In Skyrim, blacksmithing is an often underestimated skill, overshadowed by more immediately rewarding abilities, particularly in combat. While honing your blacksmithing craft demands an initial investment, the long-term gains are undoubtedly worth it. When you finally reach the skill level required to work with top-quality ores and materials, the ability to forge Daedric armor and weapons unlocks, granting access to some of the game’s most formidable gear.
Yet, an even mightier armor set, known as Madness, exists in Skyrim, surpassing even the famed Daedric equipment. To craft this exceptional armor, you must seek out Madness Ore, a resource included in the Saints and Seducers pack, an integral part of Skyrim Special Edition. This guide will lead you through the process of acquiring Skyrim Madness Ore and reveal the incredible possibilities it brings once you amass a substantial supply.
Embarking on the Skyrim Madness Ore Quest
Finding Madness Ore is just the start of your adventure. There are several ways to get the ore:
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- You can mine it from ore deposits that are found in some locations in the Shivering Isles, a realm of Oblivion that you can access through a portal in Solitude. However, these deposits are very scarce and do not respawn, so you can only mine them once.
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- You can loot it from grummites, which are goblin-like creatures that inhabit the Shivering Isles. They sometimes carry madness ore with them, but this is also rare and random. You can find grummites in caves, forts, or wandering around the Isles.
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- You can find it in dungeon boss chests, which are usually guarded by powerful enemies such as dragons, draugr, or vampires. This is also a random and rare occurrence, but you may get lucky and find some madness ore along with other loot.
But the Skyrim madness ore is primarily obtained by trading with Ri’saad, a Khajiit trader.
He can be found traveling between various locations. One of the common places to encounter him is near Whiterun, around the stables near the southern entrance. He and his caravan often roam through the region.
If you’re looking to find him, waiting around Whiterun and its stables is a good strategy. Ri’saad’s trading caravan route takes him from Whiterun to Markarth, so you can catch up with him at either of these cities. He usually spends a few days outside each city and restocks his wares within two days. However, Ri’saad only reveals his precious stash after you’ve proven your worth by completing two remarkable quests – Balance of power and Restore order.
Balance of Power
This is the introductory quest that starts when you speak to Ri’saad, a Khajiit caravan trader outside Whiterun. He will tell you about the trouble he and his fellow traders have been having with some strange creatures on the road. He will ask you to investigate and deal with them.
You will then discover that the creatures are Golden Saints and Dark Seducers, who have escaped from the Shivering Isles and are fighting each other for territory in Skyrim. Then you have to locate and kill the Saints and the Seducers in their camps near Whiterun, and then track down and eliminate their leaders, Kinthal and Svarig, who are hiding in different locations. You will also find their journals, which will reveal more about their motives and plans.
Restoring Order
This is the main quest that follows Balance of Power. It starts when you read Kinthal’s or Svarig’s journal, which will direct you to a portal to the Shivering Isles in Solitude. You will enter the portal and find yourself in a realm of madness, where everything is twisted and bizarre.
There you will meet Thoron, a former servant of Sheogorath, who will tell you that the Saints and the Seducers have rebelled against their master and are trying to overthrow him. He will ask you to help him restore order by finding Sheogorath’s Staff of Madness, which has been stolen by one of the factions. You will have to choose a side to ally with, either the Saints or the Seducers, and fight against the other faction.
The Staff of Madness
This is the quest that continues Restoring Order. It starts when you find Sheogorath’s Staff of Madness in one of the faction’s bases, either Brellach or Pinnacle Rock. You will then have to return it to Thoron in his lair, where he will reveal his true intentions and betray you. He will try to use the staff to become the new Sheogorath and unleash madness upon Skyrim. You will have to stop him by fighting him and his minions.
After defeating Thoron, you can loot the items on his worktable. The Note on amber and madness ore will be among them. The note will give you a miscellaneous quest to investigate the area north of Mistwatch, where you can find Evethra, a master blacksmith who knows how to work with amber and madness ore. Amber and madness ore are rare and valuable materials that can be used to craft high-quality weapons and armor. After you defeat Evethra, loot her body for the journal.
Now that you have completed both quests, you can talk to Ri’saad and get the madness ore from him.
Crafting Madness Armor and Weapons
Once you’ve acquired Evethra’s journal and gathered a substantial stash of Madness Ore from Ri’Saad, it’s time to head to your nearest blacksmith and begin the crafting process. To forge the Madness armor, ensure you also have Ebony Ingots and Leather Straps on hand. With these essential materials ready, you can fashion an array of remarkable items from Madness Ore, including:
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- Madness Sword
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- Madness War Axe
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- Madness Dagger
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- Madness Mace
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- Madness Greatsword
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- Madness Battleaxe
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- Madness Warhammer
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- Madness Bow
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- Madness Arrows
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- Madness Boots
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- Madness Gauntlets
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- Madness Armor
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- Madness Helmet
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- Madness Shield
While creating the entire set and your preferred weapons may require a substantial amount of Madness Ore, the effort is undeniably worthwhile.
Madness equipment stands as the pinnacle of Skyrim gear, and their potential can be further enhanced if you possess excellent blacksmithing skills and the ability to bestow quality enchantments upon them.
With this equipment in hand, you’ll be well-prepared to conquer numerous challenges throughout your adventures.
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Madness in Skyrim
In Skyrim, mastering the art of blacksmithing and unraveling the secrets of Madness Ore leads to the creation of the unparalleled Madness Armor.
This armor, which surpasses even the legendary Daedric and Dragonbone sets, offers a level of protection and power that few can rival. The journey to obtain Madness Ore in Skyrim is one of skill, perseverance, and adventure, culminating in the forging of legendary armor that will carry you through the most daring adventures.
Thank you for reading this guide and Happy Gaming!
