Yeah, I know. Nag nag nag. Anyway, here we go.

Why is it that the only factions in all of Tamriel that focus primarily on stealthy characters are criminal factions? I mean, I developed a love for stealth-based gameplay primarily from playing the first three Splinter Cell games, and in those games, you're the good guy. Having to be a cold-blooded killer in order to gain access to factions that cater to my playstyle goes against my personal morals, which I prefer to incorporate into my gameplay.

I just wish that there was some sort of faction that stealth, but law-abiding citizens could join. Just one! You know, like if your joined the civil war primarily as a spy rather than a fighter, with each side having two factions that you could possibly join (so you don't have to make a choice). Imagine going on reconissaince missions or stealing the keys to an enemy fort so that the fighers can just walk right in the front door, or taking out a major enemy fighter who is too strong to fight head-on. You know, Splinter Cell type missions! But you're still fighting for the good guys!

I'd just love to see that.

The civil war faction was supposed to have some "infiltration" type missions. Some code leftovers are still visible via the CK.
Just like the "Pit fighter" faction/quest line, it was cut out the game for some reason. A shame.

Since theft and murder are criminal activities, you generally want to avoid getting caught. To do that, you either murder everyone in 12KM, or sneak. Makes logical sense to me.

I wouldn't really consider the Thieves guild evil though... No more evil than the graverobbing dragonborn anyway.

Lets face it. Job opportunities for a dude all about stealth and subterfuge, but unwilling to commit acts classified as "morally questionable," are always going to be pretty slim. Every now and then someone like Mr. Sam Fisher gets lucky and lands that killer job, but the rest of us are stuck sneaking up on our girlfriends to try and scare them.

That is like saying: "Hey, want to hire me? I can shoot a bow like nobody else, but I can't stand inflicting pain so I wont shoot anything living. Got something for me do do?"

I actually lol'd. Makes a lot of sense when you think about it.

I definitely get what you're saying.

But, surely the Empire has a team of spies, just like the U.S. Department of Defense does in real life! A military without spies is quintessentially blind. Can't Bethesda let me join THOSE guys? I mean, surely the Empire doesn't hire the Thieves Guild every time they need reconnisaince!

I don't think there is anything in the game that requires you to join an amoral faction to be a stealthy character. What I don't like is that I get a quest, that I can't refuse, that I can't remove from my journal, that requires me to join the Mage's college to complete, no matter how magic averse my nordish warrior is!

i hear you.

probably the lack of factions.

think if you could join the silver-hand and then work to build them up and tear down the companions. or, another thieves guild trying to start from scratch and take out the riften branch. or, after certain parts of the civil war and you can infiltrate whiterun or a city that has changed loyalties.

lots of possibilities.

This annoys me as well. None of my characters really have magical abilities other than enchanting. However to get one of the three pieces of that three piece amulet you have to join the college.

It's just a fantasy trope, players that hide in the shadows are up to no good. Granted, if you want to play as Sam Fisher or Solid Snake, maybe high fantasy wouldn't whet your appitite.