Summary
The main quests that lead through the plot ofThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remasteredare enough to keep even the most intrepid adventurer busy for a while. When that quest line has been completed, or it’s time to take a break, there are all kinds ofside questsavailable to keep grinding, and some of the best are alsothe easiest to miss.
These aren’t hidden quests, but side quests that are acquired through unconventional means, suchas talking to nondescript NPCs, finding a special item, or even just going to sleep in a certain place. Thanks to the level scaling inOblivion Remastered, these quests are available at any time, so they’re just as fun for a beginner as they are for an experienced player.
7No Stone Unturned
Recover Some Notes, Get Some Potions
It’s not found in an obvious place for an adventurer to stop, which is why this quest is easy to miss. The Altmer named Lithnilian, who takes uppermanent residency at the Imperial Bridge Inn, asks for the player’s help recovering his research notes, which requires visiting the nearby Bramblepoint Cave.
Follow the north bank of the Silverfish River to find the cave and fight through to the third level to find the notes. Return to the Inn, and players will be rewarded with a decent supply of mid-level potions. For those who practice the Hand-to-Hand skill, the Inn’s proprietor, Davela Hlaren, can help improve it.
6Whom The Gods Annoy
Investigate A Suspicious Smell
Despite the name, this quest has very little to do with the classicStar Trek: The Original Seriesepisode, other than the title. The city of Leyawiin isn’t exactly a major commerce or cultural hub, and many players might not even go there very often, which is why they often miss this quest.
Players can talk to various NPCs until they bring up another resident named Rosentia Gallenus. Her neighbors are complaining about a rancid smell and strange noises coming from her rather run-down house, and it sure would be great if some brave adventurer would investigate.
It turns out there’s a Daedric staff and Sheogorath involved, to nobody’s surprise, and the protagonist has to travel to a place called Blackfathom Caveand return the cursed itemthey find on an altar. The quest finishes automatically when the hero drops the staff in the appointed spot. Don’t forget to return to Rosentia, however, who rewards the player with the Ring of Eidolon’s Edge for their trouble.
5Separated At Birth
Drama In Chorrol And Cheydinhal
In yet another quest that requires some patience and polite conversation,“Separated At Birth"begins in Chorrol and eventually moves to Cheydinhal. Completing it leads to a quest chain that includes “Legacy Lost” and “Sins of the Father,” with the final quest rewarding some impressive gear, namely the enchanted shield,Escutcheon of Chorrol, and a huge pile of gold.
Speaking to various NPCs in Chorrol reveals that resident Reynald Jemane has been acting strangely. Speak to him, and he tells the player that he’s aware of the situation and suspects there’s a doppleganger hanging about. He’ll ask the hero to investigate, and the truth is not fantastic or magical, but an old story of an estranged family.
4A Venerable Vintage
A Unique Type Of Quota Quest
Nobody likes gathering or quota quests, but when it’s time to do one, players could do a lot worse thanfinding bottles of wine.Nerussa at the Wawnet Inn asks the player to do just that when they visit her, and it’s as easy as exploring the ruined Imperial forts nearby.
The Wawnet Inn can’t be found in a town or settlement, but sits on the far end of the stone bridge leading west from the Imperial City, so most players will ride right past it if they don’t know to stop there. It’s not the most ideal place for an inn, which is another reason why players often miss this quest.
3The Forlorn Watchman
Put A Wayward Soul To Rest
For players who love a ghost story, complete with shipwrecks and hidden treasure, travel to the small town of Bravil south of the Imperial City and chat with a few of the locals. Several NPCs will talk about the mysterious figure who wanders the lakeshore at night, and if the hero goes to the same place after dark, they can speak to the ghost and hear his story.
The ghost directs the player to a treacherous spot on the shoreline and the wreck of the Emma May. Players have to explore the wreck and fight their way through the ranks of undead to finish the quest. This is where a decent Swimming skill and something to help with underwater breathing will be useful.
2The Sunken One
Find The Former Residents
Players might never find this lonely farmhouse outside the northeastern walls of Kvatch, but if they keep their eyes open, there’s an old road that leads due north and runs past an old farm. There are still vegetables in the garden that the player can take without it being theft, and when they walk into the cottage, this prompts"The Sunken One"quest to begin.
The player gets a clue about exploring the farmhouse and discovering what happened to the residents. A diary page mentions the Sunken One and directs the hero to the nearby Sandstone Caverns. Explore the cavern to find the second and third pages of the diary, defeat the Sunken One, and don’t forget to take the offering on the way out.
1An Unexpected Voyage
Save A Hijacked Ship
Players who take some extra time to explore the southernmost parts of the Imperial City docks will find The Bloated Float, a unique tavern and inn located on a real ship. The owner and proprietor, Ormil, is happy to trade a few wares and rent the hero a bed for the night, but what he won’t mention is the rumor he startedabout a solid-gold decorationto attract more business.
This story prompts a gang of bandits to take over the ship, so when the player wakes up, they’re trapped in the middle of an ongoing act of piracy. They can choose to fight the robbers, manipulate them using tricks and coercion, or join them as an ally. There’s a bounty on the head of the leader, an Imperial who calls herself Selene, which can be collected when players return to the city.
