DLC & Expansions
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion's downloadable content (DLC) and expansions sificantly broaden the scope of the game, introducing new lands, quests, items, and gameplay features. Exploring these additions offers fresh challenges and extends the adventure far beyond the base game's content, providing hours of additional gameplay.
Oblivion received several pieces of DLC, with the most substantial being 'Knights of the Nine' and 'Shivering Isles'. Each DLC offers a unique experience, from epic crusades to venturing into the chaotic realm of the Daedric Prince Sheogorath.
Knights of the Nine:
- Premise: This DLC focuses on a holy quest to reclaim the relics of the Nine Divines and defeat the antagonist, the sorcerer-king Umaril the Unfeathered.
- Gameplay: Players embark on a series of quests that involve finding sacred armor and weapons, battling undead, and ultimately confronting Umaril in both Tamriel and the ethereal realm of the Heavens.
- New Content: Introduces new quests, unique enchanted items (Crusader's Relics), and a new antagonist. It integrates seamlessly into the base game's world.
Shivering Isles:
- Premise: This expansion takes players to the Shivering Isles, the Daedric realm of madness ruled by Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Insanity.
- Gameplay: Players are tasked with resolving a conflict between the two main factions of the Isles: the Mania (representing excess and madness) and the Dementia (representing paranoia and fear). The player's choices sificantly impact the fate of the Shivering Isles and its inhabitants.
- New Content: Adds a vast new landmass to explore, new creatures (like Grummites and Jyggalag), new factions, new spells, new skills (like 'Speechcraft' and 'Armorer' which are more prominent here), and a unique, often surreal, storyline.
Other Smaller DLCs:
| DLC Name | Content |
|---|---|
| Mehrunes' Razor | A short quest involving a Daedric artifact. |
| Wizard's Tower | Adds a player home with an enchanting and alchemy lab. |
| Orrery | A quest involving a magical Orrery. |
| Spell Tomes | Adds new spell books to find. |
| Holidays | Adds various festive decorations and events. |
To access these DLCs, they typically need to be installed separately or are included in later editions of the game. 'Knights of the Nine' begins with a vision after you leave the first Imperial City prison, while 'Shivering Isles' starts with a mysterious gate appearing in the Imperial City harbor.