Thieves Guild ( Oblivion ) The Thieves Guild is an organization of Pickpockets , Burglars , Robbers , and Thieves . Founded by the Gray Fox over 300 years before the Oblivion Crisis , the Guild is essentially a network of communication between the Thieves of Cyrodiil , tips on loot and jobs from important people are passed along through the Doyen to the Thieves , and Fences will buy their stolen goods , unlike most merchants . Organization . In Cyrodiil , the Thieves Guild works more secretly than in other parts of Tamriel , due to extensive pressure from the Imperial Watch , whose increased scrutiny had many secret organizations under pressure after the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII . Its existence is officially denied by Imperial officials , although Hieronymus Lex of the Imperial Watch set out to destroy the Guild in the Imperial City by capturing its leader , known as the Gray Fox , who has supposedly existed for over 300 years . In , there are five different ways to locate the Guild . One of them , likely the most risky , is to be arrested and imprisoned for whatever reason . It is possible that during incarceration the thief will be able to contact fellow thieves imprisoned with him . If not , eventually one will contact them , handing the person a note directing them to the location of the guild test . An easier and less risky way of locating the guild is done by extensive questioning of beggars , who reveal that in the Imperial City Waterfront there is a small garden where one of the Guild ' s two Doyen may be interested in taking on new members if they are able to pass a small test . Tests are almost always done solo although there have been instances when they were competitive . Once the test is complete the Thief is declared a member although they are not permitted to engage in official Guild activities until a certain amount of money has been donated to the Guild ' s coffers . This is done through selling stolen property to one of the Guild ' s five Fences who are scattered across Cyrodiil but only revealed when a thief reaches a certain standing within the Guild . After a set amount is sold to a fence then the Thief will begin being invited to perform organized Guild thefts . The Thieves Guild is a joinable guild where those practicing stealth arts may collaborate with each other . There are only three rules of the guild : Finding the Guild . There are five methods of joining the guild . Quests . From the Gray Fox . Via his messengers , Methredhel and Amusei , or from any Guild leader . Key people . Doyen . The Doyen are the hands and eyes of the guildmaster , the Gray Fox , and essentially act as his lieutenants . Beggars . When a thief needs information for a Thieves Guild quest then most beggars in every city are willing to help a friend . They are under the protection of the Gray Fox , and attacking or stealing from them will be treated as if it were against a guild member . Fences . Fences are the people to who are willing to buy stolen property . Stolen property has a red hand marker over the item , and cannot be sold to normal merchants . The fences are in order of availability as a Thief progresses through the Guild :