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Skyrim Daedric quests: every Prince, where to start and what you get

There are 16 Skyrim Daedric quests in the base game, one for each Daedric Prince with a presence in Skyrim, and they are the source of the best unique gear in the game. Most start at a shrine or with an NPC in a city, and several are locked behind a minimum character level.

The table below lists every Daedric quest with the Prince, the place it begins (linked on our map), the level you need before it triggers, and the artifact at the end. Below that is a short section on the Oblivion Walker achievement and which choices to make so you do not lose an artifact.

Every Daedric quest in Skyrim

PrinceQuestWhere it startsMin. levelReward
AzuraThe Black StarShrine of Azura, south of Winterhold (Aranea Ienith), then Nelacar at the Frozen HearthNoneAzura's Star or The Black Star
BoethiahBoethiah's CallingSacellum of Boethiah, east of Windhelm, or read the book Boethiah's Proving30Ebony Mail
Clavicus VileA Daedra's Best FriendLod the blacksmith in Falkreath, then Barbas leads you to Haemar's Shame10Masque of Clavicus Vile or The Rueful Axe
Hermaeus MoraDiscerning the TransmundaneSeptimus Signus's Outpost, on the ice north of Winterhold15 (to finish)Oghma Infinium
HircineIll Met By MoonlightMathies in Falkreath, then Sinding in the Falkreath jailNoneSavior's Hide or Ring of Hircine
MalacathThe Cursed TribeLargashbur, Orc stronghold southwest of Riften (Atub)9Volendrung
Mehrunes DagonPieces of the PastSilus Vesuius's museum in Dawnstar, or his pamphlet from a courier20Mehrunes' Razor (if you kill Silus)
MephalaThe Whispering DoorHulda's rumor at the Bannered Mare, then Jarl Balgruuf and Nelkir in Dragonsreach20Ebony Blade
MeridiaThe Break of DawnStatue to Meridia on Mount Kilkreath, west of Solitude, or find Meridia's Beacon in a boss chest12Dawnbreaker
Molag BalThe House of HorrorsAbandoned House in Markarth, Vigilant Tyranus outsideNoneMace of Molag Bal
NamiraThe Taste of DeathHall of the Dead in Markarth (Brother Verulus, then Eola)NoneRing of Namira
NocturnalTrinity Restored, Blindsighted, Darkness ReturnsThieves Guild questline, Nightingale Hall outside RiftenNoneSkeleton Key (returned at the end)
PeryiteThe Only CureShrine to Peryite, northeast of Markarth (Kesh the Clean)12 (10 via an Afflicted refugee)Spellbreaker
SanguineA Night To RememberSam Guevenne in any inn or tavern14Sanguine Rose
SheogorathThe Mind of MadnessDervenin the beggar in Solitude, then the Pelagius Wing of the Blue PalaceNoneWabbajack
VaerminaWaking NightmareErandur at the Windpeak Inn, DawnstarNoneSkull of Corruption (if you kill Erandur)

Where each Daedric quest takes you

The start point is only half the trip. These are the dungeons each quest sends you to, all on our map:

Oblivion Walker: which choices keep the achievement

Oblivion Walker needs 15 Daedric artifacts. Four quests can end without an artifact, so make these choices:

  • A Daedra's Best Friend: hand the Rueful Axe back to Clavicus Vile and take the Masque. The Rueful Axe does not count.
  • Pieces of the Past: kill Silus so Dagon reforges Mehrunes' Razor. Sparing Silus gives 500 gold and no artifact.
  • The Taste of Death: go through with the sacrifice for the Ring of Namira. Saving Verulus only gives an Amulet of Arkay.
  • Waking Nightmare: kill Erandur for the Skull of Corruption, or keep him as a follower and lose the artifact.

Ill Met By Moonlight can give both the Ring of Hircine and Savior's Hide (spare Sinding, take the ring, then kill him for the hide), which is the usual way to make up for one skipped artifact. The Skeleton Key does not count, so the Thieves Guild questline is optional for the achievement.

Level requirements at a glance

Eight quests are available from level 1: Azura, Hircine, Molag Bal, Namira, Nocturnal, Sheogorath, Vaermina, plus the start of Hermaeus Mora's quest (Septimus will not continue past the Lexicon until you are level 15). The rest unlock in this order: Malacath at 9, Clavicus Vile at 10, Meridia and Peryite at 12, Sanguine at 14, Mehrunes Dagon and Mephala at 20, and Boethiah last at 30. If a shrine or NPC does not respond, you are usually just too low.

For the full stats and effects of each reward, see Skyrim Daedric artifacts.

On the map: 14 locations

Skyrim Daedric quests: every Prince, where to start and what you get: FAQ

How many Daedric quests are there in Skyrim?

Sixteen in the base game, one for each of the Princes with a shrine or quest in Skyrim. Nocturnal's is folded into the Thieves Guild questline.

What level do you need for Skyrim Daedric quests?

Seven have no level gate. The gated ones are Malacath (9), Clavicus Vile (10), Meridia and Peryite (12), Sanguine (14), Hermaeus Mora (15 to finish), Mehrunes Dagon and Mephala (20) and Boethiah (30).

Which Daedric quest should I do first?

The Black Star and The House of Horrors have no level requirement and give useful rewards early: a reusable soul gem and a strong mace. Meridia's Dawnbreaker at level 12 is the usual next stop.

Do all Daedric quests count for Oblivion Walker?

No. You need 15 artifacts. The Rueful Axe and Skeleton Key do not count, and Pieces of the Past, The Taste of Death and Waking Nightmare can end without an artifact if you make the wrong choice.

Where does the Boethiah quest start?

At the Sacellum of Boethiah in the mountains east of Windhelm, or by reading the book Boethiah's Proving. Either way you must be level 30.

Can you get both rewards from Ill Met By Moonlight?

Yes. Side with Sinding to get the Ring of Hircine, then kill him afterward and Hircine still grants Savior's Hide.

Related guides

Sources