Little is known about when and how the Thieves Guild of Skyrim was founded, but it is rumored to have been around as long as Riften has. The Ragged Flagon - Cistern, home of the Thieves Guild Origins
The guild has a strong hold in politics and law enforcement due to their ability to bribe, intimidate and extort the officials and guards of any hold by exploiting their greed or by threatening to reveal embarrassing and potentially damning secrets to the public. The guild has an uncanny luck due to certain members striking up a deal with the Daedric Prince, Nocturnal, to serve as guardians to her temple. Maven Black-Briar, the affluent and unscrupulous owner of the popular Black-Briar Meadery, consorts with the guild in exchange for their financial aid and protection. Most citizens view them unfavorably Mjoll the Lioness has made it her duty to maintain order in Riften and pledges to dismantle the guild. Members of the guild specialize in stealing objects of varying value or loaning septims to potential entrepreneurs or to help someone pay off their debts, in hopes of a payback. Based in Skyrim and headquartered in The Ratway beneath the city of Riften, members of the Thieves Guild are renowned for causing trouble in the city and are held largely responsible for the corruption of the city's markets.
