Complete guide to the Following a Lead quest with expert tips for avoiding bugs and maximizing rewards
Quest Overview and Preparation
The Following a Lead quest represents a pivotal turning point in Oblivion Remastered’s Dark Brotherhood narrative arc, launching players into the fifth chapter where loyalty and betrayal collide. This investigation-focused mission tasks you with uncovering the identity of a Brotherhood traitor through careful observation and evidence gathering. While structurally straightforward compared to earlier assassination contracts, this quest carries significant consequences for your standing within the shadowy organization.
Before embarking on this investigation, experienced players recommend stocking up on lockpicks for the cellar exploration and ensuring your stealth skills are adequately developed. The recommended character level for this quest is 10+, though determined players can complete it earlier with proper preparation. Bringing along a reliable weapon for close-quarters combat proves essential when navigating the lighthouse basement areas.
Anvil Investigation: Finding the Traitor
Your investigation begins with instructions to surveil the next Dead Drop location in Anvil, where you’ll identify the individual responsible for the treachery. The city’s main gates serve as your primary landmark and fast travel destination, providing convenient access to the investigation site. From the gates, navigate northeast toward the waterfront district where you’ll find a distinctive mermaid statue adjacent to a body of water.
Position yourself in a concealed spot with clear visibility of the barrel positioned behind the statue. Your target, a Wood Elf named Enilroth, should approach this container to deposit the next assassination assignment. Optimal strategy involves waiting until he completes the drop to maximize your reward potential from the previous contract.
(Critical Bug Alert: Enilroth occasionally fails to spawn at the designated location due to a persistent game glitch. If he doesn’t appear within a few minutes, systematically search the perimeter around Anvil’s main entrance gates and adjacent streets. The Elf typically responds to interaction when found in these alternative locations and will provide the crucial information about the robed man residing beneath Anvil Lighthouse.)
When confronting Enilroth, utilize persuasion or intimidation tactics if your speechcraft skills permit, as this may yield additional information or monetary compensation. Always ensure you’ve collected the dead drop payment before initiating the confrontation to avoid missing out on Brotherhood funds.
Anvil Lighthouse Confrontation
Proceed directly to Anvil Lighthouse after extracting information from Enilroth, focusing your investigation on the upper levels where Ulfgar Fog-Eye patrols. Clearly identify yourself as a Dark Brotherhood operative when engaging him, which triggers his cooperation and provides access to the cellar key. This interaction cannot be bypassed through stealth or alternative dialogue choices.
Exit the lighthouse structure and carefully examine its exterior foundation for a wooden door leading to the basement entrance. Exercise caution when entering, as the cellar presents immediate combat challenges. The first secured door you encounter releases an aggressive canine upon opening, so have your preferred weapon readily equipped before proceeding.
Within the cellar chamber, you’ll discover the disturbing “Mother’s Head” artifact displayed prominently on a central table, with a lootable storage chest positioned opposite this macabre centerpiece. The critical evidence—Traitor’s Diary—appears as a distinctive green-covered book nearby. Thoroughly reading its contents reveals the deep-seated motivations behind the betrayal against Lucien Lachance and establishes narrative context for the Brotherhood’s internal conflicts.
Advanced players should thoroughly search the entire cellar area beyond the obvious items, as several hidden compartments contain additional loot and lore-expanding documents that enrich the Dark Brotherhood storyline.
Consequences and Advancement
After gathering conclusive evidence from the cellar, journey to Applewatch farmhouse located in the Bryma region to confront the aftermath of your investigation. Upon entering, you’ll discover the tragic fate of Lucien Lachance, executed by the Black Hand council under mistaken assumptions of his treachery. This narrative twist fundamentally alters your relationship with the Brotherhood hierarchy.
Your demonstrated loyalty throughout this investigation earns you promotion to the prestigious Speaker position, accompanied by the distinctive Black Hand Robe and Hood as tangible rewards. These items provide not only cosmetic distinction but also practical benefits for stealth-oriented gameplay approaches.
The concluding phase requires participating in a guidance ritual with Arquen during nighttime hours (approximately 3 AM game time). Selecting the “Night Mother” dialogue option and committing to visit her tomb completes Following a Lead while simultaneously initiating the subsequent quest, “Honor Thy Mother.” Ensure you’ve completed any unfinished business in the current location before triggering this transition.
This promotion significantly expands your influence within the Dark Brotherhood, unlocking new contract opportunities and altering how other members interact with your character throughout remaining storyline chapters.
Advanced Strategies and Optimization
Seasoned Oblivion players recommend several optimization approaches for this quest. Utilize the Wait function rather than manual waiting to ensure precise timing for the 3 AM ritual. The Chameleon spell or enchantments prove invaluable for maintaining stealth during the Anvil surveillance segment.
Common mistakes include triggering the quest transition too quickly without collecting all available loot, or failing to properly address the Enilroth spawn bug. Always create a manual save before entering the lighthouse cellar as the combat encounter can challenge unprepared characters.
For maximum efficiency, complete any Anvil-side quests simultaneously to minimize backtracking. The Mage’s Guild recommendation quest and Anvil’s Fighters Guild tasks can be accomplished during your investigation, providing additional experience and rewards.
Your new Black Hand gear provides 20% chameleon effect when worn as a set, making it exceptionally valuable for stealth characters. Consider enchanting these items further to maximize their combat or magical utility based on your character specialization.
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