Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim allows players to join Riften's Thieves Guild, where the Dragonborn learns criminal skills from Brynjolf and others.
Skyrim's numerous organizations fulfill unique roles in Tamriel, but none more unique than the Thieves Guild. Located in Riften's sewers, players will embark on dozens of missions to restore the reputation of the Guild and earn a significant sum of gold. Unlimited funds aren't the only rewards the Thieves Guild supplies players with, and a night in prison is not the only risk to joining. Despite the attraction of gold, Thieves Guild membership will impact the Dragonborn's reputation with certain characters and force players to understand the price of greed.
The Thieves Guild is not Skyrim's only guild but it is a more criminally motivated organization than others. Like Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood, the Thieves Guild operates outside the law and reaps ill-gotten rewards from their heists. However, as a non-violent organization, the Thieves Guild will send players after objects instead of people. Elder Scrolls V lacks Oblivion's and Fallout's karma system, meaning that players are only punished if caught while thieving. As a result, skilled thieves will encounter fewer drawbacks in joining the guild than other players.
Guild-affiliated Dragonborns will find themselves at odds with the law but have access to fast, easy quests to earn gold. Guards within Holds will often comment on the Dragonborn's affiliation with the Guild, and theft victims will turn to violence quickly if players' actions are detected. Skyrim's Stealth, Lockpicking, and Pickpocketing skill trees will be vital to succeeding in the Thieves Guild. In addition, members will offer the Dragonborn access to many side quests, including Heist, Sweep, Fishing, and Numbers jobs. Completing these jobs results in swift access to sizable funds, which can be extremely useful in Skyrim's early game.
Maven Black-Briar and Mercer Frey are two unsavory characters players will interact with. Maven Black-Briar is the Matriarch of the Black-Briar crime family, who holds influence over Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild. Her personality is pragmatically cruel, valuing profit and her business' survival over the lives of innocents. When players first arrive, Mercer Frey is the Thieves Guild's Guildmaster and has a sour attitude toward the Dragonborn. Thankfully, the Thieves Guild is full of other charming characters to make joining worthwhile. Brynjolf, Delvin Mallory, Vex, Rune, and Sapphire are exciting, supportive characters that become fonder of the Dragonborn the more they provide to the Guild. Their personalities are colorful and diverse, making Skyrim far more enjoyable with their interactions.
Participating in the Thieves Guild questline will result in some characters' views of the Dragonborn turning disfavorable. Popular Skyrim companion Mjoll the Lioness appears in Riften and expresses a swift hatred in the Thieves Guild during her first conversation. Riften's orphanage will also disapprove of the Dragonborn's affiliation with the Guild and refuse their request to adopt a child. However, the disapproval of some characters can be worth it as the Thieves Guild questline will reward players with the Skeleton Key. True to its name, the Skeleton Key can open almost any lock in Skyrim. This item makes looting dungeons, cities, and castles far more accessible than usual. Completing the Thieves Guild questline also rewards players with Nocturnal's blessings, which will buff specific stealth-centered playstyles.
Skyrim offers players many ways to fulfill their fantasies, rewarding criminal and honorable lifestyles alike. The Thieves Guild's many pros and cons offer compelling cases for why players should and shouldn't join their ranks. Ultimately, the Dragonborn can accomplish their destiny without interfering with any guild in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but each questline offers unique oppurtunities and rewards.
