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Elder Scrolls

For this faction in other games, see Thieves Guild.

The Thieves Guild is an organization of pickpockets, burglars, robbers, and thieves. Founded by the Gray Fox over 300 years before the Oblivion Crisis, the guild is essentially a network of communication between the thieves of Cyrodiil, tips on loot and jobs from important people are passed along through the Doyen to the thieves, and Fences will buy their stolen goods, unlike most merchants.

Organization[]

Guild Ranks
(Cyrodiil)
Pickpocket
Footpad
Bandit
Prowler
Cat Burglar
Shadowfoot
Master Thief
Gray Fox

In Cyrodiil, the Thieves Guild works more secretly than in other parts of Tamriel, due to extensive pressure from the Imperial Watch, whose increased scrutiny had many secret organizations under pressure after the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII. Its existence is officially denied by Imperial officials, although Hieronymus Lex of the Imperial Watch set out to destroy the Guild in the Imperial City by capturing its leader, known as the Gray Fox, who has supposedly existed for over 300 years.

In Oblivion, there are five different ways to locate the Guild. One of them, likely the most risky, is to be arrested and imprisoned for whatever reason. It is possible that during incarceration the thief will be able to contact fellow thieves imprisoned with him. If not, eventually one will contact them, handing the person a note directing them to the location of the guild test.

An easier and less risky way of locating the guild is done by extensive questioning of beggars, who reveal that in the Imperial City Waterfront there is a small garden where one of the Guild's two Doyen may be interested in taking on new members if they are able to pass a small test. Tests are almost always done solo although there have been instances when they were competitive. Once the test is complete the Thief is declared a member although they are not permitted to engage in official Guild activities until a certain amount of money has been donated to the Guild's coffers. This is done through selling stolen property to one of the Guild's five Fences who are scattered across Cyrodiil but only revealed when a thief reaches a certain standing within the Guild. After a set amount is sold to a fence then the Thief will begin being invited to perform organized Guild thefts.

The Thieves Guild is a joinable guild where those practicing stealth arts may collaborate with each other. There are only three rules of the guild:

  1. Never steal from another member of the guild.
  2. Never kill anyone on the job. This is not the Dark Brotherhood. Animals and monsters can be slain if necessary.
  3. Don't steal from the poor. The peasants and beggars are under the personal protection of the Gray Fox, particularly on the Waterfront.

Finding the guild[]

WantedPoster
Main article: Finding the Thieves Guild

There are five methods of joining the guild:

  • One method is being thrown in jail for a nonviolent crime (pickpocketing, stealing, etc. Committing violent crimes may work as well). Once the player has done so, a Dunmer named Myvryna Arano will approach them the next time they rest with a message from the Gray Fox, grandmaster of the guild. Upon reading this message, they will be given the "Finding the Thieves Guild" quest.
  • The second method is by reading a Wanted poster of the Gray Fox within the Imperial City. One poster is located in the Waterfront District on the pillar of an arch right behind the fast travel point. Once the player does this, they can ask beggar when their disposition is high enough. Puny Ancus is conveniently also in the Waterfront District. They will tell the player to go the Garden of Dareloth at midnight. 
  • Or one can simply wait around the Waterfront where Armand Christophe waits with his torch around midnight and simply talk to Amusei, Methredhel, and Armand until they trigger the challenge.
  • The Hero can also raise their disposition with Armand, and the Join Thieves Guild option will show up in the dialogue.
  • Befriend City-Swimmer, in Bravil, who tells you to go to the garden in the Waterfront District at midnight for answers.

Ranks, requirements and guild perks[]

TG-Pickpocket
Pickpocket
TG-Footpad
Footpad
TG-Bandit
Bandit
TG-Prowler
Prowler
TG-Catburglar
Cat Burglar
TG-Shadowfoot
Shadowfoot
TG-MasterThief
Master Thief
TG-GrayFox
Guildmaster


Quests[]

From Armand Christophe[]

From S'Krivva in Bravil[]

From the Gray Fox[]

Via his messengers, Methredhel and Amusei, or from any Guild leader.

Key people[]

Doyen[]

The Doyen are the hands and eyes of the guildmaster, the Gray Fox, and essentially act as his lieutenants.

Beggars[]

When a thief needs information for a Thieves Guild quest then most beggars in every city are willing to help a friend. They are under the protection of the Gray Fox, and attacking or stealing from them will be treated as if it were against a guild member.

Fences[]

Main article: Fence (Oblivion)

Fences are the people to who are willing to buy stolen property. Stolen property has a red hand marker over the item, and cannot be sold to normal merchants.

The fences are in order of availability as a Thief progresses through the Guild:

Fence City Barter Gold

Mercantile Skill

Ongar the World-Weary Bruma 600 60
Dar Jee Leyawiin 800 70
Luciana Galena Bravil 1,000 80
Orrin Castle Anvil 1,200 90
Fathis Ules (see "Sins of the Father" quest)

Imperial City Chorrol

1,500 100
  • For a full list of members, see Category:Oblivion: Thieves Guild Members.
  • Beggars are not full Thieves Guild members, but they are under the protection of the Gray Fox and often offer information for quests for a little gold. If famous enough, they will give you the information for free.

Related books[]

Appearances[]

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