Shalidor previously made a deal with Sheogorath to acquire the Folium Discognitum in exchange for his island, Eyevea. However, Shalidor later came to regret this deal and blamed the outcome on Sheogorath's manipulation. In one of his earliest efforts to reclaim Eyevea, Shalidor spent countless hours writing notes to the point of neglecting his wife, Ulfsild.
When the Three Banners War began, Shalidor returned from Aetherius intent on reclaiming Eyevea to assist and protect mages during the war. He considers this to be his "final task."
"I can sense... yes. The aura around you glows with good fortune. You will be the one to help me complete my final task"
Why me?"What I hope to accomplish is difficult. Perhaps impossible. It will require great strength of spirit! I sense this strength in you. That is what drew us together in the ruins."
What is this task?"A storm rages towards us, Adept. War has come to Tamriel, and the Mages of this great guild must have quarter. I intend to offer them a safe haven. A sanctuary where they may study in peace."
How do we create this sanctuary?"I created that sanctuary, centuries ago! It was stolen from me by an agent of chaos, and magically transported to the Shivering Isles. To recover the island we must located four hidden tomes. This is the task of which I speak."
Where are these tomes?:"They're being held in a place known as ... Cheesemonger's Hollow. It is a realm of the Mad God, Sheogorath. Stand by my side, and I will open a portal."
I'll stand with you, Shalidor."Be careful. Sheogorath is not to be taken lightly. I lost the sanctuary because of his nimble tongue and mad stare."
Who is Sheogorath?"I won't waste my time recounting his antics. Suffice it to say, he got the better of me. Bets were made, wagers lost. And my sanctuary, Eyevea, was pulled into his realm... my apprentices screaming all the while"
Why have you returned?"To protect my legacy. While this Guild was... after my time, I accomplished much on Tamriel. I founded schools of magic, and oversaw construction of the Great Maze, and bore my Spellmirror into battle."
And you think the war could undo that?"I know it. I laid powerful enchantments onto my final resting place. When my legacy is threatened, I'm drawn back from Aetherius. My presence here is proof enough: The Three Banners War is a threat to every Mage in Tamriel."
Who is Sheogorath?"He's known as the Daedric Prince of Madness: The Mad God. The Dunmer call him one of their Four Corners of the House of Troubles. And he's earned the title a thousand-fold."
Is he really a threat? He sounds like a joke:"Don't take him too lightly. Madness comes in many forms. Sheogorath encompasses them all. He rules the Shivering Isles, but often takes an active interest in our world. That ... usually doesn't end very well."
Am I really going to a place called Cheesemonger's Hollow?"Yes. An example of Sheogorath's "humor." There are those that find his madness amusing. I am not one of those people. The Mad God would just as soon serve you an aged chedder[sic] [Do not change this to cheddar. This misspelled word is how it appears in-game.] as he would flay the skin from your bones. Remember that."
What can I help you with, Shalidor?"Valaste has finished translating the tome. Once you're ready, join us at the Mages Guild. Speak to Valaste when you arrive. I'll be making preparations for your first trial."
Where can I find her?"Valaste will be expecting you at the [city] (Location is alliance specific: Elden Root for the Aldmeri Dominion, Wayrest for the Daggerfall Covenant, and Mournhold for the Ebonheart Pact) Guildhall. I'll see you there, Adept."
What has she discovered?"She did most of the hard work. I'll leave the explanation to her. Just know that Sheogorath is nowhere near as clever as he thinks. She was able to unravel his nonsense, and determine where you need to go. Hah!"
What's the news?"Valaste has finished final analysis of the tomes! We're ready to get my island back!"
Where can I find her?"She's preparing a ritual space at the Rawl'kha Guildhall in Reaper's March. I'll see you there, Adept. We're so close!"
You seem excited, Shalidor."Of course! This is what we've worked for, all this time. Putting up with the mocking and insults, Sheogorath's poor attempts at humor. We'll recover the isle, and the Guild will have a safe haven from the war!"
In the Mages Guild:
"We've done it! We're finally ready to take back my island."
What's the plan?"I'll use the combined powers of the books and wrench the isle back to Tamriel. Sheogorath has lost, adept. We're almost there."
What can we expect on the island?"It's a lush place, gorgeous and vibrant. We have guild members poised across Tamriel, ready to join us there. It will be the perfect place for the guild to study in peace. It will be glorious."
Shalidor, Valaste is not well."I … I know. She's very tired, even worse than before. But she's done masterful work in translating these books. And I'm sure she'll be an asset once we reach the island. She'll have plenty of time to rest soon enough!"
She's exhausted, and speaking strangely."I suppose she has been garbling her words a bit. I just assumed that it was due to mortal frailty … I sometimes forget how fragile you are. We will watch over her together, my friend."
But the trials are over, right?"I believe so. I'm sure you're as sick of the Mad God's games as I am. Now come. I will perform the ritual and open a portal to our new home."
"Damn me for a fool! Why did I trust that madman?"
What do you mean?"What do I mean? Look at this place! The island is overrun with Daedra. Sheogorath has given us the apple, but it's riddled with worms."
What do we do?"There's a grand hall in the center of the island. We'll be able to survey the situation better from that vantage point. You and Valaste make your way up this path. I'll meet you there."
See you there.
When first approaching the Grand Hall:
"Damn it. What was I thinking, attacking the Prince of Madness?"
Sheogorath said something about Valaste, and the curse he put on the books?"Wait, adept … you're not making sense. What do you mean? Sheogorath put that curse on those books to slow us down, make the task more time-consuming."
He said he knew there were only a few people in the guild that could translate the books."Then … the curse was meant to put the books in front of Valaste. She was meant to read them. Adept, this is very worrying. But we need to deal with this after the island is safe."
What about Valaste?"She'll be with you! She'll be fine for the moment. Valaste, go with our friend here to close the portals. The adept will keep you safe."
What will you be doing?"Sheogorath left a powerful ward on this building. I'll need a few moments to crack it open. Go! I should be done here by the time you return."
We'll see it done.
After closing the portals:
"Thanks to you, the island is ours! Now you'll just need to claim the hall and kick Sheogorath back to the Shivering Isles."
I'll need to claim the hall? What about you and Valaste?"I've put a crack in his ward, but no more. The Mad God's power is formidable, even here. You and Valaste may enter. I may not. Just make sure to watch after her. I can see the state she's in."
As we dealt with the portals, she began to become more agitated. Raving."I fear the Mad God may have gotten the better of us. But perhaps something can be done. Go inside, deal with Sheogorath. We've come too far to be put off by his tricks now."
I'll take care of him.
In the Grand Hall:
"Adept, you cannot listen to this offer. This is the exact same offer Sheogorath made me when I first lost Eyevea!"
What happened?"Life for an Arch-Mage is measured in decades, not years. The rituals I performed extended my life, allowed me to continue my work … but eventually even I began to slow down."
And he offered you this Folium?"I began to work on a powerful artifact, a key to the inner workings of life itself. Glamoril ... but that's nether here nor there. The point is I reached a critical juncture where even my knowledge and power failed me. I needed more."
And in the bargain you lost Eyevea."Yes. I'd read all of the Accords of Madness. I knew the lessons of King Lyrandir, Leopold Arsenault, Darius Shano ... and still I failed. Don't make the mistakes we did, adept. Reject this madman's offer."
"Adept. You've done so much for the Guild. I couldn't let you leave without a final gift. This old Arch-Mage has a spell he's been saving just for you."
A gift?"During my time on Tamriel, I developed a very useful spell. A memory charm of sorts. Rather than wasting my time puttering around in libraries trying to find a book, the spell allows me to recall it instantly. If you'll allow me?"
"In time, the body you and Valaste have formed for me will fade. But with this charm, you'll never forget our trials together. The decision you made. I take comfort in that. Are you ready?"
I'm ready."Then accept the gift of Eidetic Memory. Remember now every tome, every book, every scrap of paper you have ever read. And remember, too, the tale of Eyevea's return to Tamriel, and the story of the Adept who made it happen."
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."
Arch-Mage Shalidor:"You can do this adept. You've proven yourself, that you're up to this. Good luck!"Valaste:"I can hear him! I'm coming Uncle Sheo!"
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."
Quotes[]
"Go! Close the portals! I will see this done." –Outside Eyevea's Grand Hall.
"I can't stay in here, Adept. Let us speak some more outside." –After finishing "The Mad God's Bargain."
"Come here, Adept. I have something for you." –Outside, after finishing "The Mad God's Bargain."
"Just need a moment to prepare ... this spell has proven very handy. Once saved my life when I came up against a rhyming spirit. She demanded every answer to her questions be answered with a couplet. There we go. I'm ready. Call it "Shalidor's Library of the Mind." Hah!" –During "The Arch-Mage's Boon," if the Vestige saved Valaste.
"Don't be a stranger, Adept. Eyevea is another home for you, now, as it is for every Mage in Tamriel." –After "The Arch-Mage's Boon," if the Vestige saved Valaste.
"Be sure to come back, Adept. Eyevea is another home for you, now, as it is for every Mage in Tamriel. Valaste would have wanted it this way." –After "The Arch-Mage's Boon," if the Vestige did not save Valaste.
During "The Mad God's Bargain," Shalidor reveals he had read all of the volumes of the Accords of Madness. Notably, only three volumes have ever been available to the Vestige.
