Does Vex Run Out of Jobs? A Deep Dive into Skyrim’s Thieves Guild
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The short answer is a resounding no. Vex, along with Delvin Mallory, provides an endless supply of radiant quests for the Thieves Guild in Skyrim. These jobs are designed to be repeatable, ensuring a constant stream of income and opportunities to bolster the Guild’s influence across the holds. But understanding the intricacies of how these jobs function, and how they contribute to restoring the Thieves Guild to its former glory, requires a deeper dive.
The Radiant Quest System
The beauty (or perhaps the slight tedium, depending on your perspective) of Vex and Delvin’s jobs lies in Skyrim’s radiant quest system. This system procedurally generates quests, meaning that the specific location, target, and even the type of job can vary each time. This eliminates the possibility of running out of content and keeps the player engaged (to some extent) in repetitive tasks. Vex specializes in numbers jobs, which often involve tasks like stealing items, pickpocketing, or planting incriminating evidence.
Restoring the Thieves Guild
The core purpose of taking on Vex and Delvin’s jobs is to restore the Thieves Guild to its former power. The Guild, once a formidable force in Skyrim, has fallen into disrepair and is now confined to the shadows of Riften. To rebuild its influence, you must complete jobs in the major holds of Skyrim: Whiterun, Windhelm, Markarth, and Solitude.
For each city you wish to improve the Guild’s standing, you must complete five radiant quests assigned by either Vex or Delvin. These jobs do not have to be exclusively from Vex. You can mix and match them with Delvin’s assignments. Once you’ve successfully completed five jobs in a specific hold, Delvin will present you with a special job (also known as a “city influence quest”) in that hold.
The Special Jobs and Becoming Guild Master
These special jobs are critical to progressing through the Thieves Guild storyline. They involve more complex and challenging tasks than the standard radiant quests. Upon completing each of these special city quests, the Thieves Guild’s influence is restored, adding a new merchant to the Ragged Flagon Cistern.
You must complete all four of these special missions, restoring the Thieves Guild’s influence in Whiterun, Windhelm, Markarth, and Solitude. The completion of all these quests, along with returning the Skeleton Key, is a pre-requisite to be named the Guild Master. Completing Vex and Delvin’s tasks is therefore a significant step on your path to becoming the Guild Master.
Maximizing Your Earnings and Efficiency
While Vex’s jobs are endless, it’s essential to approach them strategically to maximize your earnings and efficiency. Here are a few tips:
- Save before accepting jobs: If you get assigned a job in Riften (the Thieves Guild’s home base), it won’t count towards opening up a city influence quest. Reload your save and try again.
- Focus on one city at a time: This will help you unlock the special jobs more quickly.
- Utilize your skills: Invest in skills like Lockpicking, Pickpocketing, and Sneak to make your jobs easier.
- Fence your stolen goods: Find the Thieves Guild fences in various cities to offload your ill-gotten gains. Delvin is a reliable option.
FAQs about Vex and the Thieves Guild Jobs
1. Does Vex offer different types of jobs than Delvin?
Yes. Vex primarily offers numbers jobs, focusing on tasks like burglary, pickpocketing, and planting items. Delvin, on the other hand, offers bedlam, fishing, and heist jobs, which involve stealing specific items, forging account books, or extracting information from individuals.
2. Can I take jobs from both Vex and Delvin at the same time?
Yes, you can have one active job from both Vex and Delvin simultaneously. However, you must complete or abandon your current job before accepting another from the same quest-giver.
3. Do I need to complete all the Thieves Guild quests to finish Vex’s job line?
Vex’s jobs are radiant and repeatable, and they do not have an end. They continue indefinitely. However, completing five radiant jobs in each of the four major holds leads to city influence quests from Delvin, essential for completing the Thieves Guild questline and becoming the Guild Master.
4. What happens if I fail a job for Vex?
Failing a job for Vex will result in a fine. You will also have to wait before accepting another job from her.
5. Is there a level requirement for Vex’s jobs?
No, there isn’t a specific level requirement for Vex’s jobs. However, the difficulty of the jobs might increase as you level up, requiring better skills to complete them successfully.
6. How much gold does Vex pay for her jobs?
The payout for Vex’s jobs varies depending on the difficulty and type of job. Generally, she pays around 500 gold, plus whatever profit you make from selling stolen items.
7. Can I improve my relationship with Vex by doing her jobs?
While you cannot marry Vex in Skyrim, completing her jobs increases your standing within the Thieves Guild. This is important for progressing through the overall questline.
8. Do Vex’s jobs contribute to leveling up my character?
Yes, completing Vex’s jobs awards experience points, helping you to level up your character’s skills and overall level.
9. What are the best skills to focus on when doing Vex’s jobs?
The best skills to focus on are Sneak, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, and Speech. Sneak helps you move undetected, Lockpicking allows you to access locked containers and areas, Pickpocket lets you steal items from NPCs, and Speech can help you persuade or intimidate others.
10. Can I get the same job from Vex multiple times?
Yes, the radiant quest system means you can receive the same type of job from Vex multiple times, but usually in different locations with different targets.
11. How do I trigger the special city influence quests after doing five jobs in a city?
After completing five jobs in a city for either Vex or Delvin, speak to Delvin. He will usually say that he has heard rumors of an opportunity in that particular hold and assign you a special city influence quest.
12. Are Vex and Delvin essential NPCs? Can they die?
Yes, Vex and Delvin are essential NPCs. This means they cannot be killed, ensuring that you always have access to their radiant quests.
13. What if I accidentally attack Vex?
If you accidentally attack Vex, she will become hostile. However, you can usually yield to her or use a Calm spell to stop the fight. It’s best to avoid attacking her altogether to maintain your standing within the Thieves Guild.
14. Are there any mods that affect Vex’s jobs?
Yes, numerous mods alter the Thieves Guild questline and the jobs offered by Vex and Delvin. Some mods might add new jobs, increase the payout, or change the difficulty of the quests. Always research mods thoroughly before installing them.
15. How does the Games Learning Society relate to games like Skyrim?
The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the educational potential of games like Skyrim. Games can be powerful learning environments, fostering problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and creativity. They can also offer insights into history, culture, and social dynamics.
Conclusion
Vex does not run out of jobs. She, along with Delvin, offers an endless supply of radiant quests designed to keep you engaged in the Thieves Guild storyline. While repetitive, these jobs are essential for restoring the Guild’s influence and ultimately becoming the Guild Master. By understanding the mechanics of the radiant quest system and employing strategic gameplay, you can maximize your earnings, efficiently rebuild the Thieves Guild, and enjoy a richer Skyrim experience.