Skeleton Key in Oblivion
The Skeleton Key is found in “The Depths of the Abyss” quest in “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.” It is located within the Nocturnal shrine in the Twilight Sepulcher. This unique lockpick grants the user the ability to unlock any door without failure. It symbolizes loyalty to Nocturnal, the Daedric Prince of Darkness. Obtaining it requires completing a series of challenging tasks.

Lockpicking in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion can feel like a pain, especially when you’re constantly breaking those pesky lockpicks. Fortunately, there’s a game-changer item that can help you out: the Skeleton Key. If you’re tired of failing locks, listen up—this is going to make your life a whole lot easier.
What’s the Skeleton Key?
The Skeleton Key is an unbreakable lockpick that boosts your Security skill by 40 points. This means you can get into almost any locked door without the risk of breaking a pick! Just spam the auto-attempt button, and voila—you’re in. The best part? It never breaks, giving you unlimited attempts to unlock that treasure you’ve been eyeing.
How to Get the Skeleton Key in Oblivion
To snag the Skeleton Key, you need to complete a unique Daedric quest called Nocturnal. Don’t sweat it; you can start this quest as soon as you hit level 10.
Step 1: Head to Leyawiin
First, make your way to Leyawiin, located in southern Cyrodiil near the coast. Once you’re there, find the Nocturnal Shrine just north of the city. To kick off the quest, you need to recover the stolen Eye of Nocturnal.
Step 2: Investigate the Thieves
Upon arriving in Leyawiin, your main suspects are two Argonians: Weebam-Na and Bejeen. Start your search at Weebam-Na’s house. They’ll totally deny having the Eye, but sneak around and eavesdrop on them. If you’re not stealthy enough, chug an invisibility potion or cast a spell to stay hidden.
Once you overhear them, they’ll spill the beans that the Eye is located at Tidewater Cave southeast of Leyawiin.

Step 3: Navigate Through Tidewater Cave
Tidewater Cave isn’t too challenging, even at level 10. Expect to encounter some trolls and low-level enemies, but you can easily handle them. Stay focused on your mission!
Keep turning left until you reach a flooded tunnel with a chest submerged in water. You’ll find the Eye of Nocturnal glowing right next to that chest. Grab it!

Step 4: Return to Nocturnal’s Shrine
You can either keep searching the cave or head back to deliver the Eye at the Nocturnal Shrine. Once you return the artifact, it’s reward time! You’ll receive the Skeleton Key, which means stress-free lockpicking from here on out.
Quick Console Command for the Skeleton Key
If you’re the kind of player who wants things fast and easy, you can skip the entire quest using a simple console command:
- Press the tilde (
~) key to open the command line. - Type
player.additem 0000000b 1and hit Enter.
Use this command if you need backup after being arrested or losing it in some crazy situation. You can even get more than one key by changing the number at the end of the command.
Pro Tips
- Stealth Skill: Leveling up your Stealth skill can make the eavesdropping part much easier. Consider using sneaky potions or spells if you have trouble.
- Explore and Loot: Since the cave is filled with loot, take your time to explore. You never know what goodies you might find to level up your character!
Now you’re ready to own the world of Oblivion with your new lockpicking prowess! Enjoy your adventures!
Game Information Box
Title: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Retail Price: Approximately $19.99 (varies by retailer)
Release Date: March 20, 2006
Where to Buy: Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, Amazon
The game mentioned in the Skeleton Key location in Oblivion is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
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