The quest A Matter of Honor in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion presents players with one of the most intriguing Dead Drop contracts in the Dark Brotherhood storyline. Tasked with eliminating the Dunmer battlemage Alval Uvani, players must travel across Cyrodiil to track down a target who is constantly on the move. Successfully completing this contract requires understanding Alval's routine, taking advantage of key strategic opportunities, and executing the assassination without compromising your safety.
Understanding the Target and Locating Alval Uvani
Alval Uvani is a formidable traveling Dunmer who spends his week visiting various inns throughout the cities of Cyrodiil. His weekly schedule takes him from the Lonely Suitor Lodge in Bravil on Mondays and Tuesdays to the West Weald Inn in Skingrad on Wednesdays and Thursdays. By Fridays and Saturdays, he resides at Olav's Tap and Tack in Bruma before traveling to Leyawiin on Sundays.
Because Alval is constantly traveling between settlements, players can choose to intercept him on the open road or strike while he rests inside an inn. Ambush tactics on the road can prove challenging due to his high Sneak and powerful Destruction magic. Tracking his exact location via your quest marker makes planning your approach significantly easier.
Tactics and Choices for Eliminating Alval Uvani
Facing Alval in direct combat requires careful preparation because of his potent frost spells and bound armor abilities. Players looking for a direct confrontation should equip gear with high magic resistance or rely on Silence spells to neutralize his spellcasting. Striking while he is isolated inside an inn room offers a much safer environment for a quick kill.
For players who prefer stealth, quiet assassinations remain the most efficient choice during this contract. Catching Alval while he sleeps in one of his designated inns eliminates his defensive advantage entirely. Careful execution ensures you complete the objective efficiently while maintaining full control over the encounter.
Lore Secrets and Quest Impact
While A Matter of Honor appears to be a standard Dark Brotherhood contract, it holds deeper significance within the main guild narrative. Later storyline events reveal that the orders provided in the Dead Drop were tampered with by a hidden traitor within the sanctuary. Unbeknownst to the Hero at the time, Alval Uvani was actually a high-ranking member of the Black Hand.
Completing this contract moves players further down a dark path that ultimately alters the future of the Dark Brotherhood in Cyrodiil. Understanding the underlying plot reveals how every choice during these assassination missions feeds into the larger conspiracy. Once Alval is defeated, players can proceed to their next designated Dead Drop location to continue the storyline.
