Oblivion Walkthrough - Joining the Thieves Guild

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Even if you’re not a thief character, stealing is one of the quickest ways to safely earn cash and it can usually be done without any real skill. If you can watch for guards and not awaken sleeping owners, then you’re set for a lot of money. This is also true for most of the special Thieves Guild missions. You don't necessarily need to have many points in sneak. Just strip off your armor and move around the guards.

In order to get the quest “Joining the Thieves Guild” you will need to gain the attention of the Thieves Guild and learn about their test.

The easiest way to do this is to look at a wanted posted that’s on the walls of the Imperial City. This will add “Gray Fox” as a conversation topic. Using either Speechcraft, a Charm spell or bribery, get the disposition of a beggar up and ask them about the Gray Fox. They’ll point you to the meeting.

If you’re arrested for stealing at any point, then you’ll receive a note telling you that your skills could be put to much better use inside the Thieves Guild.

Apparently, just getting the basics about the Gray Fox is enough, since that will trigger the meeting. Bribing Armand will convince him to let you try.

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Regardless, he’ll explain the unique test for the unique circumstance. Since there are three potential recruits, he’s requiring a competition. This is a little tricky.

Standard theft rules apply. You can’t kill anyone involved in the quest while it’s active. Other than that, it’s pretty much your call. Remember that you aren’t in the Thieves Guild yet, so their more strict rules don’t apply.

The diary belongs to Amantius Allectus. He’s an alchemist who lives in the Temple District of Imperial City. You can get a marker for his house by asking any beggar about him and paying 5 coins. There's one sleeping on the bedroom by the wall right outside the Garden of Dareloth.

Note that, yes, Amusei is an idiot. He’ll just wander around the Elven Gardens and the rest of the city aimlessly while looking for the house. He’ll still be at it the next day.

Methredhel, on the other hand, is a genius thief. She already knows where Amantius Allectus lives and she’ll sprint to his house to grab the diary. It may not actually be possible to beat her. If you’re not built as a thief, then don’t worry. We have several other options. If you want to try, then you can try to outrun her. It will be hard for a new character though since she is really fast.

Fast travel can even the game, since I believe you’ll both move at the “default” speed and end up in the Temple District at the same time. You may be able to cut a corner and beat Methredhel there. If she makes it there before you, then you might still be able to beat her. She has to sneak around the house briefly before she figures out that it’s in the desk by the door. If you can grab it first, then congratulations. On midnight tomorrow you can turn it back in with Armand to gain access to the first fence and join the Thieves Guild.

If you didn't get Amantius Allectus' Diary, then just read more on the next page for you new options.