Factions & Guilds Overview

Venturing through Vvardenfell, you'll quickly discover that joining a faction or guild is not just a role-playing choice, but a strategic necessity. These organizations offer unique questlines, valuable training, lucrative rewards, and often, a safe haven from the dangers of the island. However, be mindful of reputation and allegiances; some factions are mutually exclusive or have conflicting interests. Plan your affiliations carefully to maximize your benefits and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Major Guilds

These are the core professional organizations, each catering to a specific skillset. You can join all of them, but advancing in one might require skills that another doesn't emphasize.

The Fighters Guild

For the warrior at heart, the Fighters Guild offers opportunities to hone your combat skills and earn gold through mercenary work. Their halls are found in Balmora, Ald'ruhn, and Vivec.

Joining: Speak to Eydis Fire-Eye in the Balmora Fighters Guild. She'll accept almost anyone, but a decent combat skill (Long Blade, Axe, Blunt Weapon, etc.) will help you advance faster.
Early Quests & Rewards:
- Rat Extermination: Your first task often involves clearing rats from the Balmora South Wall Cornerclub. Speak to Drarayne Thelas there. The reward is usually a small sum of gold.
- Egg Poaching: Eydis will send you to the Shulk Egg Mine. Be prepared for Kwama Foragers and Workers. The mine entrance is just south of Balmora, across the Odai River.
- Bandit Hunt: You'll be tasked with eliminating bandits from various local caves. A common early target is the cave of Pelagiad, just south of Balmora. Look for the "Shackled" bandits.
Strategy: Focus on improving your chosen weapon skill, Block, and Heavy Armor. The guild provides excellent trainers for these skills as you rank up. Completing quests for one guild master often unlocks quests from others.

The Mages Guild

For those who wield arcane power, the Mages Guild is your sanctuary. They offer training in all schools of magic, spellmaking, enchanting services, and teleportation. Guild halls are located in Balmora, Ald'ruhn, Vivec, and Sadrith Mora.

Joining: Speak to Ranis Athrys in the Balmora Mages Guild. She'll ask you to retrieve a specific item or perform a simple magical task.
Early Quests & Rewards:
- Retrieve the Staff of Magnus: A common early quest, though the staff itself is found much later. You'll likely be sent to search for information or a proxy.
- Collecting Dues: Ranis might send you to collect dues from local mages. Be careful, some might not be willing to pay.
- Ingredient Gathering: Expect to gather common alchemical ingredients like Saltrice, Kwama Eggs, or Ash Yams. These are plentiful around Balmora.
Strategy: Prioritize Intelligence and Willpower. Invest in Destruction, Mysticism, Alteration, and Restoration. The Mages Guild offers the best access to spell merchants and trainers. Utilize their teleportation services (Guild Guide) to quickly travel between guild halls for a small fee.

The Thieves Guild

For the cunning and stealthy, the Thieves Guild offers a network of contacts, fences for stolen goods, and opportunities for illicit gains. Their main contacts are often found in taverns or hidden locations in Balmora, Ald'ruhn, and Vivec.

Joining: In Balmora, seek out Sugar-Lips Habasi in the South Wall Cornerclub. She'll usually ask you to perform a small thieving task to prove your worth.
Early Quests & Rewards:
- Retrieve the Limeware Platter: Habasi will send you to retrieve a Limeware Platter from Hlaalo Manor in Balmora. The manor is just north of the Fighters Guild. You'll need to pick the lock or find a key.
- Steal a Diamond: Another early task involves stealing a Diamond from the local pawnbroker, Ra'Virr, in Balmora. His shop is near the silt strider port.
- Pickpocketing: You might be asked to pickpocket a specific item from a local NPC. This is a good way to practice your Sneak and Security skills.
Strategy: Focus on Agility, Speed, and Luck. Invest in Sneak, Security, Light Armor, and Short Blade. Remember, the Thieves Guild is often at odds with the Fighters Guild, so be cautious about your allegiances. Fences will buy your stolen goods at a reduced price, but it's better than nothing!

Great Houses

These are the three powerful Dunmer noble houses that dominate Vvardenfell. You can only join one Great House per playthrough. Choose wisely, as your choice will significantly impact your political standing and available questlines.

House Hlaalu

Known for their mercantile prowess and diplomatic approach, House Hlaalu values wealth, influence, and trade. They are the most "Imperial-friendly" of the Great Houses.

Joining: Speak to Nileno Dorvayn in the Balmora Hlaalu Council Manor. You'll need to have a good reputation (Speechcraft helps) and perhaps perform a small service.
Focus: Commerce, diplomacy, light combat.
Headquarters: Balmora, with significant presence in Vivec and Suran.

House Redoran

A house of honor, tradition, and martial strength, House Redoran values piety, duty, and warrior virtues. They are fiercely traditional and often at odds with Imperial influence.

Joining: Speak to Neminda in the Ald'ruhn Redoran Council Hall (located in the Under-Skar). You'll need to demonstrate your combat prowess or commitment to Redoran ideals.
Focus: Combat, heavy armor, devotion.
Headquarters: Ald'ruhn, within the shell of a giant crab, Skar.

House Telvanni

Composed of eccentric, powerful mages, House Telvanni values magical power, independence, and arcane research above all else. They are often isolationist and disdainful of outsiders.

Joining: Speak to Master Aryon in Tel Vos, or any Telvanni Mouth (representative) in Vivec or Sadrith Mora. You'll likely need to prove your magical aptitude or complete a dangerous task.
Focus: Magic (all schools), enchanting, alchemy.
Headquarters: Sadrith Mora, with mushroom towers scattered across the eastern Ashlands.

Minor Factions & Cults

Beyond the major guilds and houses, several smaller, specialized factions offer unique opportunities and challenges.

The Imperial Cult

The official religion of the Empire, offering healing, blessings, and services to its followers. Found in most Imperial Forts and temples.

Joining: Speak to a priest at any Imperial Cult shrine, such as the one in Fort Pelagiad.
Benefits: Access to healing spells, blessings, and unique artifacts through quests.

The Imperial Legion

The military arm of the Empire, dedicated to maintaining order and protecting Imperial interests. Found in Imperial Forts across Vvardenfell.

Joining: Speak to a commanding officer, like General Darius in Gnisis.
Benefits: Combat training, access to Imperial armaments, and opportunities to enforce justice.

The Temple

The native Dunmer religion, centered around the Tribunal. Offers spiritual guidance, healing, and quests often involving ancient Dunmer sites.

Joining: Speak to a priest at any Tribunal Temple, such as the one in Balmora or Vivec.
Benefits: Access to powerful blessings, unique artifacts, and insight into Dunmer culture.

Morag Tong

The legal guild of assassins, operating under ancient writs of execution. A darker path, but one with unique rewards for the stealthy and ruthless.

Joining: Seek out the hidden headquarters in Vivec's Arena Underworks. Speak to the Grandmaster.
Benefits: Access to unique assassination contracts, powerful enchantments, and a distinct moral alignment.

Twin Lamps

A secret organization dedicated to freeing Argonian and Khajiit slaves. Their network is clandestine, and joining requires a strong moral compass and a willingness to defy the law.

Joining: This is a secret faction. You'll need to stumble upon their activities or be directed by sympathetic NPCs. Look for clues in the Argonian and Khajiit communities.
Benefits: A unique questline focused on liberation and justice, often rewarding with gold or rare items.

Remember, Nerevarine, your choices in affiliations will shape your journey through Vvardenfell. Good luck, and may your path be ever glorious!