Oblivion:Hieronymus Lex

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Hieronymus Lex
(RefID: 00034879)
Home City Imperial City then Anvil
House South Watch Captain's Quarters
then Anvil Castle Barracks
Race Imperial Gender Male
Level PC+15 Class Guard
RefID 00034879 BaseID 0003486E
Other Information
Health 45 + (6+2.2)x(PC+14), PC=1-10
Magicka 100 + 1.5x(PC+14) (max=250)
Responsibility 100 Aggression 5
Essential Until Taking Care of Lex is completed
Faction(s) Imperial Legion; Imperial Watch Captain(Captain); IC Citizens; Arano Family
Hieronymus Lex

Hieronymus Lex is an overzealous Watch Captain of the Imperial City. He bases his command out of the South Watch Tower, and his room is upstairs there in the Captain's Quarters. He has posted wanted posters about the Gray Fox and is the main nemesis of the Thieves Guild. If you join the Thieves Guild, and go through their quests, he will eventually be re-assigned as Guard Captain of Anvil.

Before his reassignment, Lex has a very rigorous patrol regimen. He wakes up every morning at 6am and eats for two hours downstairs from his quarters in the South Watch Tower. At 8am he begins his patrol in the Arboretum near the gate to Green Emperor Way. At 9am he moves to the main gate of the arboretum to the city isle, and at 10am he heads out to the Arcane University, standing just inside the front gate. At 11am he heads to the Temple District and stands around near the gate to the Arboretum, though he often won't reach it before noon, when he then returns to the South Watch Tower to eat lunch for two hours, and at 2pm he heads off for his afternoon patrol. He starts at the Temple District's gate to the Green Emperor Way, and at 3pm moves to the main gate to the city isle. At 4pm he moves to stand guard in the Waterfront District behind the lighthouse. At 5pm he heads over to stand near the Marie Elena and converses with its crew until 6pm, when he goes to the Bloated Float for dinner. At 8pm he goes back to the Marie Elena to stand and chat until 10pm, at which point he returns to the South Watch Tower. He stands around on the ground floor until midnight, when he heads to bed in his quarters upstairs.

He wears Imperial Watch boots, cuirass, gauntlets, and greaves. While off duty he will wear a more comfortable middle class outfit consisting of light brown linens, a brown shirt and a pair of pigskin shoes. He also carries a copy of the Imperial Watch key, South Watch Tower key and a small amount of gold. He wields a silver claymore in combat.

Related Quests[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

Should you approach him, he will be dismissive:

"I'm rather busy."

When asked about the city, Lex will say:

Imperial City
"Never compromise. Never blink. Never wink at injustice. Never quit trying to make this a better city for everyone."

When bumping into another guard, he will simply say:

"Carry on, soldier."

Rumors[edit]

Lex's reputation precedes him, as citizens across Cyrodiil as well as in the Imperial City will mention him:

Hieronymus Lex
"Yeah. I've heard of him. Isn't he a soldier or guardsman in the Imperial City?"
"He's that Imperial Watch Captain that's always chasing after the Gray Fox and the Thieves Guild. Chasing after shadows if you ask me. The Thieves Guild probably doesn't exist, and it's a sure bet the Gray Fox doesn't either."

Quest-Related Events[edit]

Imperial Corruption[edit]

If he is still in the capital city during the quest, other guards will point you in his direction when you ask to raise a complaint against Audens Avidius:

"Go see Hieronymus Lex. He's a pompous fool, just like you. He might listen to your complaint."

When asked about the corrupt imperial watchman, he will respond with:

Corrupt Imperial Watchman
"I don't have time for this now. The Gray Fox is on the loose. Take this problem to Itius Hayn. He's also a Captain of the Imperial Watch."

If you talk to him again after this, he will greet you with:

"Are you still trying to file a complaint against Audens Avidius? I thought I told you to take it up with Itius Hayn."

Untaxing the Poor[edit]

In your first quest for the Thieves Guild, Lex will immediately be introduced as a main antagonist by Armand Christophe, who will ask you to steal the Waterfront's tax records from Lex's office:

"The Gray Fox has asked me to take care of a problem, and I'm putting you on it. Hieronymus Lex actually collected taxes from everyone living here on the Waterfront! Your job is to recover those taxes. Are you up for it?"
Who is Hieronymus Lex?
"He is a fool of a Captain in the Imperial Watch. He's a real law and order type. He has a grudge against the Thieves Guild and the Gray Fox in particular. Lex has made it his personal mission to capture him."

If you ask Armand about Lex again, he will provide further detail:

Hieronymus Lex
"He's a Captain of the Imperial Watch. He is pursuing a personal vendetta against the Thieves Guild and the Gray Fox. Two years ago I made a fool out of him when he tried to arrest me. Lex has never forgotten it."

The story will be confirmed with a slight variation by the city's denizens:

Hieronymus Lex
"He is captain of the Imperial Watch. He is pursuing a personal vendetta against the Thieves Guild and the Gray Fox. I heard the Gray Fox personally humiliated Lex years ago when he tried to arrest Armand Christophe for theft. Lex has never forgotten it."

When trying to find Lex, beggars in the city will point you towards the South Watchtower

"Lex has an office at the top of the South Watchtower."
"Lex has a small office in the South Watchtower. Most of the tower is open to the public, but not his quarters."

After the quest you may overhear citizens commenting:

"Captain Lex blames the Gray Fox for stealing the tax collection. He wants a bounty put on the Gray Fox, but the Legion Commander has refused."

The Elven Maiden[edit]

Before you have the bust, Lex will greet you with:

"Unless you have word of the Gray Fox, my time is limited."

Once you have stolen the bust of Llathasa Indarys he will be found in front of Armand Christophe's house in the Waterfront, where he will spend all of his time day and night supervising his guards. Methredhel will explain the reason for this presence:

"Thank goodness I found you. I assume you know that Hieronymus Lex has issued an arrest warrant for Armand Christophe."

Lex will be quite agitated if you speak to him:

"What do you want? Can't you see I'm in the middle of an investigation?"
Bust of Llathasa Indarys
"You know where the bust is hidden?"
Uh...not really. I was joking?
"Then you are wasting my time."

If you accuse Myvryna of having the bust, he may respond in two ways depending on whether his disposition is below 70 or not:

Myvryna Arano has it.
"Your credibility is suspect. You'll have to do better than that to persuade me."
"Are you sure? That can't be right. She's my... I mean she doesn't seem to be the type."
It's in her cupboard.
"I don't believe you, but I'll have to check it out anyway. If you are right, there will be hell to pay. You will have to come along."

He will then escort you to her house for proof. If you speak to him now he will say:

"Not now. First we have to see about Myvryna."

Once you arrive at Myvryna's house, if the bust is not there he will say:

"There is nothing here. Stop wasting my time."

However if the bust has been placed properly he will say:

"You were right. The bust is here and Myvryna is guilty."

He will then confront Myvryna about it:

Lex:"This citizen is accusing you of stealing the bust of Llathasa from Cheydinhal. I even found the bust in your cabinet. What do you have to say?"
Myvryna:"Fool! You've just exposed me to the Thieves Guild. That "citizen" is actually the guild member that was hired to do the theft!"
Lex:"Regrettably I've no further use for you. If what I heard is true, you're the thief. If what you say is true, the Gray Fox knows you are my informant. Either way, it's over. You didn't really think I'd trust the likes of you for very long?"
Myvryna:"But I've been loyal to you! I've reported everything that Armand has done. You can't just toss me aside like a soiled cloth!"
Lex:"Yes I can. You are under arrest for the theft of the bust of Llathasa Indarys, Countess of Cheydinhal. Come with me."
Myvryna:"I hope you both get mindrot!"

At this point he will escort her to prison in the Bastion of the Prison District.

Misdirection[edit]

Lex receiving orders from the Mages Guild

Your next run-in with Lex will come when S'Krivva tasks you with taking some of the Watch's heat off the Guild:

"I have a small problem that you may be able to help with. The guild will even pay a reward. That buffoon, Hieronymus Lex, has invaded the Imperial City Waterfront. Imperial Watch guards from all over the city prowl the streets. Hieronymus Lex has vowed not to leave until the Gray Fox is in custody. The Fox is safe, but the Thieves Guild cannot do business like this. The poor of the Waterfront are kindred to the Gray Fox, and will not betray him. However, cubs soon get hungry. Soon someone will break. Many guild members could be jailed."

Asking any Imperial City beggars about him will confirm what the doyen said:

Hieronymus Lex
"Lex has pulled city guards from several districts to the Waterfront. Last I heard he was pacing the slums there."

Sure enough, Lex has locked down the whole Waterfront and will again be found directing affairs from in front of Armand Christophe's house. He will spend all of his time wandering around there, occasionally encouraging his men:

"Keep looking boys. Armand Christophe has to be here somewhere."

If you talk to Lex yourself he will say:

"You look like one of the low lifes that infest this place."
Gray Fox
"I'm offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of the Gray Fox. Until he is turned over to me, the Waterfront is closed for 'business.'"

Meanwhile, Methredhel has devised a plan to thwart Lex:

"These are foul times for us. Armand is under house arrest, again. Our business in the Waterfront is totally shut down. We need to get Hieronymus Lex to lift his siege. I have put together a plan. You and four other operatives will stage high profile thefts, all at the same time. Hopefully that will force Lex to reassign the Watchmen."

Once you have stolen Hrormir's Icestaff from the Arcane University, a Dremora appears to deliver a message to Lex from Raminus Polus. Lex will respond with:

"So, the mages send a foul daedra to deliver a simple note when an honest footman would have done. How typical."

Upon reading the note he will announce to his men:

"All right men. We've been ordered back to our posts. I smell the dirty hand of the Gray Fox behind this."

Lex's humiliation will be commented on by the city's residents:

"The Gray Fox made a fool of Hieronymus Lex. While half the Watch was in the Waterfront, thieves made off with half the rest of the city."

Taking Care of Lex[edit]

Lex patrolling in Anvil

Your final encounter with Lex will be with the objective of having him reassigned far from the Imperial City, as S'Krivva will explain:

"Hieronymus Lex must be eliminated once and for all. The Gray Fox has asked that you do this personally. It is a most delicate matter. Countess Umbranox of Anvil, is hunting for a new captain of her guard. The Legion Commander of the Imperial Watch sent her a list of candidates. The Gray Fox wants this list replaced with one that highly recommends Hieronymus Lex. From Anvil he can do little harm to the guild."

Should you ask why not simply kill Lex, she will pay him a backhanded compliment:

"For reasons unknown to this one, the Gray Fox has extended his protection to the Umbranox family and Lady Umbranox in particular. While Lex is a problem for the guild, his unwavering loyalty and resolve make him the perfect protector for Lady Umbranox."

When you are deliver the letter from Countess Millona Umbranox informing Lex of his reassignment, he will greet you with:

"You look familiar. Do I know you?"
New Guard Captain
"I've been reassigned! This is outrageous! The Gray Fox had a hand in this, I know it. I am bound by duty and honor to obey this order. After all these years, he has finally won. Maybe fate will be kind and deliver him to me in Anvil."

As the conversation ends he bids farewell with:

"I'll leave at once for Anvil."

Once Lex has been reassigned to Anvil, he acquires an entirely new schedule. First of all, when he finds out he has been reassigned, he travels all the way to the Anvil Castle Barracks on foot. His new schedule begins with waking up every morning at 7am and eating for one hour in the Castle Barracks. He then goes on a lengthy patrol of Anvil Castle. He begins with the Dungeon at 8am, and moves on to the smithy of the castle at 10am. He patrols outside the front gate to the castle at noon. At 2pm, he heads to the private quarters, and then patrols through the courtyard at 4pm. At 6pm he wanders in the dining hall, sitting down to eat at 8pm. At 10pm, he patrols the chambers of Countess Millona Umbranox, before heading back to the barracks and to bed at midnight. While the Gray Fox is interacting with the countess near the end of The Ultimate Heist, he may enter to patrol the great hall of the castle at 10am rather than his usual patrol in the smithy, but this is probably a bug.

At this point he also ceases to be member of the "Imperial Watch" and "IC Citizens" factions. He instead becomes a member of the "Anvil Citizens", "Anvil guard", and "Anvil castle residents" factions. His Imperial Watch armor is removed and replaced with an Anvil cuirass and shield, along with chainmail boots, gauntlets, and greaves. His two keys are removed and replaced with a Castle Anvil key and a Castle Anvil interior key. Finally, he loses his essential flag and can therefore be killed.

Back in the Imperial City, he will be replaced by Servatius Quintilius, who, unlike his predecessor, does not believe in the Gray Fox or the Thieves' Guild, and thus, will not cause any trouble for them. The citizens of the Imperial City will be glad that he's gone:

Hieronymus Lex
"He got reassigned, to Anvil I think. Without him around, all this hustle and bustle about the Gray Fox will go away. I never believed in the Gray Fox anyway. I think the Imperium just made him up as an excuse to raise our taxes."

When asked about rumors, they will likewise comment:

"Did you hear? Hieronymus Lex was reassigned to Anvil."
"Someone told me that Hieronymus Lex is gone. Reassigned to Anvil. That can't be true!"

Meanwhile in Anvil, residents will also remark on Lex's appearance:

"Lady Umbranox has hired a new Captain of the guard."
"Is there a new Captain of the guard? I thought I saw him walking the rounds."

If asked about him, people will remark:

Hieronymus Lex
"He's the Captain of the Guard in Anvil now. He used to be in the Imperial Watch until Countess Umbranox had him reassigned. He made things very difficult for the Thieves Guild for a while."

The Anvil guards, however, are quite honored to have him:

Hieronymus Lex
"He's our new Captain. I've never met a finer man."

Notes[edit]

  • After completing the Thieves Guild questline; if you put on the Gray Cowl of Nocturnal and speak to Lex in Anvil, he simply says the same thing as any other guard, even though it was his lifelong goal to put the Gray Fox behind bars. He also may say "I'll make captain for this!" even though he is clearly captain already.
  • If you talk to Lex while he is still in Imperial City and ask him about the Gray Fox, he will respond as though he were a citizen instead of the Captain in charge of the investigation, saying "He's that thief that the Imperial Watch is always going on about. He likes to steal from rich folks." or "He's just a thief. He's supposed to be the head of the Thieves Guild. What a joke!"
  • Hieronymus Lex also appears in Castles.

Bugs[edit]

  • Lex was supposed to greet people by saying "Hieronymus Lex, Officer of the Watch. Every hand is needed to build an honest city, and it begins with you.", but as he is a guard, all the standard guard greetings take precedence and it is never used. (listen)
  • Lex patrols the smithy in Castle Anvil every day from 10am to noon, but while the Gray Fox is in the great hall with the Countess, he switches to patrolling there if this takes place between 10am and noon. It is likely that he was meant to patrol the great hall except for when the Gray Fox is there, though this has been reversed due to a bug.
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