How To Get Into Mercer's House In Skyrim

Mercer’s House is a place of mystery and intrigue in Skyrim. It is the home of Mercer Frey, the leader of the Thieves Guild. However, getting into Mercer’s House is not as simple as it seems.

There are several ways to get into Mercer’s House. One way is to pick the lock on the front door. However, this is a difficult lock to pick, and it is likely that you will fail. Another way to get into Mercer’s House is to use the Skeleton Key. However, the Skeleton Key is a very rare item, and it is unlikely that you will have it. Finally, you can also get into Mercer’s House by using a glitch.

The glitch to get into Mercer’s House is relatively simple to perform. First, you need to go to the Ragged Flagon. Once you are there, you need to find the door to Mercer’s House. The door is located in the back of the Ragged Flagon, near the cistern. Once you have found the door, you need to stand in front of it and press the A button. If you have done it correctly, you will be teleported into Mercer’s House. However, it is important to note that this glitch does not always work. If you are unable to get into Mercer’s House using this glitch, you will need to try one of the other methods.

The Art of Trespassing

Trespassing is an art form, a delicate dance between risk and reward. When attempting to infiltrate Mercer’s house, caution and cunning are your most potent allies. Stealth is paramount; shadows are your sanctuary, silence your weapon. Observe the guards’ patrol patterns, note their blind spots, and exploit every opportunity to slip past undetected. Remember, the more inconspicuous your presence, the greater your chances of success.

Should detection prove unavoidable, prepare for a swift and decisive confrontation. Engage guards head-on, overwhelm them with superior strength or guile, and leave no witnesses behind. Swiftly dispose of bodies, conceal them from prying eyes, and erase any trace of your presence. Remember, the ability to remain undetected is the hallmark of a master trespasser.

Preparation is key. Gather information, study your surroundings, and anticipate potential obstacles. Craft potions to enhance your stealth, enchant your armor to withstand detection, and consider the use of illusion magic to manipulate guards’ perceptions. Leave nothing to chance, for the successful trespasser is one who embraces meticulous planning and flawless execution.

Uncovering Mercer’s Hidden Lair

Mercer Frey, the treacherous leader of the Thieves Guild, has a well-hidden secret lair in the city of Riften. To uncover it, you must embark on a quest called “Under New Management.” Follow these steps:

1. Retrieve Mercer’s House Key

Complete the quest “Trinity Restored” to gain access to Mercer’s house in Riften. The key can be found in a chest in his basement.

2. Investigating the Lair

Once you have the key, enter Mercer’s house and proceed to the room behind his bedchamber. Here, you will find a secret door hidden behind a bookshelf. Activate the switch on the right side of the bookshelf to open the door.

The secret lair is a large underground chamber filled with treasures and artifacts. Mercer often uses this lair to store his stolen goods and plan his schemes. Explore the lair thoroughly to uncover valuable clues and hidden loot.

Area	Contents
Main Chamber	Large collection of stolen goods, including jewelry, weapons, and artifacts
Study	Mercer’s personal library, containing books and documents on theft and intrigue
Vault	Heavily guarded room with Mercer’s most valuable possessions, including the Skeleton Key

Navigating the Maze of Riften

The Thieves Guild’s headquarters, Mercer’s House, is located in the labyrinthine city of Riften. To reach it, you’ll need to navigate the city’s intricate streets and alleys.

Finding the Thieves Guild Entrance

Once in Riften, head to the Ragged Flagon, a seedy tavern that serves as the Thieves Guild’s front. Enter the tavern and speak to Brynjolf, who will guide you to the secret entrance to the Guild.

Solving the Puzzle

The Guild’s entrance is hidden behind a puzzle door. To open it, examine the symbols on the door and the surrounding walls. Match the symbols on the door to those on the walls by rotating the door’s handles.

Once the door is open, follow the path through the cistern and the drainage tunnels. You’ll eventually reach a hidden room with a staircase leading to Mercer’s House.

Layout of Mercer’s House

Mercer’s House is a spacious and luxurious mansion with several levels.

Level	Contents
Ground Floor	Guard quarters, dining hall, kitchen
Upper Floor	Mercer’s bedroom, study, trophy room
Basement	Training grounds, armory, secret passages

Tracking the Guildmaster’s Movements

1. **Observe Mercer’s Daily Routine:** Keep an eye on Mercer during the day, tracking his movements and identifying any patterns. Note where he goes, who he meets, and what he does at specific times.
2. **Interrogate Witnesses:** Talk to people who have interacted with Mercer, such as his guards and associates. They may provide valuable insights into his habits and whereabouts.
3. **Search for Notes and Logs:** Mercer might have left clues or written records that can reveal his movements. Check for hidden notes, journals, or maps in his quarters or other areas he frequents.
4. **Utilize Detection Spells:** Cast spells like “Detect Life” or “Detect All” to follow Mercer’s presence even when he is out of sight. This can be especially useful in stealth missions or when investigating hidden areas.
| Spell | Effect |
|—|—|
| Detect Life | Highlights nearby living creatures |
| Detect All | Reveals all nearby objects, including hidden traps and secret passages |
5. **Follow Mercer at a Distance:** Use stealth and illusion spells to follow Mercer without being detected. Keep a safe distance and avoid making any unnecessary noise or movement.

Infiltrating the Thieves Guild

To infiltrate the Thieves Guild and ultimately gain access to Mercer’s House, follow these steps:

1. Head to Riften:
Travel to Riften, located in the southeastern part of Skyrim. The Thieves Guild is based in the Ratway, a labyrinthine network beneath the city.

2. Find Brynjolf:
Once in Riften, approach the fish market and look for a man named Brynjolf. He will offer you a job to pickpocket a woman’s purse.

3. Complete Brynjolf’s Job:
Successfully pickpocket the purse and return it to Brynjolf. He will then invite you to join the Thieves Guild.

4. Join the Guild:
Enter the Ratway and speak with Maven Black-Briar. She will give you the first quest, "A Night to Remember."

5. Complete the Thieves Guild Quests:
Progress through the Thieves Guild storyline, completing various quests and earning the trust of the other guild members. This will eventually lead you to confront Mercer Frey and gain access to his house.

**Thieves Guild Quest Line:**

Quest	Objective
A Night to Remember	Retrieve Madesi’s stolen journal
The Pursuit	Find Mercer Frey and retrieve the Skeleton Key
Blindsighted	Expose Mercer Frey as a traitor
The Only Cure	Confront Mercer Frey and retrieve the Gems

Bypassing Security Measures

Mercer’s House is heavily guarded, but it is possible to bypass the security measures by using the following methods:

1. Use the Skeleton Key:
If you have the Skeleton Key, you can simply pick the lock to Mercer’s House.

2. Use the Nightingale Power:
If you are a member of the Nightingales, you can use the Nightingale Power to bypass the security measures.

3. Sneak past the guards:
You can sneak past the guards by using the Sneak skill. Alternatively, you can use a potion of Invisibility to make your character invisible.

4. Pickpocket the key:
You can pickpocket the key to Mercer’s House from one of the guards.

5. Kill the guards:
You can kill the guards to gain access to Mercer’s House. However, this will make your character a criminal.

6. Use the console:
If you are playing on PC, you can use the console to disable the security measures. To do this, open the console (by pressing the ~ key) and type the following command:

disable guardai

This command will disable all the guards in the game, allowing you to access Mercer’s House without any resistance.

Note: Using the console to disable the security measures may disable achievements on some platforms.

Table: Bypassing Security Measures

Method	Difficulty
Use the Skeleton Key	Easy
Use the Nightingale Power	Easy
Sneak past the guards	Moderate
Pickpocket the key	Moderate
Kill the guards	Difficult
Use the console	Easy

Establishing an Alibi

Creating a solid alibi is crucial for avoiding suspicion. Here are seven detailed steps to help you establish an airtight alibi for your visit to Mercer’s house:

1. Plan Your Timeline

Determine the exact time you wish to visit Mercer’s house and note any activities or events that will provide a credible cover story for your absence. Stick to this timeline throughout the alibi.

2. Find Witnesses

Identify individuals who can attest to your whereabouts during the time you plan to be at Mercer’s house. These witnesses may include friends, family members, or colleagues who can confirm your presence elsewhere.

3. Provide Documentation

Gather evidence to support your alibi, such as receipts, bank statements, or phone records that indicate your activity at the time of Mercer’s house visit. These documents can be used to verify your whereabouts.

4. Establish a Cover Story

Develop a believable explanation for your presence at Mercer’s house that aligns with the timeline and evidence you have collected. Practice this cover story to ensure it’s consistent and convincing.

5. Avoid Suspicious Activity

Minimize any actions that could raise suspicions about your motives for visiting Mercer’s house. Avoid contacting or interacting with known associates of Mercer or engaging in other activities that could compromise your alibi.

6. Keep a Low Profile

During the time you plan to visit Mercer’s house, maintain a low profile. Limit your contact with individuals who may be skeptical of your actions and avoid drawing attention to yourself.

7. Maintain Your Story

Once you have established your alibi, stick to it consistently. Any changes or inconsistencies in your account can undermine its credibility. Be prepared to provide details and evidence to support your alibi if questioned.

Unlocking the Secret Passage

1. Locate the Riftweald Manor

To find Mercer’s house, head northwest from Riften towards the Riftweald Manor.

2. Enter the Manor

Once near the manor’s entrance, use your lockpick or key to unlock the door.

3. Open the Secret Passage

Inside the dining room, activate the hidden chandelier switch on the northern wall to reveal the secret passage.

4. Navigate the Passage

Follow the passage downward through a series of tunnels and chambers.

5. Confront Karliah

At the end of the passage, you will encounter Karliah. Defeat her in combat to gain access to the Coffer.

6. Get the Skeleton Key

Inside the Coffer, you will find the Skeleton Key, a powerful artifact that can unlock any lock in Skyrim.

7. Return to the Passage

After retrieving the Skeleton Key, retrace your steps to the secret passage.

8. Explore Mercer’s House

Now that you have the Skeleton Key, you can explore Mercer’s house in detail. Examine every nook and cranny for valuable loot and hidden treasures. Consult the following table for a comprehensive list of notable items you might encounter:

Item
Gold
Gems
Jewelry
Enchanting Potions
Flawless Varla Stone
Nightingale Armor

Confronting Mercer

Once you have all the evidence, it’s time to confront Mercer. Travel to Riften and speak to Brynjolf outside the Ragged Flagon. He’ll tell you that Mercer has fled to the Treasury House, so follow him there.

Inside the Treasury House, you’ll find Mercer in a standoff with Karliah. He’ll claim that he’s innocent and that Karliah is trying to frame him. However, Brynjolf will present the evidence against him, and Mercer will be forced to admit his guilt.

Mercer will then attack you, and you’ll have to fight him to the death. He’s a powerful opponent, but if you’re prepared, you should be able to defeat him. Once he’s dead, you can loot his body for the Skeleton Key and the Nightingale Blade.

You’ll then have the option to kill Karliah or let her go. If you kill her, you’ll get a small amount of gold and a Nightingale Blade. If you let her go, she’ll disappear and you’ll never see her again.

Rewards

For completing this quest, you’ll receive the following rewards:

Reward	Description
Skeleton Key	A unique key that can open any lock in Skyrim.
Nightingale Blade	A powerful dagger that is the signature weapon of the Nightingales.
Gold	A small amount of gold.

Claiming Your Prize

Once you’ve successfully retrieved the lexicon, return to Karliah at the Nightgate Inn. She’ll be pleased with your success and reward you with the Nightingale Blade, a powerful weapon imbued with the powers of stealth and assassination.

In addition to the Nightingale Blade, Karliah will also bestow upon you the Nightingale Armor, a set of enchanted armor that provides exceptional protection and bonuses to stealth skills. Equip the armor and blade to unlock their full potential and become a true master of the shadows.

As a member of the Nightingales, you’ll gain access to the Nightingale Hall, a hidden sanctuary located beneath the streets of Riften. The hall serves as a meeting place for the Nightingales and provides access to a variety of unique quests and rewards.

To claim your prize, follow these steps:

Return to Karliah at the Nightgate Inn.
Hand over the lexicon.
Receive the Nightingale Blade and Nightingale Armor.
Equip the blade and armor.
Enter the Nightingale Hall through the hidden entrance behind the waterfall.