The Emperor's Will — The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Walkthrough

Oblivion Remastered: The Emperor's Will quest. Find Martin Septim in Kvatch, close the first Oblivion Gate, and secure the Amulet of Kings.

The Emperor's Will is a critical quest in Act 1 of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, directly following the assassination of Uriel Septim VII. This quest tasks you with a vital mission: to find the Emperor's lost son, Martin Septim, and secure his lineage to prevent the Daedric invasion of Tamriel. It marks the true beginning of your journey as the prophesied hero and sets the stage for the rest of the game.

Receiving the Mission

After escaping the Imperial City with the Amulet of Kings and meeting with the surviving Blades at the Temple of the One, you will be briefed on the Emperor's final wishes. They explain that Martin Septim, the Emperor's illegitimate son, is the rightful heir and must be found. The Blades believe he is hiding somewhere in Cyrodiil, likely in the city of Kvatch, which has recently been devastated by an Oblivion Gate.

The Objective: Find Martin Septim

Your primary objective is to travel to Kvatch and locate Martin. The Blades will provide you with information about his potential whereabouts and the general direction you need to travel. You are also instructed to protect the Amulet of Kings at all costs, as it is the key to sealing the Imperial Dragonfires and legitimizing the true heir.

Journey to Kvatch

The journey to Kvatch is your first significant foray into the open world of Cyrodiil outside the Imperial City. You'll encounter various dangers along the way, including wild animals, bandits, and potentially the first ss of Daedric influence. This is an opportunity to practice combat, explore the wilderness, and begin leveling your character's skills.

The Devastation of Kvatch

Upon arriving at Kvatch, you will find the city in ruins, ravaged by a massive Oblivion Gate that has opened above it. The city is overrun by Daedra, and the surviving citizens are in a desperate state. Your task is to navigate the chaotic streets, fight off Daedric creatures, and search for any clues regarding Martin Septim's location.

Locating Martin Septim in Kvatch

Within Kvatch, you will eventually find Martin Septim, who is often found seeking refuge in the city's chapel or among the surviving townsfolk. He is usually accompanied by a few loyal guards or priests. The reunion is often tense, as Martin is unaware of his true heritage and the magnitude of the crisis.

The First Oblivion Gate

As part of finding Martin, you will likely be tasked with entering the Oblivion Gate that has devastated Kvatch. This is your first experience with the Daedric realm of Oblivion. Inside, you will face formidable Daedric enemies and must navigate a hostile, alien landscape to find a Sigil Stone, the artifact powering the gate. Destroying the Sigil Stone will close the gate and, in this specific instance, help to liberate Kvatch.

Returning to Martin

After successfully closing the Kvatch Oblivion Gate and potentially rescuing Martin, you will return to him. He will then accept his destiny and agree to accompany you back to the Blades. This marks the successful completion of 'The Emperor's Will' and often leads directly into the next major quest, where you will begin to gather support and prepare for the larger Oblivion Crisis.