The Blood of the Daedra quest in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is a critical main story mission given by Martin Septim at Cloud Ruler Temple. To help open a portal to Mankar Camoran's Paradise, players must acquire and sacrifice a Daedric artifact. Navigating this quest requires balancing the effort needed to obtain an artifact with the usefulness of the item you choose to give away.
Initiating the Quest at Cloud Ruler Temple
After completing the main quest Spies, Martin Septim reveals that he needs four key components to construct a gate to Paradise. The first item on his list is the blood of a Daedric Prince, which can only be obtained through a sacred Daedric artifact. Speaking with Martin will offer initial guidance on how to find shrine locations throughout Cyrodiil if you have not already discovered them.
Martin also recommends reading Modern Heretics, a book found on his desk, which marks the location of Azura's Shrine on your map. This provides a direct path for players who have not yet explored the wilderness in search of shrine quests. However, you are free to sacrifice an artifact from almost any Daedric shrine mission in the game.
Choosing the Best Daedric Artifact to Sacrifice
Selecting which artifact to surrender is the most strategic part of the Blood of the Daedra quest. Some items, such as Azura's Star or the Skeleton Key, offer invaluable gameplay benefits that you should avoid losing permanently. Choosing a less essential reward ensures you do not hinder your character's progression later in the game.
Artifacts like the Rose of Sanguine or the Mascot Shrine rewards are often considered ideal sacrifices because their unique effects are easily replaced by standard magic items. Evaluate your character build carefully before handing over any item to Martin. Once an artifact is given, it is removed from your inventory permanently and cannot be recovered.
Completing the Offering to Martin Septim
Once you have successfully obtained a Daedric artifact from a shrine quest, return to Cloud Ruler Temple and speak with Martin Septim. Selecting the dialogue option regarding the Daedric artifact will open a menu allowing you to choose which eligible item from your inventory to hand over. Martin will express his gratitude and take the chosen artifact to proceed with his ritual research.
Handing over the artifact completes the quest and unlocks the next steps in the main storyline, such as retrieving the Great Welkynd Stone. Taking time to resolve this quest smoothly keeps the narrative moving forward while preserving your most powerful gear for future battles across Cyrodiil.
