So I'm attempting a no-kills run, relying heavily on illusion magic to make the enemy kill itself when the time comes, and calming the survivor. Just one problem - came across the Light's Out quest... and it wants Jeera dead. And she slaughters everything... so she's the last one. I calmed her, then went to pickpocket, and got the note, but no quest update, so I'm afraid if I go after it I'll wind up preventing the quest ever from being able to be completed.

Well, I'm doing the thieves' guild questline, so I pick up Mercer as a guest character, since hirelings count as kills. All's going good, he cleans house and... lets her... live? Every time he goes at it, she takes a knee, and that's it.

Is it something with this particular guest, or do I actually have to be the one to take her out? Hirelings count as kills, so I can't use them on this run...

So... you guys have no idea, huh?

If you kill her, she should still have a copy of the note on her and taking that should update the quest.
However the note you pickpocketed will forever be marked as a quest item and you'll never be able to get rid of it.

I'm stuck with a lot of notes I pickpocketed prematurely

She is marked partial-essential to avoid dragon bomb runs ruining the quest. Only the dragonborn can kill her. Mods can help you in that regard.

=_=

That svcks. Whelp, that quest will never be completed then.

I completed that quest but I not fully understanding is it that you can't kill her?Because you need to kill her then take the note.

Role is playing her toon as "no kills". So no, SHE can't kill this NPC or she will bork her game for this playstyle.

@Role
Well good luck with that I hope you figure something out.