Navigating the criminal underworld of Cyrodiil requires exceptional stealth, sharp wits, and a solid understanding of faction mechanics. In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the Thieves Guild offers some of the most memorable and complex questlines in role-playing history. The Turning a Blind Eye mission marks a significant turning point, introducing players directly to the legendary leader known as the Gray Fox.
Meeting the Gray Fox and Preparing for the Trial
Before you can initiate this high-stakes assignment, you must fulfill specific progression milestones within the guild ranks. A courier named Methredhel will eventually seek you out in a major city to arrange a secret meeting location. Meeting the elusive faction leader face-to-face signals that your standard burglary days are transitioning into major historical heists.
During this initial briefing, the Gray Fox tasks you with retrieving a powerful ancient relic hidden deep within a heavily guarded monastic environment. This contract demands strategic planning and a deep inventory of lockpicks to ensure a smooth infiltration. Balancing your approach between stealth tactics and environmental awareness will prevent early detection by vigilant sentries.
Infiltrating the Temple of the Ancestor Moths
Your primary destination is located far to the northeast, tucked away in the perilous mountainous terrain beyond Cheydinhal. The subterranean monastery serves as the sanctuary for blind monks who guard rare scrolls and historical artifacts with absolute dedication. Navigating these narrow stone corridors requires you to move silently and utilize shadow cover effectively to avoid physical confrontations.
While exploring the catacombs, you will encounter numerous traps and puzzles designed to halt opportunistic intruders. Paying close attention to floor triggers and sound cues is essential for surviving the dangerous descent into the lower crypts. Keeping your weapon sheathed allows you to focus purely on mechanical evasion and stealth movements during the infiltration.
Locating Savilla's Stone and Escaping Safely
The ultimate goal of this expedition is to recover a mysterious crystalline artifact known as Savilla's Stone from the deepest chamber. The relic is protected by powerful mystical wards and high-level guardians that require patience to bypass cleanly. Once you secure the glowing stone, the entire subterranean facility will become alert, complicating your planned escape route.
Instead of backtracking through the heavily guarded main entrance, you must seek out a hidden escape tunnel located near the main altar. This alternative pathway leads to a remote exit on the exterior mountainside, allowing you to shake off any active pursuers. Successfully escaping the premises preserves your stealth bonus and ensures a clean handoff to your employer.
Securing Your Reward and Faction Promotion
After successfully fleeing the mountainous sanctuary, you must return to the designated safehouse to deliver the recovered artifact to the faction leader. Delivering Savilla's Stone successfully cements your reputation as one of the premier shadows operating within Cyrodiil. The Gray Fox rewards your exceptional performance with a substantial gold payout and an official promotion within the guild ranks.
This crucial victory unlocks access to high-tier fences who can process highly valuable stolen goods across various imperial cities. Completing this trial successfully prepares your character for the even more complex tactical challenges that await in the final stages of the faction narrative.
