Guides

Oblivion Remastered: A Brush With Death Guide

Enter a surreal painted world to rescue a missing artist, and battle deadly Painted Trolls.

“A Brush With Death” is a Side Quest available in Cheydinhal. You will need to listen for rumors of a famous painter having gone missing.

The Missing Painter

After the Hero has heard the rumors about the missing painter, Rythe Lythandas, they’ll be able to start this quest properly. You will need to head to his house. Once there, go inside. Talk with Tivela Lythandas (the wife).

Tivela will explain that it’s not uncommon for Rythe to lock himself away for days at a time while working on a piece. The odd part is he’s vanished from his locked work room. She asks you to figure out what’s happened to Rythe.

Finding Rythe

Go inside the work room with the key you’re given. You’ll see 2 paintings to the left. 1 is fully colored with a Troll visible and the other is merely an outline. If you approach and interact with the more complete painting on the right, you will see you can interact with it. Interacting with the Painting will take you into the Painted World.

The Unusual Painting that gives access to the Painted World.

Inside the Painted World, a canvas-like filter is in place. Nothing overall can be done about it (unless you have a mod to disable it).

Inside the painted world, you will quickly be approached by Rythe. He explains that normal he goes into the paintings to finish the process. However, this time a thief broke in and tried to escape with Rythe’s enchanted brush, the Brush of Truepaint. The Thief created Trolls to protect himself, but the trolls killed the Thief. Rythe needs the Hero to deal with the trolls and reclaim his enchanted paintbrush.

Rythe explains that the Brush of Truepaint is needed to escape from this painted world. It’s on the body of the Bosmer thief who broke in. To aid you, he’ll give the Hero 6 Bottles of Turpentine.

Turpentine is a “poison” that can be applied to your bladed and blunt weapons. It will either immediately kill any of the Painted Trolls or severely damage them, putting them in one-shot range. There are a total of 6 Trolls. Each of which will drop the unique alchemy ingredient Painted Troll Fat.

Retrieve the Brush

It’s time to see about getting the Brush of Truepaint. While it’s not overall far (especially with careful rock climbing), there are still a number of Painted Trolls that need your attention. Head down the slope and forward. As you go to the left, you’ll likely encounter the first of the Painted Trolls.

The Bosmer Thief with the Brush of Truepaint

Continue along this slow arch to the left. Follow it as it becomes available to turn to the South. Defeat at least 3 more trolls as you approach the body of the Bosmer Thief. Once you are over it, the quest will update.

Loot the Bosmer Thief’s body and the Hero can claim the Brush of Truepaint. Now, it’s time to head back to Rythe.

Turn around and follow the same arc back. You can also just head up the slope to the right and use the rocks there to climb. Climbing over the rocks is the fastest way.

Return to Reality

Make your way back to Rythe Lythandas. Approach and talk with him. Rythe will explain that with the brush, he can paint a doorway back to reality. The Hero has to go first because the doorway will close behind Rythe. A portait of the workroom will appear moments after Rythe starts painting. Just interact with it to return to Mundus.

Back in Reality, Rythe Lythandas will thank the Hero. He expresses his resolve to continue working as an Artist. To thank the Hero for his rescue, Rythe gives the Hero the Apron of Adroitness.