Not every quest makes the Dragonborn a hero. In Markarth, the Thalmor Justiciar Ondolemar is determined to stamp out Talos worship, and he has his eye on Ogmund. The Jarl refuses to arrest him without proof, so Ondolemar asks you to go and find some. It is a quick burglary in the Reach with a generous payout, and a few lasting consequences for your relationship with the Thalmor.
How to start
- Speak with Ondolemar in Understone Keep in Markarth.
- He explains that his mission is to root out Talos worship in the city, and that the Jarl is reluctant to act against Ogmund. Agree to find evidence.
Walkthrough
1. Find evidence of Talos worship
The proof is Ogmund’s Amulet of Talos, kept in a wooden chest at the far end of Ogmund’s House. Taking it counts as theft, so plan the job:
- Wait until about 7 or 8 in the morning, when Ogmund leaves home. Breaking in while he is there is far riskier.
- The front door has a Novice lock. Pick it while sneaking and undetected, or have the Quick Hands perk so that picking locks is not noticed.
- Grab the amulet from the chest and leave quietly.
2. Deliver the amulet
Bring the Amulet of Talos back to Ondolemar to collect your payment.
Rewards
Leveled gold, based on your level at completion:
- Level 1 to 9: 400 gold
- Level 10 to 19: 600 gold
- Level 20 to 29: 800 gold
- Level 30 to 39: 1000 gold
- Level 40 and up: 1200 gold
On top of the gold, Ondolemar becomes your friend, which lets you enter the Thalmor Headquarters in Understone Keep without trespassing. Items there can then be taken freely and the beds are no longer owned.
Tips and notes
- The quest can fail. If the Stormcloaks take Markarth, either in the Civil War or through Season Unending, it fails automatically, and the same happens if Ogmund is killed. If either occurs before you meet Ondolemar, the quest never becomes available.
- This quest matters for Diplomatic Immunity. Having completed it, together with a Speech skill of 50, lets you ask Ondolemar to create the distraction during that quest.
- The order matters for Ondolemar’s mood. Do this quest after Diplomatic Immunity and he ends up treating you as a friend. Do it first and then Diplomatic Immunity, and he will look down on you afterwards.
- Even though Ondolemar is only posted to Markarth, helping him counts as helping the people of the Reach when you are working toward becoming Thane of the Reach.
- Ondolemar promises Ogmund will be dealt with, but Ogmund is never actually arrested.
- Unused content suggests you were once meant to be able to warn Ogmund and give the amulet back to him instead, but no dialogue for this exists in the game.
