Taking Care of Business

New main objective: Find Brynjolf at the Ragged Flagon

Once you complete the quest A Chance Arrangement, Brynjolf will ask you to come to the Thieves Guild, which is located in the sewers of Riften.

At first, it may be difficult to locate the sewer entrance as it is on the lower level of the city. It is suggested to use the stairs south of the passage marked on the map (as shown in the screen above). Once you get there, approach the door and enter The Ratway.

Explore The Ratway and soon you will encounter Hewnon Black-Skeever and Draff (as shown in the screen above). You may have a chance to avoid fighting them if your Speech skill is high enough and you can persuade them, but it is more likely that they will attack you immediately. Adjust your tactics depending on who you are fighting with. As the battle takes place in a narrow corridor, you can also use the Unrelenting Force Shout. After defeating them, search their bodies and continue exploring the sewers. Eventually, you need to reach the raised drawbridge. Ignore it and jump onto the lower level.

There are two paths that lead to the next location. The shorter one requires you to open the secured eastern gate (as shown in the screen above). If you cannot open it or want to explore the area more thoroughly, use the western door. Beware of the first trap connected with that passage, in the form of spikes that come from the side after you open the door.

If you choose the longer path, you need to eliminate Skeever and Gian the Fist (as shown in the screen above). The second one prefers close combat, so try to attack him from a distance if he causes you problems. Inside the room where Gian was, you will also need to watch out for bear traps and either avoid or disarm them. Luckily, even if you fall into one, you won’t lose too much health. Keep going and you will come across one more trap connected with the pressure plate on the stairs leading onto the upper level.

Both paths described above lead to the same room, where you need to get rid of a lowlife (as shown in the screen above). Afterward, search the table for the Beggar book, which boosts your Pickpocketing skill. Then, use the door leading to the underground inn, the Ragged Flagon.

After going around the water container, you will find Brynjolf and his company. After a short conversation with the red-bearded thief, you will receive another mission. It is important to ask him about the objectives thoroughly, as it will make completing the mission easier. Take a look around – you can trade with the bartender, and Delvin Mallory will teach you sneaking for a small fee.

New primary objective: Retrieve Haelga’s owed debt

New optional objective: Steal Haelga’s Statue of Dibella

The debtor, Helga, can be found at Haelga’s Bunkhouse near the Riften entrance. Once inside, speak with Helga who will inform you that she has no intention of paying her debt to the Thieves Guild unless you have collected from the other debtors. To get her to pay, you will need to speak with Brynjolf to identify her weakness (if you haven’t already). Brynjolf will inform you that the most valuable item in Helga’s possession is the Statue of Dibella, which can be found behind the wall near the entrance (see screen below).

Wait for a moment when Helga is not looking, and steal the statue. Once you have it, threaten to destroy it when you speak with Helga again. Faced with the loss of her prized possession, Helga will decide to pay her debts, much to Brynjolf’s satisfaction.

Note: There is an alternate method to complete this quest. If Helga refuses to pay, you can challenge her to a fist fight to force her to pay. This should be an easy win, and you will receive the payment afterwards.

New primary objective: Retrieve Bersi Honey-Hand’s owed debt

New optional objective: Smash Bersi’s prized Dwarven Urn

Bersi and his wife can be found at the Pawned Prawn in the center of Riften (see screen above). Do not expect a friendly welcome, as Bersi will not be impressed with your threats unless you have collected from the other debtors. To get him to pay, speak with Brynjolf to identify his weakness (if you haven’t already). Brynjolf will inform you that the most valuable item in the pawnshop is the Dwarven Urn, which is located opposite the merchant (see screen below).

All you need to do is break the urn with a powerful blow (hold down the mouse button). Once the urn is destroyed, Bersi should calm down and pay what he owes to the Guild.

Note: There is an alternate method to complete this quest. If Bersi refuses to pay, you can challenge him to a fist fight to force him to pay. This should be an easy win, and you will receive the payment afterwards.

New primary objective: Retrieve Keerava’s owed debt

New optional objective: Use Talen-Jei to reach Keerava

Keerava is an inn maid at The Bee and Barb, located next to the main square in Riften. As expected, she will not be pleased with your visit, as the Guild’s poor state is well-known. She will refuse to pay you unless you have collected from the other debtors. At this point, you should blackmail her by using her loved one, Talen-Jei, who can be found in the inn and is surprisingly willing to help (see screen below).

When talking to the lizard, advise him that going against the Guild is not a wise decision. A reasonable man will be easily convinced and will reveal his sweetheart’s vulnerability – she has a family in Morrowind. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to the distant province, as simply informing Keerava that you are aware of her relatives will suffice. The inn maid will become agitated and decide to repay her debt.

Important! There is an alternative way to complete this quest – if the debtor refuses to pay, you can challenge her to a fight. A fistfight will commence, which you should have no trouble winning. You will receive the payment afterwards.

New Main Objective: Return to Brynjolf

After obtaining all three debts, return to The Ragged Flagon and give the money to Brynjolf, who will reward you with a Fortify Stealth Skill potion, a Healing potion, and a Poison potion.

Having completed the task, you have earned the trust of the thief. He will unlock the passageway to the next part of the underground, the Ragged Flagon Cistern, where the Guild’s leader, Mercer Frey, resides (as shown in the above screenshot).

Thieves Guild quest unlocked: Loud and Clear

Additional Tasks

Retrieve Your Thieves Guild Armor from Tonilia

Now that you have become a member of the Guild after completing Taking Care of Business, Brynjolf will allow you to use the Guild’s resources. Speak to Tonilia (who is located in The Ragged Flagon) to receive your equipment. After a brief conversation, you will receive your armor, boots, hood, and gloves. Each of these items possesses useful magical properties that can be beneficial later in the game.

If you have discovered any of the Unusual Gems, Tonilia will suggest that you speak to Vex, who has knowledge about such items.

Quest unlocked: No Stone Unturned

Learn More about the Thieves Guild from Delvin

Note! This mission is only available after becoming a member of the Thieves Guild!

The conversation is merely a pretext for a series of quests – the Guild is in a dire state, and it should be one of your top priorities to take care of it. Therefore, you can ask Delvin Mallory for additional missions, ranging from falsifying documents to causing chaos to “fishing” (which refers to pickpocketing). You can only complete one mission at a time, so choose carefully. If you choose not to complete them, that is okay – they are all optional quests that you do not necessarily have to undertake. After completing five such missions in each city, you will unlock bonus quests that will bring you closer to becoming the Guild Leader (see: City Influence).

Each mission received from Delvin takes place in a city far from Riften – cities such as Markart, Whiterun, Windhelm, or Solitude. If you haven’t yet visited one of these cities, you will need to travel there now.

Thieves Guild quest unlocked: The Fishing Job

Thieves Guild quest unlocked: The Numbers Job

Thieves Guild quest unlocked: The Bedlam Job

Discover More About the Thieves Guild from Vex

You can find Vex, the quiet elf, at The Ragged Flagon near the large water container where she spends most of her time. Once you finish Taking Care of Business and Brynjolf instructs you to go to the Goldenglow Estate, you can finally speak with Vex. She may be harsh with you at first, but that’s just her nature.

Vex previously attempted to break into the Goldenglow Estate, but was unsuccessful, leading to the mission being passed to you. Before embarking on the mission, it’s wise to ask the seasoned thief for advice. She will inform you that the easiest way to reach the enemy territory is through the sewer located on the western side of the island. Follow this route during Loud and Clear.

What else does the grey-haired thief have to offer? If you come across any Unusual Gems, Vex will share their stories with you and task you with collecting the remaining 24. This won’t be an easy feat.

Unlockable Thieves Guild Quest: No Stone Unturned

Similar to Delvin, Vex can assign you side missions involving house break-ins, thefts, heists, and framing innocent people in intricate plots. These missions occur in cities such as Markart, Whiterun, Windhelm, or Solitude. If you haven’t been to these cities yet, you’ll need to travel there. After completing five missions in each city, bonus quests will unlock, bringing you closer to becoming the Guild Leader (refer to City Influence).

Unlockable Thieves Guild Quest: The Burglary Job

Unlockable Thieves Guild Quest: The Shill Job

Unlockable Thieves Guild Quest: The Sweep Job

Unlockable Thieves Guild Quest: The Heist Job

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