Factions ( Arena ) The following are the major factions in , and their description , as listed in " " . Thieves Guild . The Thieves Guild works in and around the cities of Tamriel . They are known to organize and govern any who wish to ' work ' in a particular city . Those who pay their monthly tithe find certain perks when faced with the authorities . Those who do not find that the Thieves Guild can be a dangerous adversary . Mages Guild . The Mages Guild is the center of magical study for all those of spell casting potential . They perform many services to those who have the money to pay including , selling potions , selling magical items , helping mages create spells , and selling spells for spellbooks . They are a powerful force in the world of Tamriel , often searching for lost artifacts or treasures . It is said by some that the Mages Guilds have many secrets , including the location of some legendary places . The Dark Brotherhood . The Dark Brotherhood are loyal followers of Sithis , God of Death . They are sworn to uphold the tenements of Chaos . They are vicious foes to those who would follow the roads of Law , often patrolling outer paths and byways for unwary travelers . It is said that the Brotherhood does not associate with any other group , contesting that even the Necromancer s are not true to word of the Dark God . They instead work towards what they call a pure form of Chaos . Few have faced them and escaped with their souls intact . The Blades . A secret society comprised of the best warriors of the Empire . The Blades approach whomever they wish for membership . None know exactly what their ultimate goals are , for they have been seen on both sides of the law , sometimes helping those in need , other times attacking caravans or wealthy merchants . All that is known is that they are deadly in combat , trained by special swordmasters to a point where their thought and reaction are one . The Necromancers . The Necromancers are a guild that works in the shadows of life , stealing bodies for purposes known only to them . They deal and consort with the undead regularly , and are staunch foes of the Mages Guild . They are accomplished spellcasters , often questing for magical artifacts and other sources of knowledge . It is said that when facing the Necromancers , one need fear what comes after death more than death itself . The Wharf Rats . The Wharf Rats are a loosely organized group of cutthroats , thieves , and ruffians . Although they do not represent the best of what is out there , their sheer numbers make up for any deficiency in skill . The Thieves Guild will attack any members of the Wharf Rats it finds , considering them an infringement upon their turf . They prey upon the weak , elderly , or rich traveler , stealing from them anything of value . The Underking . The Underking is a mysterious figure , walking through myth and legend . Some say he is actually a very old and powerful Lich , others that he is an Archmage whose very being has been somehow transformed by his use of magic . It is agreed however that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of Tamriel , sending his undead soldiers on errands whose goals only he knows is privy to . It seems his forces often find themselves opposed to The Necromancers , a fact that reassures many , for if they were to unite all of Tamriel would suffer .