Ranking the Most Immersive Guild Quests in Oblivion Remastered

Summary

Oblivion Remastered brings back familiar guilds with intriguing storylines, from political intrigue to supernatural horror.
The guild questlines like Fighters Guild and Mages Guild offer immersive stories, moral complexities, and satisfying payoffs.
The Dark Brotherhood questline is notable for its murder, loyalty, Sithis worship, culminating in the player becoming the Listener.

In the Elder Scrolls series, particularly in Oblivion Remastered, guilds and their storylines are an integral and captivating aspect of both world creation and gameplay. These guild questlines, which include tales of political machinations, eerie supernatural elements, and intricate moral dilemmas, were reintroduced in Oblivion Remastered. Each faction in Cyrodiil presents unique adventures that cater to different player preferences, offering a variety of role-playing and combat experiences with distinct themes and structures.

In this evaluation, we’ll be comparing the various guilds featured in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion (and its remaster) and discussing which ones offer the most engaging narratives with the best outcomes in terms of narrative resolution and prizes. The Fighter’s Guild and Mages Guild, familiar from earlier games, made a comeback here, while the Dark Brotherhood was introduced, tracing its roots to the followers of Morag Tong seen in The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind. This assessment will focus on which guilds provide the most captivating storylines and the most rewarding conclusions.

Spoilers ahead for all major questlines in Oblivion Remastered.

6. The Arena

Tamriel’s Brutal Gladiator Bloodsport

The Arena isn’t quite like a guild, but rather provides an immersive gladiatorial environment within the Imperial City. Fighters progress through nine ranks, starting as Pit Dogs and eventually becoming Grand Champions. Players can leverage this setting to earn money while improving their warrior standing. The story revolves around how spectators and Owyn of the Bloodworks perceive them. Owyn oversees the fighters, providing strategies for upcoming battles, and his regard for the player grows as they climb the ranks.

In the Arena, a side mission unfolds, focusing on the present Grand Champion, Agronak gro-Malog. He tasks players with journeying to Crowhaven to uncover the authenticity of his supposed noble lineage from his aristocratic father. However, the facts unearthed leave him utterly stunned. For those aspiring to claim the title of Grand Champion, they must confront and defeat Agronak gro-Malog decisively.

5. The Fighter’s Guild

Mercenary Work and a Dark Twist

In many regions of Tamriel, The Fighter’s Guild can be found, offering individuals an opportunity to learn skills and secure employment in a largely legitimate and often ethical mercenary profession. As a new recruit in the Fighter’s Guild during the events of Oblivion, you will embark on missions that typically demand combat abilities, starting at various cities. Throughout these tasks, members of the guild gradually expose a looming danger connected to a rival mercenary organization called the Blackwood Company. This organization has been seizing control of the job market and leaving the Fighter’s Guild with no work.

As I delve deeper into the Blackwood Company’s turmoil, I uncover a chilling power source fueling their reckless bravery. When justice is finally meted out, gamers can ascend to the rank of Guild Master, wielding the authority to set our guild’s agenda and reap a monthly reward tailored to the chosen priority.

4. The Mages Guild

Arcane Power and the Return of Necromancy

To become part of the Mages Guild, players must complete unusual assignments for recommendations, which hint at potential corruption within the guild. Once approved, they gain access to a variety of resources and helpful individuals in their magical endeavors, courtesy of the Arcane University. The main storyline of the Mages Guild starts with the quest “Ulterior Motives.” Players uncover a hidden vampire ruler of Skingrad who discloses his battle against necromancy’s revival in Cyrodiil, an issue that appears to be unknown to the Mages Guild.

The narrative unfolds as we delve into a chain of revelations concerning a plot involving Black Soul Gems and dark magic within the guild, leading to the resurrection of the lich infamously known as Mannimarco. In the climax of the storyline, the player is pitted against Mannimarco, the Worm Crowned King, in an intense confrontation aimed at saving the Mages Guild and Cyrodiil from the looming necromancy catastrophe.

3. Knights of the Nine

The Holy Crusade Against Ancient Evil

Because the remastered version of “Oblivion Remastered” encompasses all the DLC content, including “Knights of the Nine”, this faction is inherently a part of the main game. Often seen as more of a devout cult than a traditional guild, they are dedicated to the Nine Divines. The associated questline unfolds an engaging narrative revolving around restoring the divine order and battling an ancient evil called Umaril. To become a member, players must engage in role-playing activities such as embarking on a spiritual journey to every Wayshrine across Cyrodiil and maintaining a spotless reputation by avoiding infamy. If any infamy is acquired, the Pilgrimage must be restarted from the beginning.

In the “Knights of the Nine” missions, players face combats against the spectral knights of yore and solve riddles to obtain the Crusader’s Artifacts. Upon defeating Umaril decisively, they unlock the complete collection of Crusader’s Artifacts, which can be donned only if their Reputation remains below 1. This faction is unique in that it demands active participation in roleplaying to reap all its rewards.

2. The Thieves Guild

Robbery, Wealth, & Underworld Politics

The Thieves Guild is an organization that specializes in deception and targeting the affluent for theft. In Cyrodiil, this secretive group is overseen by the mysterious Gray Fox, who instills a code of ethics including not stealing from fellow guild members or the impoverished, and refraining from violence during heists. The tasks and assignments provided by the guild often require clever manipulation rather than physical force.

In their role as members, individuals enrich the Guild by dealing in stolen goods and taking on unique assignments. As the Gray Fox’s missions become increasingly complex and hard to acquire, competition and tension escalate. The climax of these adventures results in a shocking unmasking of the Gray Fox and a dramatic shift that places players into the position of Master Thief and the next leader of the Guild.

1. The Dark Brotherhood

Murder, Loyalty, & Sithis Worship

The Dark Brotherhood represents a clandestine association of skilled killers, mostly whispered about in tales. To be accepted into this enigmatic group, one must commit a murder that catches the unseen observers’ attention, signified by the message “Your actions have been noticed by forces unseen… “. Upon receiving an invitation from Lucien Lachance, players gain access to the Cheydinhal Sanctuary and a string of assignments detailing the Brotherhood’s shadowy activities. The narrative and rewards associated with the Dark Brotherhood are as captivating as they come.

In the narrative of Oblivion, some of the most entertaining Dark Brotherhood missions appear within the main quest line, such as the mystery titled “Whodunit?”, where players must covertly eliminate each guest at Summitmist Manor, uncovering a murderer among them. As the story progresses, you’ll discover betrayers within the guild, leading to a brutal purge that triggers a chain of sorrowful events, ending with the player ascending as the supreme leader of the Dark Brotherhood. By the tale’s end, players can enjoy formidable rewards like the Blade of Woe in combat and Shadowmere, offering one of the swiftest mount speeds available in the game.

2025-05-14 22:12