Oblivion Where Spirits Have Lease Quest Guide And Walkthrough

Purchasing your first piece of real estate in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion often feels like a major milestone, but some properties carry hidden histories that demand extra work. The sprawling Benirus Manor in Anvil is available at a suspiciously low price, making it an tempting investment for unsuspecting heroes. However, moving into this grand estate triggers one of the most memorable and haunting side quests in Cyrodiil.
Purchasing the Haunted Manor of Anvil
To begin this ghostly adventure, you must travel to the coastal city of Anvil and visit the local tavern known as The Count's Arms. Inside, a high elf named Velwyn Benirus will offer to sell his ancestral manor for a remarkably cheap price of 2,500 gold pieces. Accepting his offer grants you the key to the front door, allowing you to take immediate possession of the property.
Upon entering your new home, you will quickly notice that the interior is cluttered, dusty, and completely uninviting. To progress the storyline, you must navigate to the upper floor and sleep in the bed to trigger a sudden ghostly ambush. Waking up to aggressive spirits reveals that the house is deeply cursed, forcing you to investigate the dark origins of the manor.
Investigating the Dark Secrets of the Basement
Defeating the initial wave of ghosts reveals a broken glowing urn on the main floor, which holds a unique skeletal hand and a dusty scrap of paper. Reading the journal entry reveals that Velwyn's grandfather was actually a dangerous necromancer who practiced dark magic within the home. This discovery updates your quest log and forces you to track down the salesman to demand an explanation.
Returning to the local tavern will prove fruitless, as Velwyn has fled to the Imperial City to escape his family's dark past. You must travel to the Elven Garden district to locate him and convince him to return to Anvil to help undo the curse. Recognizing his responsibility, he agrees to meet you back at the manor to open a sealed secret passage hidden inside the basement floor.
Confronting the Necromancer Lorgren Benirus
Once you return to Anvil, guide Velwyn down into the gloomy basement where he will use his ancestral bloodline to break the magical seal on the hidden wall. As soon as the stone doorway opens, Velwyn will panic and flee the area, leaving you alone to face the horrors inside. The hidden laboratory contains dangerous altars and powerful spirits guarding a central stone sarcophagus.
Approaching the altar brings you face to face with the skeletal remains of Lorgren Benirus, who speaks to your character from beyond the grave. The ancient mage tricks you into restoring his skeletal hand to his body under the guise of binding his soul forever. Instead, this action fully resurrects the powerful necromancer, initiating a fierce boss battle that requires your strongest combat skills to survive.
Looting the Rewards and Restoring the Manor
Defeating the resurrected wizard permanently lifts the dark curse from the property and completely purges the aggressive spirits from the area. With the necromancer destroyed, the property undergoes an immediate cosmetic transformation into a clean, beautiful, and fully furnished luxury estate. Velwyn will reward your bravery by officially letting you keep the restored home as your permanent reward.
Restoring the estate provides a perfect hub for storing your rare items, weapon collections, and valuable equipment throughout your journey. This engaging storyline demonstrates how a seemingly simple property transaction can evolve into a deep dungeon crawl filled with rich lore. Clearing the manor stands out as an essential activity for any adventurer looking to maximize their standing in Cyrodiil.