Oblivion:Rumors
Rumors are a game mechanic in which the player can unlock new topics by asking random NPCs the "Rumors" dialog option. While the vast majority of Rumors are useless, a handful of them will unlock new topics that trigger the start of a miscellaneous city quest when they selected. In the 100% Speedrun, this can get very tedious and time consuming due to how infrequent these special topic Rumors are. The punishing randomness of this aspect of the route has been dubbed RumoRNG.
Mechanics
It is unknown exactly what the odds are of Rumor topics appearing, or if they are limited to specific NPCs. What is known is that you can quicksave just before asking about Rumors to an NPC and then reload to re-roll what Rumor you get. Even with this strategy, Rumor topics are still very time consuming and inconsistent, making it ideal to utilize sequence breaks and other means to start quests that are normally locked behind them.
The following quests currently have no known way to start them outside of finding the right Rumor topic:
The following quests can be started by asking about Rumors in their associated cities, but have known workarounds:
- Where Spirits Have Lease — Talking to Velwyn Benirus and buying the manor will start this quest.
- The Siren's Deception — Talking to Maelona will start this quest.
- Caught in the Hunt — Talking to Ursanne Loche will start this quest.
- The Forlorn Watchman — Waiting until around 8pm at Bawnwatch Camp to watch the spirit walk away will start this quest.
- A Brotherhood Betrayed — Talking to Carius Runellius at the crime scene will start this quest.
- Lifting the Vale — Having at least 10 Fame and waiting in Bruma until Tolbern talks to you will start this quest.
- A Brush with Death — Talking to Tivela Lythandas will start this quest.
- Corruption and Conscience — Talking to the Cheydinhal Guard outside of Aldos Othran's House and then talking to Llevana Nedaren about "Fines" will start this quest.
- Separated at Birth — Talking to Reynald Jemane will start this quest.
- Whom Gods Annoy — Talking to Rosentia Gallenus will start this quest.
Other sources claim these quests can start from Rumors, but this is unconfirmed and may actually be utilizing another mechanic where you overhear conversations from other NPCs rather than asking about Rumors directly. Regardless, these quests already have workarounds as well:
- A Shadow Over Hackdirt — Talking to Dar-Ma and leaving/returning to Chorrol after two days will cause Dar-Ma to be locked in Hackdirt. Going directly to Hackdirt and freeing her will start this quest.
- Mazoga the Orc — Talking to Count Marius Caro about "Service to Leyawiin" will start this quest.