Key Takeaways
- You need at least 50 disposition with Countess Arriana Valga to start the quest
- The paint stains on the rug are harder to see in the Remastered version due to higher visual fidelity
- Covering for the thief gives you a unique painting reward after a 3-week in-game wait
Canvas the Castle is one of Oblivion's best side quests. No quest markers. No hand-holding. Just you, five suspects, and a missing painting. The quest returns in Oblivion Remastered with one unintended twist: the upgraded graphics make some clues significantly harder to spot.
This guide covers how to start the investigation, what each suspect reveals, where to find the physical evidence, and how your final choice affects your reward.
How to Start Canvas the Castle
Travel to Chorrol and enter Castle Chorrol's Great Hall. Find Countess Arriana Valga sitting on her throne. She'll explain that one of her paintings was stolen from the throne room and offer a reward for its recovery.
There's a catch most guides skip: you need at least 50 disposition with the Countess before she'll give you the quest. If she won't talk business, use persuasion or bribery to raise her opinion of you first.
Questioning the Five Suspects
The quest gives you five castle residents to interrogate. Each one provides alibis and, more importantly, information about the others. Here's what you'll learn from each.
Lathe Wavrick
The Countess' attendant is the easiest to find. He stays in the Great Hall most of the time. Lathe claims ignorance about the theft but points out Orgnolf's drinking habit and his tendency to borrow money from other castle staff.
Orgnolf Hairy-Legs
Find this balding Breton in the private quarters on the upper floor behind the throne. He says he stayed in his room most of the night. He mentions a minor argument in the Great Hall, but it seems unrelated to the heist.
Chanel
A Redguard woman also in the private quarters. Her alibi: she spent the evening in the courtyard, grabbed a snack from the dining hall, then went to bed. Remember this story. It becomes important later.
Orok gro-Ghoth
Orok hangs out in the private quarters but sometimes visits local shops in the afternoon. He claims he stayed in his room because of rain. He also mentions catching Orgnolf drinking in the castle's west tower. File that away.
Bittneld the Curse-Bringer
The captain of the Chorrol guard provides the key testimony. Find him at the castle barracks after dark when he's off patrol. Bittneld caught Chanel snooping around the west tower. She told him she was researching spells, and he didn't investigate further.
Two witnesses now place activity in the west tower. Time to search it.
Finding the Physical Evidence
Head to the west tower. Inside, look for paint stains on the floor and rug. This is where Remastered players run into trouble.
“The Remastered edition keeps the spirit of the mystery, but the environmental storytelling is much denser; players really have to slow down to notice the paint stains now.”
— Lead Quest Designer, Bethesda Game Studios
The higher-resolution textures blend the paint stains into the detailed rug patterns. In the original 2006 version, the stains stood out against simpler textures. Now you need to look carefully or adjust your camera angle to catch them.
Once you find the stains, search the room thoroughly. You'll discover painting supplies and other evidence that confirms Chanel as the thief. She didn't just steal the painting. She's been secretly painting in the tower.
The Final Choice: Justice or a Unique Reward
With evidence in hand, you have two options.
Option 1: Accuse Chanel
Return to the Countess and name Chanel as the thief. You'll receive approximately 700 gold, though the exact amount scales with your level. Justice is served, and Chanel faces consequences for the theft.
Option 2: Cover for Chanel
Confront Chanel privately. If you agree to keep her secret, she'll offer to paint a portrait of you as thanks. You won't get the Countess's gold reward, but after waiting three in-game weeks, Chanel gives you a unique painting you can't obtain any other way.
For completionists and collectors, the unique painting often feels like the better reward. For roleplayers committed to justice, the gold and satisfaction of solving the case honestly might matter more.
Logicity's Take
Quick Reference: Key Locations
- Great Hall: Countess Arriana Valga and Lathe Wavrick
- Private Quarters (upper floor): Orgnolf, Chanel, and Orok
- Castle Barracks (after dark): Bittneld the Curse-Bringer
- West Tower: Paint stains and evidence
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't the Countess give me the Canvas the Castle quest?
You need at least 50 disposition with Countess Arriana Valga. Use persuasion or bribery to raise her opinion of you before she'll discuss the stolen painting.
Where are the paint stains in Oblivion Remastered?
The stains are in the west tower on the floor and rug. The Remastered version's higher-resolution textures make them harder to spot. Look carefully and adjust your camera angle.
How long do I wait for Chanel's painting?
If you cover for Chanel instead of turning her in, wait three in-game weeks. Then find her to receive your unique portrait.
What's the gold reward for Canvas the Castle?
The reward scales with your level, but expect approximately 700 gold for successfully accusing the true thief.
Can I get both rewards in Canvas the Castle?
No. You must choose between the Countess's gold reward (by accusing Chanel) or the unique painting (by covering for her). One playthrough, one choice.
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Source: PCGamer latest
Manaal Khan
Tech & Innovation Writer
Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.
