As you progress through the Thieves Guild questline in Oblivion Remastered, you’ll find your missions becoming increasingly difficult. The Gray Fox is now your primary contact, and every task he assigns you leads to a significant turning point that will alter Cyrodiil forever.
While the Gray Fox is secretive about his motives, it’s important to have faith that he’s looking out for your best interests—along with your rewards. The full reasoning behind these assignments will unfold as you assist him in acquiring the Arrow of Extrication.
How to Start the Arrow of Extrication
After fencing 700 gold or more and completing the “Turning a Blind Eye” quest, head to the Imperial City and wait.
Soon, Amusei will approach you and instruct you to visit Malintus Ancrus’ house in Chorrol, located near the southern gate, where you will meet the Gray Fox again.
This location is more confined, so engage in conversation with the Gray Fox immediately upon entering and hear about his specific plans.
The Gray Fox asks you to retrieve the Arrow of Extrication from Fathis Aren, who serves as the court wizard in Castle Bravil.
You are even allowed to eliminate Fathis Aren, as long as you don’t do it within the castle itself.
How to Break Into Fathis Aren’s Wizard Tower
Fast travel to Bravil and ask one of the beggars for information about Fathis Aren to learn about his tower and a hidden passage leading to it in the castle.
Once inside Castle Bravil, sneak toward the North Wing door of the Lord’s Manor, where you’ll spot two guards by the entrance.
Wait for the guard shift change around 7:30 AM to pick the lock when the area is clear.
After entering, unlock the wooden door to the north and check the room for the Arrow by examining the chests.
These chests won’t contain the arrow, so you’ll need to search for the secret chamber.
Locate the movable pillar across from the door to discover the secret passage leading to the Bravil Wizard’s Grotto, which has a hard lock you need to pick.
Make sure to have a method of breathing underwater for this section.
Descend the staircase and defeat the Dremora, then unlock the hard lock on the north gate and follow the path to the right and south before heading east.
When you arrive in a large chamber with deep water leading to a dead-end cave, you’ve found the correct spot.
Prepare your water-breathing method, then dive to the bottom to locate a small hole—enter it, defeat the slaughterfish boss, and loot its remains.
Afterward, swim upwards while facing north until you spot a tunnel that ascends to the surface.
Continue east through the gate and open the northern path where a Dremora is on patrol. Dispatch the Dremora and progress through the watery tunnel past some Nirnroot into the Bravil Wizard’s Lair after picking the hard lock.
Sneak up the stairs and follow the southern path upwards. Be ready to slip by some conjurer foes until you reach the door to Fathis Aren’s Tower, which has a hard lock.
How to Get the Arrow of Extrication
Defeat the adversaries as quietly as possible, being careful not to alert Fathis Aren, who is several floors above you in the tower.
If you are a member of the Mages Guild, exercise caution, as killing Fathis or stealing anything aside from what’s in his chest might lead to expulsion.
Once you’ve dealt with his guards, sneak into Fathis’ room while he is engaged in alchemy and loot his chest, which won’t be considered stealing, so you won’t get expelled from the Mages Guild as long as it’s the only thing you take.
Gather everything you want from this chest, including the Key-Shaped Arrowhead, then quickly fast travel to Chorrol’s South Gate to exit Fathis’ tower.
What Rewards Do You Get From the Arrow of Extrication?
Return to Malintus Ancrus’ house and talk to the Gray Fox, who will reward you with:
- 500 gold
- The title of Master Thief
- Access to Fathis Ules in the Imperial City as a fence, which is the final and best option you’ll encounter
Next, you’ll need to fence 800 gold to kick off the subsequent quest titled “Boots of Springheel Jak.”
