In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, players are immersed in a richly detailed world filled with political intrigue, magical secrets, and challenging quests. One particularly memorable figure in the game is Hieronymus Lex, a rigid and honorable Imperial Watch captain stationed in the Imperial City. Known for his relentless pursuit of the elusive Gray Fox, leader of the Thieves Guild, Lex becomes both an obstacle and a tool in one of the game’s most pivotal questlines. For those who wish to complete the Thieves Guild quests, learning how to convince Hieronymus Lex to act in your favor is critical. Understanding the mechanics, narrative context, and persuasive steps required will help players navigate this key moment in Oblivion’s story.
Who is Hieronymus Lex?
Lex’s Role in the Imperial Watch
Captain Hieronymus Lex is a devoted officer of the Imperial Watch, patrolling the Elven Gardens District. His sense of justice is unwavering, and he holds a deep, often obsessive, hatred for the Thieves Guild and their enigmatic leader, the Gray Fox. This makes him a thorn in the side of thieves and lawbreakers, but also a potential pawn in their larger schemes.
Lex’s character is driven by law and order. He believes in the rule of law to such an extent that he is blind to political manipulation, making him an ideal target for exploitation. Convincing Lex to make certain decisions during the Thieves Guild questline is less about appealing to his emotions and more about tricking him into believing he is serving justice.
The Significance of Convincing Lex
Context Within the Thieves Guild Questline
Players encounter the challenge of influencing Hieronymus Lex during the later stages of the Thieves Guild missions. In particular, the quest titled The Ultimate Heist the final Thieves Guild quest depends on Lex being moved to a different location. The Gray Fox needs Lex to be distracted and removed from the Imperial City Watch in order to carry out the heist without interference.
To accomplish this, players must complete the preceding quest, Turning a Blind Eye, and then move forward with The Boots of Springheel Jak and The Elven Maiden. These quests help build credibility with the Thieves Guild and set the stage for manipulating Lex during The Ultimate Heist.
Steps to Convince Hieronymus Lex
Obtaining the Forged Letter
To influence Lex, the Gray Fox instructs the player to deliver a forged letter from Lady Armandia Lex, claiming that Lex has been reassigned to Anvil. This fabricated order is central to the deception and is part of the quest The Ultimate Heist. Here’s what you need to do:
- Complete the prerequisite questsin the Thieves Guild questline to reach The Ultimate Heist.
- Receive the forged letterfrom the Gray Fox, allegedly written by Lex’s superior officer.
- Infiltrate the Imperial Palaceand place the forged letter in the desk of Chancellor Ocato’s steward to make it look legitimate.
By planting the letter in the steward’s desk, you ensure the command looks official when Lex receives it. This is an act of subtle manipulation rather than a direct conversation or persuasion attempt.
Lex’s Reaction
After you successfully plant the letter, Lex receives it and believes it to be a legitimate order from the Elder Council. Being the dutiful officer he is, Lex immediately leaves the Imperial City to report to Anvil, just as the Gray Fox planned. This absence removes him from the city and allows the Guild to proceed with their final heist.
Importantly, you never need to directly persuade Lex. The key to convincing him lies in understanding his lawful nature and exploiting it through deception. Lex trusts in the hierarchy and command chain of the Empire. The forged letter appears official, and that’s all it takes for him to obey.
Why This Mission Matters
A Turning Point in the Game
The act of misleading Hieronymus Lex is a crucial moment in Oblivion’s Thieves Guild story arc. It represents the culmination of stealth, planning, and long-term manipulation. The mission is an example of how Oblivion allows players to affect the game world through creative quest mechanics instead of just brute force.
Players who are invested in the lore and political structure of Cyrodiil will appreciate how this mission uses social engineering and forged documentation as a gameplay mechanic. It also further develops the theme that even the most righteous characters can be misled when the system they trust is exploited.
Lex’s Fate
Once relocated to Anvil, Lex remains there indefinitely, essentially sidelined from the central power struggles of the Imperial City. This quiet exile is the price he pays for his unwavering faith in law and order ironically used against him.
Later in the game, if the player achieves the rank of Guildmaster, Lex may eventually be reinstated into the Watch under new leadership. This serves as a form of poetic justice or redemption, depending on how the player views his character arc.
Tips for Success
Avoid Confrontation
Trying to talk directly to Hieronymus Lex or persuade him through speechcraft won’t work for this quest. The mission relies entirely on indirect manipulation, so don’t waste time looking for dialogue options that aren’t there. Stick to the mission plan.
Use Stealth Efficiently
When planting the forged letter, make sure to use stealth to avoid detection. Entering the Imperial Palace is risky, and getting caught may complicate your mission or cause you to fail. Bring invisibility spells or potions if needed.
Double-Check Quest Steps
The Thieves Guild quests are layered and involve multiple steps. Make sure you’ve completed all necessary quests before attempting The Ultimate Heist. Skipping ahead or rushing the process may lock you out of the proper sequence required to manipulate Lex.
Thematic Depth of the Lex Manipulation
Morality and Deception
This part of the questline raises interesting moral questions. Hieronymus Lex is not a villain; he’s doing what he believes is right. But to achieve your goals as a member of the Thieves Guild, you must betray that trust. The manipulation is clean, strategic, and bloodless yet it has far-reaching consequences.
Oblivion’s narrative strength lies in these morally gray decisions. By convincing Lex through trickery, you don’t just complete a quest you change the world around you through action and consequence. The success of the final heist depends entirely on this single act of political forgery.
Convincing Hieronymus Lex in Oblivion is less about charm and more about strategy. By understanding his unwavering faith in the Imperial system, players can exploit that belief to remove him from power at a critical time. This moment is not just a clever quest solution but a reflection of Oblivion’s commitment to immersive storytelling. The act of forging a letter and influencing a righteous officer without ever speaking to him directly is a masterclass in subtle narrative design. For players pursuing the Thieves Guild storyline, manipulating Lex is both a strategic challenge and a storytelling triumph that demonstrates the complexity and depth of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.