Skingrad is arguably the most atmospheric city in Cyrodiil, but beneath its clean stone streets and sprawling vineyards lies one of the most unsettling side quests in Bethesda’s history. The Oblivion Paranoia quest is a masterclass in psychological tension and moral flexibility. It asks a simple question: How far will you go for a handful of gold? Whether you are looking to play the role of a loyal citizen or a cold-blooded mercenary for the Dark Brotherhood, this quest offers a complexity that few other tasks in the game can match.

Initiating the Paranoia: Finding Glarthir

The quest begins almost immediately upon entering Skingrad. You will likely be approached by a Bosmer named Glarthir. He is easily recognizable by his ragged brown robes and a twitchy, nervous disposition. Glarthir won't speak to you in the middle of the street; instead, he whispers a request to meet him behind the Great Chapel of Julianos at midnight.

Timing is everything here. If you miss the midnight window, Glarthir will return to his home, and you will have to wait until the next night. He is specifically looking for someone who doesn't "look like they're in on it," making you his primary candidate for a private investigator—or an accomplice.

The Three Targets: Schedules and Secrets

Glarthir believes there is a massive conspiracy against him. He will task you with following three specific residents of Skingrad over the course of three days. To get the most out of the experience (and the gold), understanding their actual schedules is crucial.

1. Bernadette Peneles

Bernadette is Glarthir’s first suspicion. She lives directly across from him. Her daily routine is mundane, which makes Glarthir’s suspicion all the more tragic.

  • 6:00 AM: She leaves her house and heads to the Great Chapel to pray until 7:00 AM.
  • 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM: She spends most of her day working in the vineyards (either Tamika's or the Surilie brothers') or sitting on benches near the chapel.
  • Midnight Report: Returning to Glarthir, you can tell him she is innocent or guilty. Both choices earn you 150 gold, but accusing her sets the stage for a darker ending.

2. Toutius Sextius

Toutius is a middle-class resident who Glarthir believes is the next link in the chain.

  • 10:00 AM: He leaves his home near the East Gate.
  • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: He often rides his horse outside the city walls or visits the Castle Skingrad County Hall.
  • Midnight Report: If you have already accused Bernadette and now accuse Toutius, Glarthir’s reward increases to 200 gold. If you maintain their innocence, you receive another 150 gold.

3. Davide Surilie

Glarthir considers Davide the "ringleader." As part of the famous Surilie wine family, Davide is a prominent figure.

  • 6:00 AM: He heads to the vineyards and works until noon.
  • 1:00 PM: He spends the afternoon at the West Gate or socializing.
  • Midnight Report: This is the final turning point. Reporting Davide as guilty secures another 200 gold and triggers the "Death List" phase. Reporting him as innocent—if you have cleared the others—will cause Glarthir to snap.

The Divergent Paths: Choose Your Reward

The Oblivion Paranoia quest offers three distinct resolutions. Each has unique implications for your character’s Infamy and gold reserves.

Path A: The Path of Truth (Glarthir’s Breakdown)

If you report all three targets as innocent, Glarthir will reach a breaking point. He concludes that you have been turned against him by the conspirators. He will draw a leveled iron or steel battleaxe and attack you right behind the chapel.

Defending yourself and killing Glarthir ends the quest. You can then loot his body for his house key. This path is the "Good" option, as it saves the lives of three innocent citizens, though it yields the lowest total gold (roughly 450 gold in reporting fees).

Path B: The Executioner (Maximum Gold)

If you accuse one or more targets, Glarthir will provide you with a "List of Death." He wants them eliminated and offers a staggering 1,000 gold for the deed.

For those looking to join the Dark Brotherhood, these kills count as murders, which will trigger the visit from Lucien Lachance. To succeed without getting caught by the Skingrad guards:

  • Bernadette: Use the house key (if you've picked it) or pick the lock at 2:00 AM. A single sneak attack while she sleeps is the cleanest method.
  • Toutius: Catch him while he is riding his horse outside the city walls. There are fewer witnesses on the road to the castle.
  • Davide: This is the hardest kill because he lives with his brother, Gaston. You must be silent and fast. Poisoned apples or high-level Illusion spells (Frenzy) can make this much easier.

Once the targets are dead, return to Glarthir. He will give you the 1,000 gold. Total profit: 1,550 gold.

Path C: The Informant (The Legal Approach)

Once Glarthir hands you the List of Death, you don't have to carry out the murders. You can take the list directly to a Skingrad Guard or to the targets themselves (specifically the Surilie brothers).

Upon showing the list to Captain Dion or any guard, they will immediately move to intercept Glarthir. You can follow them to Glarthir’s house or wait for them to find him in the street. The guards will kill him on sight. While you don't get the 1,000 gold reward, you do gain a point of Fame and can still loot Glarthir’s house.

Hidden Value: Looting Glarthir’s Basement

Regardless of how the quest ends, Glarthir’s death is almost inevitable. His house, located near the West Gate, contains more than just common clutter.

After obtaining his key, head into his house and look for a wastebasket on the ground floor. Many players overlook this, but it often contains a significant amount of gold (up to 800 gold depending on the game version/level). His basement is also a goldmine for alchemists, filled with various ingredients and notes that further detail his descent into madness. Reading his journals provides a chilling context to the task you just completed.

Ethical Implications and Dark Brotherhood Synergies

The Oblivion Paranoia quest is frequently used by veteran players to kickstart the Dark Brotherhood questline. Because Glarthir’s targets are considered "innocents" by the game engine, killing them triggers the "Your killing has been observed by forces unknown" message.

However, if you are playing a heroic character, the best strategy is to take Glarthir's gold for the reports but then turn him in once he produces the List of Death. This allows you to keep the "investigation" fees without shedding innocent blood.

Critical Tips for the Remastered Experience

  1. Use the Wait Function: Don't waste real-world time following the NPCs. Once you have spoken to Glarthir and received a name, you can simply "Wait" until midnight the following day. The game will update the quest log as if you had performed the surveillance.
  2. Avoid Dion Initially: Captain Dion will approach you during the quest to warn you about Glarthir. While talking to him doesn't break the quest, it’s best to avoid him if you plan on following through with Glarthir’s "Evil" path to avoid unnecessary guard scrutiny.
  3. The Surilie Brothers' Influence: If you kill Davide but get caught, the Surilie brothers' influence in town might make the fine or jail time more severe. Always use stealth or wait for them to be in separate rooms.

In the grand scheme of the Elder Scrolls, the Oblivion Paranoia quest remains a standout because it doesn't involve world-ending stakes or ancient prophecies. It is a local story of mental illness, greed, and the shadow of the law in one of Cyrodiil's most beautiful cities. Whether you walk away as a wealthy assassin or a protector of the peace, the gold from Glarthir’s pockets is just as shiny.