Oblivion Remastered: Discover the Paranoid Roof Watcher Location

With the release of Oblivion Remastered, longtime fans of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion have been diving back into the magical world of Cyrodiil with renewed vigor. While much of the content remains faithful to the original game, Bethesda’s remastered version includes enhanced visuals, new hidden quests, and deeper lore encounters. One such mysterious addition that has captured the imagination of players is the “Paranoid Roof Watcher” quest—an eerie side mission tucked away high above the bustling streets of the Imperial City.

In this article, we’ll explore exactly how to trigger, navigate, and complete this hidden quest, which has quickly become one of the standout Easter eggs in Oblivion Remastered.

What Is the “Paranoid Roof Watcher” Quest?

Exclusive to Oblivion Remastered, the “Paranoid Roof Watcher” quest is a new, unmarked side quest centered around a cloaked NPC named Nerus Halvas, who spends his time patrolling the rooftops of the Talos Plaza District. This bizarre character mutters to himself, claims to have “seen the sky whisper,” and believes something dark is watching from above.

The quest stands out due to its unsettling atmosphere, unique location, and non-traditional activation method. It’s not listed in your quest log, nor will guards or townsfolk acknowledge it—it’s up to the player to discover it through exploration and persistence.

How to Find the Quest

Finding the “Paranoid Roof Watcher” quest requires some unconventional steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to locating the quest NPC and triggering the chain of events:

1. Travel to the Imperial City – Talos Plaza District

Head to the Talos Plaza District via fast travel or from any of the city gates. This district is known for its noble housing, but the quest does not begin on the streets—it begins above them.

2. Wait Until Midnight (00:00 – 02:00 in-game time)

Nerus Halvas only appears between midnight and 2 a.m. He patrols the rooftops of the district, specifically around the upper perimeter near the Tertius Favonius residence.

To see him, look toward the upper ledges of the buildings. You’ll likely need to use Acrobatics potions, climb onto crates, or utilize enhanced jumping gear like Boots of Springheel Jak.

3. Reach the Rooftop

Scale the rooftops using acrobatic jumps or levitation. Once you’re up, you’ll spot Nerus pacing in a paranoid circle, talking to himself. He won’t approach you—you must speak to him directly.

4. Speak to Nerus Halvas

Nerus speaks in fragmented sentences about “sky serpents,” “echoes behind clouds,” and “mind-seeds.” Selecting the right dialogue options unlocks more of the quest, especially if you choose responses like:

• “What are you watching for?”

• “You’re not crazy. I’ve seen strange things, too.”

• “Tell me what you know.”

After a short interaction, he’ll hand you a “Tattered Map Fragment” and whisper about a “signal fire” that must be lit.

Quest Progression and Secrets

Although unmarked in your journal, the map fragment reveals a rooftop pathway that leads toward the Arcane University tower. Once you light a torch at a brazier on the eastern tower, a short cutscene will trigger—depicting a Daedric sigil briefly glowing in the sky above the city.

This activates a second encounter: a mysterious sky cultist appears near the Market District rooftops the following night. Defeating them drops a new enchanted item: the Circlet of Hysteria, which increases detection of hidden enemies and reveals invisible foes.

This hidden quest appears to be a narrative tie-in to Sheogorath, Daedric Prince of Madness, and fans speculate that the quest could connect to a larger expansion or future DLC. There’s even a mysterious book found in the Arcane University Library titled “Madness in the Sky: A Watcher’s Testament”, newly added in the remaster.

Why This Quest Stands Out

Bethesda’s decision to create such a cryptic, non-journal, rooftop-based quest is a nod to the classic open-world mystery design that Oblivion was known for. Rather than mark everything on a map, the “Paranoid Roof Watcher” quest rewards players for curiosity, environmental exploration, and nighttime wandering.

It also introduces unique mechanics not present in the original game:

• Rooftop movement puzzles

• Time-gated NPC behavior

• Secret sky-based Daedric lore

• Atmospheric audio cues are only heard when near Nerus

This is Bethesda returning to its roots: giving players a living world full of unscripted discoveries.

A Masterclass in Atmospheric Storytelling

The “Paranoid Roof Watcher” quest in Oblivion Remastered is a masterful addition that deepens the game’s mythos while rekindling the joy of exploration and experimentation. Whether it’s your first time in Cyrodiil or your fiftieth, this bizarre, sky-gazing journey is a must-experience.

If you’re the kind of player who checks every alley, scales every building, and talks to every strange NPC—you just might uncover one of the most haunting and memorable stories in Oblivion Remastered.

So grab your torch, take to the rooftops, and see what secrets the sky is hiding.

Be sure to visit Total Apex Gaming for more game-related news and content.