Rumors

"Dear brother, I do not spread rumors, I create them."

- Lucien Lachance

 are a conversation topic accessed through the dialogue option. The person telling the rumor may reveal the location of a hidden place, may give information about a person that unlocks a quest, or may simply give useless information. This dialogue option is never affected by the character's disposition toward the Heroes. People who know rumors are usually owners of businesses such as inns, and asking them whether they've heard any recent rumors can often trigger quests. One official plug-in from and  initiate through rumors, namely  and  respectively.

In, the rumors are displayed as "latest rumors" in the NPC dialog window.


 * After killing the captain of Marie Elena, rumors of the killer being linked with the Dark Brotherhood emerge.
 * Rumors about a sweetroll baker in Skingrad are common.


 * Innkeepers will talk about Aventus Aretino trying to summon the Dark brotherhood.
 * Vampires receive rumors about Falion to help trigger the quest "Rising At Dawn". This quest provides a cure for vampirism.
 * Innkeepers will speak of a shrine to the Daedric prince Azura and how it's "a sight to see".
 * Innkeeper will talk about the face sculpture in Riften.
 * The Innkeeper in Riverwood will talk about a "love triangle", mentioning Faendal and Sven's quarrel to gain Camilla's favor.
 * The Innkeeper in Whiterun will talk about Balgruuf's children.
 * The Innkeeper in Markarth will talk about Brother Verulus and the Hall of the Dead.

Trivia

 * Some characters in Oblivion are set to have specific rumor dialogue that is not meant to change. Notable examples include:
 * Lucien Lachance, who says he does not spread rumors, he creates them, or after Ungolim is killed, in which he scolds the Hero for wasting time when there is a traitor to be found.
 * M'raaj-Dar is supposed to insult the Hero constantly until Lucien is talked to during The Purification.
 * Arquen says that "this is no time for gossip mongering" when the Hero should be performing their duties as the new Listener.
 * However, certain in-game events override these set dialogues, such as the completion of the main quest, in which many people will talk about "the great victory over Mehrunes Dagon," or the "Anvil Chapel attack" caused by the plug-in.