How to Unlock Skeleton Key in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is packed with a ton of content. It includes all the expansions (Knights of the Nine & Shivering Isles) as well as the additional DLC that was added to the PC and Xbox 360 back in the day. Many players will join the Mages Guild, Thieves Guild, or Dark Brotherhood on their playthroughs of Oblivion Remastered. Others will progress through the main story or complete some of the miscellaneous side quests. But there are also 15 Deadric quests scattered throughout the lands of Cyrodiil. One of those quests is worth completing as early as possible, as the reward is absolutely worth it!

In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the quest that rewards the Skeleton Key is named "Nocturnal". You must be at least level 10 and speak to the Shrine of Nocturnal to initiate the quest. Completing the quest and returning the Eye of Nocturnal to the shrine will reward you with the Skeleton Key.

The Shrine of Nocturnal is north of the city of Leyawiin, along the Yellow Road and south of Arpenia. Speak to one of the worshipers to be given permission to speak to the enigmatic Nocturnal.

Quick Guide to Unlock Skeleton key

1. Reach level 10 in Oblivion Remastered.
2. Speak to Nocturnal at the Shrine of Nocturnal.
3. Travel to Leyawiin and speak to a guard about Leyawiin to acquire information.
4. Go to the house and speak with a pair of Argonians named Weebam-Na and Bejeen.
5. Leave the house and easedrop on their conversation about the location of the Skeleton Key.
6. Travel south to Tidewater Cave and you'll find Nocturnal's Eye submerged in one of the flooded caves.

Go up to the Shrine of Nocturnal to initiate the quest. After a brief conversation, Nocturnal informs you that some thieves have stolen the Eye of Nocturnal. She tasks you with finding it. You'll have to do a bit of investigating in Leyawiin, but nothing too difficult.

Fast travel to the city. Speak to one of the Leyawiin guards and select the option Leyawiin. You'll be given the location of the two Argonian thieves named Weebam-Na and Bejeen.

Speak to them, then leave their house and return. Eavesdrop on their conversation. Make sure to remain out of sight. Crouch behind the wall to remain in stealth.

Your Journal will be updated with the location of Nocturnal's Eye. It's located south of Leyawiin at Tidewater Cave.

Once you're in Tidewater Cave, proceed and make a few left turns until you reach a flooded cave. They'll be a few enemies at Tidewater Cave, so be prepared for a little combat. Look for a torch light in the cave, then start swimming underwater.

Once you're swimming in the flooded cave, you'll find Nocturnal's Eye submerged underwater. It might be hard to see because it's pretty dark. Use the local map by zooming in on the Cyrodiil map.

Return to the Shrine of Nocturnal and you'll be rewarded with the indispensable Skeleton Key, an unbreakable lockpick that makes opening locks trivial!

Note, there's also an exploit that allows you to increase your Security (lockpicking skill) in Oblivion Remastered very easy. Simply find an average or higher lock, then get the first pin up. Then simply spam X and you'll gain XP.

I reached level 100 Security with that particular method before even unlocking the Skeleton Key. It can be a good way to level up and increase your attributes. Bethesda may patch that in a future update, but at least you'll still have the Skeleton Key at any rate.

The Thieves Guild and Skeleton Key

Ideally, you'll want the Skeleton Key before joining the Thieves Guild in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. Many of the quests involve stealth and lockpicking, so having the Skeleton Key is a valuable tool when you find expert or master chests that need unlocking.