The main quest line in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is fairly straightforward. Players need to follow the instructions of Jauffre or Martin Septim to end the Oblivion crisis and save the world. However, since Oblivion is an open world game, there are plenty of NPCs to meet and side quests to complete.
In fact, Oblivion is home to some of the best side quests the series has to offer. Some may see players inheriting property, while others will have them journeying to unique worlds. Either way, these side quests are the best Oblivion has to offer. Plus, the radiant AI in the game makes each NPC in these quests a lot more fun.
7 A Brush With Death
- Location: Cheydinhal
- Quest NPC: Tivela
When players first arrive in the city of Cheydinhal, they will begin to hear rumors of the missing artist Rythe Lythandas. If players go to his house and speak with his wife, they will begin the quest "A Brush With Death." Upon gaining the key to the painters' studio, players will notice they can interact with the canvas on the easel in the room.
Once a player interacts with the unfinished painting, they are transported inside a new painted world. Here, they will find Rythe who has had his magic paintbrush stolen. Only by exploring this unique painted realm and finding the brush can the player and the famous painter escape. Just watch out for the paint trolls on the way.
6 Through A Nightmare, Darkly
- Location: Bravil
- Quest NPC: Kud-Ei
The Mages Guilds in Cyrodil are strange places. While there is an entire quest line associated with this faction, players can also help out the guild by completing the quest "Through A Nightmare, Darkly." One of the mages in Bravil, Henantier, is trapped in an eternal slumber. Only by speaking to his associate, Kud Ei, will players be given access to his mind in an effort to save him.
It turns out that Henantier is stuck in a nightmare, and players must solve a series of puzzles to help him escape. These involve solving mysteries that relate to his patience, perception, courage, and resolve. Of course, each of these tests requires using a different mechanic in the game.
5 An Unexpected Voyage
- Location: Imperial City's Waterfront District
- Quest Trigger: Sleep at Inn
Every adventurer needs to stop for a night's rest at an inn. However, any player who stops off for a sleep at the Bloated Float on the Imperial City Waterfront will wake up to find themselves adrift out to sea after pirates have seized the ship.
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The only way of getting back to shore again involves fighting off the three pirates with some wits or brute force and rescuing the ship's bouncer. Either way, the pirates will give up and return the inn back where it belongs once their captain surrenders or is killed.
4 Where Spirits Have Lease
- Location: Anvil's Elven Gardens District
- Quest NPC: Velwyn Benirus
The coastal town of Anvil isn't the most exciting. However, this is one of the places where players can buy a large property for a low price. The only catch is that the place is haunted.
Players must talk with Benirus in Anvil and pay him 5000 gold for the property. He is happy to get rid of it, as players will soon find out after spending one night inside. Ghosts will attack, and the player must convince the cowardly Benirus to return to the property to help lift the curse on the house. Once the quest is complete, Benirus leaves Anvil and the mansion is left to the player to enjoy. Not bad for one night's worth of work.
3 Sheogorath's Shrine
- Location: Sheogorath's Shrine
- Quest NPC: Ferul Ravel
Every deity in Oblivion has its own shrine, and only by talking to these gods and performing a certain quest can players receive their unique rewards. Even the Daedric Prince, Sheogorath, has a shrine in Elsweyr. By presenting the statue with a head of Lettuce and a Lesser Soul Gem, the player will be tasked with a quest.
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Sheogorath wants the town of Border Watch to experience the plague of Famine and Disease. Follow his instructions, and he will then start the town's apocalypse. This results in the sky turning dark and it raining fiery sheep, of course.
2 Who Dunit?
- Location: Cheydinhal
- Quest NPC: Ocheeva
The dark brotherhood quest line is not mandatory, but it is fun. That is because it houses one of the best quests in Oblivion, "Who Dunit?." As part of an assassination contract, the player must enter a house party in Skingrad and kill the five people inside. The twist comes from the fact that players receive a reward for not being discovered as the killer at the party.
All the other guests think they are there as part of a treasure hunt. As such, the player can either sneak around the house and pick off the targets one by one, or interact with the guests to find out who they do and do not like. The right persuasive techniques can pit some guests against each other, and they may do the killing for the player. It gets easier to persuade the poor souls to act out the more they discover dead bodies.
1 Paranoia
- Location: Skingrad
- Quest NPC: Glarthir
When players first enter the city of Skingrad, they will be pursued by an over-excited wood-elf named Glathir. The latter will ask the player to meet him outside the church at midnight to discuss his paranoid feelings and start the quest 'Paranoia'. The guards will warn the player not to interact with the odd wood-elf, but it is up to them whether they hear out Glathir.
Upon meeting Glathir, it turns out he believes that there is a conspiracy against him in town. He will ask the player to follow three people around Skingrad to see if they are following him. Of course, these people turn out to be innocent, but the player can feed Glathir's paranoia if they choose. If they lie about the followers, Glathir will then task the player to kill each of them However, telling him the truth will cause him to snap and try to kill the player. The guards will rush to defend players, and killing Glathir after he attacks bears no penalty, but it is still an unsettling experience.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Released
- March 20, 2006
