Welcome to NGB and our The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered walkthrough for the Misdirection quest! This guide will cover everything you need to know to easily complete this quest, including how to start the mission and the steps you will need to take to finish it.
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How to Start the Misdirection Quest
You’ll begin the Misdirection quest in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered automatically by progressing the Independent Thievery Thieves Guild quest!
Misdirection Walkthrough
S’krivva tells you that Hieronymus Lex, Captain of the Imperial Watch, has pulled guards from all over the Imperial City to lock down the Waterfront. He has vowed to remain there until someone rats out the Gray Fox. If you want to help, you’ll need to find Methredhel. She is hiding somewhere in the Imperial City.
Locate and Speak with Methredhel
Travel to the Imperial City in search of Methredhel. To find her location, you’ll want to talk with one of the beggars around the city. We chose to speak with Ragbag Buntara in the Temple District. For 15 gold coins, she’ll tell you that Mtehredhel is hiding out at Dynari Amnis’ house in the Talos Plaza district.
Head to Talos Plaza and make your way to Dynari Amnis’ house in the northern part of the area, along the main path.
Go inside and speak with Methredhel, mentioning the Waterfront Invasion. She’ll then get you up to speed with everything going on. Armand is under house arrest again, and the Waterfront business is completely shut down. To break the lockdown, Methredhel has devised a plan. You, along with four other operatives, will simultaneously stage high-profile thefts. This will force Lex to reassign his men, thus breaking the lockdown. Your score will be the Hrormir’s Staff in the Archmage’s room at Archane University.
Steal Hrormir’s Staff and Leave the Note
To get the party started, travel to Arcane University in the southeastern section of the Imperial City. Enter the campus, then proceed to the Arch-Mage’s Lobby. From there, you’ll want to wait until 2 am. This will give the Archmage time to fall asleep, and you time to steal the staff before he wakes up. At 2 am, interact with the Mage’s Guild Portal to travel to the Arch-Mage’s Tower Council Chambers. From there, take the portal to reach the Arch-Mage’s Quarters.
While in the Council Chambers, you might run into Irlav Jarol. He’ll tell you to leave, but you should be able to use the portal to the Arch-Mages’ Quarters without him following you. We did this while sneaking.
Once you are in the Arch-Mage’s Quarters, the staff will be on the dresser in front of you at the foot of the bed. Sneak over and take the staff. You’ll then need to place the note on the nightstand on the left of the bed, along the back wall.
Deliver the Staff to Methredhel
With the staff in your possession and a note left on the nightstand, it’s time to return to Methredhel. Return to Dynari Amnis’ House in the Talos Plaza district and speak with her inside. Choose the “Hrormir’s Icestaff” option to hand over the staff. She’ll mention that your item is the last one on the list and say that all we need to do now is wait. In the meantime, she’ll instruct you to spy on Lex.
Spy on Hieronumus Rex
Your next destination is the Imperial City Waterfront. Lex will be there questioning the people of the Waterfront. Approach him to trigger a cutscene where he’ll be forced to call off the search. As he walks away, he’ll drop a letter on the ground. Interact with it to read the Note from Raminus Polus.
Report Back to Methredhel
Now that the hound has been called off, return to Methredhel to make your report. Select the “Hieronymus Lex” option while speaking with her. She’ll then give you one last task. As an act of good faith, Methredhel will have you leave the staff you stole in Ontus Vanin’s personal safe.
Place the Staff in Ontus Vanin’s Safe
Exit Dynari Amnis’ House and head to the southwestern corner of the Talos Plaza district. You’ll find Ontus Vanin’s House along the western wall there.
Pick the hard lock to gain entry to the house, then head up the stairs on the left. You’ll need to pick the lock on the door to Ontus Vanin’s Private Quarters as well. Inside, you’ll find his chest on the back wall, to the right of the right-most window. Interact with the chest to place the staff inside. We did this around 6 am while he was still sleeping.
Return to S’krivva
With the staff back in Archane University’s possession, return to S’krivva in Bravil. Speak with her and choose the “Hieronymus Lex” option to receive your gold. You’ll also be promoted to the rank of Cat Burglar, gaining you access to the fence Luciana Galena in Bravil. The quest will also be completed.
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