of Sheogorath with power. |
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If pool of Mania is cleansed second, and Hero is ruler of Dementia:
I've killed the Priests of Order who had cursed the Pool of Mania. The traitor, Thadon, was among them. Now that I've cleansed both Pools that feed the Font of Madness, I should be able to imbue the Staff of Sheogorath with power. |
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If pool of Mania is cleansed second, and Hero is ruler of Mania:
I've killed the Priests of Order who had cursed the Pool of Mania. The traitor, Syl, was among them. Now that I've cleansed both Pools that feed the Font of Madness, I should be able to imbue the Staff of Sheogorath with power. |
I have immersed my Staff in the Font of Madness. I have gained the power of Sheogorath.
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