Is it possible to play Shivering Isles before completing the main Oblivion quest, or are you stuck forever in Shivering Isles? I've never played Shivering Isles, but I sort of get the impression that it's a one-way trip.

Questions like this need no answer, if you have shivering isles, are high enough level, go through the gate, talk to jeebs there, watch the butterflies go by, then walk back out the gate.

It doesnt matter if you completed the main quest or not.

some friendly advice, if you have questions like this, experiment first, get your answer and then you wouldnt need to post a question of this sort.

We all welcome you though and hope you enjoy it here. Welcome to TESNEXUS! Good luck!

It is possible to play Shivering Isles before finishing the main quest. The only real problem you'll encounter is that the monsters and creatures are tough as hell for a low-level player. Even the terrain itself can be difficult to navigate unless you have invested a few levels in things like athletics. Playing SI first will not have any negative effects, it will just be really hard.

My advice: Attempt to get through the first mission from Lord Sheogorath, get the sword as your reward, then go back to Cyrodiil to gain a few levels, then come back to SI.

BTW, welcome to the Nexus.

Thanks That's what I wanted to know.....

On the contrary, unless you have a mod which affects quest rewards, playing through even early SI quests at low level can leave you with cool items which become virtually useless by level 10. I made the mistake of doing the quest for the sword at level 5...

You also end up missing out on some of the more difficult SI spawns and things by doing it at low level. As with the rest of vanilla Oblivion, most things you run into are determined by level. I really wouldn't go into SI below level 15 or so, even if you do have things modded. This is because around level 15 most of the stuff around Tamriel is looking pretty weak, and you need some sort of challenge.

odd i created a whole new character for shivering isles and dove straight in to it and ha dno problem with the quests or what the game threw at me what so ever
either way if we are talking about dusk\dawn fang ( the sword ) then i agree get that as soon as possible it wil help you immensly if you are a low level character

At low level just take a lot of anti-poison potions with you, believe me that you'll need it.
Curse you damn grummites...

...well...one of us never made it past the gatekeeper. My character isn't a strong fighter. Use only a bow and wear light armour. Got my butt kicked a few times and gave up for now. After I gain a few levels, I'll be going back.

I haven't had any problems, yet. You can leave Shivering Isles part way through a quest and go back to Cyroliil. I get bored half way through a quest sometimes, and wonder what's going on in the other province.

I beat the gatekeeper at level 1.

leveling up wont help you cant beat him in a fair fight
you need to collect the etars from that woman who is in love with sheogorath ( follow her when she goes to see the gate keeper nab the hancerchief she leaves and run like fu...vulk ! )

you wil need the bow though