You’re wandering through the Great Forest, maybe heading toward Chorrol to offload some loot, and you see it. Weatherleah. It’s just a ruined farmhouse, scorched and abandoned, but it kicks off one of the most mechanically simple yet narratively heavy quests in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Honestly, Sins of the Father Oblivion is exactly the kind of quest that makes people miss the writing of the mid-2000s. It doesn't rely on massive boss fights or world-ending stakes. Instead, it’s about a family legacy that’s basically a car wreck in slow motion.
Most players stumble into this because of the Jemane brothers. You likely met Reynald in Chorrol—the drunk who everyone thinks is someone else—and eventually reunited him with his twin, Guilbert. It’s a feel-good moment. You get them back to their family home, you kill some ogres, and you think that’s the end of the story. It isn't. A few days later, a Dunmer named Fathis Ules starts hanging around the Grey Mare asking questions. That’s when the real mess starts.
The Problem With Albert Jemane’s Legacy
Fathis Ules is a high-ranking member of the Thieves Guild, and he’s got a bit of a grudge. He tells you that the Jemane twins' father, Albert, wasn't just some humble farmer. He was a thief. And not just any thief—he stole something from the Thieves Guild that he was supposed to deliver to Fathis. This is where Sins of the Father Oblivion gets messy. You aren't just running an errand; you're deciding whether to clear a dead man's name or profit from his crimes.
The item in question is the Honorblade of Chorrol. It’s a beautiful weightless quest item (if you haven't finished the quest yet) that carries a lot of political weight in the city. Fathis wants it back. He claims it belongs to him, or at least his "associates." But the blade belongs to the Layton family, the rulers of Chorrol. This is the first fork in the road. Do you give the sword to the thief who says he was cheated, or do you take it back to the Castle?
Breaking Into Redguard Valley Cave
The actual gameplay loop here is classic Oblivion dungeoneering. You have to head to Redguard Valley Cave. It’s south of Chorrol. It’s damp. It’s full of Ogres. If you’re playing on a higher difficulty, these Ogres are absolute sponges. They will soak up your magicka and break your armor before you even see the Chieftain.
The Chieftain is the one holding the Honorblade. He’s usually tougher than the rest, but the real challenge isn't the fight—it's the choice you make after the body is looted. Honestly, the Honorblade is a fantastic weapon for mid-level characters. It’s an Ebony Longsword base with a static weight of zero as long as it's a quest item. Some players just... never finish the quest. They keep the sword. It’s a smart move if you’re struggling with carry weight, but it leaves the Jemane story hanging in a really unsatisfying way.
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Why Giving the Blade to Fathis Ules is a Trap
If you take the blade back to Fathis, he gives you a leveled amount of gold. At level 25+, that’s 1,500 gold. It’s fine. It’s whatever. But here is the kicker: if you do this, you effectively ruin your relationship with the Jemane brothers. They find out. They realize you chose the profit of a thief over the honor of their father.
They won't talk to you. They become "dispositions capped," meaning you can't even use Persuasion to fix it.
Furthermore, Fathis Ules is a Master Trainer in Security. If you choose to return the blade to the Castle instead of him, he gets extremely salty. He won't provide training. He won't even fence goods for you if you're in the Thieves Guild. It’s one of the few times in Oblivion where a side quest has actual, tangible consequences for your character’s progression. Most quests in Cyrodiil are self-contained bubbles. Not this one. Sins of the Father Oblivion forces you to choose between a Master Trainer and "doing the right thing."
The Reward for Being "Good"
If you take the Honorblade to the Castle Chorrol, the Countess (Arriana Valga) is thrilled. She gives you the Escutcheon of Chorrol.
Let’s be clear: the Escutcheon of Chorrol is arguably the best shield in the entire game. It has a permanent Reflect Damage enchantment. At level 25, that’s 35% Reflect Damage. Pair that with the Raiment of the Crimson Scar or some random loot with "Reflect" buffs, and you can literally stand still while enemies kill themselves hitting you. It is objectively better than the gold Fathis offers. It’s better than the Honorblade itself.
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But you lose the trainer. You lose the fence.
The Nuance Most People Miss
The title of the quest, Sins of the Father Oblivion, refers to the biblical idea that children suffer for the mistakes of their parents. Albert Jemane stole the sword. He died, and his sons grew up in poverty, separated and unaware of their heritage. When you show up, you’re the catalyst that either redeems that history or cements it.
There is a weird bit of lore here, too. Fathis Ules is actually the son of the "Big Bad" from the Thieves Guild questline in a different sense, or at least heavily implied to be connected to the broader underworld politics of the era. He’s not just a random NPC. His obsession with the blade suggests it wasn't just about the money; it was about the embarrassment of Albert Jemane getting one over on the guild.
When you return the blade to the brothers (via the Castle), they give you a collection of soul gems. It’s a modest gift. They aren't rich. They’re just farmers trying to rebuild Weatherleah. That contrast—the wealthy thief offering gold versus the poor brothers offering the only valuable things they own—is peak Bethesda storytelling. It’s subtle. It’s not a cutscene. It’s just... there.
How to Maximize the Quest Rewards
If you want the best possible outcome for your build, follow this specific logic. Do not finish this quest until you are at least Level 25.
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- Level 1-24: The Escutcheon of Chorrol is weaker. The Reflect Damage percentage scales with your level at the moment you receive the item. If you get it at level 10, it’s only 10% or so. That’s a waste of a top-tier artifact.
- The Trainer Loop: If you need Security training, get it from Fathis before you hand the blade to the Countess. Once you turn that sword in, he’s done with you.
- The Weightless Trick: If you are playing a low-strength build (like a pure Mage), keep the Honorblade in your inventory but don't turn it in. It’s a 0-weight Ebony sword. That is invaluable for backup defense when you’re low on magicka.
The Actual Steps to Completion
- Wait for the Message: You need to have finished "Separated at Birth" and "Legacy Lost" first.
- Talk to Fathis: He’s usually at the Grey Mare in Chorrol. He’ll tell you about Albert’s "debt."
- Redguard Valley Cave: Go in, kill the Ogres, loot the Chieftain.
- The Choice: * Option A: Give it to Fathis. You get gold. The Jemanes hate you.
- Option B: Give it to the Countess. You get the Escutcheon of Chorrol. The Jemanes give you soul gems. Fathis hates you.
- Talk to the Twins: Regardless of your choice, go back to Weatherleah to see the final dialogue.
Honestly, the "right" choice is almost always the Countess. The shield is a legendary piece of gear that makes the endgame significantly easier. The gold from Fathis is pocket change by the time you're mid-game.
The lasting impact of Sins of the Father Oblivion is how it colors your view of the Jemane family. You see them start as a tragedy, move to a reunion, and finally reach a point of closure. Or, if you’re playing a darker character, you see them as a resource to be exploited. That’s the beauty of Oblivion. The world doesn't care if you're a hero, but the NPCs definitely will.
Actionable Next Steps
Check your current level before heading to Redguard Valley Cave. If you are under Level 25, park this quest. The Escutcheon of Chorrol is too powerful to settle for a lower-level version. If you have already offended Fathis Ules and need Security training, head to the Imperial City and look for Mai'q the Liar (who occasionally has tips) or better yet, track down J'baana at the Imperial Prison District. He is the other master-level alternative if Fathis shuts you out.
Lastly, if you choose the "Good" path, make sure to visit Weatherleah once a week. The brothers don't offer more quests, but seeing the farm stay clear of Ogres is a rare bit of permanent world-state change that feels genuinely earned in the sprawling landscape of Cyrodiil.