How to Complete the Mind of Madness in Skyrim

Last Updated: June 15, 2022

Hoping to score the Wabbajack in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim? The Mind of Madness quest is all that's standing in your way. No worries, though—we've put together a simple walkthrough for this quest, so you can your hands on this Daedric artifact ASAP.

1

Search for a character named Dervenin.

He will be wandering around the streets of Solitude. He'll request your help once you find him.

2

Agree to help him.

He will hand you a hip bone and direct you to the Blue Palace's Pelagius Wing.

3

Enter the Blue Palace and find one of the servants.

They can be convinced to offer you a key to the Pelagius Wing. Alternatively, if you've already helped Falk Firebeard, you can ask him for a key.

4

Enter and explore the Pelagius Wing.

Upon reaching a lighted corridor, a loading screen will occur. You will find yourself in Pelagius's mind.
- In Pelagius' mind, you won't have your normal items. They will be returned after you exit his mind.

5

Speak to Sheogorath.

He is in the middle of a large dining table. He will give you the Wabbajack, a powerful (and chaotic) Daedric Artifact.

6

Complete the three tasks he requests of you.

They do not have to be done in any particular order. They are as follows:
- Approach the arena and shoot the two men at Pelagius's sides in order to cure him of paranoia. The atronachs fighting in the center of the arena are merely a distraction; you do not have to hit them.
- Approach the sleeping Pelagius and shoot him and whatever monster appears afterward - repeat until he awakens, in order to cure him of night terrors. There's no need to shoot what the monsters are transformed into.
- Approach the brawling attitudes of Pelagius and shoot Confidence twice to enlarge him, whilst also shooting his attackers, in order to cure him of anger issues. This may take awhile to get right.

7

Speak to Sheogorath after curing Pelagius.

He will then allow you to leave.

8

Exit the Blue Palace.

If desired, mess around with the Wabbajack as a reward for completing the quest.

Community Q&A

Question

My sister is having trouble with the Madness quest, we tried 7 times and we can't get through this. Can someone help us?

Community Answer

Find Dervenin in Solitude (near Proudspire Manor and Hall of the Dead). Agree to help him and head to the Blue Palace. Request to enter the forbidden wing (Falk) and go upstairs to the misty hallway. Sheogorath will bring you to his realm and give you Wabbajack. Use it to complete the trials. Arena Trial: Hit one of the guys sitting in the chairs across the arena - they turn to wolves. Nightmares Trial: Hit Pelagius with Wabbajack and strike each enemy to turn them into something non-aggressive. Confidence Trial: Shrink the soldiers attacking Pelagius and increase Pelagius' size, using Wabbajack. Check out UESP.net if you need more help.
Question

I am stuck on this quest. As I was playing, I couldn't figure it out, so "fast traveled" back to Blue Palace. The problem is, my character is still in the clothes and carrying the Wabbajck staff, and I cannot access items or maps. I cannot figure out how to return to Pelagrius M. What do I do?

Community Answer

Problem: You fast-travelled, which therefore caused an error in your game, and it is now unable to be completed. Do not leave the area until you've completed the trials. Check UESP.net for a walkthrough if you need a tip or two. Solution: You will need to reload an older save from before you fast-traveled.
Question

What do I do if my game freezes at a certain part?

Community Answer

Freezing is common in TESV. Quit and reload an old save, then save before reaching the freezing point.

Warnings

This Daedric weapon needs to be charged with large (Greater or so) soul gems, so carry some around.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Even if you turn targets into animals, they can still transform back and attack you after some time (about 20 seconds). Turning targets into inanimate objects (sweetrolls and cheese, for example) means they cannot transform back.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0