You’re standing in the middle of the Cheydinhal Mages Guild. You’ve talked to Falcar. He’s a jerk, obviously. He told you to go find some ring in a well, and now you’re staring at a very uncooperative Argonian. Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating moments in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and it hasn't changed much in the recent Oblivion Remastered (2025).
You click the "Recommendation" topic. Deetsan won't give me the key. Instead, she just mumbles something about not being comfortable talking while Falcar is around.
It’s annoying. You’ve probably tried bribing her. Maybe you even tried to pickpocket her, only to find out she isn't even carrying the well key yet. The game doesn't explicitly tell you what "around" means, and that's where most players get stuck.
Why Deetsan Is Holding Out on You
The logic here is actually pretty simple, even if the game is a bit dramatic about it. Deetsan is terrified of Falcar. He’s the head of the chapter, and he’s... well, he’s shady. She knows that the task he gave you is basically a death sentence, but she won't spill the beans if he can see her.
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Basically, the "Deetsan won't give me the key" problem is a proximity check.
If Falcar is in the same room—or sometimes even just on the same floor—her script locks up. She will give you the "I just don't feel comfortable" line every single time.
The Proximity Trap
The game's AI packages for NPCs in the Cheydinhal guild are a bit chaotic. Sometimes Falcar just hangs out in the lobby for hours. Other times, he’s pacing the basement. If he’s anywhere near the line of sight or within a certain radius, Deetsan keeps her mouth shut.
You need to get her alone.
Most people try to talk to her right after talking to Falcar. Don't do that. They’re usually standing five feet apart at that point.
How to Get the Well Key Immediately
The fastest way to fix this is to just wait. Seriously.
- Check the Clock: Press "T" (or your wait button).
- Wait until 10:00 PM or later: Falcar eventually goes to his room in the basement to sleep.
- Find Deetsan: She usually hangs out in the living quarters or the main hall.
- Talk to her again: With Falcar out of earshot, she’ll finally give you the key and a Buoyancy spell.
If you don't want to wait until night, try to catch her between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. According to the guild schedules, Falcar is often in the basement during this window, while Deetsan remains on the ground floor.
Is it actually bugged?
Sometimes, yeah. In the Oblivion Remastered edition released last year, players have reported a specific glitch where Falcar just stands still and never moves. If he’s permanently stuck in the lobby, Deetsan will never give you the key.
If you're on PC, you can use the console. Open it with the tilde (~) key, click on Falcar, and type disable. Talk to Deetsan, get your key, then type enable after clicking the air where he was.
For console players on PS5 or Xbox Series X, your best bet is to leave the building entirely. Go to the Cheydinhal bridge, wait 24 hours, and come back. This usually resets the NPC "packages" and forces them to move to their scheduled locations.
The Ring of Burden Nightmare
Once you actually get the key, don't think you're in the clear. The "well" part of this quest is its own brand of misery.
Deetsan gives you a Buoyancy spell for a reason. Use it. The well is completely underwater. Down there, you'll find the body of Vidkun—the poor soul who tried this before you. On his body is the Ring of Burden.
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Warning: The ring weighs 150 pounds.
If you're a low-strength mage build, picking up that ring will instantly overencumber you. You'll be stuck at the bottom of a well, drowning, unable to move. It’s a classic Bethesda prank.
- Pro Tip: Cast the Buoyancy spell before you dive. It gives you Water Breathing and a Feather effect to help with the weight.
- The Cheat Way: You don't actually have to carry the ring back. As soon as you pick it up, the quest updates. You can literally drop the ring right there in the water and swim back up.
What Happens After the Well?
After you get out of the well (and hopefully don't drown), head back to Deetsan.
Falcar will have disappeared. He’s a coward, honestly. Deetsan will tell you that she confronted him about what he did to Vidkun, and he threw a tantrum and left.
This is where you finish the quest. She’ll ask you to search Falcar’s room in the basement. You’ll find two Black Soul Gems in his locked dresser—massive evidence of necromancy. Give those to Deetsan, and she’ll write your recommendation.
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Solving Common "Deetsan" Glitches
If you've followed the steps and she still won't talk, check these weird edge cases:
- Disposition: If her disposition is below 40, she might not trust you. Play the persuasion mini-game or just bribe her.
- The "Invisible Falcar" Bug: Sometimes Falcar is "detected" by Deetsan even if he's behind a wall. Try moving her to the far opposite corner of the guild hall by bumping into her repeatedly.
- Active Quests: Make sure the "Cheydinhal Recommendation" is your active quest. Sometimes the dialogue script won't trigger if the game thinks you're busy with something else.
Honestly, the biggest takeaway is just patience. Deetsan is a nervous wreck. Give her some space, wait for the sun to go down, and she'll hand over that key.
Once you have the recommendation, you're one step closer to the Arcane University in the Imperial City. Just watch out for those Black Soul Gems—the Mages Guild doesn't take kindly to people carrying those around once the quest is over.
Your Next Steps:
Check your inventory for any "Feather" potions or "Fortify Strength" spells before you jump into that well. If you’re playing on a console and Falcar is stuck in the lobby, save your game, punch a guard to get arrested, pay the fine, and then go back to the guild; this often forces the interior NPCs to reload their positions.