You remember the first time you walked into the Market District and saw a Watchman shaking down a merchant? It felt gross. Even in 2006, the "Imperial Corruption" quest in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion was a standout moment because it wasn't about slaying a dragon or closing a literal gate to hell. It was about a dirty cop. Now, with the whispers and community projects surrounding an Oblivion Remastered Imperial Corruption experience, players are realizing that the quest hits way harder with modern graphics and updated AI.
The quest is basic on paper. You find out a captain of the Guard named Itius Hayn is looking for evidence against a corrupt officer, Hieronymus Lex—wait, no, it’s actually about Audens Avidius. Lex was just the guy obsessed with the Gray Fox. Avidius is the real piece of work. He’s the one shaking down shopkeepers like Jensine for "protection" money. It’s a classic tale of systemic rot in the heart of the Empire.
The Gritty Reality of Oblivion Remastered Imperial Corruption
When we talk about a "remastered" version of this specific questline, we aren't just talking about 4K textures on a guard’s cuirass. We’re talking about the atmosphere. In the original game, the Imperial City felt a bit like a stage play. The actors stood in their spots, said their lines, and went to bed. In a remastered context—especially with the fan-made "Skyblivion" project or high-end mod lists—the City feels lived-in.
Avidius isn't just a low-poly model anymore. You see the arrogance in the way he walks.
The quest starts when you talk to a few distressed NPCs in the Market District. Ruslan and Luronk gro-Lorkurz are the primary victims. They tell you Avidius has been stealing from them. If you’ve played Skyrim, you might expect a quest marker to just point you to a boss fight. Oblivion was different. It forced you to actually talk to people. You had to convince other guards to testify, which was a nightmare because of the "Blue Code" of silence.
Most players forget that you actually have to find another Watch Captain who isn't a crook. That’s where Itius Hayn comes in. But here’s the kicker: Hayn won't help you unless you have witnesses. Getting those witnesses to speak up is the core of the drama.
Why This Quest Matters More Than the Main Story
Honestly? Saving the world is boring.
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Fixing a neighborhood is interesting.
The Oblivion Remastered Imperial Corruption experience shines because it highlights the "Radiant AI" system that Bethesda hyped up so much back in the day. In a modern engine, seeing Avidius actually physically take items from a shop's inventory rather than just playing a canned animation adds a layer of immersion that the 2006 version only hinted at. It makes the player actually angry.
The Investigation Mechanics
- You hear the rumors from Jensine at "Jensine's Good as New Merchandise."
- You track down the two victims, Ruslan and Luronk.
- You have to raise their disposition. If they don't like you, they won't risk their necks.
- You find Itius Hayn, who is basically the Internal Affairs of the Third Era.
It’s a slow burn. It requires patience. In an era of gaming where everything is a dopamine-heavy looter-shooter, this kind of slow-paced detective work feels revolutionary again.
The Aftermath Nobody Expects
One of the coolest things about this quest—and something that looks incredible in a remastered setup—is the jailbreak. Most people think the quest ends when Avidius gets hauled off to the Bastille.
Nope.
If you wait ten in-game days, the guy escapes. He tracks you down. He’s stripped of his armor, wearing rags, and he’s absolutely lost his mind. He tries to kill you. It’s a scripted encounter that feels totally unscripted. Imagine that in a modern engine with dynamic lighting. You’re walking through the Waterfront at night, the fog is rolling off the Nibenay Basin, and suddenly this disgraced former captain jumps out of the shadows with a rusted dagger.
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It’s terrifying.
It also raises questions about the Imperial legal system. Why was it so easy for him to get out? Was he the only corrupt one, or did someone on the inside leave the door unlocked? The game never explicitly answers that, which is why we're still talking about it twenty years later.
Technical Hurdles of Remastering Corruption
Let's get real for a second. Remastering Oblivion isn't just about slapping a Reshade on it. The original game’s code is held together by digital duct tape and prayer. When modders or developers look at Oblivion Remastered Imperial Corruption, they have to deal with the way the game handles "factions."
In the original engine, if you attacked Avidius while he was still a guard, the entire city would swarm you. Even if he was committing a crime! The game prioritized faction membership over moral behavior. A true remaster needs to fix the "crime reporting" logic. If a guard is corrupt, other guards should theoretically help the player arrest him, provided the evidence is there.
We’ve seen some progress here with the "NAVO" (Navigation Mesh Optimization) updates in modern modding tools. These allow NPCs to move more naturally through the crowded Market District streets, making the chase sequences much less janky.
How to Experience the Best Version of This Quest Right Now
If you aren't waiting for an official Bethesda release—which, let's be honest, could be years away—you have a few options to get that remastered feel today.
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- Skyblivion: This is the big one. It’s a total conversion mod for Skyrim that recreates all of Cyrodiil. Their work on the Imperial City guard armor is stunning.
- The "Through the Valleys" Modlist: This is a "Vanilla Plus" list that keeps the original feel but fixes the bugs and scales the difficulty properly.
- Wabbajack Lists: Specifically "Heartland." It’s a one-click install that brings the graphics up to 2024/2025 standards without breaking the soul of the game.
When you play through the Oblivion Remastered Imperial Corruption questline on a modern rig, pay attention to the sound design. The way the heavy boots of the guards clank against the cobblestones of the Elven Gardens District. It creates a sense of oppression. You feel like the law is a weight, not a shield.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re jumping back into Cyrodiil to take down Audens Avidius, do these things to make the experience better:
Don't fast travel. Walk from the Market District to the Prison District. It makes the city feel massive and intimidating, which fits the theme of fighting a corrupt system.
Wear civilian clothes. If you're wearing full Daedric armor, the "detective" vibe of the quest is ruined. Put on some middle-class linen and blend in. It makes the confrontation with Avidius feel more personal and dangerous.
Wait for the ambush. Don't just forget about the quest once you get your reward. Keep an eye over your shoulder. The revenge encounter is the best part of the whole narrative arc.
The enduring appeal of the "Imperial Corruption" quest isn't the loot. You don't get a legendary sword or a pile of gold. You get the satisfaction of cleaning up a city. In a world of gods and demons, sometimes the most memorable villain is just a guy with a badge and a greedy heart. That’s why we’re still playing, still modding, and still obsessing over every detail of this game.
Go talk to Jensine. Start the investigation. Just make sure you're ready for when he comes back for his revenge. It’s never as simple as just putting someone behind bars.