Guide to Finishing Canvas the Castle in Oblivion Remastered and Catching the Art Thief

Canvas the Castle is a classic detective mission in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, where you’ll hunt down an art thief in the town of Chorrol. This investigation doesn’t hold your hand with hints or clear steps, so you’ll need to dig deep to uncover the truth.

The quest has multiple endings, and your reward hinges on how accurately you accuse the culprit. You can even earn a unique reward if you choose to protect the guilty party instead of exposing them.

To kick off Canvas the Castle, head to Chorrol and enter the Great Hall of Castle Chorrol. Speak with Countess Arriana Valga, who is seated on her throne. One of her prized paintings has gone missing from the throne room, and she promises a generous reward if you can retrieve it.

Lathe is the easiest suspect to track down. As the Countess’s attendant, he’s always in the Great Hall. He claims ignorance about the theft but mentions Orgnolf’s heavy drinking and his habit of borrowing money from others in the castle.

You’ll find Orgnolf Hairy-Legs wandering the private quarters, located on the upper floor behind the throne in the Great Hall. When questioned, the balding Breton insists he was in his room for most of the night. He did have a minor spat in the Great Hall, but it seems unrelated to the theft.

Next up is Chanel, a Redguard woman who can also be found in the private quarters. She asserts that she spent most of the evening in the courtyard before grabbing a snack in the dining hall and heading to bed.

Orok is usually found in the private quarters but occasionally steps out to visit local shops in the afternoon. He claims he stayed in his room all night due to the rain but mentions having seen Orgnolf drinking in the castle’s west tower before. Keep that in mind.

Bittneld, the captain of the Chorrol guard, has some crucial insights. He’s out patrolling during the day but can be found with the other guards at the castle barracks after dark.

The captain shares that he didn’t witness much since he was on patrol, but he did catch Chanel lurking around the west tower. She claimed to be researching spells, so he didn’t investigate further.

After interviewing all five suspects, you still won’t have enough evidence for a solid accusation. The testimonies suggest either Orgnolf or Chanel, but the case isn’t airtight yet. You’ll need to find clues hidden around the castle to build a strong case.

First, check the dining area in the Great Hall. There, you’ll discover a “paint-stained carpet” beneath the table.

Next, head to the west tower, frequently mentioned by your suspects. In the lower section of the tower, you’ll find an “unusual painting” hidden behind some crates.

Then, go to Chanel’s room in the private quarters. Open the lectern beneath the painting at the back of her room to uncover a stash of hidden painting supplies.

All the evidence points to Chanel, so confront her in the private quarters to force a confession. If you’ve gathered all three clues, she’ll admit to her crime.

Chanel will only confess if your disposition with her is at least 70, so you might need to engage in the persuasion minigame to improve her opinion of you. If she doesn’t like you enough, she won’t confess, even with the evidence stacked against her.

Once you have a solid confession, return to Countess Arriana for your reward. There are three possible outcomes for this quest, each offering different rewards.

If you reveal the truth about Chanel, the Countess will have her removed from court. You’ll receive a substantial amount of gold based on your level, along with a set of valuable gemstones. Chanel will then vanish from the game entirely.

If you mistakenly accuse Orgnolf before identifying Chanel as the main suspect, you’ll receive a smaller gold reward.

Alternatively, if you choose to protect the thief and tell the Countess that neither Orgnolf nor Chanel is guilty, you’ll receive a meager amount of gold. However, Chanel will be grateful for your protection and reward you with a special painting after three in-game weeks. You can use it to decorate a home you’ve purchased or sell it for 500 gold.