Oblivion talk:Taking Care of Lex

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Armour in chest[edit]

Is the armour in the chest next to the desk levelled? is it always ebony? I thought the tip might not be correct - will check. --MacFodder 21:52, 11 February 2007 (EST)

If it's the chest identified as the "Legion Commander's Chest", then it is indeed leveled loot, although potentially pretty good loot (magic weapon: 25% chance, 2 non-magic weapons: 75% chance each, magic armor: 25%, 2 non-magic armor: 75%). --Nephele 23:25, 11 February 2007 (EST)

Where is this chest you guys are describing located? --Obliviongamer 20:33, 3 July 2011 (UTC)

Bug[edit]

Just wanted to note that I ran into the bug where the Stranger keeps telling me not to bother him, even after a day has passed.

I managed to get around it by simply talking to him about other topics that I had previously talked to him about. Once I did that, he asked for his fee and the quest proceeded as normally.

I am on the 360 and playing an unpatched game. 24.76.38.139 17:53, 26 January 2007 (EST) auntymo

I'm having that problem too,i've tried attacking him and apologize and doing another quest + sleeping for 4/5 days, and he brushes me away saying "Don't bother me." still. halp? Caboose 14:16, 21 January 2008 (EST)
I also experienced this problem, no matter how long I waited, but after visiting Temple of the Ancestor Moths (literally stepping inside) I returned to the stranger and he finally asked for the fee. Not sure whether this will have undesired consequences but it seems to have resumed the quest to normal so far. --81.153.141.253 20:59, 28 March 2009 (EDT)

i had to do the quest a few times because the stranger would glitch and not give me the list. i was opening the passage before the dude did and not waiting for my journal update, so i didnt get the quest marker telling me where the desk was. when i waited for him to open it i got a quest marker to the desk and i got the letter and went to the stranger and got caught by the gurads for killing after i gave him the list and i paid the fine and waited a day and he asked for my 500 gold. if this is confusing just ask and ill try to re-word it Lindenbrock 16:09, 10 October 2010 (UTC)

Clarification[edit]

- An alternative which worked for me was to travel to Anvil, before talking to the beggars I waited until night-time and then asked about the forger. Who was then found in the abandoned house and happy to help. — Unsigned comment by 62.6.158.177 (talk)

This comment was added to the quest page 20:02, February 10, 2007. Clarification is needed: what is the original problem for which this is the solution? It also needs to be reformatted taken out of first-person perspective. --GuildKnight 19:38, 13 February 2007 (EST)

I have tried all these solutions and none of them have worked if you can show any other ways that would be so helpfull!

Giving the forged letter to Dairihill[edit]

What exactly will happen to the quest if you deliver the new set of orders to Dairihill instead of the Countess. In the Notes section, the author states that they think it would be a bad idea. I'd be more curious as to what the author knows, not thinks. — Unsigned comment by 192.91.171.42 (talk)

Asked and answered: the note has been updated :) --Nephele 19:37, 23 February 2007 (EST)

Bug[edit]

Whenever I go to get the Legionairre's stamp after getting the forged list, I am unable to do so because it is not in the chest! I have tried many different things, such as going at different times of the day and placing the list in the chest (I am unable to do so because you cannot drop quest items.) I am curious if it is because I have fufilled the Dark Brotherhood Quest "Permanent Retirement," where you must put Phillada's finger in the Legionarre's desk. Has anyone else had this issue? Help would be appreciated. (This is on a patched 360 version)


(this may only be on the ps3) i found the legionarres stamp to be on the desk, and not in the chest, so i dont think it matters weather you complete the dark brotherhood Quest "permanent retirement" (if you have completed this quest though, the finger will still be where you left it. p.s i took the finger back out and i got a quest update telling me to put it back and report to skrivva)

in the Bugs Section[edit]

"Although a player may find The Stranger's house and the green marker indicating his presence will be on the map, he may not actually be in his house. This bug is confirmed on the Xbox 360 version of Oblivion. This bug occurs when a player explores the Temple of Ancestor Moth before getting the "Turning a Blind Eye" quest. In order to get The Stranger to appear, you will need to resume and complete the "Turning a Blind Eye" quest.";
How exactly does one complete "Turning a Blind Eye" in order to free up "Taking Care of Lex" when "...Blind Eye" is the quest you get after completing "Taking Care..."? — Unsigned comment by 192.91.171.36 (talk)
I'd already deleted that comment once for exactly that reason, but someone decided to come along and try adding it back in again. I have yet again deleted it and gone back to the earlier version of the bug description. If anyone who understands this comment would care to provide some input on how this suggestion is supposed to help players complete this quest, I'd welcome the information. But otherwise, I really don't see why a suggestion saying "do the impossible then the quest will be fixed" should be added to the article. --NepheleTalk 13:18, 9 May 2007 (EDT)
This is also referenced in the Bugs section of Turning a Blind Eye. I'm not sure, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that, if you explore the Temple before reaching this quest (indeed, even without being in the Thieves Guild!) you'll get the quest added to your active quests when you hit one of the scripted quest log entries. Thus, it may be possible to start this quest, trigger a log entry for the other, and actually be able to complete the other quest before completing this one. I haven't tested this, and can't immediately find support documentation, so treat this as pure speculation for now. DisplacedAvenger 14:08, 11 June 2007 (EDT)
I can personally verify that I had "Turning a Blind Eye" flagged before I had even joined the guild! (the Gray Fox would just ignore me). I did get the bug, and finishing this quest resolved it.

IN PC I had the same issue with the stranger missing when I was suppose to find him to forge the letter. The arrow was green yet he was not in the room, even after a week. This is due to starting "Turning a Blind Eye" prematurely. However, it was already complete in my case and he was still gone. The ONLY fix that I found for this is to make him appear by typing this in the ~ menu: player.placeatme 0000A2A5. This continues with the storyline once you talk to him, I have yet to find any issues with this route of correction.

S'Krivva bug on PS3[edit]

Found a solution to this. If the marker point to the Lonely Suitor Lodge and she's not there. Go to her original house in the morning or afternoon (not breaking in at night) Emjayx 13:45, 11 June 2007 (EDT)

More Unconfirmed Bugs[edit]

If you get killed while trying to complete the very first task for Grey Fox then it deletes your saved game data and moves you back to the staff quest.

Can anyone explain what this bug means? How does any bug delete your saved game data? I don't know of any game bug that starts deleting files on your hard drive. And how does it then move you back to the "staff quest"? Which quest is even being referred to by the "staff quest"? Finally, how does this even relate to this quest, namely "Taking Care of Lex"? This isn't the first task completed for the Gray Fox. --NepheleTalk 22:12, 11 July 2007 (EDT)

I would say it is untrue and unlikely Caboose 14:16, 21 January 2008 (EST)

Dahillra[edit]

When i was trying to hand the letter to the countess she wouldnt accept then i handed it to dahillra she gave me 20 gold and my quest doesnt get updated? where could i retireve the letter again and also i dont have it saved before doing this so im tottaly boned. HELP — Unsigned comment by 68.34.208.9 (talk)

Perhaps you could try reading the article first? For example the Notes section where it already states that if you give the letter to Dairihill you need to steal it back from her. Reading the article allows you to get your answer right away instead of waiting a week and saves us the trouble of repeating ourselves endlessly.... --NepheleTalk 00:40, 11 February 2008 (EST)

Taking Care of Lex[edit]

I spoke to him before I started this quest.. he hasn't forged the letter as I can't find him to ask him to do it.. I've tried waiting and have done other quests for a few days but nothing changes. I can't find him in the audience chamber of the castle either.. any ideas? It's the 360 version, thanks. Bella

If you are referring to the stranger, then you should ask the beggars and they will lead you to him. --Obliviongamer 20:35, 3 July 2011 (UTC)

Bug on PS3, very annoyed[edit]

while playing on the ps3, i always seem to come to this quest and find that the seal isnt there, ive made about 4 or 5 characters to get past it, but the seal just isnt in the commanders chest or whatever its called. any ideas to help? i dont have an account for the wiki, but im clouddyl

The seal isn't in the commander's chest, or in any chest for that matter. As it says in the article, "The seal for the letter is on top of the desk." --NepheleTalk 23:55, 29 March 2008 (EDT)


I have had the same problem for 1 out of three quests I do just no markers s it a glitch if so how can I fix it? -Zay

Bug Fix Answer[edit]

If you cant even find the stranger dude at all then it may be because you have started but not finished the "Boots of Springheel Jak" quest


Finish that and he will be there.

"Taking Care of Lex" blacksmith????[edit]

for some odd reason, when i go to the smithy place, the green arrow is there but he isnt. i think i may have killed him but it would have just made him unconcious right? someone help?


sometimes i get there and see him comming out of the door behind the counter try going through there and looking for him, he may be stuck on a door or something Lindenbrock 16:12, 10 October 2010 (UTC)

Stop bothering me![edit]

Even after I wait 24 hours, and I don't talk to The Stranger before it should be ready, he keeps telling me to stop bothering him. Even after attacking and yielding, then paying my fine and another 24 hours he won't give me the letter.

Same bug here, can't get the letter. Ever figured out anything? — Unsigned comment by 65.126.113.13 (talk)
Check the Bugs secction. --Wizy 21:03, 29 November 2010 (UTC)

Amusing[edit]

I find it amusing that after telling Hieronymus he's been reassigned and leaving the dialogue. He may say "Maybe fate will be kind and deliver him to me in Anvil" or something along those lines This is (in my opinion) a clever reference to the Gray Fox's true identity.— Unsigned comment by Critchell (talkcontribs) at 22:12 on 23 July 2009

I think he's referring to the fact that he hopes The Gray Fox might show up in Anvil once, so that he can catch him. That The Gray Fox is actually Count Umbranox is purely coincidental in my point of view. He could be resigned to Cheydinhal for that matter and say the same thing. Wolok gro-Barok 22:44, 23 July 2009 (UTC)
Yes but remember his dialogue was written by the designers who knew what the eventual outcome would be. Critchell 23:37, 23 July 2009 (UTC)

Moved from article[edit]

Moved from main article in case someone follows up on the conversation.Eshetalk 01:08, 28 August 2009 (UTC)

Hey i have a question i am unable to find the stranger the path to him seems to be blocked by a barricaded place...please..reply — Unsigned comment by 92.239.18.78 (talk)

Trouble opening the locked door to the room that contains the seal?[edit]

The seal is not in the dining hall with all the food on the tables. It is on the table inside one of the locked doors. The lock was at "hard" or "very hard" level and I couldn't get it to open (I'm low on security). Then a guard came in (with plated armor), ignored me and opened the door! I have 100 sneak and was sneaking, but the sneaking eye was lighted up and he definitely saw me. I don't know why he ignored me. He walked in the sat on the chair in front of the desk. I decided I wasn't taking anymore chance so I stayed in a corner and waited. A while later he got up and left. I was left alone so I went over the desk and put the seal on my forged letter.

I was surprised that he ignored me because earlier when I tried to get into the dining hall, a jailor sat right at a table in front of me and tried to arrest me. I loaded a previous save and waited 2 hours outside (until it's around 11pm) and went in again, then the dining hall was empty.

If that makes any difference, I'm playing on ps3. — Unsigned comment by Cabbit (talkcontribs) at 08:29 on 25 October 2009

its probably because you didnt open the door, that wuold be breaknig and entering and that of course is illegal, since he opened the door for you you didnt really do anything wrong so thay cant arrest you for that — Unsigned comment by Lindenbrock (talkcontribs) at 19:56 on 12 October 2010

Lady Umbranox Won't Talk[edit]

Lady umbranox wont talk 2 me cuz she says she only will discuss the matter in da great hall :( help me — Unsigned comment by 65.103.208.114 (talk) on 21 March 2010

Assuming you are in the great hall, leave the castle and come back after waiting 24 hours when it is daytime and she is sitting on her throne.--Arch-Mage MattTalk 18:10, 21 March 2010 (UTC)

Stranger Glitch, Need Help[edit]

I was wondering if there was any way to fix this on the 360 (Along with the Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isle patches). I completed the Turning a Blind Eye quest before this one, and I have already started Arrow of Extrication, so the stranger won't show up until I complete this quest, but I don't get the right rank and I can't complete The Ultimate Heist because of this. So if anyone can help me I would appreciate it --REsoleSurvivor1000 23:25, 18 April 2010 (PST)

Clicky. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Turning_a_Blind_Eye#Bugs
Please don't top-post. It makes a mess of the chronology. — Unsigned comment by Aliana (talkcontribs) on 19 April 2010

Meeting the Stranger Again[edit]

(moved from the article)

It says wait a day but sometimes you will need to wait about a week. Always save game before you speak to The Stranger again.

You never have to meet more than a day, but sometimes the Stranger wanders off. Try waiting an extra hour or two. And you should always save at sensible intervals. rpeh •TCE 14:46, 17 August 2010 (UTC)

Messenger AI Bug?[edit]

Does anyone know the circumstances of why you should go directly to the Imperial City to avoid AI bugs with Methredhel tracking down the player? TG08MethredhelFindPC is her highest priority AI pack and I can't see any issues with the conditions on it. Arthmoor 06:15, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

guard glitch?[edit]

i stole the letter a few times (reloaded a gamesave) and each time i was seen so i resisted arrest and ran to the passage and closed it, and the guards couldnt open it, anyone know why? Lindenbrock 15:49, 10 October 2010 (UTC)

wtf PLEASE HELP[edit]

cant get any qurst markers and dont know where to go pleae help!

Moved Bug[edit]

  • If you close the movable pillar in the secret passage, you will become trapped. There is no way out

I'll test this in a second. I don't remember anything like this when I last did it though and I always close the entrance before continuing through the tunnel. --AKB Talk 16:52, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

It's not true: you can open the door from either side. It takes a little while after closing before you can open it again though - just a few seconds. rpeh •TCE 16:55, 20 February 2011 (UTC)
Yeah I just tested it too, both of the passage entrances open and close from both sides. Better safe than sorry though right? --AKB Talk 16:57, 20 February 2011 (UTC)

Follow Lex for fun and profit[edit]

The 2nd Note on Separated at Birth can also be applied here - After giving Lex his transfer orders he'll run to Anvil, and he's still marked essential (and a bit stronger than Guilbert as well). He follows the road, and I noticed there seemed to be far fewer enemy spawns in comparison to Separated at Birth, but there was still loot to be obtained. I would be curious, because I only saw enemies (monsters, and a few bandits) when there was another NPC in the area, a townsperson or patrolling guard, so maybe the spawns are disabled for Lex's trip or something... I also used him for some Sneak training, but that's not unique.

I didn't follow him all the way to Anvil, so I don't know when exactly he stops being essential - upon entering town, maybe? (Edit: or maybe after talking to S'Krivva to actually finish the quest?) If you want him to stay alive in Anvil, save often I'd say, because as strong as he is, he did fall unconscious a few times (did it at lvl 20, PS3 GOTY, stopped before Kvatch to avoid the storyline). 71.112.202.109 10:49, 18 April 2011 (UTC)

Moved note.[edit]

  • You can only speak to the Countess about the letter when she is in the "Throne Room", else you will likely be trespassing, leading to her and guards being aggressive towards you. Just wait in front of the throne from 10 AM.

Again common knowledge isn't this ? JackTurbo95 18:36, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Definitely. --Krusty 20:24, 19 April 2011 (UTC)

Reward[edit]

Isn't the reward 1000 septims? I know you have to pay 500 for the forged letter but saying 500 septims as a reward is misleading. Maybe it could say "500 gold plus expenses" as a reward. --Obliviongamer 20:41, 3 July 2011 (UTC)

It says that in the article. Elliot (talk) 20:46, 3 July 2011 (UTC)

Getting the seal[edit]

The article says you can get inside the building from the dining hall next door, but there is no dining hall on the map. Is it referring to the door to the right of the one the quest marker is on? They are both titled the same thing. It might be worth clarifying in the article, and also mentioning that this door has a very hard lock. I find the one the quest marker is at impossible to enter without getting caught, as the sneaking crosshair is lit up even at 100 skill due to the guard standing next to the main gate.

I found that talking to the guard at the main gate from his back will get him to turn around, so that you can run and pick the lock on the door without being seen.

stranger gone[edit]

I got the letter and talked to a begged which led me to abandoned house. Stranger is not there. Waited for 3days and still not there. Where is he? This is ps3 version.zz — Unsigned comment by 68.9.184.134 (talk) at 21:52 on 11 December 2011

He sometimes waits around in Bruma Castle during the mornings. Kitkat TalkContribE-mail 21:57, 11 December 2011 (UTC)
If you have trouble finding him, make sure this quest is active and follow the marker.RIM 21:59, 11 December 2011 (UTC)