Oblivion:Canvas the Castle

Current Best Route

Quest stages are indicated in parentheses at the start of each step when they are updated. Keep in mind that these optimized steps are within the context of the 100% speedrun route, meaning that certain items and setups are sometimes assumed to have already been performed prior to the start of the quest.

Script Analysis

The following scripts interact with this quest (it is possible there are more to be discovered):

• MS51CarpetScript — A script that runs when activating the footprints on the carpet. Sets a local variable MS51CluesFound to 1 when the stage of the quest is greater than or equal to 35.
• MS51PaintingScript — A script that runs when activating the painting. Sets a local variable MS51CluesFound to 1 when the stage of the quest is greater than or equal to 35.
• MS51script — The main script for the quest, which contains a conditional at the top that returns to end the script if the quest stage is less than 10.
• MS51SuppliesScript — A script that runs when activating Chanel's lectern. Sets a local variable MS51CluesFound to 1 when the stage of the quest is greater than or equal to 35.

The scripting of this quest appears very solid. Ideally, there would be some way to set the stage past stage 35, skipping the portion of the quest where several NPCs need to be tracked down. The MS51script script only sets stages higher than 35 after the variable MS51FoundClue (a local variable to the script) is less than 4 and equal to 1, 2, or 3. This variable only increases when the three other scripts tied to the painting, carpet, and supplies have a local variable (also named MS51FoundClue equal to 1, after which point a "do once" variable is set for each of the three object check so that they cannot be triggered again. Due to the way this is set up, there appears to be no way to increment the amount of clues found more than once on a single object, forcing us to have to activate each one.

The most likely vulnerability would be in the portion of the MS51script script with the comment ;This will hopefully Trigger the Stages for gathering information in no particular order. In this script, there is a local variable Talked that is checked. If it is less than 6, the game checks the value of Talked, setting the quest stage to a value between 20 and 35 depending on this variable's value. We currently cannot find a script that updates Talked, but the wording of the comment in the code suggests that there may be a way to at least increment this value to skip the interview phase of the quest, since it appears this variable is responsible for handling how many NPCs have been interviewed.

Quest Stages

Canvas the Castle (MS51)

Stage	Finish	setstage Scripts	Journal Entry
10			Countess Valga of Castle Chorrol has tasked me with the recovery of a portrait that was stolen from her throne room. It's very dear to her as it reminds her of her husband who was lost years ago. She mentioned clues, perhaps I should find out more.
15			To recover the stolen painting, I should begin by questioning the castle residents, and then search the Castle for physical clues that could help solve the mystery. My best bet would be to start with the Countess herself.
18			Countess Valga has told me that the only people who were unaccounted for and had access to her bedchamber were the resident mage, Chanel, and the castle porter, Orgnolf. She suggested I question them and some of the other castle residents: the Captain of the Guard, Bittneld, her herald, Laythe Wavrick, and her Steward, Orok gro-Ghoth.
20, 22, 30, 32, 35			(The following five journal entries will appear in the order that the player asks questions) When I asked about the night in question, Orgnolf told me that he spent a bit of time arguing with a delivery boy in the Great Hall who had a bit of an accident with a wine shipment in the rain, then spent the rest of the night in his room. I should continue questioning the suspects the Countess recommended. or Orok gro-Ghoth mentioned he was in the castle that entire night because it had been raining, but didn't see Orgnolf or Chanel. Also, he mentioned he had caught Orgnolf drinking in the West Tower once. When he had threatened to tell the Countess about it, Orgnolf apparently stopped. I should continue questioning the suspects the Countess recommended. or When I asked about the night in question, Chanel told me that she spent some time in the courtyard of the castle taking star readings. Then she made her way to the dining area off of the Great Hall. Finally, she went to her quarters to sleep. I should continue questioning the suspects the Countess recommended. or Bittneld, the Captain of the Guard, said he had been out on patrol in the streets of Chorrol that night. In addition, he mentioned seeing Chanel spend a good deal of time in the castle's West Tower. But when he had confronted her about it, she said that was where she had been performing some of her magic research. I should continue questioning the suspects the Countess recommended. or Laythe Wavrick, the castle herald, told me that he's observed Orgnolf having a drinking problem and often asking for money to fund his new habit. I should continue questioning the suspects the Countess recommended. (After the fifth statement, the following line will be added to the journal entry) Now, I should concentrate on gathering the clues if I'm to solve the crime.
40, 50			(Two of the following three journal entries will appear in the order that the player finds clues) I've found an interesting painting in a concealed area of the West Tower. It seems someone in the castle is a painter. I think I should continue looking for more clues. or I've found paint stains and a paint footprint on the carpet in the dining area off the Great Hall. I think I should continue looking for more clues. or Chanel seems to have painting supplies concealed in a lectern in her room. The fact they're concealed seems suspicious. I think I should continue searching for more clues.
60			(The following entry will appear after finding the third clue) I've found an interesting painting in a concealed area of the West Tower. It seems someone in the castle is a painter. I now have enough clues to make an accusation. or I've found paint stains and a paint footprint on the carpet in the dining area off the Great Hall. I now have enough clues to make an accusation. or Chanel seems to have painting supplies concealed in a lectern in her room. The fact they're concealed seems suspicious. I now have enough clues to make an accusation.
70			I've confronted Orgnolf with the clues, but all he did was become irate and threatened to tell the Countess of my false accusations. I think I made the wrong choice. I should go speak to Chanel.
75			I am certain that Chanel is the culprit. After all, the evidence clearly points to her. But without a full confession, Countess Valga won't be satisfied. I need to convince Chanel to trust me enough to tell me why she did the crime.
80			I've confronted Chanel with the clues, and she admitted taking the painting. She pointed out where it was hidden, and now I must decide whether or not to tell the Countess about her crime.
100	✔		I've spoken to the Countess about Chanel's crime. She's been banished from the Castle, and as a reward, a sizable bounty of gold and gems has been given to me.
150	✔		I've spoken to the Countess about Chanel's crime, and she's been banished from the Castle. However, since the investigation didn't go smoothly, the Countess wasn't pleased and only rewarded me with some gold.
200			I've told the Countess that neither suspect is the criminal, and that the painting must be in the possession of someone outside the Castle walls. She seemed disappointed, but I've kept Chanel's honor intact.
210			Chanel was pleased that I didn't turn her in to the Countess. She told me that as a reward, she'd paint a portrait for me, but it'll take three weeks. I should return to Castle Chorrol at that time.
220	✔		It's been three weeks. I should return to Castle Chorrol and pick up my painting from Chanel.