Fighters Guild
The Fighters Guild in Cyrodiil offers a robust and engaging questline for adventurers who prefer steel over spells. It's a perfect path for warrior-focused characters, providing ample opportunities for combat, monster hunting, and uncovering a deep-seated conspiracy within the guild's ranks. Beyond the thrilling narrative, joining the Fighters Guild grants access to valuable resources, training, and a steady income, making it an essential faction for any aspiring hero.
Joining the Fighters Guild
Unlike some other factions, there are no specific skill requirements or prerequisites to join the Fighters Guild. Your reputation or combat prowess doesn't matter initially; only your willingness to serve. The process is straightforward:
- Locate a Fighters Guild Hall: There are guild halls in every major city in Cyrodiil: Anvil, Bravil, Bruma, Cheydinhal, Chorrol, and Leyawiin.
- Speak to the Guild Master: Each guild hall has a Guild Master or a ranking officer who handles recruitment. For your first step, simply approach any of these individuals. For example, in Anvil, speak with Azzan. In Cheydinhal, it's Burz gro-Khash.
- Accept the Initial Quest: Upon speaking to them, they will offer you a simple introductory quest to prove your worth. This quest serves as your initiation.
Once you complete this first task, you will officially be inducted into the Fighters Guild as an Associate.
Key Characters and Progression
The Fighters Guild questline is primarily driven by three key Guild Masters, each overseeing a different region and offering a series of contracts. You'll progress through the ranks by completing these contracts. The main characters you'll interact with are:
- Azzan: Located in the Anvil Fighters Guild. He offers the initial quests in the western part of Cyrodiil.
- Burz gro-Khash: Located in the Cheydinhal Fighters Guild. He handles contracts in the eastern regions.
- Modryn Oreyn: The second-in-command, based in Chorrol. He becomes a central figure in the overarching guild conspiracy and will guide you through the more critical storyline quests.
Your progression through the guild ranks is as follows:
- Associate
- Apprentice
- Journeyman
- Swordsman
- Defender
- Warder
- Champion
- Guardian
- Protector
- Master
Each rank increase typically requires completing a certain number of contracts and often involves a specific storyline quest. As you rise in rank, the difficulty of contracts increases, as do your rewards and responsibilities.
General Quest Structure and Storyline
The Fighters Guild questline masterfully weaves together seemingly disparate monster-hunting contracts into a compelling overarching narrative. Initially, you'll undertake standard "clear the dungeon" or "retrieve the item" tasks for Azzan and Burz gro-Khash. However, as you complete more quests, you'll begin to notice a pattern: a rival mercenary group, the Blackwood Company, seems to be consistently undercutting the Fighters Guild and even taking credit for their work.
This rivalry escalates, eventually leading you to work closely with Modryn Oreyn in Chorrol. Together, you'll investigate the Blackwood Company's suspicious activities, uncover their dark secrets, and ultimately confront their leadership. The storyline delves into themes of honor, corruption, and the true meaning of a mercenary's code. It culminates in a dramatic confrontation that will determine the future of the Fighters Guild in Cyrodiil.
Benefits and Rewards
Beyond the satisfaction of upholding justice and honing your combat skills, the Fighters Guild offers tangible benefits and unique rewards throughout your journey:
Passive Benefits:
- Access to Trainers: Guild halls often house skilled trainers in various combat and armor skills, allowing you to improve your abilities for a fee.
- Free Beds: As a guild member, you can sleep for free in any Fighters Guild Hall, a convenient perk for weary travelers.
- Equipment and Supplies: While not free, guild halls often have merchants who sell weapons, armor, and potions, sometimes at a slight discount to members.
- Steady Income: Each completed contract provides a gold reward, which increases with your rank and the difficulty of the quest.
Specific Quest Rewards and Unique Items:
The Fighters Guild questline offers several notable rewards, including powerful magical items and significant sums of gold. Here are some highlights:
| Quest Name | Reward | Description / Stats |
|---|---|---|
| A Rat Problem | Gold | Initial payment for your first contract. |
| The Desolate Mine | Gold, Minor Loot | Standard contract reward. |
| The Wandering Scholar | Gold | Reward for retrieving the book. |
| Unfinished Business | Gold, Minor Loot | Reward for dealing with the trolls. |
| Mystery at Harlun's Watch | Gold | Reward for solving the mystery. |
| Azani Blackheart | Helm of the Deep | Heavy Armor Helmet: Fortify Athletics +5, Water Breathing. Excellent for early-game exploration. |
| Trolls of Forsaken Mine | Gold | Standard contract reward. |
| The Fugitives | Gold | Reward for dealing with the escapees. |
| The Stone of St. Alessia | Gold | Reward for retrieving the relic. |
| The Noble's Daughter | Gold | Reward for rescuing the daughter. |
| Sins of the Father | Redwave | One-Handed Blade: Damage 12, Absorb Health 5 pts on Strike. A potent early-to-mid game weapon. |
| The Master's Son | Gold | Reward for finding the son. |
| More Unfinished Business | Gold, Minor Loot | Reward for dealing with the trolls again. |
| Drunk and Disorderly | Gold | Reward for handling the unruly patrons. |
| Den of Thieves | Gold | Reward for clearing the den. |
| Amelion's Debt | Amelion's Armor Set | Light Armor Set: Includes Cuirass, Gauntlets, Greaves, Boots, Shield. Historically significant and decent stats. |
| The Wayward Knight | Gold | Reward for assisting the knight. |
| Information Gathering | Gold | Reward for gathering intel on the Blackwood Company. |
| The Hist (Final Quest) | Shadowhunt | Bow: Damage 15, Drain Health 10 pts for 5 secs on Strike, Drain Agility 10 pts for 5 secs on Strike. A powerful unique bow. |
| The Hist (Final Quest) | Promotion to Master | Highest rank in the Fighters Guild, granting full access to all guild resources and respect. |
Strategy Tips and Common Pitfalls
- Vary Your Guild Masters: To progress efficiently, alternate between taking contracts from Azzan (Anvil) and Burz gro-Khash (Cheydinhal). This ensures you meet the requirements for Modryn Oreyn's storyline quests.
- Prepare for Combat: Most Fighters Guild quests involve significant combat. Ensure your weapons are repaired, your armor is in good condition, and you have a supply of healing potions.
- Companionship: For some of the more challenging quests, Modryn Oreyn will accompany you. Utilize his combat prowess, but be mindful of friendly fire, especially if you use area-of-effect spells or wide swings.
- The Blackwood Company: Be prepared for encounters with Blackwood Company members. They are often well-equipped and can be formidable opponents. Their headquarters, Arpenia and Atatar, are particularly dangerous.
- The Hist Tree: The final quest, "The Hist," involves a unique challenge. Be prepared for a large number of enemies and a potentially disorienting environment. Having a good ranged weapon or area-of-effect spells can be very helpful.
- Don't Rush: While the main storyline is compelling, take your time to explore the dungeons and locations you visit during contracts. You'll often find valuable loot, skill books, and side content.
Embarking on the Fighters Guild questline is a rewarding experience for any adventurer in Cyrodiil. It offers a classic tale of heroism, challenging combat, and a satisfying progression from a humble Associate to a revered Master.