Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-10989287-20130719135819/@comment-22760540-20140420204934

I thought it had to do with Snapleg Cave. I explored it and in the final room there was only one ingredient, a Deathbell, that couldn't be taken, but you had to steal. I stole it before I noticed it, not that it would have mattered, but I got the thugs not long after. I also killed Anise, but I don't think that caused the thugs, because I did that way in the beginning and am currently about two or three months further in-game.