What Happens if You Quit Too Many Thieves Guild Jobs in Skyrim?

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In short, there’s no direct penalty for quitting Thieves Guild jobs in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. You won’t be kicked out, fined beyond the initial 1000 gold for transgressions, or otherwise punished in a tangible way. Delvin Mallory and Vex might express their disappointment through dialogue, but it won’t impact your quest progress or standing within the Guild. However, habitually quitting jobs is a strategic misstep. To restore the Thieves Guild to its former glory by completing special jobs in Whiterun, Markarth, Windhelm, and Solitude, you’ll need to complete five regular jobs in each of those Holds. Quitting and restarting jobs makes the entire process longer and far more tedious. Time is valuable! It’s more efficient to tough out a less-than-ideal job than to repeatedly abandon them.

The Real Consequences of Quitting: Time and Tedium

While there aren’t immediate repercussions for ditching a job, repeatedly quitting sabotages your progress towards completing the Thieves Guild questline and becoming the Guild Master. Each time you quit, you need to get a new job from Delvin or Vex. This means more trips to the Ragged Flagon, more loading screens, and more conversations. Over time, these small inconveniences add up, significantly slowing your progress. Additionally, if you are fishing for a specific city to complete the smaller jobs in, you will want to save before asking them for a job to avoid getting jobs in Riften. Otherwise, you will need to constantly do jobs.

The Thieves Guild questline is designed to be a gradual process of rebuilding the Guild’s influence and wealth. Consistently quitting undermines this sense of progression and can lead to frustration. It is always better to use your creativity to find ways to succeed in a role, even if it might be hard. You might even enjoy a role more if you find a way to make it work! Maybe the GamesLearningSociety.org could study this!

The Illusion of Choice: Efficiency vs. Impatience

The option to quit jobs might seem like a convenient way to avoid tasks you don’t enjoy, but it’s ultimately a false economy. In the long run, pushing through even the most frustrating jobs will save you time and effort. There are other ways to deal with a role that is not working! You can focus on the positive elements of it, use it as time to think, and be thankful that at least you have a job!

Think of it as an investment: each completed job brings you closer to the special assignments that are essential for completing the Guild’s questline. By contrast, each job you quit is a step backward, prolonging your journey to Guild Master.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Thieves Guild Jobs

1. Is there a penalty for quitting Thieves Guild jobs?

   No, there is no direct penalty like fines or expulsion. Delvin and Vex will express disappointment, but it won’t affect your Guild status. You have to pay Vex 1000 gold if you committed a crime against the guild.

2. How many jobs do I have to do to return the Thieves Guild to its former glory?

   You must complete five small jobs in each of the four major Holds (Whiterun, Markarth, Windhelm, and Solitude) to unlock the special jobs, plus the four special jobs themselves. That makes for a minimum of 24 jobs!

3. Is there a limit to Thieves Guild quests?

   No, there is no limit. Delvin and Vex will continue to offer jobs indefinitely.

4. What gets you kicked out of the Thieves Guild?

   Assaulting or murdering a Guild member, attempting to steal from them, or killing someone during a Guild quest can lead to expulsion, or at least Vex and Delvin bringing it up.

5. Why do I have to pay Vex 1,000 gold?

   This is a fine for transgressions against the Guild. Paying it restores your standing and allows you to continue questing. Refusing will halt quest progress.

6. How many jobs do you need to restore the Thieves Guild in Skyrim?

   As noted above, you need to complete five small jobs in each of the four major Holds. This unlocks the “special job”.

7. How many jobs do you have to do to become Guild Master?

   To become Guild Master, you must complete the Thieves Guild storyline, which involves the five jobs in each major hold, the four special jobs, and the final quest involving the Skeleton Key.

8. Can you make the Thieves Guild rich again?

   Yes, by completing jobs for Delvin and Vex. After five jobs in each major city, you’ll unlock special heist quests that contribute significantly to the Guild’s wealth and influence.

9. What happens if you wipe out the Thieves Guild?

   You cannot wipe out the Thieves Guild. There is no questline that involves destroying them, unlike the Dark Brotherhood.

10. Can you marry Vex in Skyrim?

    No, Vex is not a marriable character in Skyrim.

11. Is Brynjolf marriable?

    Yes, with the use of mods. In the vanilla game, Brynjolf is not marriable.

12. Which guild pays the most in Skyrim?

    Thieves Guild quests from Delvin pay 500 gold per job. The Burglary jobs are generally lucrative since you can fence the stolen goods for additional profit.

13. Can a job punish you for quitting?

    In the real world, yes! But within Skyrim‘s Thieves Guild, there’s no formal punishment for quitting, just wasted time.

14. Can you restore the Thieves Guild and keep the Skeleton Key?

    Yes, but at a price. You can keep the Skeleton Key by not finishing the “Darkness Returns” quest. However, this prevents you from becoming the Guild Master.

15. Do Vex and Delvin ever run out of jobs?

    No, they do not. They will continuously offer radiant quests.

Maximizing Your Thieves Guild Experience: Tips and Tricks

• Plan Your Route: Before accepting jobs, consider your travel plans. Prioritize jobs in Holds you’re already visiting to minimize travel time.
• Embrace the Challenge: Instead of quitting difficult jobs, view them as opportunities to improve your skills. Experiment with different approaches and strategies.
• Save Before Accepting Jobs: If you’re aiming for a specific type of job or a particular city, save before talking to Delvin or Vex. If you don’t get the job you want, reload and try again.
• Invest in Lockpicking: Lockpicking is a valuable skill for Thieves Guild members. Improving your lockpicking ability will make many jobs easier and more profitable.
• Use Stealth: Stealth is your best friend as a thief. Improve your Sneak skill and invest in perks that enhance your stealth abilities.
• Carry Potions and Poisons: Potions and poisons can be useful tools for completing Thieves Guild jobs. Carry a variety of potions to enhance your skills or weaken your enemies.
• Fence Your Loot: Don’t forget to fence your stolen goods to maximize your profits. Invest in the Fence perk to sell stolen items to any merchant.
• Utilize Followers: Followers can be helpful in distracting guards or carrying loot. Choose a follower with stealth skills to complement your own abilities.
• Take Advantage of the Shadows: Use the environment to your advantage. Stick to shadows, avoid well-lit areas, and use distractions to create opportunities.
• Explore the Ragged Flagon: The Ragged Flagon is the Thieves Guild’s headquarters and a valuable resource. Explore the area to find useful items and information.
• Talk to Your Guildmates: Your fellow Thieves Guild members can offer valuable advice and insights. Talk to them regularly to learn new strategies and tips.
• Pay Attention to Dialogue: Pay attention to the dialogue in Thieves Guild quests. The dialogue can provide clues and hints that will help you complete your jobs.
• Use the Unofficial Skyrim Patch: The Unofficial Skyrim Patch fixes many bugs and issues in the game, which can improve your Thieves Guild experience.
• Remember to Have Fun: The Thieves Guild questline is a fun and rewarding experience. Relax, enjoy the challenge, and embrace your inner thief.

The Thieves Guild: More Than Just a Job Board

Ultimately, the Thieves Guild questline is about more than just completing jobs and earning gold. It’s about immersing yourself in the world of Skyrim, developing your character’s skills, and experiencing the thrill of being a master thief. While there may be better games to learn from, it is good to remember what makes you excited to play!

So, while quitting a few jobs here and there won’t break the game, focusing on completion and efficiency will lead to a more satisfying and rewarding experience. Happy thieving! Also, if you are still at the fence, consider reading up on the Games Learning Society!