Vaermina's Shrine (Oblivion)

Vaermina's Shrine is a daedric shrine located next to Lake Poppad in the Nibenay Basin. The shrine is attended by Tenville, Aviera Nirol, and its priest, Aymar Douar. Plants are limited to some Lady's Smock around the statue of Vaermina.

Overview
Prerequisites: An offering of a Black Soul Gem, at least level 5 Reward: Skull of Corruption

Background Information
The wizard Arkved has taken Vaermina's Orb. She asks that you retrieve it.

Walkthrough
Vaermina asks you to fetch Vaermina's Orb from Arkved, located in his tower, south-southeast of the shrine. After entering Arkved's Tower, start fighting your way through leveled daedra. In one of the rooms, there is a table set with food, cutlery and plates. However, after traversing the second corridor, you will enter a seemingly empty room apart from the daedra. However, if you look up, you will see an identical table on the ceiling. (An interesting effect can be produced here by firing a spell up at the objects on the table.) A lot of these odd features populate this dungeon.

Next area is Arkved's Void. Nothing worthy of note here, except don't fall off the bridges or islands and there are no enemies to worry about.

Enter the door into Arkved's Lost Halls. Try and face the daedra one at a time, otherwise you're guaranteed toast. Find your way through the numerous corridors until you find the door to Arkved's Hall of Changes. Don't enter the door to Arkved's Oasis, there's no point, as there's no loot and even more daedra.

Be careful in the Hall of Changes, as there are several powerful Dark Welkynd Stones along with numerous daedra. Follow your compass and map until you come to Arkved's Rending Halls. This section is even more heavily guarded than the last, so be on your guard at all times. Once you reach the end, enter the door to the final level, Arkved's Death Quarters.

Inside, you find Arkved himself, but he's lying on the bed, unconscious. Grab Vaermina's Orb and if you feel like it, you can read the Handwritten Note near it, which sheds some light on the nature of the orb. Get out through the trapdoor which wasn't there before and get back to the shrine. (You can't pickpocket Arkved, in case you were wondering).

Return the orb to Vaermina, ad she will present you with the unique staff called the Skull of Corruption.