Knights of the Thorn The Knights of the Thorn is a minor joinable faction that is a part of the main quest in . Formation . The faction was formed in 3E 431 by Farwil Indarys ; son of Andel Indarys , Count of Cheydinhal , and his wife Llathasa Indarys . Acceptance . The Knights were not very popular with the town guards , who considered them to be a club of Farwil ' s drinking partners . The local guards complain that anytime something happens the Knights of the Thorn are nowhere to be found , or how they must put up with their boasts and insults since Farwil Indarys is the Count ' s son . History . Though the Knights boast of many battles and victories , prior to entering the Cheydinhal Oblivion Gate they had little to no fighting experience . Oblivion Crisis . When an Oblivion Gate opened outside the doors of their Lodge , Farwil seized the opportunity to prove to the city guards that his knights were brave and courageous . So the Knights rushed into the gate without asking for help from the city guards . When they entered they quickly decided to launch a direct assault . This proved disastrous as most of the knights were slain by the first wave of Daedra and more dying in the second . Only Farwil Indarys and Bremman Senyan were able to survive the attacks , but could not escape due to the numbers and the injuries they had . While traveling to gather allies for Bruma the Hero of Kvatch came to Cheydinnhal . The Count ' s son , along with his Knights of the Thorn , had been inside for several days and nobody had seen or heard from them . It had gotten to the point that the count had offered a reward for the rescue or confirmation of the death of his son . The Hero entered the gate to close it and to discover the fate of the missing knights . Farwil and Bremman were still alive when the Hero reached them . Farwil , now believing the numbers to be more in their favor will state they can only go forward and continue the battle to reach the Sigil Stone and close the gate . Having no other way to go Bremman and the Hero must follow . If Farwil dies his father will be crushed but grateful to at least know his son ' s fate . If Farwil makes it out alive the Count will reward the Hero with a family heirloom . Umbriel Crisis . Around twenty Knights of the Thorn aided Mazgar and Bennus when they were about to be attacked by a party of zombies . The Knights of the Thorn had gone to Cheydinhal to defend the city from the siege , but when they arrived everyone had left . In their way back they had seen Mazgar and Brennus escape from the zombies from a hilltop . After offering two mounts to Mazgar and Brennus , the knights headed to the Blue Road to aid the refugees that had abandoned Cheydinhal . Joining . If Farwil survives the Oblivion gate , talk to him to become an honorary member of the Knights . If he doesn ' t live the Count may do the same . Equipment . All members of the Thorn wear the enchanted Knights of the Thorn Medallion , along with a specially embossed steel Knights of the Thorn Shield . All members also use a full compliment of steel armor with long swords . Members . In Hale , a former member of the Knights of the Thorn , Pyke , asks you to retrieve his Knights of the Thorn Medallion from the Grummite lair — Fetid Grove in the side quest " To Help A Hero . " If you do , you are rewarded with the Thorn Shield , with leveled fortify block and reflect spell enchantments . Ranks . Only the Honorary Knight rank can be earned by the Hero of Kvatch .