Complete Guide to "Making Friends and Influencing People" Quest in Skyrim

Introduction

The quest "Making Friends and Influencing People" is a key part of the Thieves Guild storyline in Skyrim, taking place predominantly in the bustling city of Riften. In this quest, you will be tasked with ingratiating yourself with several influential figures in Riften, ultimately leading to new alliances and crucial information for the Thieves Guild. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to ensure you navigate the intricacies of this quest smoothly.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

• Start the Quest

  • Begin by joining the Thieves Guild if you haven’t already. The quest will become available after you complete "Taking Care of Business." *
    • Speak to Brynjolf in Riften at the marketplace to receive the quest.
    • After accepting the quest, you will need to meet with Maven Black-Briar in her manor.

• Visit Maven Black-Briar

  • Head over to the Black-Briar Manor located in Riften. *
    • You might need to wait until daytime to gain access to the manor as it’s often guarded.
    • Inside the manor, speak to Maven, who will ask you to make friends with her right-hand man, Mercer Frey.

• Locate Mercer Frey

  • After your discussion with Maven, your next goal is to find Mercer Frey. *
    • He can usually be found in the Ragged Flagon, which is the Thieves Guild's headquarters.
    • Approach him to initiate a conversation about Maven's interests.

• Gather Information

  • You will need to gather information regarding Maven's enemies and competitors in Riften. *
    • As you leave the Ragged Flagon, you will encounter various NPCs who may offer tidbits of information.
    • Talk to-
      • Balimund: He’s the blacksmith in Riften who often has gossip about local affairs.
      • Svidi: A member of the Thieves Guild who knows about Maven’s influences.

• Deal with Skooma Dealers

  • Your next objective is to confront the Skooma dealers in Riften and eliminate the threat they pose to Maven. *
    • Head to the docks and locate the Skooma dealer known as Grelka.
    • Engage her in conversation to learn more about their operations. After gathering the necessary intel, you can either choose to intimidate her or eliminate her.
      • Intimidation may involve a successful speech check or offering to buy the skooma.

• Eliminate the Competition

  • The final step is to disrupt Maven’s competitors. *
    • Depending on your previous interactions, you need to choose between sabotaging another business belonging to the rival faction.
    • This may involve stealing valuable items or getting rid of the people running the competition through combat. Plan carefully, as starting a fight can have consequences.

• Return to Maven

  • With your tasks complete, return to Maven Black-Briar. *
    • Report your findings and demonstrate how you have dealt with her enemies.
    • Maven will likely reward you with honors within the Thieves Guild and your next quest will be made available.
  • Complete the interaction, and watch the follow-up cutscene, which could involve fellowship from your fellow guild members.

Conclusion

Congratulations! By completing the “Making Friends and Influencing People” quest, you have strategically navigated through Riften’s political landscape, solidified your position within the Thieves Guild, and gained the favor of powerful allies. This quest lays the groundwork for further adventures and a deeper dive into Skyrim’s intricate web of relationships and rivalries. Keep exploring, lending your skills wherever needed, and enjoy your journey through Tamriel!