Every Faction in TES: Oblivion, Ranked by How Corrupt They Are

TL;DR

Everyone in Cyrodiil is rotten — some just smell like lavender while doing it.

Welcome to Cyrodiil: Where Corruption Is a Career Path

You’d think a realm ruled by an empire of shining spires and holy relics would be a little less… sleazy. But no — The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is basically a LinkedIn network for criminals.

From “honorable” fighters who moonlight as mercenaries to priests who kill in the name of virtue, every guild, cult, and order in Cyrodiil has their hands in something unholy — or at least questionable.

So let’s rank them — from the most devoutly deranged to the least morally allergic.

🥇 # 1 — Dark Brotherhood: The HR Department of Homicide

If sin had an employee of the month board, this lot would need a bigger wall. The Dark Brotherhood doesn’t dabble in corruption — it is corruption, weaponized and ritualized.

They kill for coin, follow a ghost dad named Sithis, and solve HR disputes with daggers. Betrayal is a team-building exercise.

Corruption Rating: ★★★★★

Murder isn’t just an art form — it’s a business model.

🥈 # 2 — Thieves Guild: The Church of Justifiable Larceny

Ah yes, the self-proclaimed Robin Hoods of Cyrodiil — stealing from the rich, giving to the poor, and somehow keeping 80% for “administrative costs.”

They wrap theft in moral poetry: “We don’t harm the innocent.” Sure, mate — you just robbed their family heirlooms and pawned them to a fence named Ongar who lives in a barrel.

Corruption Rating: ★★★★☆

Honorable theft is still theft. It just has better PR.

🥉 # 3 — Mythic Dawn: Religious Fanatics with Fireballs

You know you’ve hit peak corruption when your entire business plan is “Let’s invite hell to brunch.” The Mythic Dawn are Daedra-worshipping extremists who want to burn the world so their favorite demon can redecorate.

They’re less a faction, more a pyramid scheme for apocalyptic interns.

Corruption Rating: ★★★★☆

Faith-based destruction since 3E 433.

# 4 — Order of the Virtuous Blood: Vampire Hunters or Just Paranoid Boomers?

They claim to protect the city from vampires. In reality, they’re one false accusation away from burning half the Market District.

It’s righteousness gone rabid — the kind of moral panic that turns into an inquisition after two goblets of wine.

Corruption Rating: ★★★☆☆

Because nothing says “virtue” like killing first and asking later.

# 5 — Order of the Dragon: The Emperor’s Favorite Club

Technically noble. Practically political. When your faction’s emblem might as well be “We’re the establishment,” you’re halfway to corruption already.

They don’t commit crimes — they authorize them.

Corruption Rating: ★★½☆

Heroism is just nepotism with better lighting.

# 6 — The Blades: Spies with a Sword Problem

The Emperor’s personal bodyguards. Noble, secretive, and just one civil war away from a cover-up.

They’re the medieval CIA — loyal, efficient, and allergic to transparency.

Corruption Rating: ★★☆☆☆

For the good of the Empire… and the suppression of inconvenient truths.

# 7 — Fighters Guild: Muscle for Hire, Ethics Optional

The Fighters Guild is technically legal. So is gambling. Both ruin lives.

They’re mercenaries in denial — if it bleeds, they’ll sign a contract for it. Most members couldn’t spell “morality” if you wrote it on their sword.

Corruption Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Doing good, one paid act of violence at a time.

# 8 — The Arena: Rome Called — It Wants Its Gladiators Back

A fully state-sanctioned bloodsport where desperate peasants fight to the death for pocket change while nobles cheer from velvet seats.

Sure, it’s “entertainment,” but so was public hanging.

Corruption Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Come for the glory. Leave in a decorative urn.

# 9 — Mages Guild: Academia with a Body Count

You’d think scholars of the arcane would be wise, disciplined, and ethical. Instead, they’re basically grad students with fireballs.

Behind every lecture on “responsibility” is a basement full of Daedra parts and “purely theoretical” necromancy.

Corruption Rating: ★★½☆

Knowledge is power, and power corrupts. Shocking, really.

# 10 — Knights of the Nine: The Goody Two-Shoes Club

Finally, someone whose biggest crime is believing their own propaganda.

They retrieve holy relics, slay evil, and pray so hard they probably sweat sanctity. Their corruption is minimal — unless you count the sin of self-righteousness.

Corruption Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Blessed are the boring, for they shall inherit the relics.

Final Verdict

Rank	Faction	Corruption Level	Motto
1	Dark Brotherhood	5/5	“Murder, but make it sacred.”
2	Thieves Guild	4/5	“Stealing with style.”
3	Mythic Dawn	4/5	“Burn everything. Praise be.”
4	Order of the Virtuous Blood	3/5	“Virtue with a side of homicide.”
5	Order of the Dragon	2.5/5	“Loyalty — to whoever’s paying.”
6	The Blades	2/5	“We swear secrecy. And lots of it.”
7	Fighters Guild	2/5	“Violence, professionally.”
8	Arena	2/5	“Pay-per-view pain.”
9	Mages Guild	2.5/5	“Because necromancy is only illegal if you get caught.”
10	Knights of the Nine	1/5	“Now with 100% less moral ambiguity.”

CRIMENET Verdict

In Cyrodiil, purity is a rumor and corruption is a career. The Dark Brotherhood wins because they’ve turned sin into structure — HR, payroll, spiritual murder benefits.

Meanwhile, the Knights of the Nine stand there glowing with righteousness like unpaid interns at a church bake sale.

Bethesda didn’t build a moral world. They built a buffet of ethical failure — and let you decide which flavor of hypocrisy you wanted to roleplay.

So go ahead. Join a guild. Swear an oath. Sell your soul to the highest bidder.

Just remember: in Oblivion, you’re not the hero.

You’re just the best-dressed crook in the room.