"Oblivion Remastered's 'Spookmane' Ghost Hunt: Community Seeks Origins"

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is filled with eerie elements—skeletons, spirits, and zombies abound. However, a new mystery has emerged with the discovery of a spectral horse, which seems to have eluded players in both the original 2006 release and the 2025 remaster.

The intrigue began with a Reddit post by user TaricIsNotASupport, who stumbled upon this ghostly equine apparition and shared it with the community.

Uhhhh, guys, is this new?
byu/TaricIsNotASupport inoblivion

"So I was crafting some quirky spells in Frostcrag Spire, which is my favorite way to enjoy the game. But when I exited the Cosy Chaos Spire—a feature that has sparked much debate within our community—I spotted something incredibly strange in the distance," TaricIsNotASupport recounted.

"Like any sensible person, I rushed over to investigate. To my astonishment, there was this spectral horse, nameless and mysterious. I've sunk thousands of hours into the original Oblivion and over a hundred hours into the Remaster, yet this is the first time I've encountered this ghostly steed."

Unsure whether this was a new addition or something they had previously overlooked, TaricIsNotASupport sought the community's help to unravel the mystery, igniting an online ghost hunt. Players scoured the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages website for any mention of a spectral mount in the original game but found nothing.

To the people asking if I can ride or interact with the spooky horse, yes! 1/2
byu/TaricIsNotASupport inoblivion

Could this be the work of a mod? TaricIsNotASupport clarified that they are playing on a PlayStation 5, where mods are not available. They also shared a video of their character riding the spectral horse, confirming that despite its ghostly appearance, it behaves like any other horse in Oblivion, capable of fast travel and stabling. "By all accounts, it's now my steed!" they exclaimed.

Some speculate that the ghost horse might result from a glitch, possibly triggered by a misfired spell. Bethesda games are notorious for their bugs, and perhaps this spectral horse is yet another quirky addition to the list.

"Very weird, the wiki says there's only two unique horses, Shadowmere and unicorns," commented ClaymoreBeatz. "And there are no horse mods that I can see that would do this, so I doubt you're lying about not playing on PC. This is probably a glitch introduced by the Remastered version or a glitched magical effect. Armored horses typically change their names to 'Armored Horse,' so maybe it's an Armored Horse that got hit by a spell, causing a glitch in its name and appearance."

I was asked if Spookmane* can be buffed and if it stays spectral; the answer is yes!
byu/TaricIsNotASupport inoblivion

Others wonder if Bethesda and Virtuos, the developers behind the remaster, might have included this ghost horse as a hidden Easter egg for players to discover. While less likely, it's an intriguing possibility that raises questions about other potential secrets lurking within Oblivion Remastered.

Many players are eager to replicate the phenomenon and claim their own ghostly steed. So far, no specific method used by TaricIsNotASupport to spawn the horse has been identified.

In the absence of an official in-game name, TaricIsNotASupport has affectionately dubbed their spectral companion 'Spookmane.' They have vowed to continue their adventures with Spookmane by their side, whether it's a one-off glitch, a secret addition, or something else entirely. Spookmane has certainly captured the imagination—and perhaps the hearts—of the Oblivion community.

"This creature might be my favorite new friend I've made," TaricIsNotASupport concluded. "Spookmane, you're glorious and I love you."

Oblivion Remastered, crafted by remake experts Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5, boasts a plethora of visual and feature enhancements. It delivers gameplay at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, alongside significant improvements to leveling systems, character creation, combat animations, and in-game menus. New dialogue, a refined third-person view, and advanced lip sync technology have also been added, much to the delight of fans. Some even argue that Oblivion Remastered is closer to a remake, though Bethesda has clarified their decision to label it as a remaster.

With the game now released, players are advising newcomers to tackle Kvatch early on to avoid the challenges posed by level scaling. There have also been reports of a player who managed to escape Cyrodiil's boundaries, exploring regions like Valenwood, Skyrim, and Hammerfell—the rumored setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.

For those diving into the remaster, be sure to consult our comprehensive guide, which includes an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, a list of Things to Do First, and a rundown of every PC Cheat Code, among other resources.