Despite downloading the new patch, I continue to be unable to get the quest from the mages guild in Bravil to come up as active. I speak to Kud-el about Recommendation and she says she needs me to talk to Varon Vamori about Ardaline. However, I do not then get the mission added as a new quest, and even if I talk to Ardaline and return to Kud-el, she simply again asks if I am ready to earn my recommendation and repeats the same quest info. As I prefer to actually go through the quests, and not just cheat code my way to the end, does anyone know of a code to simply get this quest activated? Thanks

Chiglet

Try asking about that person again maybe? Is that where you go to rescue the guy in the zombie cave? It has nothing to do with the games plot. It would be better to skip it.

From reading the Oblivion "cheats" book, the Bravil recommendation quest has something to do with a stolen staff. And I'm not one who enjoys skipping quests. After all, the developers did put a lot of time, energy, and talent into developing the various quests. We should be able to enjoy looking at and going through them. Sort of like going through the preride areas at Disneyland (loads of incredible art and hidden gems).

Chiglet

MG03Illusion=quest
10=I've been given a charm scroll, and need to use it to help persuade Varon Varmori in Bravil to return Ardaline's staff.
20=second stage of quest

In theory, opening the console and typing setstage MG03Illusion 10 should do it, otherwise you can try 20 instead and try talking to her again and she should put you onto the next part of finding the staff.