Summary
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis best known for its core gameplay mechanics, like its shouts, sneak system, and spells. However, players can also discover and unlock other useful features when they complete quests or join factions. For example, if they join a guild inSkyrim, like the Companions or The Dark Brotherhood, they can earn a consistent income by doing radiant quests after they’ve finished the faction’s main questline. These are also available in the Thieves Guild, but this organization has another more interesting feature that makes finding and taking loot so much easier.
The Thieves Guild is one of the oldestjoinable factions in Skyrim, and inThe Elder Scrollsin general. It’s survived for so long despite being an organization dedicated to crime because some local authorities have accepted its existence as a crime regulator. It also binds members to a code of conduct that prohibits them from robbing each other, killing while thieving, and robbing the less fortunate. Rulebreakers are expelled without question and will be ordered to pay reparations if they want to rejoin the guild.
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Skyrim’s Shadowmarks are an Overlooked Feature That Makes Thieving a Breeze
Loyal and keen members also gain access to features that make them more skilled thieves, like itsDaedric patron Nocturnal’s blessingand the knowledge of Shadowmarks. Shadowmarks are symbols that the members of the Thieves Guild carve onto buildings to communicate messages to its members. Players can find the legend for the marks in a book created by fellow guild member Delvin Mallory.
Copies of Shadowmarks can only be found when one is far enough inSkyrim’s Thieves Guild questlinethat they have access to The Ragged Flagon’s Cistern. Players can find multiple copies of the book near their designated sleeping area here. There are nine marks in total, but some are more useful than others.
Useful Shadowmarks Players Should Look Out for in Skyrim
The most basic symbol is “Safe.” This denotes that the establishment is a safe place for guild members to loot, as previous members have made it easier to access by either finding an alternative route or clearing traps. Unfortunately, these are quite uncommon and don’t offer a haven for players when they’re being chased by guards.
A more useful and common symbol is “Guild.” lt tells the player that the establishment belongs to the guild or the nearby NPC is friendly with the faction. Players usually find this in the alternate entrance/exit to the guild’s cistern nearRiften’sHall of the Dead.
Another great mark to look out for is “Loot,” which is denoted by a striped square within a circle. This is a guarantee that there are valuable items inside or near an establishment. On the other side of the spectrum, the “Danger” mark tells players that the building may not be worth looting, as someone in constant patrol of the area is hostile to visitors. Some may find it a challenge to rob such establishments and come out unscathed.
Players who end up doing time can escape their captors by looking for the “Escape” mark, which usually has a triangle pointing at an escape route. These have novice locks that the player can easily open with the one lockpick they get when they go to jail. This is significantly more viable than trying to pick the main lock or doing time for one’s crime.
What’s great about these Shadowmarks is that players can utilize them even if they aren’t part of the guild. They just have to knowwhat every Shadowmark inSkyrimmeansto make use of them. However, people who are part of the guild still have a huge advantage when using these marks because they have access to items and trainers that improve their lockpicking and sneaking significantly. As such, they’ll have an easier time looting and escaping capture.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
