How to join the Thieves Guild in Oblivion Remastered

Update: We've added more information about how to pass the initiation to join the Thieves Guild in Oblivion Remastered.

Led by the notorious Gray Fox, the Thieves Guild in Oblivion Remastered offers sticky-fingered and light-footed adventurers a chance at fame and fortune.

But, as you’d expect with a secret gang of criminal burglars, the Thieves Guild doesn’t go around advertising their location to just anyone.

To join the Thieves Guild you will need to prove your worthiness as an up-and-coming thief in the big city, or show enough entrepreneurial spirit to track them down on your own.

However, to make that task a little easier, here’s how to join the Thieves Guild in Oblivion Remastered.

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How to join the Thieves Guild in Oblivion Remastered

First, to join the Thieves Guild you need to learn of its existence first. Make your way to the Imperial City and read one of the Gray Fox wanted posters scattered around the city.

This will then give you the conversation option to question passersby and acquaintances about the infamous thief.

Questioning people around town will eventually lead you to speak to the homeless people in the Waterfront District of the Imperial City. A golden bribe in their Persuasion Wheel will push them to reveal that the Thieves Guild holds nightly auditions for new members at the Garden of Dareloth in the Waterfront District at midnight.

Once you hear about the Gray Fox and the Thieves Guild, you can go directly to the Garden of Dareloth at midnight without questioning anyone and you’ll find who you need to speak to.

Alternatively, you can also learn about where to find the Thieves Guild by doing jail time. Steal something while in plain sight of an NPC and you’ll receive a bounty which alerts the guards in the area to arrest you.

Choose to go to jail and forfeit your stolen goods (you’ve already been in the big house at the start of the game after all), then serve your time and wait for your release. After you’re set free, you’ll soon be approached by Myvryna Arano, a Dunmer who invites you to attend the midnight meeting at the Garden of Dareloth.

How to pass the Thieves Guild Initiation

In the Garden of Dareloth, you find Armand Christophe, the Doyen of the Thieves Guild.

Depending on whether you’ve followed the “correct” steps or just stumbled on him by accident, he might not trust you enough with a high enough disposition to reveal his true purpose to you. If this happens, select the Persuading mini-game at the bottom of the dialogue list.

You have four choices in the mini-game: jokes, coercion, admiration and boasting. For me, Armand liked jokes and coercion. To raise his disposition you need to tactically choose the options he likes when the wedge is full and the one he doesn’t when it’s empty. It can take some getting used to, but you can also brute force it by bribing him with gold. When his disposition is above 50, and you’ve spoken to the other would-be thieves, talk to him about the Gray Fox, then choose the “join the Thieves Guild” option.

Since there are more potential applicants than positions in the Guild, Armand proposes a test: whoever can steal the diary of Amantius Allectus will be accepted as a full member. The only guidance you’re given is that it’s somewhere in the Imperial City and that the Grey Fox’s beggars can help you. Before you leave, if you’re short of lockpicks make sure to buy some from Armand for a few coins - you’ll need them soon.

To begin, start by seeking out the Thieves Guild’s homeless spies. Near where you’re standing, you should find Puny Ancus sleeping in a bedroll. Rouse him, ask him about the diary, then toss him five coins as a sweetener. He tells you that Allectus lives in the Temple District on the far east side.

Luckily for you, the Temple District is right next to the Waterfront. Either toddle over there or fast travel from your map, then when you arrive, run east (to the right).

Amantius Allectus’ house is found in a secluded alleyway, conveniently hidden from the view of passersby. Crouch into a sneaking position, then pick the easy lock (or use your Greater Power if you chose the Tower Birthsign).

Inside, you’ll likely find Methredhel already there, ready to grab the diary. Go straight to the desk on your right and grab the diary right from under her nose.

If she beats you to it, she’ll shout, “you’re too late” and your diary will update to reflect your failure. However, you still have the chance to steal the diary back.

To do so, go to the shacks on the waterfront and look for Methredhel’s house - it’s locked with an easy lock, just like Allectus’s. Immediately to your left inside, you find Methredhel’s chest with another easy lock.

Grab the diary from inside the chest, then return it to Armand the next evening as you would if you’d been successful in the first place!

After your initiation, you’re well on your way to becoming a master thief. But first, you'll need to prove your usefulness to the guild by completing the Independent Thievery quest.

To start another of the main faction quests, here’s how to join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion Remastered.