The Sins of the Father quest in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion presents players with a moral dilemma involving family heritage and stolen artifacts. Triggered after completing the Killing Field quest, this storyline forces adventurers to choose between returning a stolen relic to its rightful owners or selling it for profit. Navigating this quest requires understanding the locations, key non-player characters, and long-term rewards involved.
Starting the Quest in Chorrol
To begin the quest, travel to Chorrol after resolving the issues at Weatherleah for the Jamane brothers. A Dunmer named Fathis Ules will approach you to discuss the legacy of Albert Jamane, the late father of Guilbert and Reynald. He reveals that Albert was an infamous thief who stole a valuable heirloom from Castle Chorrol many years ago.
Fathis requests that you recover the stolen item, known as the Honorblade of Chorrol, from a nearby dungeon. Accepting his offer marks the quest in your journal and provides a direction toward Redguard Valley Cave. Before setting out, ensure your character is properly equipped for combat against ogres and other dangerous creatures.
Retrieving the Honorblade
Head south of Chorrol to locate Redguard Valley Cave, where the Honorblade is currently held. The cave is inhabited by aggressive ogres, including a powerful ogre chieftain carrying the weapon. Defeating the chieftain allows you to search its body and claim the Honorblade of Chorrol.
The Honorblade itself is a potent weightless quest item that deals substantial physical damage. Because it functions as a weightless weapon while the quest remains active, some players choose to delay completing the quest. However, finalizing the quest requires deciding who should receive the iconic blade.
Choosing Between Fathis Ules and Castle Chorrol
Once the sword is in your possession, you must decide whether to return it to Fathis Ules or the Castle Chorrol herald. Handing the weapon over to Fathis Ules nets a substantial gold reward based on your character level. However, choosing this path prevents Fathis from acting as a Thieves Guild fence in Chorrol later in the game.
Alternatively, you can take the Honorblade directly to Laythe Wavrick inside Castle Chorrol to restore the realm's honor. Returning the artifact grants you the Escutcheon of Chorrol, a powerful shield with strong damage reflection enchantments. Most experienced players prefer the shield due to its exceptional defensive bonuses in late-game scenarios.
Key Takeaways and Final Recommendations
Completing Sins of the Father cleanly resolves the narrative surrounding the Jamane family line. Your choice ultimately depends on whether your character values immediate gold or powerful defensive equipment. Evaluating your playstyle before handing over the Honorblade ensures the optimal outcome for your hero.
