Oblivion Remastered: A Watery Grave Quest Walkthrough

by Sacheen · April 25, 2025

The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

Here’s a full walkthrough for “A Watery Grave,” your first contract in Oblivion Remastered’s Dark Brotherhood questline. Learn how to sneak onto the ship, kill the pirate captain, and grab your reward.

One of the most iconic factions in Oblivion Remastered, the Dark Brotherhood gives players a dark and stealthy path through Cyrodiil. Once you’ve joined up, your first contract is A Watery Grave—a mission that has you killing a pirate captain on his own ship.

This quest doesn’t offer a bonus like later contracts, but it sets the tone for what’s ahead. Here’s your full guide to taking out Captain Gaston Tussaud and getting back to the Sanctuary in one piece.

How To Start “A Watery Grave” Quest

To start A Watery Grave, all you need to do is join the Dark Brotherhood and gain access to the Cheydinhal Sanctuary. After passing through the Ancient Black Door, talk to Vicente Valtieri—he’s your guy for contracts at this point.

This will be your very first contract in the Dark Brotherhood questline.

Full “A Watery Grave” Walkthrough

Step One: Find the Pirate Ship

Head to the Waterfront District in the Imperial City.
From the city gate, turn left and follow the dock. You’ll see the ship, Marie Elena, docked at the far end with a group of pirates hanging around.
At the very end of the dock, past the pirates and the bow of the ship, you’ll find a box. Walk up to it and a prompt will pop up—choose to hide inside, and you’ll be smuggled into the ship’s cargo hold.

🧠 Alternate option: You can also just walk right onto the deck and enter the ship. The pirates will go hostile, but if guards are nearby, they’ll jump in and help you clear them out.

Step Two: Sneak Through the Marie Elena

If you went the smuggling route, you’ll spawn in the cargo hold.

Sneak your way through the lower level.
Eventually, you’ll reach a ladder. Climb it to the second level.
On this level, you’ll run into two pirates having a conversation. Just wait it out, then sneak past once they walk away.
Make your way to the hatch that leads to the captain’s cabin.

If you don’t care about being sneaky, you can just fight your way through—there’s no bonus to lose on this quest.

Step Three: Kill Captain Gaston Tussaud

Once you reach the captain’s quarters:

If you’re sneaking, this is the perfect chance for a stealth kill. A sneak attack will usually take him out in one hit.
Not sneaking? He’ll go hostile immediately, so be ready to fight.

🧪 Bonus style tip: If you want to go full assassin mode, reverse pickpocket a Poisoned Apple into his inventory (and remove all other food from the room). He’ll eat it and die without you ever drawing your blade. Silent, clean, and darkly satisfying.

Once he’s dead, exit through the rear door of the captain’s quarters, jump off the back of the ship, and swim away. A couple of pirates will check on him shortly after, so don’t linger too long.

Quest Rewards

Return to Vicente Valtieri at the Sanctuary in Cheydinhal to report your success.

Here’s what you get:

The Black Band (Ring) – Fortify Light Armor, Fortify Security, and Resist Magic.
1 Infamy Point – Affects how some NPCs see you, especially in religious areas.
Next Quest Unlocked: “Accidents Happen,” where you’ll need to pull off a death that looks like a freak accident.

And just like that, you’re officially in the business of murder.
No bonus this time, but your real reward is that sweet new ring and the start of one of the most unforgettable questlines in the game.

Oblivion Remastered: A Watery Grave Quest Walkthrough

How To Start “A Watery Grave” Quest