Economy & Gold Management — The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Guide

Economy & Gold Management

Navigating the economy of Cyrodiil is crucial for survival and prosperity in Oblivion. Gold is the primary currency, used for purchasing goods, services, training, and property. Effective gold management involves understanding how to earn money, where to spend it wisely, and how to maximize your profits, especially through the lucrative, albeit risky, trade of stolen goods.

The most straightforward way to earn gold is through completing quests, selling looted items to merchants, and gathering resources. However, these methods can be slow. For those willing to tread a less lawful path, the Thieves Guild offers a sificant income stream through burglary and fencing stolen goods. The "Independent Thievery" quest, which tracks your fenced gold, highlights the importance of this aspect of the economy.

Earning Gold

• Quest Rewards: Completing quests for various factions and individuals is a primary source of income.
• Looting and Selling: Defeating enemies and looting their belongings, then selling them to merchants, is a consistent, albeit often low-paying, method.
• Alchemy: Crafting potions from gathered ingredients and selling them can be quite profitable, especially with high Alchemy skill.
• Thieves Guild Activities: Burglary, pickpocketing, and fencing stolen goods offer the highest potential for quick and substantial earnings.
• Mining: Finding and selling ore veins can provide a steady income, particularly in certain regions.

Spending Gold Wisely

• Training: Investing in skill trainers can sificantly boost your character's abilities, which in turn can lead to better quest rewards and combat effectiveness.
• Equipment: Upgrading your weapons and armor is essential for tackling tougher challenges.
• Property: Purchasing houses in various cities provides safe storage, a place to rest, and a sense of accomplishment.
• Spell Merchants: Buying new spells from mages can expand your magical repertoire.
• Crafting Supplies: Purchasing ingredients for alchemy or materials for enchanting can be a worthwhile investment.

The Role of Fences

As mentioned, fences are critical for the illicit economy. They allow you to convert stolen items into gold, which is otherwise impossible. The more gold you fence, the higher your standing within the Thieves Guild, unlocking further opportunities. Reaching 1,000 gold in fenced items is a milestone for Thieves Guild progression.