If you’ve spent any time wandering the roads of Skyrim with a backpack full of stolen goods, you’ve probably asked yourself where all the fences are hiding. A fence is a merchant who will buy stolen items without turning you in to the guards, and they are absolutely essential for anyone pursuing the Thieves Guild storyline. This guide will walk you through exactly where to find every fence in Skyrim, how to unlock them, and how to make the most of their services.

Whether you’re a seasoned thief or a newcomer to the shadows, understanding the fence network will transform the way you play. Let’s dive into the details so you can offload your ill-gotten gains quickly and profitably.

What Is a Fence in Skyrim?

In Skyrim, a fence is a special type of merchant who purchases stolen items, something regular shopkeepers refuse to do. Without access to a fence, stolen goods sit uselessly in your inventory or must be sold through the Thieves Guild’s own channels. Fences are therefore the lifeblood of any thief character.

The term “fence” comes from real-world criminal slang for someone who deals in stolen property. Bethesda brought this concept into Skyrim as a core mechanic of the Thieves Guild questline, and it adds a layer of realism and strategy to the game’s economy. You can’t just walk into Belethor’s General Goods and sell a stolen silver candlestick, but a fence will happily take it off your hands.

Fences also serve as trainers in some cases, and they can become valuable allies as your Thieves Guild reputation grows. The more you invest in the Guild, the more fences become available to you across the province.

The First Fence: Tonilia in the Ragged Flagon

Your introduction to the fence system comes through Tonilia, the Redguard woman who operates out of the Ragged Flagon in Riften. She is the Thieves Guild’s primary fence and the first one most players will meet.

Tonilia becomes available after you join the Thieves Guild during the quest “A Chance Arrangement” and subsequently complete “Taking Care of Business.” Once you’ve officially become a Guild member, Tonilia will buy your stolen goods and even offer a modest selection of merchandise for sale. She’s located in the Ragged Flagon, accessible through the Ratway beneath Riften.

What makes Tonilia special is that she’s always available from the moment you join the Guild, making her the most reliable fence for early-game players. She also plays a role in the Guild’s restoration quests, eventually upgrading her inventory as you complete special jobs for Delvin and Vex.

Tonilia’s Location and Services

• Location: The Ragged Flagon, beneath Riften
• Services: Buys stolen goods, sells various items, involved in Guild upgrades
• Unlock requirement: Complete “Taking Care of Business”

Unlocking Additional Fences Through the Thieves Guild

The real depth of Skyrim’s fence system reveals itself as you progress through the Thieves Guild’s radiant quests. By completing special jobs for Delvin Mallory and Vex, you can unlock up to four additional fences, each operating in a different major city.

To unlock these fences, you must complete a series of small jobs in each hold. Specifically, you need to complete five jobs in a single hold, after which Delvin will offer you a special “reputation” quest for that city. Completing that quest installs a new fence and expands the Guild’s influence.

This system is tied to the “Under New Management” quest, which requires you to complete four such reputation quests. Once you’ve done so, you’ll have access to fences in Markarth, Windhelm, Solitude, and Whiterun, in addition to Tonilia in Riften.

The Four Additional Fences

1. Endon in Markarth — unlocked after completing the “Silver Lining” reputation quest
2. Niranye in Windhelm — unlocked after completing the “Summerset Shadows” reputation quest
3. Gulum-Ei in Solitude — unlocked after completing the “The Dainty Sload” reputation quest
4. Ma’jhad in Whiterun — unlocked after completing the “Imitation Amnesty” reputation quest

Each of these fences has a unique personality and backstory, and they add considerable flavor to the game. Endon, for example, is a former Silver-Blood associate, while Niranye is an Altmer merchant with a mysterious past. Getting to know them is part of the fun.

Detailed Breakdown of Each Fence

Tonilia — Riften

As mentioned, Tonilia is your starting fence and the heart of the Guild’s fencing operation. She’s a no-nonsense businesswoman who takes her role seriously. Her inventory expands as you upgrade the Guild, and she eventually offers some of the best goods available to thief characters.

Tonilia is also involved in the Guild’s main questline, particularly during “Loud and Clear” and later quests. She’s worth visiting regularly, both to sell stolen items and to check her rotating stock.

Endon — Markarth

Endon operates in Markarth and is unlocked through the “Silver Lining” quest, which involves recovering a stolen silver mold. He’s a former associate of the Silver-Blood family and has connections throughout the Reach. His location in Markarth makes him convenient for players exploring the western holds.

Endon is also a skill trainer in Lockpicking, which makes him doubly valuable. If you’re looking to improve your lockpicking abilities while offloading stolen goods, Endon is your man.

Niranye — Windhelm

Niranye is an Altmer merchant in Windhelm who becomes a fence after you complete “Summerset Shadows.” She runs a stall in the Windhelm market and has a fascinating backstory involving the Thalmor and her past in the Summerset Isles.

What’s interesting about Niranye is that she’s one of the few Altmer in Skyrim who isn’t affiliated with the Thalmor, and her quest reveals a great deal about her character. She’s a valuable contact for anyone operating in the northeastern holds.

Gulum-Ei — Solitude

Gulum-Ei is an Argonian fence operating in Solitude, unlocked through “The Dainty Sload.” He’s a slippery character with ties to the East Empire Company and a reputation for shady dealings. His quest involves recovering a stolen shipment and dealing with a blackmail situation.

Gulum-Ei’s location in Solitude makes him convenient for players working in Haafingar, and his unique dialogue adds plenty of personality to the fence roster. He’s one of the more memorable characters in the Thieves Guild’s extended cast.

Ma’jhad — Whiterun

Ma’jhad is a Khajiit fence in Whiterun, unlocked through “Imitation Amnesty.” He operates a small stall near the city gates and has a cheerful, talkative personality that contrasts with the grim tone of many Thieves Guild members.

Ma’jhad is particularly useful because Whiterun is a central hub that most players visit frequently. Having a fence right there in the city makes selling stolen goods much more convenient during the early and mid-game.

How Fences Differ from Regular Merchants

The key distinction between fences and regular merchants is their willingness to purchase stolen items. Regular shopkeepers will refuse to buy anything marked as stolen, which means stolen goods can quickly clog up your inventory if you don’t have a fence.

Fences also tend to have more gold on hand than regular merchants, making them ideal for offloading high-value stolen items. Their inventories rotate and expand as you progress through the Thieves Guild questline, so they remain useful throughout the entire game.

Another important difference is that fences are not available until you join the Thieves Guild. This means that if you want to sell stolen goods, you must first complete the introductory quests in Riften. There’s no way to access a fence before joining the Guild.

Tips for Maximizing Your Fence Network

Once you have access to multiple fences, you can use them strategically to maximize your profits. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Spread out your stolen goods: Each fence has a limited amount of gold, so visiting multiple fences in one trip allows you to sell more items.
• Complete special jobs early: Focus on completing five jobs per hold to unlock all four additional fences as quickly as possible.
• Use fences for training: Endon trains Lockpicking, so visit him regularly to improve your skills while selling goods.
• Check inventories: Fences sometimes stock rare or useful items, so check their inventories each time you visit.
• Invest in the Guild: Upgrading the Thieves Guild through special jobs increases fence gold and inventory, making them more valuable over time.

Another tip is to save before selling if you’re unsure about prices. Some fences offer better deals than others, and you can reload if you’re unhappy with a transaction. That said, most fences offer similar rates, so this is more of a minor optimization.

Common Questions About Fences in Skyrim

Can I sell stolen goods without joining the Thieves Guild?

No, you cannot. Fences are exclusively tied to the Thieves Guild, and you must complete the introductory quests in Riften before any fence will do business with you. This is a deliberate design choice that encourages players to engage with the Guild’s storyline.

How much gold do fences have?

Fence gold varies based on your progress in the Thieves Guild. Tonilia starts with a modest amount and gains more as you upgrade the Guild. The additional fences start with around 1,000 gold and can be increased through further Guild investment.

Do fences buy everything?

Fences buy most stolen items, but there are some exceptions. Quest items and certain unique items cannot be sold to anyone, including fences. Additionally, some fences specialize in particular item types, though this is a minor detail in most playthroughs.

Can fences be killed?

Yes, fences can be killed like any other NPC, but doing so is generally a bad idea. Killing a fence removes their services permanently and can break quests. If you must kill a fence, be aware that you’ll lose access to their services for the rest of your playthrough.

Making the Most of Your Fence Network

The fence system in Skyrim is one of the game’s most rewarding mechanics for players who enjoy the thief archetype. By unlocking all five fences and investing in the Thieves Guild, you gain access to a reliable network of merchants who will buy anything you can steal.

Beyond the practical benefits, fences add depth to Skyrim’s world by populating it with memorable characters who each have their own stories. From Tonilia’s businesslike demeanor to Ma’jhad’s cheerful chatter, these merchants make the criminal underworld feel alive.

So the next time you find yourself sneaking through a noble’s manor with a pocket full of stolen jewelry, remember: there’s a fence waiting for you in every major city. All you need to do is find them and earn their trust.

Conclusion: Your Complete Fence Roadmap

Finding fences in Skyrim is all about progressing through the Thieves Guild storyline. Start with Tonilia in the Ragged Flagon, then complete special jobs in each hold to unlock Endon, Niranye, Gulum-Ei, and Ma’jhad. With all five fences at your disposal, you’ll never struggle to sell stolen goods again.

Now it’s your turn: head to Riften, join the Thieves Guild, and start building your criminal empire. Whether you’re a master thief or a curious adventurer, the fence network offers endless opportunities for profit and adventure. Grab your lockpicks, sharpen your sneaking skills, and get out there — Skyrim’s fences are waiting.