Joining the Shadows: A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Full Member of the Thieves Guild in Skyrim
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To become a full member of the Thieves Guild in Skyrim, you need to complete a series of tasks that prove your loyalty and skill. This journey begins by speaking to Brynjolf in Riften’s marketplace or the Bee and Barb. Accepting his initial proposition triggers the quest “A Chance Arrangement,” which is the first step. You must then successfully complete this initial quest and subsequently demonstrate your value to the Guild by undertaking radiant quests from Delvin Mallory and Vex. Performing enough of these smaller jobs in each major hold outside of Riften will unlock special side quests that are crucial for restoring the Thieves Guild to its former glory. Ultimately, completing the main Thieves Guild questline and all associated side quests solidifies your position as a respected member, eventually culminating in the opportunity to become the Guild Master.
The Path to Membership: A Detailed Breakdown
The journey to full membership in the Thieves Guild is a multi-faceted process. It’s not just about picking pockets and sneaking around; it’s about proving your dedication, skill, and loyalty to the shadowy organization. Let’s break down the key steps:
1. Initial Contact and “A Chance Arrangement”
Your adventure begins in Riften. Seek out Brynjolf, a charismatic and somewhat shady character. He can usually be found in the marketplace during the day or inside the Bee and Barb inn at night. Engaging with him will trigger the quest “A Chance Arrangement”. This quest involves framing a local merchant, providing an initial taste of the Guild’s methods and testing your skills in stealth and manipulation. Successfully completing this quest is your formal invitation to join the Guild.
2. Joining the Ranks: “Taking Care of Business”
After proving yourself to Brynjolf, you’ll be directed to the Ragged Flagon, the Guild’s hideout hidden beneath Riften. Here, you’ll meet the other members and officially join their ranks. You’ll be given the quest “Taking Care of Business,” which involves intimidating three local business owners who are behind on their payments to the Guild. This quest further reinforces your understanding of the Guild’s operations and your commitment to their cause.
3. Radiant Quests: Building Reputation
Once you’ve completed “Taking Care of Business”, Delvin Mallory and Vex will become your primary contacts for radiant quests. These are smaller, repeatable jobs that help you build your reputation and standing within the Guild. These tasks include:
- Numbers Jobs (Delvin): Adding up numbers (basically theft) in homes.
- Heist Jobs (Delvin): Stealing specific items from businesses.
- Burglary Jobs (Vex): Stealing specific items from homes.
- Theft Jobs (Vex): Stealing specific items and planting evidence.
- Sweep Jobs (Vex): Stealing a set number of valuable items from a location.
It is important to note that it is completely random and you can only have one quest with both Delvin and Vex at a time.
4. Special Jobs: Restoring the Guild’s Influence
Here is the part that many players ignore. Doing the radiant quest is a requirement for one more major step. As you complete five radiant quests in a single hold (Markarth, Windhelm, Whiterun, and Solitude), you unlock a special side quest specific to that hold. These quests are more elaborate and directly contribute to the Guild’s efforts to reclaim lost influence in Skyrim. They are given to you by Brynjolf and you must complete these special jobs:
- The Silver Lining (Markarth)
- The Dainty Sload (Windhelm)
- Imitation Amnesty (Whiterun)
- Summerset Shadows (Solitude)
Completing all four of these special jobs will trigger the quest “Under New Management“.
5. The Main Questline: Proving Your Worth
While completing the radiant and special quests is crucial, don’t neglect the main Thieves Guild questline. This series of interconnected quests delves into the Guild’s history, its struggles, and its ultimate goal. Completing the main questline demonstrates your unwavering loyalty and commitment to the Guild’s success. Key quests in the main storyline include:
- Trinity Restored: The first of the main questline where you must restore the ebony blade.
- Blindsighted: You must go with Karliah and Brynjolf to find the last living snow elf.
- Darkness Returns: The last quest where you restore the Thieves Guild to its former glory.
6. Becoming Guild Master: The Ultimate Honor
After completing the main storyline and the four special hold quests, you’ll be called back to the Ragged Flagon. You’ll receive a special ceremony and officially become the Guild Master. This position grants you access to special benefits, including the Guild Master’s Armor and the Amulet of Articulation.
By diligently completing these steps, you’ll not only become a full member of the Thieves Guild but also rise through its ranks to become its leader, solidifying your place in Skyrim’s criminal underworld. Learn more about how games can be used for educational purposes at the Games Learning Society, which is accessible at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I join the Thieves Guild if I’m already a member of another guild?
Yes, you can be a member of multiple guilds simultaneously in Skyrim. Joining the Thieves Guild won’t prevent you from joining the Companions, the College of Winterhold, or the Dark Brotherhood.
2. What happens if I fail a Thieves Guild quest?
Failing a radiant quest from Delvin or Vex has no major consequences. You can simply pick up another job from them.
3. Is it possible to betray the Thieves Guild?
While you can attack members of the Guild, there is no storyline path that allows you to truly betray them in a significant way. The game doesn’t offer a questline to dismantle the Thieves Guild.
4. Can I marry a member of the Thieves Guild?
No, unfortunately, you cannot marry Vex or any other specific member of the Thieves Guild through normal gameplay.
5. What are the benefits of becoming Guild Master?
Becoming Guild Master grants you access to special armor (the Guild Master’s Armor), the Amulet of Articulation, a unique room with a tribute chest in the Ragged Flagon, and the satisfaction of leading one of Skyrim’s most influential organizations.
6. What happens if I get caught stealing during a Thieves Guild quest?
Getting caught stealing may result in a bounty, but it won’t automatically kick you out of the Guild. You may have to pay a fine or persuade the guards to look the other way.
7. Can I use followers during Thieves Guild quests?
Yes, you can use followers during most Thieves Guild quests. However, their presence might make stealth more challenging.
8. How do I get the Unusual Gem appraised?
The Unusual Gem (which starts the quest “No Stone Unturned”) needs to be taken to Vex. Completing this quest unlocks the Prowler’s Profit ability, increasing your chances of finding gems in containers.
9. What should I do with the Right Eye of Falmer?
The Right Eye of Falmer can be sold for a significant sum of gold. Delvin Mallory is not one of the merchants that can buy this item from you.
10. What happens if I attack a Thieves Guild member?
Attacking a Thieves Guild member will result in them becoming hostile towards you. You’ll need to either yield and pay your debt or reload an earlier save. Repeated offenses can lead to being kicked out of the Guild. However you can pay to rejoin if you have committed a crime towards the Thieves Guild.
11. How many radiant quests do I need to complete to become Guild Master?
There isn’t a set number of radiant quests required overall. You need to complete five radiant quests in each of the four holds (Markarth, Windhelm, Whiterun, and Solitude) to unlock the special side quests necessary for becoming Guild Master.
12. Can I destroy the Thieves Guild instead of joining them?
No, there is no option to destroy the Thieves Guild. Your only choice is to join them or ignore them.
13. What if Brynjolf isn’t in Riften?
If you can’t find Brynjolf, try checking both the marketplace during the day and the Bee and Barb inn at night. If he’s still not there, he may be affected by a bug. Try waiting for several in-game days or reloading an earlier save.
14. Are there any consequences for quitting Thieves Guild jobs?
No, there are no negative consequences for quitting Thieves Guild jobs. You can abandon them without penalty and pick up new ones from Delvin and Vex.
15. Does the Thieves Guild ever run out of quests?
No, the Thieves Guild never runs out of radiant quests. Delvin and Vex will continuously offer new jobs, ensuring a steady stream of opportunities.