The Thieves Guild
The Thieves Guild--also known as simply "the Guild"--is an organized group of thieves that provides mutual support for the criminal endeavors of its members and are renowned for causing trouble throughout Riften. Most citizens in the city view them unfavorably and many plan to dismantle the guild due to their specialization of stealing any time of objects. Long ago, the Guild was simply just a myth and believed simply fictional until they stepped up their thieving schemes. The guild has close association with the Dark Brotherhood and Maven Black-Briar(See Riften). Despite their differences in organization, purpose, and policies, the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood rely on each other for support as both friends and business associates. On the other hand is Maven Black-Briar, who is the the affluent owner of the Black-Briar Meadery in Riften, consorts with the guild in exchange for their aid. Unlike their connection with the Brotherhood, the Thieves Guild's relation with the Black-Briar Clan is strictly business. Their headquarters are located in The Ratway beneath the city of Riften which is a series of underground tunnels that lead to a bar, open bunks, a training room, and a storage room. Thieves caught attacking other guild members or one of their associates are removed from the guild and the rest of the members permanently shun them. Thieves Guild Armor is a light armor set that is mostly made of leather, making it ideal for the agile shadow-hugging thief and offering surprisingly a lot of protection. One of the major aspects of the Thieves Guild is their use of a code that the members of the Guild use to communicate with each other without speaking. This unique code is known as Shadowmarks, written by Delvin Mallory, which is composed of nine different symbols each with their own meaning. These marks are commonly placed on door-frames on the fronts of buildings which indicated to a Guild member if the building was safe, dangerous, contained important items or loot, housed a thief, and more.
Mercer Frey
Name: Mercer Frey
Age: 28 Sex: Male Species: Human(Breton) Family: Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Bandit and Nightingale Rank: Guildmaster(Leader) Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Mercer is a tall man--standing at 6'1"--with an incredibly toned body. He has short brown hair and dazzling blue eyes with a hint of mystery. Along with that, he has a chiseled jawline and short stubble that he allowed to grow. Mannerisms and Back-story: Mercer is the leader of the Thieves Guild in Riften--also known as the "Guildmaster". Due to his extensive time as a thief, he has become extremely wealthy and owns a house called Riftweald Manor in Riften. However, he rarely is seen entering or exiting the place nor does he spend much time inside. From the moment he's acquainted with someone, he is noticeably impatient and irritated towards newcomers although his main duty is to send them on main jobs. Depending on the person, however, he will act more and more distasteful and almost increasingly agitated towards them. Despite his continuous pessimistic and stressed attitude he can become quite shy. Mercer is also known for his incredible swordsmanship and many know that crossing blades with him would be a death wish. Along with that, he is known for his master lock picking skills due to his extensive knowledge on locks and how they work. As a Nightingale, he is gifted with the Agent of Subterfuge. |
Brynjolf
Name: Brynjolf
Age: 22 Sex: Male Species: Human(Nord) Family: Out of contact with Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief and Skill Trainer Rank: Second-in-Command Preferred Weapon: One-handed Sword Appearance: Brynjolf is known for his looks, standing at 6'0" and fairly muscular. Like Mercer, he has short brown hair, stubble, and a chiseled jawline. Unlike Mercer, his blue eyes are more friendly and welcoming. Mannerisms and Back-story: Brynjolf is the second-in-command of the Thieves Guild and occasionally gives side jobs to earn a bit more cash. He enjoys helping members of the guild and is very involved with what goes on, unlike Mercer. It is noticed upon meeting him that he has a Scottish accent--unlike the usual Scandinavian accent of the other citizens of Tamriel--and tends to address others as "lad" or "lass". However, he's not just all looks. Brynjolf can fluently speak and read multiple languages and is an adept in thievery.He even is fairly familiar with the Thalmor language after being held as a prisoner for a few years. As a teenager he was romantically involved with Delphine(Blades member) which ended abruptly when the dragons returned to Tamriel. He now resists a committed relationship which makes him incredibly flirty yet he would be willing to settle down if he met the right girl. |
Delvin Mallory
Name: Delvin Mallory
Age: 59
Sex: Male(Breton)
Species: Human
Family: Festus Krex(brother-in-law), Astrid Krex(niece), Olava Mallory(Wife), Sapphire Mallory(niece)
Orientation: Straight
Relationship Status: Married
Occupation: Skill Trainer, Fence, and Ex-Theif
Rank: Elder
Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword
Appearance: Delvin is fairly healthy-looking for his age and almost younger than he actually is. He stands at 5'10" with blonde buzz-cut hair and blue eyes.
Mannerisms and Back-story: Delvin is a member of the Thieves Guild who wrote a book called Shadowmarks, which helps members to recognize both valuable targets and places that should be avoided(See guild description for more). He is an example of how close the Guild and the Brotherhood are and even proving suspicions they even occasionally do jobs for each other. Delvin met his wife soon after joining the guild when he accidently turned a robbery into a murder and the leader at the time directed him to live with the Dark Brotherhood until news about the murder died down. During his time living at the sanctuary, he was acquainted with Olava and they got married and picking up a long distance relationship when he had to return to Riften. Like Brynjolf, he also gives out extra side jobs.
Age: 59
Sex: Male(Breton)
Species: Human
Family: Festus Krex(brother-in-law), Astrid Krex(niece), Olava Mallory(Wife), Sapphire Mallory(niece)
Orientation: Straight
Relationship Status: Married
Occupation: Skill Trainer, Fence, and Ex-Theif
Rank: Elder
Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword
Appearance: Delvin is fairly healthy-looking for his age and almost younger than he actually is. He stands at 5'10" with blonde buzz-cut hair and blue eyes.
Mannerisms and Back-story: Delvin is a member of the Thieves Guild who wrote a book called Shadowmarks, which helps members to recognize both valuable targets and places that should be avoided(See guild description for more). He is an example of how close the Guild and the Brotherhood are and even proving suspicions they even occasionally do jobs for each other. Delvin met his wife soon after joining the guild when he accidently turned a robbery into a murder and the leader at the time directed him to live with the Dark Brotherhood until news about the murder died down. During his time living at the sanctuary, he was acquainted with Olava and they got married and picking up a long distance relationship when he had to return to Riften. Like Brynjolf, he also gives out extra side jobs.
Vex
Name: Vex
Age:20 Sex: Female Species: Human(Imperial) Family: Vipir(brother) Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Skill Trainer and Theif Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: Dagger Appearance: Vex short and skinny which is partially how she acquired her nickname "Little Vex". Standing at 5'0", she has long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a stunning smile. Mannerisms and Back-story: Vex is one of the Thieves Guild's best infiltrators yet she is known as "Little Vex" within the Guild due to her rare, yet incredibly fragile, soft side. She hides her true manners with a tough wall of arrogance, as she is fairly confident in her abilities. With this wall, she often is a control-freak and shows distaste to others who try to replace her position and not follow what she says. Vex and her brother both were born and raised in Riften and she followed in her brother's footsteps of joining the Guild when she was old enough--rising through the ranks extremely quickly. Many of the members tend to flirt with her and some may admit their attraction. Similarly to Mercer, she is incredibly wealthy from working in the Guild. She also gives side jobs to gain extra coin. |
Tonilia
Name: Tonilia
Age: 24 Sex: Female Species: Human(Redguard) Family: Vekel(Fiance) Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Engaged to Vekel the Man Occupation: Fence/Pawnbroker Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Tonilia is an average height girl with a large bust and curves but is usually hidden by the armor that the Guild provides its members. She is 5'5" with short curly hair and grey eyes. Mannerisms and Back-story: Tonilia is both a fence(someone who buys stolen goods) and a member of the Thieves Guild. Though she is due to be a part of an arranged marriage and is fairly unhappy with it. Vekel often falsely accuses her of cheating on him with Brynjolf due to the two spending much time together. In fact, Brynjolf's sole focus is simply trying to get her to start doing jobs for the Guild which she has be continuously declining. Along with being a pawnbroker, she also mends armor for the Guild in her free time. |
Sapphire Mallory
Name: Sapphire Mallory
Age: 18 Sex: Female Species: Human(Nord) Family: Glover Mallory(Father), Delvin Mallory(Uncle), Olava Mallory(Aunt), Astrid Krex(Second-Cousin) Orientation: Bisexual Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: Dagger Appearance: Sapphire is the youngest and known as the skinniest member of the Thieves Guild. She stands at 5'6" with a large bust, curly brown hair, and hazel eyes.She always has two sapphires in her pocket for good luck from her first assassination(then robbery) with the Dark Brotherhood. Mannerisms and Back-story: Sapphire had a harsh life growing up on a poverty-stricken farm just outside of Riften with her family. When she was about sixteen, bandits had raided her farm and brutally murdered her (unarmed and un-hostile) siblings and her mother, severely injuring her father, and abducting her as a sex-slave--also receiving daily beatings. When they finally gained her trust she got her hands on a dagger and slit every single one of their throats in their sleep. Because of her tough past, she tends not to talk much but will show great gratitude towards people who take the time to listen to her story. Once she was freed from the bandits she changed her name, having learned to hate it from her time prisoner to bandits. The only ones who know her true first name are the ones that share her surname, and the rest of the Guild does not press to know what it actually is. Sapphire is the only member who does jobs outside of the Guild's radar, having tight connections to the Dark Brotherhood due to her brief training with them after she escaped the bandits(left Brotherhood to acquire more coin). Regardless of her past, she tends to be fairly flirty and spends a lot of time with Brynjolf. |
Cynric Endell
Name: Cynric Endell
Age: 32 Sex: Male Species: Human(Breton) Family: Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Jailbreaker, Thief, and Agent Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Cynric is a 6'2" muscular man with short blonde hair and light blue eyes. However, he is often hearing a hood which covers his hair and shadows his eyes, leading only his usual smug grin and stubbly lower face. Mannerisms and Back-story: Cynric is the Thieves Guild's jailbreaker, meaning he purposely gets himself arrested to break a member out of jail. He also works part-time for the Dark Brotherhood and gets purposely arrested to murder someone in jail. Since he doesn't live in one specific place he also acts as a recruiting agent for the Guild during his travels. He usually wears a hood because he is "wanted" in most Holds of Tamriel. |
Niruin
Name: Niruin
Age: 19 Sex: Male Species: Human(Imperial) Family: Parents(Solitude) Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Archery Trainer and Thief Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: Bow and Arrow Appearance: Niruin is known as the "classy thief" of the Guild as he usually wears expensive clothing and has his brown hair slicked back neatly. He stands at 5'11" and has a toned rather than muscularly bulky body with blue eyes and a well-shaven, chiseled face. Mannerisms and Back-story: Niruin is originally from Solitude where he worked in his father's winery until reaching his rebellious teenager age. However, he is still fairly wealthy(and only getting more with his usual taste of crashing formal parties and celebrations) and with plenty of friends in high places. He originally was in a bandit gang that resided close to Solitude but left after coming into contact with Cynric who recruited Niruin into the Guild. Someday he wishes to start a brothel and does errands for the Companions on the side. His best friend is Rune. |
Rune
Name: Rune
Age: 19 Sex: Male Species: Human(Imperial) Family: Adoptive Father(Solitude) Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: One-handed Sword Appearance: Rune is 5'9" and fairly muscular with messy brown hair and grey eyes. He wears a small stone on leather string with strange markings on it that hint towards his forgotten past. Mannerisms and Back-story: As a child, Rune washed up on shore after a shipwreck near Solitude and was found by a local fisherman. Because of nearly drowning was such a terrifying event it caused his brain to completely erase all memories leading up to that point. The fisherman named him Rune and raised him, until Rune decided to try and uncover his past and left. He met Niruin while leaving Solitude and they became instant friends, disregarding their original social statuses. |
Thrynn
Name: Thrynn
Age: 25 Sex: Male Species: Human(Nord) Family: Orientation: Gay Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief and Ex-Bandit Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: Two-Handed Sword Appearance: Thrynn stands at 5'11" with a muscular build. He has brown hair that is buzz-cut short and blue eyes. Mannerisms and Back-story: Before joining the Thieves Guild, Thrynn spent a few years working in a large bandit clan. They were known for raiding entire villages, robbing farms and caravans. However after the leadered ordered for all men, women, and children to be killed after attacking a caravan Thrynn opposed this order immediately. This action caused the clan to tear itself apart, arguing over what should be done. In the end, Thrynn basically had the leader's head put on a stake and those that survived the fight went their separate ways. He's known for thinking reasonably and is very accepting of others. His greatest virtue is also his greatest vice: his love for coin. |
Vipir the Fleet
Name: Vipir "The Fleet"
Age: 23 Sex: Male Species: Human(Imperial) Family: Vex(sister) Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Vipir has short choppy blonde hair and stands at 5'8" with a thin frame yet toned body. He has chocolate brown eyes and short stubble. Mannerisms and Back-story: While on his first job with his sister in Windhelm, their client alerted the authorities to their presence in the city. When they were pursued by guards, the siblings got separated. Though Vex easily lost the guards trailing her by slipping into the shadows, Vipir was not and ran all of the way back to Riften. Upon arrival, Vex and the rest of the Guild were laughing since he had forgotten his horse just outside of Windhelm and Vex had ridden hers back, arriving hours before he did. Thus, he was given the nickname "Vipir the Fleet". This ties into his forgetful and gullible persona, often fairly discombobulated. |
Garthar
Name: Garthar
Age: 22 Sex: Male Species: Human(Nord) Family: Out of contact with Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief Rank: Apprentice Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Garthar stands at 5'11" with a fairly muscular figure. He has jew black hair and blue eyes. Mannerisms and Back-story: Garthar was born in Windhelm and was a soldier in the Stormcloak Rebellion until he was offered to join the Guild by Vex. When he came upon Vex fighting a pack of wolves and assisted her. To "repay" him, Vex attempted to rob him afterwards. From there, the two locked into combat yet neither could best the other. Since Vex was impressed she invited him to join the Guild, which he agreed to having developed a slight crush on her. He also admits that he wouldn't want to cross blades with Vex again but he wouldn't mind a bit of a scuffle. Unlike the other members of the Guild, he is brutally honest. |
Ravyn Imyan
Name: Ravyn Imyaan
Age: 23 Sex: Female Species: Human(Nord) Family: Out of contact with Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief and Ex-Morag Tong Member Rank: Apprentice Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Similar to the members of the Dark Brotherhood, Ravyn has a toned build; thin enough to move swiftly yet muscular enough to overpower her opponents. She stands at 5'4" with wavy light brown hair and deep brown eyes. Mannerisms and Back-story: Before joining the Thieves Guild, Ravyn lived in the country of Morrowind as a member of the Morag Tong--a secret assassin society. As such, she is not on the best terms with the Dark Brotherhood, and so she turned her skills to the Guild instead. While trying her best to keep a low profile, she is rather arrogant and acts with a sense of superiority. She also tends to be an impulse liar and most likely not speak much of her past knowing if the Brotherhood were to find her that they would stamp a contract to kill her. |
Etienne Rarnis
Name: Etienne Rarnis
Age: 27 Sex: Male Species: Human(Breton) Family: Out of contact with Orientation: Bisexual Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief and Blades Member Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Etienne is a tall and slender captive of the Thalmor. Wearing prisoner rags, he doesn't look as skinny as he is but when he removes them it shows how grossly malnourished he has become. Regardless, he stands at 6'3" and weighs around 120 pounds with short brown hair and dulled grey eyes. Mannerisms and Back-story: Etienne, along with many--now deceased--Blades members, was captured and harshly interrogated by the Thalmor to find the location of Esbern(See the Blades). Since he is being held in the Thalmor Embassy headquarters, other Guild members cannot reach him. If encountered, he shows to be slightly shy; if it's his actual personality or if the Thalmor had beaten it into him is unknown. Yet he's extremely caring and welcoming towards others regardless of what he has been through. Upon his release, he goes through extreme PTSD and turns to alcoholism. |
Molgrom Twice-Killed
Name: Molgrom "Twice-Killed"
Age: 35 Sex: Male Species: Human(Nord) Family: Parents(Riften) Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief (Imprisoned in Riften jail in some RPs) Rank: Member Preferred Weapon: Dagger Appearance: Molgrom stands at 6'3" and is fairly muscular. He has dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. He wears a small lock on a chain around his neck, claiming it was the first he ever picked. Mannerisms and Back-story: Molgrom has a habit of getting himself thrown into jail since he is prone to killing marks rather than sneaking around while on jobs. This occurs so often that the Guild doesn't even bother sending Cynric to get him out. He nicknamed himself "Twice-Killed" after another thief almost killed him when he insulted him, despite the fact he wasn't even killed once. Regardless, he claims it has a better ring to it. This proves that he has an annoying and childish persona. |
The Nightingales
The Nightingales are a secret inner circle within the Thieves Guild, based in Nightingale Hall. This group exists to protect the shrines of Nocturnal throughout Tamriel. Even today, however, they are believed to not exist and were simply created as a way to scare people in to going what they are told. They are a close, tight-knit circle of four members: Mercer, Ruby, Karliah, and Gallus--yet they are seeking for more members. After becoming a full-fledged Nightingale, Nocturnal administers one of three agents of Nocturnal to the appointee. Agents are powers that are gifted from Nocturnal to the Nightingale, each possessing a power that aids them.
- Agent of Stealth (crescent moon) -- This agent is an expert infiltrator, using darkness to conceal themselves. They are granted the power of Shadowcloak of Nocturnal which allows them to turn invisible when they are moving stealthily.
- Agent of Subterfuge(half moon) --This agent uses darkness to obscure others' thoughts and judgement. They are granted the power of Nightingale Subterfuge which can do anything from convincing people of things to creating violent and chaos outbreaks for the user to gain the upper hand.
- Agent of Strife(full moon) -- This agent uses darkness for the user's benefit. They are granted the power of Nightingale Strife that creates a cord between them and their foes, draining the literal life out of them.
Karliah Indoril
Name: Karliah Indoril
Age: 26 Sex: Female Species: Elf Family: Dralsi Indoril(Mother), Drayven Indoril(Grandfather), and Saint Indoril Nerevar(Descendant of-Deceased) Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief Rank: Nightingale Preferred Weapon: Bow and Arrow Appearance: Karliah is a strong looking woman that stands at 5'6" with an athletic body type. She has sky blue eyes long blonde hair that she usually has up in a braided bun under a hood. Her amour has a dagger strapped on to the left shoulder for easy access in tough situations. Mannerisms and Back-story: Karliah grew up being trained in the art of thievery by her mother which is all she will speak of her past, showing her shy nature which matches her always quiet tone. After finding out she was romantically involved with Gallus, Mercer framed her for a murder he committed amongst the Guild and she has been exiled for the last six years. She now is a strong follower of Nocturnal and she is more likely to be seen after nightfall as she keeps a low profile. She is gifted with the Agent of Stealth. |
Gallus Desidenious
Name: Sen "Gallus" Desidenius
Age: 28 Sex: Male Species: Human(Imperial) Family: Orientation: Straight Relationship Status: Single Occupation: Thief Rank: Nightingale and Ex-Guildmaster Preferred Weapon: One-Handed Sword Appearance: Gallus, similarly to Mercer, is a tall man--standing at 6'1"--with an incredibly toned body. He has short brown hair, blue eyes, and short stubble. Mannerisms and Back-story: Gallus joined the Thieves Guild after unknowingly robbing a house of the Guild. He was about to leave when the leader at the time entered and applauded his work before asking him to join to earn good coin. Gallus accepted. He joined the Guild around the same time as Karliah and Mercer and the three became very close, the three of them discovering Nightingale Hall and deciding to join. When Mercer found out he was romantically involved with Karliah, he convinced the entire guild she was responsible for their leader's murder and Gallus ended things with her. Mercer then attempted to kill Gallus, leaving him in the middle of the forest with only his torn armor. From there Mercer told the Guild that Gallus had committed suicide from losing Karliah, Gallus never returned to the Rat Away and now lives under cover in Solitude--going by the name Sen. No one from the Guild knows his whereabouts or that he is actually alive. |
Other
- Ruby (See the Brotherhood) does side jobs
- Gulum-Ei (See Solitude) Fence, external associate of the Guild and "inside man" for the East Empire Trading Company
- Vekel the Man - Runs the Ragged Flagon
- Dirge - The Ragged Flagon's bouncer, the brother of Maul
- Syndus - Arrows and weapons merchant
- Herluin Lothaire - Alchemy merchant
- Arnskar Ember-Master - Blacksmith and armor and weapons merchant
- Vanryth Gatharian - Armor and weapons merchant
- Enthir - Fence and external associate of the Guild
- Niranye - Fence and external associate of the Guild
- Endon - Fence and external associate of the Guild
- Mallus Maccius - Fence and external associate of the Guild
- Athel Newberry [14] - Associate
- Glover Mallory - Blacksmith of Raven Rock, Delvin Mallory's brother
- Erikur - Supporter of the Guild
- Cruel-Sea Clan- Supporters of the Guild
- Battle-Born Clan - Supporters of the Guild
- Black-Briar Family - A powerful and rich family centered in Riften; they have a dominant presence in Riften and throughout most of Skyrim. The matriarch of the Black-Briar Family, Maven Black-Briar, has ties with both the Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild, as well as having a source of the power behind the political, economic, social, and cultural affairs of Riften. If the Imperial Legion takes over the Rift, she later becomes the Jarl of Riften, and with it, allows the corruption in Riften to stay and expand and allows the Thieves Guild to operate freely without prevention, and even going so far as to help them with their operations.