How to Join the Thieves Guild in Oblivion Remastered - Elder Scrolls IV

The Thieves Guild in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is a much more mysterious and secretive guild compared to the Mages and Fighters Guilds. It has no official (or unofficial) offices or obvious representatives, nor does is it officially approved or recognized as an organization. Some citizens throughout Cyrodiil are skeptical about the actual existence of the Thieves Guild. It's a clandestine and unconventional guild. Membership is exclusive and the initiation is tough.

Many new players (or veterans who forgot) might be a bit perplexed on how to join the Thieves Guild, as there is nobody to inquire about joining, nor official guild buildings in the cities of Cyrodiil to enter.

Two Ways to Join the Thieves Guild in Oblivion Remastered

If you've spent anytime in the Imperial City, you've probably noticed a wanted poster of an enigmatic figure known as the "Gray Fox." These posters have over 20 locations in the Imperial City. One is next to the Arena entrance. A few more include: The King and Queen Tavern in Elven Gardens, inside the Divine Elegance shop, and one near the lighthouse entrance at the Waterfront District.

After looking at one of the Gray Fox posters, you'll receive new topics: "Hieronymus Lex" and "Gray Fox." The former is the Watch Captain of the Imperial City. He is an authoritative figure who is resolute in finding and stopping the elusive Gray Fox, guildmaster of the Thieves Guild.

Ask Beggars About the Gray Fox in Imperial City

Speak to a beggar that has a disposition of 70 or higher. The beggar will ask if you're looking for the Gray Fox. Tell the beggar that you want to work with the Gray Fox and the beggar tells you to visit the Garden of Dareloth at the city's Waterfront District at midnight. I'd suggest finding Puny Ancus, a beggar who can be found walking around the Waterfront District or sleeping on the ground outside the shack houses.

Go to Jail in Oblivion Remastered to Join the Thieves Guild

The alternative way to join the Thieves Guild is to commit any crime and go to jail. Steal an item in front of a witness until you're sent to jail. Wait your sentence out by sleeping. Myvryna Arano, a Dark Elf will eventually find you after you serve your jail time. She'll hand you a note that mentions the secret meeting in the Garden of Dareloth at midnight. She'll find you quickly if you're in the Imperial City, but it takes longer in other city locations. Note, she will not find you in rural areas like the Cloud Ruler Temple or inside dungeons etc.

"May the Best Thief Win" Oblivion Remastered Quest

Joining the Thieves Guild is not immediate, as you must prove yourself before you're accepted. Armand Christophe wants you to find and steal the diary of "Amantius Allectus." But there is a catch: you must compete in a race against two other characters. The Arogonian, Amusei, has no idea where the diary is and wonders aimlessly in the Talos Plaza. But Methredhel poses a much greater threat. If you want to complete your initiation, then you must get the diary before her!

Location of the Diary

The Allectus diary is at the east end of the Temple District. The beggar Puny Ancus reveals the location if you wake him up and bribe him. Fast travel to the Temple District, then dash toward the east gate and go south on the lane. Pick the lock to the house. Once you've entered, immediately go to the right to find the diary in the desk. Hurry before Methredhel steals it! She almost beat me in my game, but I managed to grab it just in time!

Even if Methredhel gets the diary before you, all is not lost! Not yet anyway. Methredhel will gloat over her victory, then she'll disappear in a cellar trapdoor into the sewers. The journal will tell you to steal the diary back from her.

Bribe a beggar to learn that Methredhel lives near the north end of the Waterfront District. Methredhel and her roommate, Adanrel, go out for dinner after 6 PM. Steal the diary when they're not home, then return to Armand at midnight.

If you somehow failed, you'll get another chance, but must steal a sword instead. Either way, you're in!

Joining the Thieves Guild and Independent Thievery

Armand Christophe will provide you details about the Thieves Guild. There's actually quite a lot of dialogue options, so speak to him if you want more information. Unfortunately, you won't have access to special jobs in the Thieves Guild until you've sold enough stolen items to a fence. Ongar the World-Weary, a Nord in Bruma is the first available to you. I'd suggest stealing enough items that are valued at 1000 gold or more. That way, you'll unlock every quest in the Thieves Guild for the future.

The 3 Rules of the Thieves Guild

1. Never steal from another member of the guild.
2. Never kill anyone on the job.
3. Never steal from the poor.

One of the best ways to steal enough items to accumulate 1000 gold or more is to visit the Cloud Ruler Temple. While you can steal any item in Cryrodiil to complete Independent Thievery, the Cloud Ruler Temple is an easy location to burglarize. Advance far enough in the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered main quest until you unlock the Cloud Ruler Temple, which is conveniently located near Bruma, where you can sell the stolen items to the fence, Ongar.

Make sure not to over-encumber yourself. Try to steal smaller items like potions or books that weigh less, but also have a high value of around 50 or more. If your Strength attribute is very high, then that may not be an issue.

Visit the east and west wings of the Cloud Ruler Temple. Go at night when many of the NPCs are sleeping. Using a Potion of Invisibility or Invisibility Spell makes stealing items in front of people's noses easy! Just remember that your invisibility wears off after interacting with a door or item.

The armory in the Cloud Ruler Temple has quite a few weapons that are worth a lot. Additionally, there are some valuable books on the shelves on the east end. Once you've stolen a lot of items, sell them to the fence in Bruma. Stolen items are marked with a red hand. I found nearly 2000 worth of stolen items at the Cloud Ruler Temple, allowing me to continue the Thieves Guild Questline in Oblivion Remastered unimpeded.