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Having helped Karliah decipher Gallus' journal in the previous quest, the time has come to clear her name with the Thieves Guild and find out where Mercer Frey has gone. With no idea where he could have disappeared to in Skyrim, Karliah chooses to return to the Ragg☂ed Flagon and win the rest of the guild o💫ver to her side.
This would be a short guide if that were all you needed to do. You will also be sent to break into a house to search for evidence in 𝓀a surprisingly tricky heist for an accompli✅shed thief such as yourself.
Starting The Pursuit
This quest begins right when you finish the previous one, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Hard Answers. Speaking to Karliah in Winterhold will see her satisfied with the evidence she has to bring Mercer Frey to justice. She asks you to join her at the Ragged Flagon to confront the guild.
You won't be able to use the shortcut that runs through the Cistern for this quest, forcing you to approach through the Ratway.
Meeting Karliah at the entrance to the tavern will start a slow walk that ends with the pair of you stopped at the entrance to the Cistern by Brynjolf. Demanding answers, he is given Gallus' journal, which makes him suspicious enough to inspect the vault.
Follow the group to the locked doors and wait for them to discover that the Thieves Guild had been robbed. Furious, Brynjolf asks you to raid Mercer's home to find clues as to where he might be.
Speaking to Vex about Vald, a guard patrolling Mercer's home, will get you a quest to retrieve the Quill of Gemination, located in a sunken boat between the Riften Fishery and Goldenglow Estate. This will make the next part much easier.
Entering Riftweald Manor
Mercer's home, Riftweald Manor, is just south of the city gates. Approaching from the front, however, is an exercise in futility; the front door has been barred. To enter, use the dirt paths to reach the back gate where Vald is waiting.
With a high enough persuasion skill, you will be able to convince Vald to leave. Otherwise, providing him with the Quill of Gemination will see him give you a key and leave. Alternatively, killing him outright will remove the threat.
Vald can be baited to running directly to you by attacking him. He will bring the key with him, letting you enter without having to pick the Expert-level lock on the back gate.
Lowering The Ramp Into Riftweald Manor
Simply getting the key will not allow you to enter. Both doors on the ground level will be barred. You will have to shoot the mechanism under the balcony to lower a ramp, allowing you to reach an unlocked door to enter.
Once inside, be wary of a guard waiting in the next room. If you're confident in your abilities, you can attack without any pretense of stealth, though a well-placed arrow or dagger to the back will do the trick.
Brynjolf has allowed you to kill your enemies for this mission. There will be no penalties for murder this time.
There will be a second guard waiting on the ground floor. If you start a fight, they will rush up the stairs.
Discovering The Evidence
Being a cunning thief, Mercer has hidden his secret lair expertly. You will need to find a Suspicious Cabinet in the dining room opposite the front entrance. Interacting with it will reveal a set of secret tunnels.
Entering the tunnels, turn right and simply follow the path. Mercer has made sure to lay traps along the way. Watch the ground carefully for tripwires and pressure plates.
The Lightfoot perk from the Sneak skill tree will help you avoid some traps but not all of them. Do not rely too heavily on it for this approach.
The most dangerous traps are the swinging axe blades and the poison darts situated at the door to his study. Once you reach his room, you will be clear of any further traps.
There, you only need to steal the plans on his desk to continue the quest. However, as a good thief, you should pilfer everything else in the room. Aside from the generic loot present, there are two items you should take.
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The Bust of the Gray Fox |
This is a larceny target identified by Delvin. You can sell it to him for a hefty sum. |
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Chillrend |
This is a unique glass sword that is one of the most powerful in the game. Unlike other glass swords, it has a blue tint instead of a green one. |
With that done, take the east exit out of Mercer's study to return to the Ratway Vaults and back to Brynjolf at the Ragged Flagon to start the next steps against Mercer Frey.