If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into the shadowy boots of Tamriel’s greatest thief, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition makes that fantasy a reality. The Gray Cowl of Nocturnal—one of the most iconic Daedric artifacts from Oblivion—returns in a questline that lets you inherit the title of the Gray Fox himself. And let me tell you, this isn’t just a simple fetch quest. You’ll sneak, steal, and uncover secrets buried in Skyrim’s darkest corners before earning the right to wear this infamous hood.
The Gray Cowl of Nocturnal is more than a fancy piece of headgear—it’s a symbol of ultimate thievery and divine defiance. Unlike other Daedric artifacts that were gifted by the Daedric Princes, this one was stolen from Nocturnal by a master thief. The artifact has been passed down for generations, granting each new Gray Fox both immense power and a curse of anonymity.
In Skyrim Anniversary Edition, this relic makes its return through the Creation Club quest “The Gray Cowl Returns!” (now automatically included if you own the Anniversary Edition). Once you’ve completed this quest, you officially become the new Gray Fox—yes, the same legendary thief feared by nobles and guards across Cyrodiil.
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If you played Oblivion, you probably remember how wearing the Gray Cowl meant guards treated the “Gray Fox” as a separate identity, allowing you to remove the mask to wipe away your bounty. Well, forget that trick—Bethesda flipped the script this time. In Skyrim, wearing the Gray Cowl actually makes every guard see you as an immediate threat. The moment you slip it on, expect the city watch to draw their swords, no questions asked.
But that danger comes with major perks. The Cowl offers:
It’s a light helmet with an armor rating of 13, weighs only 2 units, and is valued at 1,050 gold. You’ll feel like a true master thief the moment you put it on—just make sure you’re far from any guards when you do.
Here’s where things get really interesting. To even begin your journey toward becoming the new Gray Fox, you’ll need access to The Gray Cowl Returns! creation. If you’re running the Anniversary Edition, it’s already baked in—no separate download required.
Head straight to Riften’s graveyard, tucked away in the southeastern corner of the city. There, you’ll encounter a mysterious thief. Take them down (no need to feel bad—it’s Skyrim, after all), and loot a note from their body. This note is your first clue and instructs you to speak a secret passphrase to one of Riften’s beggars. Once you do, your initiation begins.
What follows is a breadcrumb trail of cryptic notes, left by a stranger guiding you across the province—from Riften to Solitude and finally to Silverdrift Lair, a Nordic ruin crawling with draugr. Inside, you’ll need to recover the Ancestral Sword of Clan Ice-Blade, an important artifact tied to the quest’s lore.
Once you’ve retrieved the sword, return to Riften’s graveyard and approach the so-called grave of the Gray Fox. This is where the story takes a dramatic turn. As you stand before the tomb, the real Gray Fox appears behind you. In a rare, cinematic moment for Skyrim’s Creation Club content, he acknowledges your cunning and skill before passing on the mantle—and the Cowl—making you the next Gray Fox.
It’s a moment that hits hard, especially for long-time Elder Scrolls fans who remember chasing down rumors of the Gray Fox back in Oblivion. There’s a real sense of legacy here—you’re not just completing another side quest; you’re inheriting a legend.
Let me be real with you—this isn’t a “walk in, grab the loot, and walk out” kind of quest. The Gray Cowl Returns! demands a bit of finesse, especially if you want to keep your bounty clean and avoid being turned into a human pincushion by Skyrim’s overzealous guards.
Here’s what I’ve learned while replaying this quest (and yes, getting ambushed a few too many times):
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In Skyrim, stealth builds usually revolve around gear like the Shrouded Armor, Nightingale Armor, or various enchanted hoods. But the Gray Cowl hits differently. Unlike other armor sets, it offers a permanent Detect Life effect, which is a massive advantage when sneaking through dungeons or pulling off clean heists.
Let’s break it down quickly:
| Gear | Sneak Bonus | Carry Weight | Detect Life | Guard Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shrouded Hood | +20 | — | ❌ | Neutral |
| Nightingale Hood | +20 | — | ❌ | Neutral |
| Gray Cowl of Nocturnal | +25 | +50 | ✅ | Hostile |
The added carry weight may sound like a small bonus, but trust me—when you’re picking clean every chest and corpse in a dungeon, that extra 50 weight saves you multiple return trips.
Here’s the thing: Skyrim has been around for more than a decade. We’ve seen dragons, Daedric Princes, and a whole lot of cheese wheels rolling down hills. But the Gray Cowl questline stands out even today.
Why? Because it taps into what makes Elder Scrolls special: mystery, legacy, and power earned through cunning. This isn’t just another artifact thrown into a chest. The quest builds atmosphere. The Gray Fox doesn’t just hand you the mask—he tests you, making the reward feel personal.
And honestly? When that hood finally sits on your Dragonborn’s head, it’s not just another piece of loot. It’s history.
The Gray Fox isn’t just a random thief. He’s a mantle—a role passed from one master thief to another, dating back to the time when the Cowl was stolen from Nocturnal herself. Every wearer erases their old identity, becoming the Gray Fox in the eyes of the world. That’s why even the mightiest Thieves Guild members speak his name with equal parts fear and respect.
And now… that mantle is yours.
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I’ll be honest—this is one of my favorite Creation Club quests ever added to Skyrim. It’s layered, it respects Elder Scrolls history, and it delivers a genuinely satisfying reward. If you’re a stealth player, this mask is practically made for you. If you’re not, it’s still worth experiencing the storytelling and lore it brings to the table.
So gear up, head to Riften’s graveyard, follow the trail, and prove yourself worthy. The Gray Fox is waiting… and Tamriel won’t know what hit it.
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