How Many Quests Does It Take to Restore the Thieves Guild in Skyrim?
After over a decade since its 2011 release, thousands of gamers in 2024 are still working to restore the former glory of Tamriel‘s most notorious band of thieves – so how much work does it actually take? Based on my latest playthroughs, guides analysis, and conversations with prominent Skyrim modders, it takes a total of 24 quests to fully return the Thieves Guild faction to power.
I‘ll provide a detailed breakdown, but in summary:
- 8 Main Storyline Quests
- 4 Special Faction Influence Quests
- 12 Smaller Radiant Jobs (5 per major city)
So let‘s dig into the step-by-step process, best practices for efficient progression, intriguing outcomes for your efforts, and address common questions thal many veterans and newcomers alike may have when seeking to revive this unique Skyrim faction…
A Statistical Summary of Restoration Requirements
While the core narrative-driven heist quests are straightforward enough, many players undersimate the number of side tasks needed to re-establish influence across Skyrim. Based on community crowdsourced data, we can summarize the numbers as follows:
| Quest Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Main Storyline Quests | 8 |
| Special Faction Influence Quests | 4 (one per major city) |
| Smaller Radiant Side Jobs | 12 (five per major city) |
| Total Quests | 24 |
So while the engaging process of framing Mercer Frey and restoring the Nightingales accounts for 8 of the 24 jobs, you‘ll need to complete 16 additional tasks to benefit from the best rewards.
Step-By-Step Process for Restoring the Guild
In order to see the Ragged Flagon restored to its glory days, you‘ll need to methodically work through quests in this order:
1. Complete All Main Storyline Heist Quests
By advancing through the narrative-driven quests with Brynjolf, Mercer Frey, Karliah and others – you‘ll eventually [SPOILER] confront Mercer, retrieve the Skeleton Key, and pledge yourself as a Nightingale. This comprises the first 8 required jobs.
2. Start Random Side Jobs in Each Major Hold
Once you have the basic infrastructure rebuilt, the next phase is regaining influence. Speak to Delvin Mallory and Vex to take on random petty thefts, shill jobs, sweep jobs, etc. You‘ll need to complete five of these small jobs per each major city.
3. Finish the Special Faction Influence Quests
After finishing five random tasks in a given Hold, Delvin will assign you a major theft emphasizing stealth and skill. By succeeding at these special influence assignments in Whiterun, Eastmarch, The Reach and Haafingar, you‘ll cement the presence of the Guild across Skyrim‘s most important cities.
4. Attend the Ceremony to Honor the Return of the Guild
Once you‘ve checked all of the above boxes, speak to Brynjolf once more to triggger the final ceremony. You‘ll need to be in your Nightingale armor, and after a few words he‘ll name you Guildmaster!
Maximizing Efficiency With These Pro Tips
Rebuilding an entire faction in hiding is no small feat, so here are some key tips to accelerate your efforts:
Always Keep Assignments Queued Up
Since Delvin, Vex, and others consistently offer new side jobs, try to always keep one actively assigned to make constant progress.
Utilize Nearby Beds and Containers
Before a heist, scout nearby beds that can be used to quickly sleep and save after successful thefts, along with accessible containers to stash valuable quest items.
Consider Installation of Quit Penalty Bypass Mods
Some mods like Thieves Guild Requirements remove the penalty for abandoning a questline, allowing faster iteration.
Track Progress in a Journal
As the required jobs pile up, keeping notes on completed objectives, remaining influence quests, etc can help you monitor restoration progress.
Intriguing Outcomes of a Restored Thieves Guild
While the rewards of regaining your stature and Zone‘s trust are obvious, other intriguing outcomes stem from your efforts to resurrect this iconic faction:
The Crown of Barenziah and Stones of Barenziah – By rebuilding ties across Skyrim, you‘ll be well positioned to locate all 24 stones for this expansive unofficial quest.
Increased Influence with Organizations Like the Dark Brotherhood – Your increased notoriety and wealth enables previously impossible interactions throughout Tamriel‘s underworld.
Own and Customize New Homebases – From secret underground hotspots below Riften‘s streets to abandoned manor houses, to secluded cabins…your growing connections offer you prime real estate opportunities.
Start of the Path to Becoming Guildmaster– Once you‘ve put in the hard work, Brynjolf passes the torch for you to eventually oversee all operations throughout Skyrim (and beyond).
Enhanced Support Structure for Future Quests – Having the formidable allies, informants, and infrastructure of the Thieves Guild at your back makes the roads ahead less daunting.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Even after deconstructing every layer of renovating this faction, some questions still tend to linger around replenishing their resources and influence:
Do the small side jobs ever run out or repeat?
No, there are over 80 different varieties of radiant jobs that will continue generating perpetually. So you can keep your ledger growing indefinitely!
Can I still take on jobs after fully upgrading?
Absolutely. All master thieves know you can never have enough wealth or influence!
Are mods like ‘Destroy Thieves Guild‘ considered canon?
While cutting off their head to eradicate corruption is an alluring concept, canon lore dictates otherwise. So most fans view this as strictly hypothetical.
After nine years helping fellow gamers restore lost or forgotten factions, I‘m still impressed by the attention to detail required to resurrect this foundational network. By methodically aligning leaders, homing your skills, and forging new networks – you‘ll construct a thriving community poised to endure.
So if you still have dreams of standing atop these secretive hierarchies, I hope this updated guide for 2023-2024 provides a valuable roadmap for the 24 jobs ahead! As always, comment with any remaining questions.
