Faction Reputation & Advancement
Cyrodiil is home to several influential factions, each with its own unique questlines, goals, and internal hierarchies. Joining and advancing within these factions is a sificant part of the Oblivion experience, offering powerful rewards, unique abilities, and a deeper connection to the world. Your reputation within each faction is paramount to your progression.
The primary factions available to join are:
- Fighters Guild: A mercenary organization focused on combat and protection. Advancement involves completing combat-oriented quests, often involving monster hunting and bandit clearing.
- Mages Guild: A scholarly institution dedicated to the study and practice of magic. Progression requires completing magical research, retrieving artifacts, and dealing with magical threats.
- Thieves Guild: A clandestine organization specializing in stealth, larceny, and subterfuge. Advancement hinges on completing thieving missions, fencing stolen goods, and maintaining a low profile.
- Dark Brotherhood: A shadowy order of assassins who serve Sithis. Joining and rising through the ranks involves undertaking assassination contracts and adhering to the tenets of the Brotherhood.
To join a faction, you typically need to meet certain prerequisites or be invited by a member. For instance, joining the Thieves Guild might involve being arrested or finding a specific contact, while the Dark Brotherhood requires a more clandestine approach. Once accepted, your reputation within the guild is tracked through your completed quests and your standing with its members.
Advancement within a faction is usually linear, with each quest leading to the next. Completing quests for a faction will:
- Increase your rank: Moving you closer to becoming the leader or a respected member.
- Grant access to new quests: More challenging and rewarding missions become available.
- Provide unique rewards: This can include specialized gear, spells, abilities, or even unique followers.
- Improve disposition with members: Making interactions smoother and potentially unlocking new dialogue options.
A key aspect of faction advancement, particularly for the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood, is adhering to their specific rules and codes. For example, the Thieves Guild has strict rules against stealing from fellow members or their clients, while the Dark Brotherhood demands absolute loyalty and discretion. Violating these codes can lead to expulsion or severe penalties.
Managing your reputation across multiple factions can be complex. Some factions may have conflicting interests, and your actions for one might negatively impact your standing with another. Strategic choices and careful consideration of your allegiances are crucial for navigating the intricate web of Cyrodiil's powerful organizations.