You can fast travel everywhere in Oblivion because the game allows you to fast travel to any previously discovered location on the world map as soon as you enter the open world after the initial prison tutorial
. There is no special unlocking needed for fast travel; you simply open the map, click on an icon of a settlement, stable, or location you have visited, and confirm to travel there instantly
. The design choice to enable fast travel early is meant to give players freedom to move quickly across the large province of Cyrodiil, making questing and exploration less tedious
. However, there are some restrictions on when you cannot fast travel:
- You cannot fast travel from indoors, dungeons, or enclosed spaces; you must be outside
- Fast travel is disabled if enemies are nearby or if you are in combat
- You cannot fast travel if over-encumbered (carrying too much weight)
- Certain storyline quests and unique locations may temporarily block fast travel
- If you have vampirism, fast traveling during the day can be dangerous and is effectively disabled unless you cure it or find shelter
In summary, Oblivion’s fast travel system is very open and accessible from early on, allowing you to fast travel everywhere you have been, provided you are outside, not burdened, and safe from enemies
. This system emphasizes player freedom and convenience in navigating the vast game world.
