Skills | Character Creation & Dev. Oblivion Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Skills are undoubtedly the most important values that define your character. Your attributes and birthsign can influence the game in a way, but skill values are the essence of what you can and can't do - on how you fare with just about everything in the game. The better you are with Sneaking, the easier it will be to steal and sneak past unaware enemies; the higher your Speechcraft stat, the easier is the disposition mini-game.
Each of 21 skills we posses is on one of 5 levels of mastery, indicated in a table below with the corresponding value ranges. Each next level means new perks and additions.
Two fastest ways to train our skills are trainers and books - you'll find everything about them below, with particular skills' descriptions. Besides them, you can always train on your own. "Practice makes perfect" is your motto in Oblivion, you're always to learn the ones you use most often.
There are 5 trainers for each skill. Two of them can raise your skill value to 40, two to 70, and there's one Master Trainer that can get you all the way to 100 (which is the maximum base value, which can then be raised by item bonuses). The latter will almost always have a quest for you to perform before he agrees to train you.
HINT: In order to train with the Master, you have to be sent to him from one of the mid-level trainers. If you reach skill value of 70, just ask one of them about "Training" (you might have to gossip with them earlier). You'll get a new map marker, indicating the location of master trainer.
Range | Rank |
5-24 | Novice |
25-49 | Apprentice |
50-74 | Journeyman |
75-99 | Expert |
100 | Master |
Acrobatics
 | Description: Acrobatics is a skill of efficient jumping. Besides raising you jumping range, it lets you minimize damage taken while falling from heights. Governing Attribute: Speed. |
Apprentice Skills: You can perform normal attacks during jumping or falling.
Journeyman Skills: Dodge ability (performed by holding Block and jumping while attacked).
Expert Skills: Fatigue loss for jumping halved.
Master Skills: Ability to jump on water surface.
Normal Training: Jumping and falling from heights..
Low-level trainers: Quill-Weave (Anvil), Ida Vlinorman (Imperial City Elven Gardens).
Mid-level trainers: Tsrava (Leyawiin), Ganredhel (Cheydinhal).
Master Trainer: Torbern (10s1)
Master Trainer Quest: none.
Books: The Black Arrow 1 (Brindle Home, 2s33, Torbal's House) A Dance in Fire 1 (Ganredhel's House, Cheydinhal), A Dance in Fire 4 (Ganredhel's House, Cheydinhal), Mystery of Talara 1 (various locations, ex. reward in "Two Sides of a Coin" quest), Thief (S'krivva's House, Bravil).
Alchemy
 | Description: Alchemy is a skill of mixing potions and poisons from ingredients found all around Cyrodiil, with the use of special quipment: Mortar & Pestle (required to start preparing anything), Retort (increases magnitude and duration of all positive effects), Calcinator (increases magnitude and duration of all the effects), Alembic (reduces the duration of all negative effects). Alembic and Retort don't affect poisons At all. Alchemical equipment of a higher level is obviously Belter, but requires higher sill levels. Governing Attribute: Intelligence. |
Apprentice Skills: You can see two of four ingredients' effects.
Journeyman Skills: You can see three of four ingredients' effects..
Expert Skills: You can see all the ingredients' effects.
Master Skills: You can make potions out of single samples.
Normal Training: Mixing potions and poisons.
Low-level trainers: Felen Relas (Mages Guild, Anvil), S'drassa (Mages Guild, Leyawiin).
Mid-level trainers: Ardaline (Mages Guild, Bravil), Brotch Calus (Bruma).
Master Trainer: Sinderion (basement of West Weald Inn w Skingrad).
Master Trainer Quest: Sinderion wants you to bring him bottles of Tamika and Surilie Brothers wines from the Lear 399. You can find it in various places, the closest one seems to be in Castle Skingrad's wine cellar.
Books: Calcinator Treatise (ex. reward in "Two Sides of a Coin" quest), De Rerum Dirennis ( All Things Alchemy, Skingrad), Mannimarco: King of Worms (Mystic Archives in Arcane University), Song of the Alchemists (Lustratorium in Arcane University).
Alteration
 | Description: Alteration is a skill that focuses on various, helpful spell such as water breathing or opening locks. It's the best way for a mage to avoid having to learn some non-magical skills. Governing skill: Willpower. |
Novice Spells: Open Very Easy Lock, Protect, Protect Other
Apprentice Spells: Defend, Ease Burden, Electric Shield, Frost Shield, Heat Shield, Hindering Touch, Open Easy Lock, Sea Stride, Water Breathing.
Journeyman Spells: Encumbering Touch, Guard, Ice Shield, Lighten Load, Lightning Shield, Open Average Lock.
Expert Spells: Fire Shield, Glacial Wall, Lightning Wall, Open Hard Lock, Oppressing Grasp, Pack Mule, Shield, Weight of the Word.
Master Spells: Aegis, Beast of Burden, Flame Shield.
Normal Training: Casting spells.
Low-level trainers: Dovyn Aren (Imperial City Elven Gardens), Deetsan (Mages Guild, Cheydinhal)
Mid-level trainers: Athragar (Mages Guild, Chorrol), Abhuki (Faregyl Inn, 5s3)
Master Trainer: Tooth-in-the-Sea (he's north of Bravil and spends most of his day underwater).
Master Trainer Quest: Tooth-in-the-Sea tells you to spend 3 hours underwater with him (you'll have to talk to him before 1 P.M.). You can do this either way you like - using Water Breathing spell, potions, special equipment (such as water-breathing helmets). If you're an Argonian, you won't have to pass his test.
Books: Daughter of the Niben (Skingrad, Mages Guild Living Quarters), Dragon Break (Dovyn Aren's House, Elven Gardens), Lunar Lorkhan (Henantier's Dream World in "Through a Nightmare, Darkly" quest, "Two Sides of a Coin" quest reward), Reality and Other Falsehoods (Southern Books, Leyawiin), Sithis (The Great Chapel of Zenithar, Leyawiin).
Armorer
 | Description: Armorer is a skill of armor and weapon repair, reducing their degradation effects and, in time, enhance their power. You must have Repair Hammers to repair items. Governing skill: Endurance. |
Apprentice Skills: Hammer breaking possibility halved.
Journeyman Skills: You can repair magical items as well.
Expert Skills: You can enhance items up to 125% of their power, meaning weapons will deal more damage and armor protect you better.
Master Skills: No possibility of breaking a hammer.
Normal Training: Repairing weapons and armor.
Low-level trainers: Eitar (Margarte's House, Leyawiin), Tadrose Halas (Fighters Guild, Bravil).
Mid-level trainers: Rohssan (Fighting Chance, Imperial City Market District), Rasheda (Fire & Steel, Chorrol).
Master Trainer: Gin-Wulm (The Best Defense, Imperial City Market District).
Master Trainer Quest: Gin-Wulm will tell you a riddle that you can't answer until you've read "The Armorers Challenge". You can buy it in First Edition in Marker District. When you read it, answer his question with "He won the Armorer's Challenge".
Books: The Armorers Challenge (First Edition, Market District; Fighters Guild, Cheydinhal), Cherim's Heart of Anequina (First Edition, Market District), Heavy Armor Repair (random bandit loot), Last Scabbard of Akrash (A Fighting Change, Imperial City Market District), Light Armor Repair (Castle Barracks, Bravil).
Athletics
 | Description: Athletics is a skill of fast moving - running and swimming. Apart from speeding up, raising it increases Fatigue regeneration rate. Governing skill: Speed. |
Apprentice Skills: 25% faster Fatigue regeneration while running.
Journeyman Skills: 50% faster Fatigue regeneration while running.
Expert Skills: 75% faster Fatigue regeneration while running.
Master Skills: Normal Fatigue regeneration while running.
Normal Training: Running all the time (Caps Lock is in order), swimming.
Low-level trainers: Uuras (Uuras the Shepherd's House, Skingrad), Mahei (Mahei's House, Leyawiin).
Mid-level trainers: Hauls-Ropes-Faster (Fo'c'sle, Anvil Docks), Honditar (Chorrol).
Master Trainer: Rusia Bradus (Silgor Bradus' House, Anvil)
Master Trainer Quest: You must have at least 30 locations found on your World Map in order for Rusia to teach you.
Books: A Dance in Fire 3 (Uuras the Shepherd's House, Skingrad), The Argonian Account 1 (random loot), Beggar (Great Hall, Cloud Ruler Temple 6s21), The Ransom of Zarek (Arena Bloodworks, Imperial City Arena), The Red Kitchen Reader (Private Quarters, Castle Anvil).
Blade
 | Description: Blade weapons are daggers, swords, and so on. Build up this skill to deal more damage with them and learn some new, more powerful moves. Governing skill: Strength. |
Apprentice Skills: Power Attack (hold left mouse button).
Journeyman Skills: Power Attack with a chance to disarm the opponent (hold left mouse button + either left or right) .
Expert Skills: Power Attack with a chance to knock down the opponent (hold left mouse button + back) .
Master Skills: Power Attack with a chance to paralyze the opponent (hold left mouse button + forward) .
Normal Training: Using this kind of weapons. (HINT: In Cloud Ruler Temple stand by the two practicing Blades and wait for a few minutes, your Blade ability will raise by 2).
Low-level trainers: Naspia Kosma (Castle Cheydinhal), Right-Wing (Fighters Guild, Bruma).
Mid-level trainers: Sherina (Fighters Guild, Leyawiin), Rhano (Fighters Guild, Anvil).
Master Trainer: Alix Lencoila (Faregyl Inn, 5s3).
Master Trainer Quest: Alix won't train you unless your Fame or Infamy is at least 20. Each of these stats is raised by performing quests.
Books: 2920 - Morningstar (Uleve Hrelvu's room - Private Quarters, Castle Anvil), Battle of Sancre Tor (Great Hall, Castle Bravil), Fire and Darkness (chest in Imperial City Sewers while doing the last Thieves Guild quest - The Ultimate Heist), Song of Hrormir (a chest near two practicing gladiators in Imperial City Arena), Words and Philosophy (Modryn Oreyn's House, Chorrol).
Block
 | Description: Block is a skill of parrying enemies' attacks with shields or weapons to reduce the damage taken from their blows. Remember that you can also use the bow to block. Governing skill: Endurance. |
Apprentice Skills: No Fatigue loss while blocking.
Journeyman Skills: Weapons and shields don't take damage from blocking.
Expert Skills: A chance for counterattack after a successful block..
Master Skills: Counterattack might also disarm the opponent..
Normal Training: Blocking the opponents' blows (HINT: In Cloud Ruler Temple stand by the two practicing Blades and wait for a few minutes, your Block ability will raise by 2).
Low-level trainers: Fadus Calidius (Fighters Guild, Skingrad), Huurwen (Fighters Guild, Anvil).
Mid-level trainers: Lum gro-Baroth (Fighters Guild, Chorrol), Ambroise Canne (Ambroise Canne's House, Skingrad).
Master Trainer: Andragil (Andragil's House, Bravil).
Master Trainer Quest: In order for Andragil to train you, you have to survive 45 second while being attacked by her. You can't use weapons, only blocking her attacks. You can use the table nearby to keep away from her.
Books: A Dance of Fire 2 (North Watch Tower, Elven Gardens) Death Blow of Abernanit (Fighters Guild, Anvil), The Mirror (City Watch Barracks, Leyawiin), The Warp in the West (Great Hall, Cloud Ruler Temple 6s21), Warrior (count's bedroom, Castle Leyawiin).
Blunt
 | Description: Blunt weapons are warhammers, maces, axes and so on. Build up this skill to deal more damage with them and learn some new, more powerful moves. Governing skill: Strength. |
Apprentice Skills: Power Attack (hold left mouse button).
Journeyman Skills: Power Attack with a chance of disarming the opponent (hold left mouse button + either left or right) .
Expert Skills: Power Attack with a chance of knocking down the opponent (hold left mouse button + back) .
Master Skills: Power Attack with a chance of paralyzing the opponent (hold left mouse button + forward) .
Normal Training: Using this type of weapons.
Low-level trainers: Burak gro-Bol (Southern Books, Leyawiin), Vigdis (Fighters Guild, Anvil).
Mid-level trainers: Christophe Marane (Brina Cross Inn, 1s18), Azzan (Fighters Guild, Anvil).
Master Trainer: Irene Metrick (Irene Metrick's House, Imperial City Elven Gardens).
Master Trainer Quest: Irene will only train you if you've killed at least 50 people - it doesn't matter if they were mere bandits or some important NPCs. Check your character statistics to see your "score".
Books: The Importance of Where (Castle Bravil Dungeon), King (Private Quarters, Castle Anvil), The Legendary Sancre Tor (Vilena Donton's House, Chorrol), Mace Etiquette (lrandom loot), Night Falls of Sentinel (Goblin Jim's Cave, 2s26).
Conjuration
 | Description: Conjuration is a type of magic that focuses mostly on summoning creatures that will fight for you. Other group of Conjuration spells are those summoning magical armor and weapons, lasting for a limited amount of time. Governing skill: Intelligence. |
Novice Spells: Bound Boots, Bound Dagger, Bound Gauntlets, Bound Helmet, Turn Undead.
Apprentice Spells: Bound Greaves, Bound War Axe, Repulse Undead, Summon Ghost, Summon Scamp, Summon Skeleton, Summon Zombie.
Journeyman Spells: Bound Bow, Bound Cuirass, Bound Mace, Rebuke Undead, Summon Dremora, Summon Flame Atronach, Summon Headless Zombie, Summon Skeleton Guardian.
Expert Spells: Bound Shield, Bounds Sword, Dismiss Undead, Summon Clannfear, Summon Daedroth, Summon Frost Atronach, Summon Skeleton Champion, Summon Skeleton Hero, Summon Spider Daedra.
Master Spells: Summon Dremora Lord, Summon Gloom Wraith, Summon Storm Atronach, Summon Xivilai.
Normal Training: Casting this type of spells. HINT: It's useful to mix training Conjuration with training some offensive skills such as Destruction or Blade. Just summon yourself a monster and then kill it.
Low-level trainers: Fathis Aren (Castle Bravil), Sulinus Vassinus (Mages Guild, Skingrad).
Mid-level trainers: Alberic Litte (Mages Guild, Chorrol), Arentus Falvius (Great Chanel of Talos, Bruma).
Master Trainer: Olyn Seran (Molag Bal's Shrine, 2s43)
Master Trainer Quest: Olyn wants you to summon a Fader Wraith for him to see. In order to use this spell (you can buy it from Athragar in Chorrol Mages Guild), your Conjuration skill must be at least 75. You'll to raise it manually, by casting spells, or find a scroll with that spell (appears as random loot from spellcasters).
Books: 2920 - Heartfire (Great Chapel of Talos, Bruma), 2920 - Frostfall (Chapel of Dibella, Anvil), The Doors of Oblivion (Mages Guild, Anvil), Liminal Bridges (2nd floor of Mystic Archives in Arcane University), The Warriors Charge (reward in "Two Sides of a Coin" quest).
Destruction
 | Description: Destruction is a magic discipline that emphasizes offensive spells that deal straight damage to your opponents, and in some cases cast negative curses upon their skills and attributes. Governing skill: Willpower. |
Novice Spells: Burning Touch, Cold Touch, Curse of Weakness, Damage Attribute: Agility, Damage Attribute: Endurance, Damage Attribute: Luck, Drain Attribute: Agility, Drain Attribute: Endurance, Drain Attribute: Luck, Flare, Minor Ennervation, Minor Wound, Shocking Touch, Snowball, Spark.
Apprentice Spells: Corrode Armor, Damage Attribute: Speed, Damage Attribute: Willpower, Drain Attribute: Speed, Drain Attribute: Willpower, Drain Skill: Illusion, Drain Skill: Marksman, Electric Touch, Entropic Bolt, Flame Touch, Flash Bolt, Frost Touch, Hailstone, Magicka Drain, Major Ennervation, Major Wound, Sever Magicka, Shock, Weakness to Fire, Weakness to Frost, Weakness to Poison, Weakness to Shock
Journeyman Spells: Blazing Spears, Corrode Weapon, Damage Attribute: Intelligence, Damage Attribute: Strength, Dire Wound, Drain Attribute: Intelligence, Drain Skill: Alteration, Drain Skill: Destruction, Drain Skill: Hand-to-Hand, Drain Skill: Heavy Armor, Fireball, Frost Bolt, Greater Magicka Drain, Hail Storm, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Grasp, Searing Grasp, Shocking Burst, Weakness to Magicka, Winter's Grasp, Withering Touch
Expert Spells: Arctic Blow, Dire Enervation, Disintegrate Armor, Drain Skill: Blade, Drain Skill: Conjuration, Drain Skill: Restoration, Fire Storm, Heat Blast, Ice Bolt, Ice Storm, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Blast, Lightning Surge, Scorching Blow, Superior Magicka Drain, Superior Wound, Withering Bolt
Master Spells: Blizzard, Disintegrate Weapon, Electrocution, Flame Tempest, Ice Blast, Immolating Blast, Legendary Magicka Drain, Lightning Storm
Normal Training: Casting this type of spells.
Low-level trainers: Chanel (Castle Chorrol), J'skar (Mages Guild, Bruma - he's not there until you do the Bruma Recommendation quest).
Mid-level trainers: Marc Gulitte (Mages Guild, Anvil), Delphine Jend (Mages Guild, Bravil).
Master Trainer: Bralsa Andaren (west of Weatherleah, 2s40).
Master Trainer Quest: Bralsa will only train you if bring her 20 Bear Pelts. There's no one solution to this quest, just find and kill 20 bears. If you don't feel like it, try to find the pelts in shops throughout Cyrodiil.
Books: The Art of War Magic (Leafrot Cave, 11s8), The Horrors of Castle Xyr (Mages Guild, Bravil), Mystery of Talara III (random loot), Response to Bero's Speech (Mystic Archives, Arcane University).
Hand-to-Hand
 | Description: The art of unarmed combat. This skill's value mostly determines the damage you can deal with your bare hands. Governing skill: Strength. |
Apprentice Skills: Power Attack (hold left mouse button).
Journeyman Skills: Power Attack with a chance to disarm the opponent (hold left mouse button + either left or right) .
Expert Skills: Power Attack with a chance to knock down the opponent (hold left mouse button + back) and a chance of counterattack while blocking.
Master Skills: Power Attack with a chance to paralyze the opponent (hold left mouse button + forward) and a chance of paralyzing counterattack while blocking.
Normal Training: Unarmed combat. HINT: In Imperial City Arena stand by the two practicing gladiators and wait for a few minutes, your H2H ability will raise by 5.
Low-level trainers: Nahsi (Fighters Guild, Bravil), Rufrius Vinicius (Fighters Guild, Anvil).
Mid-level trainers: Davela Hlaren (Imperial Bridge Inn, 8s16), Ra'quanar (Castle Cheydinhal).
Master Trainer: Helvius Cecia (Helvius Cecia's House, Bruma).
Master Trainer Quest: Helvius tells you to punch him so he loses 40% of his hit points.
Books: Ahziir Traajajazeri (J'Ghasta's House secret training room, Bruma; Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary Training Room, Cheydinhal), Immortal Blood (Seridur's House, Temple District; J'Ghasta's House secret training room, Bruma), Master Zoaraym's Tale (random loot), Way of the Exposed Palm (Fieldhouse Cave lower level, 7s26), The Wolf Queen II (Lord's Manor, Castle Skingrad).
Heavy Armor
 | Description: The art of wearing a heavy armor in a way that best protects the warrior's body from harm. The higher the value of this skill, the better armor rating of all heavy armor-based accessories. Governing skill: Endurance. |
Apprentice Skills: Normal rate of armor degradation.
Journeyman Skills: Rate of armor degradation halved.
Expert Skills: Only half of the equipped armor's weight counts to Encumbrance.
Master Skills: Equipped armor's weight doesn't encumber us.
Normal Training: Wearing heavy armor and taking damage in it.
Low-level trainers: Brodras (Fighters Guild, Leyawiin), Bumph gra-Gash (Fighters Guild, Bruma).
Mid-level trainers: Valus Odiil (Chorrol), Varnado (The Best Defense, Imperial City Market District).
Master Trainer: Pranal (Roxey Inn, 5s52).
Master Trainer Quest: Pranal will ask you to get a gift for his love: 4 glasses (silver) and a silver pitcher. You can buy them in various shops around Cyrodiil, even steal from some of the richer houses and castles. When you have them, go back to Pranal. He'll send you to the innkeeper Malene. Give her the present and go back to your new teacher.
Books: 2920 - Midyear (Fire and Steel, Chorrol), Chimarvamidium (Imperial Legion Barracks [entry through Imperial Legion Offices], Imperial City Prison), Fighters Guild History (Fighters Guild, Anvil and Chorrol; Mystic Archives, Arcane University), Hallgerd's Tale (Fighters Guild, Chorrol), How Orsinium Passed to Orcs (Lord's Manor, Castle Bruma).
Illusion
 | Description: Illusion concentrates on charms cast upon your enemies, making them tremble in fear before you, sometimes even join your side and kill their own. There are some very useful magical torch-substitutions here as well (ex. Daylight). Governing skill: Personality. |
Novice Spells: Alluring Gaze, Beguiling Touch, Frenzy, Illuminate, Inspiration, Inspiring Touch, Serenity, Soothing Touch Starlight, Touch of Frenzy
Apprentice Spells: Command Creature, Command Humanoid, Commanding Touch, Eyes of Eventide, Heroic Touch, Heroism, Mesmerizing Grasp, Moonlight, Pacification, Rage, Seductive Charm, Touch of Fear, Touch of Rage.
Journeyman Spells: Calming Touch, Candlelight, Chameleon, Debilitate, Dominating Touch, Enthralling Presence, Eyes of Midnight, Hush, Shadow Shape, Voice of Dread, Voice of Rapture.
Expert Spells: Dominate Creature, Dominate Humanoid, Fearful Gaze, Ghostwalk, Immobilize, Mute, Shadow, Torchlight.
Master Spells: Cloak, Daylight, Grasp of Terror, Paralyze, Silence, Spectral Form, Terrifying Presence.
Low-level trainers: Hil the Tall (Great Chapel of Arkay, Cheydinhal), Jantus Brolus (Istrius Brolus's House, Bruma).
Mid-level trainers: Carahil (Mages Guild, Anvil), Kud-Ei (Mages Guild, Bravil).
Master Trainer: Martina Floria (Chironasium, Arcane University).
Master Trainer Quest: To convince Martina to train you, you'll have to bring her 10 Welkynd stones. As Mages Guild Apprentice (you wouldn't be able to get to The University if you weren't one) you must have encountered them already. You'll find them in all Ayleid ruins (see World Map).
Books: The Argonian Account 3 (Mystic Archives, Arcane University), Incident in Necrom (Willow Bank, Cheydinhal), Mystery of Talara 4 (Fort Caractacus' tower, 5s49), Palla 1 (Arkved's Tower, 9s5), The Wolf Queen 3 (Mages Guild basement, Bruma).
Light Armor
 | Description: The art of wearing a light armor in a way that best protects the warrior's body from harm. The higher the value of this skill, the better armor rating of all light armor-based accessories. Governing skill: Speed. |
Apprentice Skills: Normal rate of armor degradation.
Journeyman Skills: Rate of armor degradation halved.
Expert Skills: Equipped armor's weight doesn't encumber us.
Master Skills: Armor rating up 50% if you only wear Light Armor elements.
Normal Training: Wearing heavy armor and taking damage in it.
Low-level trainers: Dul gro-Shug (Dul gro-Shug's House, Imperial City Elven Gardens), Olfang (Nord Winds, Bruma).
Mid-level trainers: Luciana Galena (Luciana Galena's House, Bravil), Ahdarji (Ahdarji's House, Leyawiin).
Master Trainer: J'Bari (J'Bari's House, Leyawiin).
Master Trainer Quest: You'll have to bring J'Bari an Elven Cuirass. If you're not at least level 15, the only certain place you can find it in would be Azani Blackheart quest for the Fighters Guild (you find it by dead boss' body). If your level is high enough, such equipment gets quite popular among common bandits.
Books: Ice and Chitin (Adharji's House, Leyawiin), Lord Jornibret's Last Chance (Bleak Flats Cave, 2s25), The Rear Guard (Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, Cheydinhal), The Refugees (First Edition, Imperial City Market District), Rislav the Righteous (random loot).
Marksman
 | Description: Marksman allows you to use bow effectively and deal serious damage with it. Bows are quite weak in Oblivion and it's really difficult to create a decent character that concentrates on them. Governing skill: Agility. |
Apprentice Skills: No Fatigue loss while bow is drawn out.
Journeyman Skills: An additional Zoom possibility (press Block while shooting).
Expert Skills: Chance of knocking the opponent back on strike.
Master Skills: Chance of paralyzing the opponent on strike.
Normal Training: Shooting arrows.
Low-level trainers: Edla Dark-Heart (Regner's House, Bruma), Shameer (Shameer's House, Skingrad).
Mid-level trainers: Reman Broder (Reman Broder's House, Skingrad), Pinarus Inventius (Pinarus Inventius' House, Anvil).
Master Trainer: Alawen (Troll Candle Camp, 1s9).
Master Trainer Quest: It's best to talk to her at night, when she's asleep. She'll tell you to bring her an Elven Bow. The easiest way to get it is to buy it from The Archer Paradox in Bravil.
Books: A Dance in Fire 5 (Regner's House, Bruma), The Black Arrow 2 (Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, Cheydinhal), Father of the Niben (Castle Bravil), The Gold Ribbon of Merit (Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, Cheydinhal), Vernaccus and Bourier (Renoit's Books, Chorrol).
Mercantile
 | Description: Mercantile, allows you to negotiate better prices in all shops in Cyrodiil. Gold is a problem only in the beginning of the game, so this skill is definitely not among the essentials. You can negotiate prices by using Haggle - with it, you raise prices of the items you sell and lower prices of those you buy. This is closely related with Speechcraft, as most NPCs will be more acceptant if they actually like you. Every transaction they reject lowers their Disposition. Governing skill: Personality. |
Apprentice Skills: No price reduction when selling damaged goods.
Journeyman Skills: You can sell any item in any shop (not only weapons in weapons shop etc. as before)
Expert Skills: You can invest 500 Gold in a shop, which enhances the maximum price they can pay for your goods.
Master Skills: All the shops have additional 500 Gold.
Normal Training: Selling and buying goods, haggling.
Low-level trainers: Forosh (Gottshaw Inn, 1s17), Mach-Na (Mach-Na's Books, Cheydinhal).
Mid-level trainers: Margarte (Margarte's House, Leyawiin), Seed-Neeus (Northern Goods and Trade, Chorrol).
Master Trainer: Palonirya (Divine Elegance, Imperial City Market District).
Master Trainer Quest: Palonirya wants you to prove your financial talent by showing her 10000 septims. You only have to posses these money, you don't get to pay her that much.
Books: 2920 - Sun's Height (Black Horse Courier, Imperial City Market District), A Dance of Fire 6 (Casta Scribonia's House, Chorrol), A Dance in Fire 7 (Casta Scribonia's House, Chorrol), The Buying Game (Fathis Ules' House, Imperial City Elven Gardens), The Wolf Queen 4 (Office of Imperial Commerce, Imperial City Market District).
Mysticism
 | Description: Mysticism is all about manipulating the magic itself - deflecting it, absorbing etc. Spells especially worth taking a peak at are Life Detection (a kind of radar) and Soul Trap (allows you to fill your Soul Gems with beasts' souls and use them to refill your magical items). Governing skill: Intelligence. |
Novice Spells: Minor Dispel, Minor Life Detection.
Apprentice Spells: Dispel Other, Major Dispel, Major Life Detection, Remote Manipulation, Soul Trap.
Journeyman Spells: Greater Dispel, Greater Dispel Other, Greater Life Detection, Greater Soul Trap, Greater Spell Reflection, Psychic Motion, Spell Absorption.
Expert Spells: Superior Dispel, Superior Life Detection, Superior Soul Trap, Superior Spell Absorption, Superior Spell Reflection, Telekinesis.
Master Spells: Legendary Dispel, Legendary Life Detection, Legendary Soul Trap, Legendary Spell Absorption, Legendary Spell Reflection, Movement Mastery.
Low-level trainers: Angalmo (Mages Guild, Chorrol), Druja (Mages Guild, Skingrad).
Mid-level trainers: Ita Rienus (Mages Guild, Bravil), Boderi Farano (Mystic Archives, Arcane University).
Master Trainer: Dagail (Mages Guild, Leyawiin).
Master Trainer Quest: Dagail won't train you until you close at least three Oblivion gates (including the ones from the main quest).
Books: 2920 - Sun's Dawn (Chapel of Julianos, Skingrad), Before the Age of Man (Chironasium, Arcane University), The Black Arts on Trial (Mystic Emporium, Imperial City Market District), The Firsthold Revolt (Mages Guild, Cheydinhal), Souls - Black and White (Fort Cuptor, 11s9).
Restoration
 | Description: Restoration is a magic discipline that focuses on manipulating character parameters - enhancing its attributes and skills, and also healing wounds and diseases. Governing skill: Willpower. |
Novice Spells: Absorb Attribute: Agility, Absorb Attribute: Endurance, Absorb Attribute: Intelligence, Absorb Attribute: Luck, Absorb Attribute: Speed, Absorb Attribute: Strength, Absorb Attribute: Willpower, Absorb Fatigue, Absorb Health, Absorb Magicka, Absorb Skill: Acrobatics, Absorb Skill: Athletics, Absorb Skill: Illusion, Absorb Skill: Security, Fortify Fatigue, Heal Minor Wounds, Minor Respite.
Apprentice Spells: Absorb Skill: Hand-to-Hand, Absorb Skill: Light Armor, Absorb Skill: Mercantile, Absorb Skill: Mysticism, Absorb Skill: Restoration, Convalescence, Cure Paralysis, Cure Poison, Fortify Agility, Fortify Endurance, Fortify Health, Fortify Intelligence, Fortify Luck, Fortify Personality, Fortify Speed, Fortify Strength, Fortify Willpower, Greater Fortify Fatigue, Heal Major Wounds, Leech Health, Major Respite, Restore Agility, Restore Endurance, Restore Intelligence, Restore Luck, Restore Personality, Restore Speed, Restore Strength, Restore Willpower.
Journeyman Spells: Absorb Skill: Alteration, Absorb Skill: Block, Absorb Skill: Conjuration, Absorb Skill: Heavy Armor, Absorb Skill: Marksman, Consume Health, Cure Disease, Fortify Magicka, Greater Convalescence, Greater Fortify Agility, Greater Fortify Endurance, Greater Fortify Intelligence, Greater Fortify Luck, Greater Fortify Personality, Greater Fortify Speed, Greater Fortify Strength, Greater Fortify Willpower, Heal Greater Wounds, Minor Magic Resistance.
Expert Spells: Absorb Skill: Blade, Absorb Skill: Blunt, Absorb Skill: Destruction, Absorb Skill: Sneak, Devour Health, Greater Fortify Health, Greater Fortify Magicka, Heal Superior Wounds, Superior Convalescence.
Master Spells: Legendary Dispel, Legendary Life Detection, Legendary Soul Trap, Legendary Spell Absorption, Legendary Spell Reflection, Movement Mastery.
Low-level trainers: Cirroc (Great Chapel of Talos, Bruma), Marie Palielle (Great Chapel of Julianos, Skingrad).
Mid-level trainers: Marz (Great Chapel of Mara, Bravil), Ohtesse (Great Chapel of Arkay, Cheydinhal).
Master Trainer: Oleta (Great Chapel of Akatosh, Kvatch).
Master Trainer Quest: It's simple - you just have to perform the "Battle for Castle Kvatch" quest. It's given to you by Savlian Marius, the same person who told you to close the Oblivion gate of Kvatch near the beginning of the game.
After you retake the Kvatch Chapel, Savlian will ask you for further help in fighting for the city. Agree and follow him. Defeat some monsters and talk to him again. Go back to the Chapel and talk to Berich Inian about the key. Follow the map markers until you reach the mechanism that opens the castle gate - use it, and you'll meet up with Savlian's men again.
Defeat the daedra occupying the courtyard, talk to Marius again, and enter the castle. He'll tell you to find the count. Follow the map marker again, fighting off the daedra, and eventually you'll find count's body. Take the ring from it and go back to Matius in order to give it to him. You'll get a Kvatch Cuirass as a reward.
Books: 2920 - Rain's Hand (Chapel of Mara, Cheydinhal), The Exodus (Chapel of Julianos, Skingrad), Mystery of Talara 3 ("Two Sides of a Coin" quest reward), Notes on Racial Philogeny (Chapel of Stendarr, Chorrol), Whiteshins (Mages Guild, Leyawiin).
Security
 | Description: Security is a skill of opening locks in doors, chests, and everything else that can have one in it. Opening locks is served as a kind of mini-game, that gets easier every time you increase your skill. Success is a matter of two things, then: your own ability to play the mini-game, and the additional bonuses from skill points, that can make things a lot easier. Practice makes perfect, again - and not only on the game's side, you'll also learn to hear and see exactly when to click and win. You'll need lockpicks to open locks. They can be found in various random locations, and bought from Thieves Guild Fences. In a Daedric quest from Nocturnal, you'll get a special, unbreakable lockpick called Skeleton Key, that will once and for all solve your "out of lockpicks" problems. Governing skill: Agility. |
Apprentice Skills: If you miss, three tumblers will fall.
Journeyman Skills: If you miss, two tumblers will fall.
Expert Skills: If you miss, one tumbler will fall.
Master Skills: If you miss, no tumblers will fall.
Normal Training: Mini-game practice (you don't even have to succeed in it).
Low-level trainers: Malintus Ancrus (Malintus Ancrus' House), Samuel Bantien (Samuel Bantien's House, Imperial City Talos Plaza).
Mid-level trainers: Dro'Shanji (Dro'shanji's House, Bravil), Mandil (Othrelos's House, Imperial City Elven District).
Master Trainer: J'baana (Imperial City Prison; in order to get to him, you'll have to get past the gates to the north-eastern part of the map. Either steal the key from one of the guards or open it with a lockpick [Very Hard lock]).
Master Trainer Quest: J'baana will tell you to go to S'krivva in Bravil (you might know her from various Thieves Guild quests) and take a message from her. As easy as it gets - just pay her a visit and go back to J'baana.
Books: Advances in Lockpicking (March-Na's Books, Cheydinhal), The Locked Room (Smuggler's Cave, Castle Anvil), Proper Lock Design (Dareloth's House, Imperial City Waterfront [after completing the whole Thieves Guild]), Surfeit of Thieves ("Two Sides of a Coin" quest reward), The Wolf Queen 1 (Dro'Shanji's House, Bravil).
Sneak
 | Description: Sneak not only allows you to move unnoticed, but also pick pockets. The higher the skill, the less chance of detection there is. Weight of your boots also determines the possibility of failure. Governing skill: Agility. |
Apprentice Skills: x6 multiplier to sneak-attack from a single-handed weapon or hand-to-hand, x3 multiplier to sneak bow attacks.
Journeyman Skills: Boot weight doesn't impact your detection chance.
Expert Skills: Moving doesn't impact your detection chance.
Master Skills: When you sneak-attack, you deal damage ignoring the enemy's armor rating.
Normal Training: Practicing sneaking past enemies.
Low-level trainers: City-Swimmer (City Swimmer's House, Bravil), Glistel (Malintus Ancrus' House, Chorrol).
Mid-level trainers: Othrelos (Othrelos's House, Imperial City Elven Gardens), Mirabelle Monet (Fo'c's'le, Anvil Docks).
Master Trainer: Marana Rian (Marana Rian's House, Imperial City Temple District).
Master Trainer Quest: You have to steal a coin that Marana has in her pocket. This shouldn't be too difficult, provided your Sneak ability is already at a high level.
Books: 2920 - Last Steed (City Swimmer's House, Bravil), Legend of Krately House (Cloud Ruler Temple library), Purloined Shadows (random loot), Sacred Witness (Lake Arrius Caverns, 9s38), The Wolf Queen 7 (Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, Cheydinhal).
Speechcraft
 | Description: Speechcraft is an ability to make friends in Cyrodiil. The perks of high Speechcraft (and Personality) are various, starting from easier information gathering, and all the way to lower prices in shops. Using Speechcraft always comes in pair with a mini-game, in which we have to choose arguments the way the NPCs like. The higher the skill, the easier it is to raise somebody's Disposition. Its value range is 0-100. HINT: You can use Charm-like spells instead of Speechcraft. Governing skill: Personality. |
Apprentice Skills: Additional "rotate" option.
Journeyman Skills: Disposition falling rate halved.
Expert Skills: Lowers the penalty for choosing the worst possible argument.
Master Skills: Bribes cost halved.
Normal Training: Mini-game practicing.
Low-level trainers: Alga (Honmund's House, Bruma), Uravasa Othelas (Great Chanel of Mara, Bravil).
Mid-level trainers: Varon Vamori (Varon Vamori's House, Bravil), Gruiand Garrana (Great Chapel of Arkay, Cheydinhal).
Master Trainer: Tandilwe (Temple of the One, Imperial City Temple District).
Master Trainer Quest: Tandilwe will send you to a tramp-talking marathon. You have to talk to every single beggar in Cyrodiil. There are 19 of them: five in Imperial City and two in every other city. It's not difficult to find them, they usually just hang out on the streets during the day and sleep there during the night. Their appearance is also recognizable.
Books: 2920 - Second Seed (Chancellor Ocato's Quarters, Imperial Palace), Biography of the Wolf Queen (Armand Christophe's House, Imperial City Waterfront), The Wolf Queen 5 (Hastrel Ottus' House, Imperial City Temple District), The Wolf Queen 6 (Ottus' House, Imperial City Temple District).