The Imperial City Market District is usually the hub of fair trade in Cyrodiil, but lately, a cloud of suspicion has gathered around a new shopkeeper. If you have been strolling through the district and noticed other merchants complaining about impossible prices, you have stumbled upon the beginning of the Unfriendly Competition quest in Oblivion. This isn't just a simple business dispute; it is a dark mystery involving grave robbing, illicit trade, and some of the most unique early-game loot you can find in the Remastered edition.

Starting the Investigation in the Market District

The quest typically triggers when you speak to merchants like Ogier Georick at The Main Ingredient or Claudette Perrick at The Gilded Carafe. They will point you toward Jensine, the owner of Jensine's "Good as New" Merchandise and the head of the Society of Concerned Merchants. The problem is a merchant named Thoronir, whose shop, The Copious Coin Purse, is selling high-quality goods at prices so low they shouldn't even cover the cost of materials.

When you first speak to Thoronir, he will be dismissive, claiming his supply chains are a trade secret. To progress, you need to stop asking and start watching. This is where the game’s schedule-based AI becomes central to your progress.

Tailing Thoronir: The Nightly Routine

Thoronir operates on a strict schedule. His shop closes at 8:00 PM. To catch him in the act, wait outside his door until just after closing. Do not follow too closely; while the game is forgiving, you want to maintain enough distance to see where he turns.

Typically, Thoronir will head to The Merchants Inn for a few hours of relaxation. However, the real meeting happens around midnight. He will eventually leave the inn and head toward a small, secluded garden area in the Market District, specifically a spot with a stone well surrounded by trees and bushes.

The Garden Eavesdropping

This is a segment where many players experience "jank" with NPC triggers. Thoronir will meet a Nord named Agarmir. To hear their conversation, you must be close enough to trigger the dialogue but out of their direct line of sight. A good spot is behind the large tree stump or the pink bushes near the well.

From their argument, you will learn that Agarmir is providing Thoronir with his inventory, and Thoronir is starting to question the "freshness" and smell of the goods. Once they split up, your objective shifts to Agarmir.

Breaking Into Agarmir’s House

Agarmir lives in the Talos Plaza District. Following him home is straightforward, but getting inside his house is the challenge. The door is usually barred from the inside when he is home. The best window for entry is during the day, specifically between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, when he is often out running errands or preparing for his next "dig."

You will need at least an "Average" level of lockpicking skill or a few scrolls of Open Average Lock. Once inside the main house, head to the back and locate the basement door. This is also locked (Average difficulty).

In the basement, the atmosphere shifts from a standard home to something much more sinister. You will find piles of dirt, bone meal, and a Macabre Manifest sitting on a table near some candles. This book is the smoking gun—it lists the names of recently deceased Imperial City citizens and the items Agarmir has stripped from their bodies. Take the book; do not just read it, as you need it in your inventory to confront Thoronir.

The Confrontation and the Mausoleum

Return to Thoronir at The Copious Coin Purse and show him the Macabre Manifest. To his credit, Thoronir is genuinely horrified to learn he has been selling "goods from the dead." He will vow to go legit and join the Society of Concerned Merchants, but first, Agarmir must be dealt with. He mentions that Agarmir is currently at the Trentius Family Mausoleum, likely planning another robbery.

The mausoleum is located in the Green Emperor Way, the central graveyard district surrounding the White-Gold Tower. Look for the Trentius family tomb. Before entering, ensure you are fully healed and have your best combat gear equipped. This fight is deceptively difficult for low-level characters.

Defeating Agarmir and Handling the Debaser

Inside the mausoleum, Agarmir is not alone. He is accompanied by a guard named Rolgare. Agarmir will initiate dialogue, revealing that he knew you were following him and that this is a trap.

The primary threat here is Agarmir’s weapon: the Debaser. This unique shortsword has a nasty enchantment that drains 10 points of Willpower and Endurance upon every hit. If he hits you multiple times, your Fatigue will plummet, making your attacks weaker and eventually causing you to collapse. Your Magicka regeneration will also slow to a crawl.

Combat Strategy:

  1. Split the Pair: Use the stone sarcophagi and pillars to keep Agarmir and Rolgare separate. If you are a conjurer, summon a skeleton or scamp to distract the guard while you focus on Agarmir.
  2. Range Advantage: If you are a mage or archer, backpedal around the central tomb. Agarmir has no ranged attacks, so kiting him is effective.
  3. The "Sneak Attack" Bug: Be careful—in the Remastered edition, if you sneak attack Agarmir before he finishes his dialogue, a guard may occasionally clip through the wall to arrest you for murder. Let him initiate the fight first.

Hidden Loot: Calliben’s Grim Retort

Once Agarmir and Rolgare are defeated, loot Agarmir’s body for the Debaser and his shovel (the final proof of his crime). However, do not leave yet.

Explore the back of the mausoleum. Behind the tomb of Calliben Trentius, you will find a hidden weapon called Calliben’s Grim Retort. This is an enchanted mace with high base damage and a powerful Absorb Blunt and Absorb Strength enchantment. For many players, this mace is actually more valuable than the quest reward itself, but it is very easy to miss if you are in a rush to leave the graveyard.

Finishing the Quest

Return to Thoronir with Agarmir’s shovel. He will express his gratitude and give you the Weatherward Circlet, a ring that provides 15% Resistance to both Fire and Frost. This is a solid defensive item that scales well into the mid-game.

Finally, head back to Jensine at her shop. Show her the shovel and the manifest. She will thank you on behalf of the Society and provide you with a leveled gold reward. At level 1-4, this is usually 100 gold, but at level 25+, it can go as high as 600 gold.

Why This Quest Matters in the Remastered Context

Unfriendly Competition remains a fan favorite because it utilizes the game’s schedule system to tell a story. In the 2026 Remastered version, the improved lighting in the Talos Plaza basements and the more detailed textures on the Macabre Manifest make the discovery of Agarmir's crimes much more visceral.

By completing this quest, you don't just get a ring and a sword; you stabilize the economy of the Imperial City. Thoronir’s shop remains open, but his prices will now be in line with other vendors, and his disposition toward you will be significantly higher, making him an excellent merchant for selling your own loot.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Thoronir Won't Leave the Shop: Sometimes the AI gets stuck. If it is past 8:15 PM and he is still behind the counter, try leaving the cell (go to another district) and waiting for one hour, then return. This usually forces the NPC to reset their pathing.
  • Agarmir’s Door is Always Barred: If you cannot find a time when the door is unbarred, try pickpocketing Agarmir while he is at the garden meeting. He carries the house key on him. This bypasses the need to wait for his domestic schedule.
  • Missing the Shovel: The shovel is often on the floor near the open grave in the mausoleum, but it can be knocked around during the fight with area-of-effect spells like Fireball. If you can't find it, use a light spell or a torch to scan the corners of the room.

Completing Unfriendly Competition is an essential rite of passage for any new character in the Imperial City. It provides a masterclass in the game's investigation mechanics and rewards you with gear that will serve you well through the early dungeons of Cyrodiil.