Skyrim:Vex

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Vex
(RefID: 00028938)
Home City Riften
Location The Ragged Flagon
Race Imperial Gender Female
Level PC×1 (range=10-50) Class Thief
RefID 00028938 BaseID 0001CD90
Services
Training Trainer (Master)Lockpicking (Master)
Other Information
Health 125+(PC-1)×8.3
Magicka 50
Stamina 50+(PC-1)×6.7
Primary Skills Light Armor, Lockpicking, Sneak, Archery, One-handed
Class Details TrainerLockpickMaster
Morality No Crime Aggression Unaggressive
Essential Yes
Voice Type Unique
Faction(s) CrimeFactionThievesGuild; FavorExcludedFaction; Lockpicking Trainer; Riften Ragged Flagon Faction; Riften Thieves Guild Headquarters Faction; Skill Trainer; ThievesGuildFaction 0(Agent)
Vex

Vex is an Imperial thief and an important member of the Thieves Guild in Riften. She is always at The Ragged Flagon, located within The Ratway in Riften. Like other patrons of the bar, she does not sleep.

Vex's outfit consists of a set of Guild Master's armor, including matching pairs of gloves and boots. She also carries a leveled dagger (up to elven quality), three leveled gems, two lockpicks and up to 45 gold.

Vex is the Master trainer for Lockpicking. After joining the Thieves Guild, she will tell you that she handles all the burglary, shill, sweep, and heist jobs - "the ones that involve breaking and entering." If you ask her how extra jobs will help the Guild, she will exclaim: "Are you kidding me? Ever since the Guild's luck turned sour, we haven't had a coin to our name. And when the coin dried up, that's when people started to leave. We had the best of everything down here... the Ratway was a damn palace. The only way this place will ever return to its glory days is if we can finish these extra jobs and start the gold flowing again." Inquiring about what the glory days were like, she will continue: "The Flagon was once a city beneath a city. We had our own smith, our own alchemist... you name it. If we can make a name for ourselves in Skyrim once again, I can almost promise you those merchants would return. Best of all, we'd have enough gold to throw around so we can start living in the lap of luxury again."

She also triggers the quest No Stone Unturned, started after finding one of the unusual gems. Vex will reveal to you the location of Isabelle Rolaine's whereabouts as part of the quest Drowned Sorrows.

Related Quests[edit]

Thieves Guild Quests[edit]

Radiant Quests[edit]

Miscellaneous Quests[edit]

Quest-Related Events[edit]

Note: If you talk to Vex after A Chance Arrangement, but before completing Taking Care of Business, she will dismiss you by saying: "You need advice? Talk to Brynjolf... I got better things to do." or "I'm not here to hold your hand. Figure this one out for yourself." Vex will however not provide Master training for Lockpicking until you have officially joined the guild.

Meet the Family[edit]

"One, I'm the best infiltrator this rathole of a Guild's got, so if you think you're here to replace me, you're dead wrong."

After you successfully complete Taking Care of Business, you are officially initiated into the Thieves Guild by Mercer Frey. You are now able to introduce yourself to your fellow guild members, including Vex. When you initiate conversation with Vex for the first time since joining the guild, she will remark: "Before we begin, I want to make two things perfectly clear. One, I'm the best infiltrator this rathole of a Guild's got, so if you think you're here to replace me, you're dead wrong. And two, you follow my lead and do exactly as I say... no questions, no excuses." When you tell her that you'll keep that in mind, she will go on: "Then we understand each other... good. Now, it's time to get your feet wet and I don't want to waste a lot of time talking about anything but business." Asking what sort of business, she will explain: "I'm not going to sugar-coat it for you. We're in a bad way down here." Also asking her if she has any idea why, she will remark: "Who knows. Old Delvin thinks it's some kind of a curse. I think he's crazy. If you want my opinion I say it's just plain old bad luck." Offering your help, she will tell you: "You can get out there and start making a name for us again... make them start fearing us like they did long ago. And, while you're at it, make a little bit of coin on the side. Not a bad deal, eh?" You are now able to accept burglary, shill, sweep and heist jobs from Vex to help the guild make a name for itself again.

Loud and Clear[edit]

Before you head out to Goldenglow Estate, you may want to speak with Vex beforehand to learn what she knows about the estate. When you bring up how she ran into trouble, she will say: "Hmph, yeah I did. That wood elf s'wit... he's a lot smarter than I expected. Can you believe that fetcher had more than tripled the guard? There must be eight of them in there. It was like he was daring us to come and get him." If you ask her for any tips on how to get into the estate easily, she will tell you about an old sewer tunnel: "Well, there's an old sewer tunnel that dumps into the lake on the northwest side of the island. That's how I slipped in there. Should still be unguarded." Now there will be an optional map marker added leading towards the sewers beside the Goldenglow Estate.

The Pursuit[edit]

During the quest The Pursuit, as you enter the Cistern along with Karliah, you will be confronted by a hostile Brynjolf, Delvin and Vex, all brandishing knives and clearly prepared to shed blood. Brynjolf will initiate the conversation first by making accusations towards Karliah:

"That door has the best puzzle locks money can buy. There's no way it can be picked open."
"That son-of-a-bitch! I'll kill him!"

Brynjolf: "You better have a damn good reason to be here with that murderer."
Karliah: " Please, lower your weapons so we can speak. I have proof that you've all been misled!"
Brynjolf: "No tricks, Karliah or I'll cut you down where you stand. Now what's this so-called proof you speak of?"
Karliah: "I have Gallus's journal. I think you'll find its contents disturbing."
Brynjolf: "Let me see. No, it... can't be. This can't be true. I've known Mercer too long..."
Karliah: "It's true, Brynjolf. Every word. Mercer's been stealing from the Guild for years, right under your noses."
Brynjolf: "There's only one way to find out if what the lass says is true. Delvin, I'll need you to open the Vault [sic]."

At this point, all four thieves will start to make their way towards the guild's vault to confirm what was written in Gallus' journal, with Vex contributing her lockpicking expertise when Delvin wonders if Mercer could have picked the door open:

Delvin: "Wait just a blessed moment, Bryn. What's in that book? What did it say?"
Brynjolf: "It says Mercer's been stealing from our vault for years. Gallus was looking into it before he was murdered."
Delvin: "How can Mercer open up a vault that needs two keys? It's impossible. Could he pick his way in?"
Vex: "That door has the best puzzle locks money can buy. There's no way it can be picked open."
Karliah: "He didn't need to pick the lock."
Delvin: "What is she on about?"
Brynjolf: "Use your key on the vault, Delvin. We'll open it up and find out the truth."
Delvin: "I've used my key, but the vault's still locked up tighter than a drum. Now use yours."
Brynjolf: "By the Eight! It's gone, everything's gone! Get in here, all of you!"

Brynjolf's exclamation will have the other two run in to behold the empty vault, which has Vex immediately draw her dagger and vow to kill Mercer immediately:

Delvin: "The gold, the jewels... it's all gone."
Vex: "That son-of-a-bitch! I'll kill him!"
Brynjolf: "Vex! Put it away... right now. We can't afford to lose our heads... we need to calm down and focus."
Delvin: "Do what he says, Vex. This isn't helpin' right now."
Vex: "Fine. We do it your way. For now."
Brynjolf: "Delvin, Vex... watch the Flagon. If you see Mercer, come tell me right away."

At this point, all four will depart from the vault. If you approach Vex at any other time during the quest, she will greet you with: "If I see Frey, I'll pluck his eyes from his skull with my bare hands!", "Need to stay focused in case Frey comes back, make it fast." or "We can talk after I find out what's going on."

Later on in the quest, Brynjolf will task you with breaking into Mercer's house, Riftweald Manor, to try and learn where Mercer has gone. When he provides you with this task, Brynjolf will mention that Mercer has hired someone to guard the house. If you ask him to elaborate on the watchdog, he will say, "That'd be Vald. A real piece of work, that one. Mercer's holding something over his head, keeping him loyal." He will then continue on, mentioning that Vex has a personal connection to Vald: "Talk to Vex. She used to know him very well... if you catch my meaning." Once you have finished your conversation with Brynjolf, you can then talk to Vex and tell her that Brynjolf says she has a connection with Vald. After hearing the name of her former lover, she will reply in disgust: "That pig? Oh, I have info on him. More than you care to know." Mentioning to her that you want to get on his good side will have her then snidely remark, "Vald? Good side? I think you have the wrong person. The only thing Vald understands is gold. A man after my own heart." After hearing this, you can then ask Vex if you should try to buy him off. She will suggest that you can try to, but it may be harder than you would expect: "Sure, but he'll ask for a whole lot. I mean, you are asking him to betray Mercer Frey. Your best bet would be to erase his debt with Maven Black-Briar. If you talk to her, she might be able to give you the details." She will then finish by revealing that she is indifferent about what happens to Mercer's watchdog and her former lover: "Of course, you could just run him through and take what you need off of his corpse... I could care less."

No Stone Unturned[edit]

When you obtain one of the possible 24 unusual gems, you will be directed to speak with Vex to get it "appraised". If you present one to her and ask if it is worth anything, she will tell you: "Been a while since I've seen one of those. What you've got there is a Stone of Barenziah." Asking if it's worth anything again, she will respond: "Not like that it isn't. The stone was pried off of Barenziah's ceremonial crown by a thief in order to cover his tracks." If you ask her how many there are, she will elaborate: "I think there were twenty-four in all. Most people keep them as a curiosity. Some of the Guild members have tried to locate them over the years, but they haven't been successful... well, until now." If you ask if she will buy it, she will continue: "Look, I only buy things I can turn around quickly for a profit. And no one wants those stones unless they have the whole set. Tell you what, if you find the rest of them, talk to me again. Otherwise, keep it and maybe it'll bring you luck."

"Been a while since I've seen one of those. What you've got there is a Stone of Barenziah."

However, once you have managed to obtain all 24 Stones of Barenziah, and have returned to Vex, she will exclaim: "Unbelievable! You must be the first person to set eyes on all twenty-four of them in... well, the last two eras." Asking if the stones are now worth something, she will again correct you: "When I told you the set had to be complete, I left out a small detail... I honestly didn't think you'd ever get this far. If the stones were remounted on the crown, it would be of great benefit to the Thieves Guild." Asking if the benefit is wealth, she will go on to say: "Not exactly. The crown is what the Guild calls a paragon; an object that enhances our thieving abilities. At least, that's what I'm told it does... there hasn't been a paragon in this Guild for hundreds of years." If you ask her if the crown still exists, she will notify you: "I have it on good authority that the crown is within Tolvald's Cave; dropped by a Dunmer caravan leaving Morrowind long ago. If you can bring it back, we could restore the paragon... and reap its benefits." Sarcastically stating that she had this planned all along, she will openly admit: "If we want to stay on top in Skyrim, the Guild needs that paragon back. Without it, we're just a bunch of petty thieves."

When you have recovered the Crown of Barenziah from Tolvald's Cave, she will acknowledge your feat: "I knew you had it in you. After all, finding the Stones was no easy feat. Well, I'm not one to welch on a deal, so here's your reward. I hope you put it to good use. I know I have." You will now gain a permanent effect: the Prowler's Profit.

Drowned Sorrows[edit]

During the quest Drowned Sorrows, when Haran tells you that Ranmir believes Isabelle Rolaine ran off with a person named Vex, go and speak with Vex in the Ragged Flagon. If you ask her if she knows Isabelle, she will reply vaguely: "Who's asking?" You can choose out of two ways to approach her question:

Your Dialogue Vex's Dialogue
"I'm just trying to find her." "Well, ain't gonna find her here. Haven't seen her in a while."
"Someone named Ranmir is looking for her." "Not him again. He came nosing around Riften a while back, making a lot of noise about me. He was... persuaded to leave before he found me. Funny, I'd have thought she would've gone back to him by now."

Exclaiming that she does know Isabelle, Vex will now tell you what she knows: "She came through a while ago, wanted to know where she could get her hands on something valuable. Anything, really. I told her it was a bad idea, that she wasn't cut out for what'd be necessary, but she wouldn't hear it. So I gave her some advice, pointed her towards Hobs Fall Cave and that was that." If you choose to approach her anytime afterwards and ask again where she was, Vex will remind you: "Like I told you, last time I saw her she was headed for Hobs [sic] Fall Cave. No idea what happened to her."

Reparations[edit]

When you break the rules of the Thieves Guild, all the guild members will point you to Vex to make reparations. When you greet her, she'll say: "Well, well. If it isn't Brynjolf's little protege. I'm going to make this short and sweet, because frankly I don't think you deserve another shot. You've broken the rules and now you need to pay... and it's going to cost you quite a bit." When you ask her how you will pay, she'll sneer: "This is the Thieves Guild, genius. How do you think? With gold. A lot of gold. Did you think we'd accept a heartfelt apology and let bygones be bygones?" When you ask her where you can get the needed gold, she'll say: "I'd say it's time you put your nose to the grindstone and figure it out for yourself. You claim to be a thief... act like one. Pick pockets, knock over houses... heck, I don't care if you have to bust into a palace. You do what you have to do to come up with the coin." When you tell her you'll get the gold, she'll tell you: "You'd better. Because until you do, you don't get a single coin from us... and you won't be able to use our fences. Anything you steal, you bring it straight to me. Now get out of here and don't come back until your pockets are full."Fences will tell you that they won't buy from you, however, their store still functions as normal (confirmed on XBox-360) If you greet her before getting the gold, she'll say: "I hope you come up with that gold soon. You have the gold yet or what? I believe you owe the Guild something."

Either way once you tell her you have the money, she'll say: "And here I expected you to hop the next caravan to Morrowind. What have you got for me?", "I hope you brought a little something for me.", or "First, let's count the coin, then we can get back to business." You can then proceed to give her the gold: "It's all here. Well, congratulations. You're one of us again. Next time you decide to pull a stunt like that again, just remember how much it hurt to give this away." If you approach her after breaking the rules once more, she'll say: "Again? Didn't we teach you enough of a lesson the first time? I suppose it's tough for an old dog to learn new tricks. Anyway, you know the drill. You want to buy back in, and it'll cost you." You can then tell her you'll get the money, getting the same response as above.

The Burglary, Shill, Sweep and Heist Jobs[edit]

If you tell Vex that you are looking for some extra work, there are four types of jobs available to choose from: burglary jobs, shill jobs, sweep jobs and heist jobs. If you choose to do one of these four jobs, she will reply with one of the following lines of dialogue:

The Burglary Job "Pretty simple. Break into a house, grab a specific item and get out before they realize what's going on. The catch is you can't kill anyone who lives there or you forfeit the payment. You ready for some good old-fashioned burglary?"
"We're looking to recover an heirloom for a client. They claim ownership of it, and as long as they're paying we don't really care. You in?"
"We've been trying to get this item for a while, but no one with the skills has come along to claim it. Can I count on you to get it?"
"Have a house with a good bit of valuables inside, but one particular item's caught my eye. You up for it?"
"Got a tip on a desirable item at this location. We want you to break in there and bring it to us. What do you think?"'
"Good, got a buyer in a rush for this item. If you hurry we can turn it around and make a quick profit. Can you get it?"
"Sure, sure. We're always looking to get our hands on items from all over Skyrim. How about this one?"
"As long as you can keep things quiet and don't get yourself killed in the process, this place has exactly what we're looking for. You in?"
"We've actually stolen this item before and somehow it ended up back in some other mark's house. Guess it's time to reclaim it, eh?"
The Shill Job "When a client needs us to eliminate another, we don't operate like the Dark Brotherhood. We find alternate means to get them out of the way. We send you to plant some phony evidence in the mark's house, and then tip off the town guard... the rest takes care of itself. Sound like you can handle it?"
"Someone wants to see this mark suffer. They're paying a good bit of coin to have us plant the evidence in their house. You in?"
"This one should be easy. Get in, plant the goods and get out. Quiet and neat. Sound like your kind of job?"
"The mark must have ticked-off our client badly. He's impatient and keeps asking if the job's done. Can you get him off my back?"
"Got a good one here. Personal score to settle between myself and this mark. You up for it?"
"Brynjolf finally got some dirt on the mark and the evidence to back it up. Think you can give him a hand?"
"This one angered someone pretty high up in the keep. Can I count on you to get this done for me?"
"Got another personal score to settle and I'd consider it a favor if you'd take the job. Think you can help me out?"
"Sure, sure. Got one that should be pretty easy, as long as you keep your weapon sheathed. Can you handle it?"
"Yeah. Someone ticked off Maven and she wants to teach them a lesson... our way. You in?"
The Sweep Job "One of the quickest ways to make some coin in Skyrim is to clear out some of the wealthier homes of their valuables. If you're interested, I could point out a good place that could use a little housecleaning. What do you say?"
"I think we have a nice wealthy home for you to break into. Think you can clear the place of valuables and keep it quiet?"
"These people just inherited some heirlooms from a relative. Good timing for us, bad timing for them, eh?"
"Just got a tip on this house... should be stuffed with loot. Care to head over there and find out?"
"Got a message from one of my people that this place just came into some coin. Should be a good target. Want to take it?"
"Someone with connections to our Guild wants us to hit this place and send a message by clearing it of valuables. You want to handle it?"
"Good timing. The people in this home recently got one of your fellow Guild mates sent to jail. How about you make them pay for it. [sic]"
"You can give this house a once over. I hear they're fairly well-off and probably have lots of good stuff ripe for the picking. Sound good?"
"The owner of this place just got an inheritance from a relative lost in the war. Sound like something you can sink your teeth into?"
The Heist Job "Every now and again, we like to remind the shopkeepers that we're in charge. If that means breaking into their strongboxes and stealing something valuable from them, then so be it. Feel like doing a bit of shopping... the Guild way?"
"Got a shop owner with a very choice item a client wants to get his hands on if you do the dirty work."
"Got a good one here involving a shop, a waylaid shipment of goods and an angry client. You fill in the blanks. You want in?"
"I have just the place. The owner likes to stash some lovely trinkets in his strongbox like this beauty. Can you get it for us?"
"The owner of this place just inherited an heirloom from a relative. You want in?"
"Sure. A client's relative lost this item in a gambling match and they're paying us to get it back. So much for fair play, huh?"
"The owner of this shop stiffed us on their last protection payment, but we're taking it anyway. You want to help us on this one?"
"'Jiit caravan brought this shop a nice piece from Elsweyr. Think you can break into their strongbox and get it for us?"
"Got a client in desperate need for this item. He won't say what it's for, and we don't care. Can you take this one?"
"You idiot. He said "firs" not "furs". It was a damn logging caravan!"

Conversations[edit]

Sometimes around the Ragged Flagon you may overhear several random conversations that Vex has with the other members of the guild:

Vex: "Delvin, that last shipment we heisted on the Cyrodiil frontier was worthless!"
Delvin: "That's impossible. I distinctly heard that lout in the tavern say it was a full shipment of furs. They should be worth a fortune."
Vex: "You idiot. He said "firs" not "furs". It was a damn logging caravan!"
Delvin: "Oh my... umm, you won't let Mercer hear about this will you? Ahem."

Delvin: "So, what do you think, my dear? Could a beautiful woman like you ever see yourself with an old codger like me?"
Vex: "Absolutely."
Delvin: "Oh, really? Well then... how can I make that happen?"
 Vex: "When you're in your grave and I'm standing over it. Now get out of my way!"

Vex: "I've picked up some new clients and did a few jobs on my own, but I'm not sure if that will cover our expenses."
Brynjolf: "Thank you, Vex. You've always been the most reliable one in the Guild."
Vex: "Well, what the hell is Mercer going to do about this mess? Have you even talked to him?"
Brynjolf: "Mercer is being Mercer. If he has a plan to get us out of this rut, then he isn't sharing it with me."

Combat Dialogue[edit]

Condition Dialogue
Attacking an enemy "You're mine!"
"I'll cut your throat!"
"Come on!"
Detecting an enemy "There's no need to hide. I won't hurt you."
Spotting an enemy "Time to fight!"
Taunting an enemy "You're nothing but a joke!"
"Don't make me laugh!"
Defeating an enemy "Waste of time."
"Didn't even work up a sweat."
"Pathetic."
Reduced to low health "Enough damn it!"

Notes[edit]

  • She is voiced by Kari Wahlgren.
  • There is a warning note signed by her that is addressed to Delvin found on a table in the Ragged Flagon.
  • In the Prima Official Game Guide, the summary for her reads "One of the newer members of the Thieves Guild, Vex is quiet and rarely shares in the normal camaraderie of her fellow guildmates. Since she refuses to give her real name and based on her actions, others began to call her "Vex." She is an exceptional thief and is well aware that her behavior alienates her. And she likes it that way. Of all the Guild members, she is the best combatant (save for Mercer Frey) . Accosting her in the Ragged Flagon was the last mistake several of its non-Guild denizens ever made."
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