The Boots of Springheel Jak quest in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is one of the most memorable late-game missions in the Thieves Guild storyline. Players are tasked by the mysterious Gray Fox to recover an ancient pair of magical footwear that provides a massive boost to agility and jumping ability. Navigating this quest requires a blend of investigative work, stealth, and eventual combat inside a hidden subterranean crypt.
Starting the Quest and Unlocking the Assignment
To initiate this quest, players must first complete the Arrow of Extrication mission and fence a total of 800 gold worth of stolen goods. Once this threshold is reached, waiting in the Imperial City will cause the courier Amusei to deliver a message from the Gray Fox. Head over to Cheydinhal to meet the Guildmaster inside Ganredhel's residence to receive your briefing.
The Gray Fox explains that Springheel Jak was a legendary thief buried centuries ago along with his enchanted boots. Since the exact location of his tomb is unknown, your investigation starts by tracking down his last known descendant in the Imperial City.
Locating Jakben, Earl of Imbel
Travel to the Talos Plaza District in the Imperial City to locate the estate of Jakben, Earl of Imbel. Infiltrating his home during the day or night allows you to search for clues regarding his ancestral tomb. Confronting Jakben directly will prompt him to hand over the key to his family catacombs located in the basement.
Alternatively, sneaky players can search his upper quarters to find key documents detailing the family's dark past. Reading Springheel Jak's diary reveals the truth that Jakben himself is actually the ancient thief preserved through vampirism.
Exploring the Catacombs and Retrieving the Boots
Descending into the Imbel Family Catacombs brings players into a dark network populated by aggressive undead creatures. Navigating through the winding stone passages eventually leads to the central burial chamber containing Springheel Jak's coffin. Opening the sarcophagus triggers an ambush by Jakben, who dons full battle armor and attacks with vampire powers.
Defeating Jakben in combat allows you to loot the Boots of Springheel Jak directly from his body. Return to Cheydinhal to turn the item in to the Gray Fox and complete the mission.
Important Gameplay Tips and Exploits
Players should be careful not to ask the Gray Fox about the "Contemporary of Springheel Jak" topic prior to submitting the boots to avoid quest bugs. Interestingly, these boots play a critical role in the final Thieves Guild quest, where they cushion a massive fall.
A well-known community exploit allows players to keep the permanent Acrobatics buff even after losing the physical item. By getting arrested while wearing the boots, the +50 Acrobatics bonus remains permanently attached to your character stats.
