Lore:Thieves Guild

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Nocturnal, the patron of the Thieves Guild

The Thieves Guild, also known as the Children of the Shadows and the Fingers of the Fox, is dedicated to the gathering and training of those who are stealthy and shadowy in nature.[1][2] Although criminal by its very definition, for untold years, local authorities in places throughout Tamriel have tolerated the existence of the guild for its role as "crime regulator", as it does not tolerate competition or egregious conduct from its members (not to mention the personal financial benefits for authorities who play nice).[1][3] It is usually considered to be a distinctly Imperial entity, though of course other organizations of the Empire do not officially condone their actions.[4]

Like any trade guild, the Thieves Guild is an organization of professionals, except that in this case the professionals are burglars, robbers, pickpockets, smugglers, and other enterprising operators. They typically don't have public guild halls, but sometimes have safe-houses, and members tend to gather at a single location in large towns, such as at a cornerclub, inn, or tavern.[5][6] Typically, members are bound not to rob each other, kill anyone while thieving, or rob the poor.[7][8] The Thieves Guild usually has the resources to bribe officials, establish a black market of stolen goods, and maintain a network of informants.[7]

The modern incarnation of the guild can trace its origins back to the Thieves Guild of Abah's Landing, a criminal organization that existed in the city during the Interregnum.[9][10] However, there have always been thieves' guilds throughout Tamriel's history, and these early groups lacked unified organization and tenets.[11]


Provincial Chapters[edit]

The banner of the Skyrim Thieves Guild
Thieves Guild Recruit, as seen in Legends

The Thieves Guild generally operates along provincial lines, with little if any apparent coordination or true association between provincial chapters. Each provincial organization calling itself the "Thieves Guild" has had its own style and reputation. Advancement through their "ranks" varies based on the structure of that organization and the merits of the individual.[12] Guilds in some of the provinces have been unheard of for centuries, though it's unclear whether it is because they no longer exist or if it's because they are very, very good.[13] Near the end of the Third Era in the Iliac Bay region, the Thieves Guild was known as a sophisticated, powerful organization with guildhalls scattered throughout the land.[14] The guild fought to keep its reputation as the best thieves in the Empire, taking out competition like the Wharf Rats and expanding their activities.[14]

By comparison, the Thieves Guild of Morrowind at the time was a fledgling organization which faced significant opposition from more well-established criminal syndicates, such as the Camonna Tong.[12][5] They were led by a man named Gentleman Jim Stacey, and focused on thieving from wealthy nobles and merchants. The guild in Morrowind was possibly eliminated by the Fighters Guild and the Camonna Tong before the Fourth Era began.[15] Other provincial guilds have managed to operate more discreetly, such as the Thieves Guild of Cyrodiil, where it and its shadowy leader the Gray Fox are often considered to be nothing more than myths.[7][12]

Skyrim's Thieves Guild is headquartered in the city of Riften, where the group remains unhindered despite their notoriety.[16][17] Fittingly, Skyrim's guild is more violent than most others, as it sometimes allows murder (authorized beforehand, of course).[18] In the past, they have been one of the most influential organizations in Tamriel.[16] Some stories claim that Barenziah, the well-known Dunmer Queen, was once counted among its members.[19] It is thought that the strange markings seen around Skyrim are coded messages members leave for each other.[20] Skyrim's guild has suffered decades of dwindling influence following the death of their guildmaster, a man named "Gallus" (purportedly Gallus Desidenius, author of The Nightingales).[16][17] Rumors abound they have recently experienced a renaissance.[18]

The leader of the Thieves Guild in Hallin's Stand is traditionally known as the Red Asp.[21]

Hall of Guildmasters[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • Thieves Guild Armor (ESO)

See Also[edit]

Books[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Confessions of a Thief — Anonymous
  2. ^ Followers of the Gray Fox
  3. ^ The Brothers of Darkness — Pellarne Assi
  4. ^ For my Gods and Emperor — Imperial Cult
  5. ^ a b Honor Among Thieves — Arnie the Scrib
  6. ^ Guide to Sadrith Mora
  7. ^ a b c Followers of the Gray Fox
  8. ^ Sacred Witness — Enric Milres
  9. ^ Zeira's dialogue in ESO
  10. ^ From a Copy for the Archive — Nicolas
  11. ^ Members of the Hew's Bane Thieves Guild Answer Your Questions — Walks-Softly, Kari Coin-Counter, Velsa, Zeira, Thrag, Andarri
  12. ^ a b c Myth or Menace?
  13. ^ Thief of Virtue
  14. ^ a b Events of Daggerfall
  15. ^ Remove the Heads of the Thieves Guild and Kill the Master Thief quests in Morrowind
  16. ^ a b c Fall from Glory — Nithilis Lidari
  17. ^ a b The Holds of Skyrim
  18. ^ a b Events of Skyrim
  19. ^ The Real Barenziah, v 2 — Anonymous
  20. ^ Shadowmarks — Delvin Mallory
  21. ^ Den of Thieves, Part Two — the Porphyry Caryatid
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