Bruma ( Oblivion ) Bruma is the northernmost city in the province of Cyrodiil , located in the Jerall Mountains along the border to Skyrim , and is the county seat for County Bruma . Bruma ' s northern latitude , combined with its high altitude , results in a much different climate than that of the other populated areas of the province . The city is perpetually covered in snow , with clear , sunny days a rarity . The city has adapted to the climate by using the Nordic way of life . Background . Due to Bruma ' s proximity to Skyrim it is populated primarily by Nords , both immigrants from Skyrim itself , and Cyrodiilic citizens longing for a place more like their ancient home . The non - Nordic people of Bruma tend to adapt to the culture of their northern neighbors , though most of the Cyrodiilic Nords strive to be more Imperial . The city ' s culture is similar to that of Solstheim , an island near Morrowind that is part of Skyrim , but heavily populated by Imperial s . Given the Nordic penchant for battle , and their legends linking Tiber Septim to the ancient Greybeards , it is not surprising that Bruma ' s patron saint is Talos , the divine aspect of Tiber Septim . The city is built directly into the side of the Jerall Mountain peaks , with the main gate at the eastern end , and Castle Bruma at the westernmost point . The northern half of the city is built onto four man - made steps leading up to the castle walls , which is where the guild halls and shops are located . The southern portion consists of a single road , containing the bulk of the residences , which follows a naturally sloping semicircle from west to east . The city ' s most prominent feature , the Great Chapel of Talos , lies at the heart of this semicircle , and is the first sight a visitor will see upon entering Bruma ' s main gate . For most details about this City , see Bruma ' s volume in Alessia Ottus ' s guidebook series , " Guide to Bruma " . Things of note . Thieves Guild fence . Ongar , the first fence for the Thieves Guild , lives in this city . Dark Brotherhood clothing . J ' Ghasta ' s house has a Black Hand Hood and a Black Hand Robe worn exclusively by members of the Dark Brotherhood , which raises your Sneak , Marksman , Illusion , Blade and Speechcraft by 4 and 11 points respectively . The equipment is protected by a Very Hard lock on a keg in the lower level . There is also a " Secret Training Room " hidden door in the corner of the lower level under some fabric swaths . There are some practice dummies here and light reading is available ( increase hand - to - hand ) . Statue of the Hero . After completing the " Great Gate " quest , a statue of the player character will be erected near the north gate to the Jerall Mountains . The statue features the equipment that the game considers the best of what the Hero had in their inventory during the quest . Description . Bruma is understood to be a Nibenese county , but in truth it is more Nord than Nibenese , on account of its close proximity to the Skyrim border , and on account of the terrible cold and discomfort of its location high in the Jerall Mountains . Bruma is always cold and covered with snow , with braziers kept burning in every quarter to prevent the citizens from freezing to death . Everything is built from wood since trees are so plentiful in the forests of the Jeralls , and even rich men live here in dark wooden cabins . Architecture . Unlike most other cities , there is very little diversity among the architecture of Bruma . There is no prominent aristocratic or commercial region to speak of . Almost all of the buildings , from the guild halls down to the single - person residences , are sturdy wooden buildings built on top of a thick granite base . Most houses are built with the top story at ground level , as to maintain heat in the living areas . The only notable difference between the high - end houses and the lower - end ones are the presence of a second story , and in some cases , a basement . Though the buildings are constructed similar to the log cabins of the Skyrim frontier , they are extremely well - built , and generally sport elaborate doors and external support beams , decorated all over with Nordic carvings . There is very little decorative architecture about Bruma apart from the buildings themselves ; in particular , the climate is far too harsh to support parks , trees , ponds , or other natural features found in other cities . Bruma ( influenced by Nords ) and Cheydinhal ( influenced by Dark Elves ) are the two cities most affected by foreigners in Cyrodil . Count and Countess . Countess Narina Carvain is a Nibenean Heartlander , though she can be just as cold and brusque as her city . A dutiful chapel - goer and a respected ruler ; she is a cunning , ruthless negotiator and has a reputation for sharp dealing and treachery , as well as a noted scholar and collector of Akaviri artefacts . She runs the county efficiently and the region is well - ordered . The Countess makes sure that Bruma has a well trained and aggressive town watch . To lead the town watch she has hired a Nord named Burd as Captain of the Guard . Layout . Castle Bruma is cold and drafty , carelessly decorated , and dark with soot from the perpetually burning braziers . The smell of smoke and cinders is overpowering . The high ceilings are grand , but impossible to heat . The ancient layers of soot and filth encrusting the stonework makes it difficult to appreciate the exceptional stonecarving . Except in its stonework and grand scale , the castle is like the log cabins of the people : cold , dark , drafty and dirty . Access to the castle is through a gate west from the town into a courtyard . The shops , inns , and guilds are located in the north , either on the western terrace near the castle gate , or below the terrace , north of the chapel . The chapel is the central feature of southern Bruma , with houses ranged along the inside of the walls to the east and south . Shops , inns , and guilds . Bruma has the standard Fighters Guild hall and Mages Guild hall , both located on the second tier , where guild members can find rest and training . However , these are very small guild halls , with only a handful of members in each guild and only apprentice - level trainers . However the Bruma Mages Guild is a good starting point for mage - type characters since the guild members sell spells in every school , with a wide variety of effects . Of particular note is the Summon Dremora Lord which cannot be purchased anywhere else . Bruma is home to two taverns , both of which offer food , drink and lodging : Bruma ' s commercial options are somewhat limited , though one can take advantage of the Nords ' world - renowned skill at forging weapons and armor . The following shops are available : Bruma is home to a Thieves Guild Fence , Ongar the World - Weary , who can be found in Olav ' s Tap and Tack when not in his own house . Other points of interest . Bruma is , in general , a very utilitarian city . There is not much in the way of sightseeing or tourism , so there is very little of interest to those without specific business in the city . The city boasts an impressive chapel , the Great Chapel of Talos , as its central feature . The most interesting features of Bruma actually appear outside the city , to the north . The Emperor ' s private guard force , the Blades , have occupied a large Akaviri fortress north of Bruma , called Cloud Ruler Temple . In addition , somewhere in the Jerall Mountains is the infamous Pale Pass , where Emperor Reman I finally defeated the Akaviri invaders towards the end of the First Era . There is a house for sale in Bruma costing 10 , 000 . Characters . Bruma has few residents of any real note , apart from the merchants themselves : There is a single , unoccupied house for sale on the eastern side of town . Quests . The following are the only quests that specifically start in the city :