Because I've never played a game that required so much Googling.
Ok, so is the damage number listed on the inventory screen a raw per-hit number or a DPS figure? Does a longsword with a high damage number put out more overall damage than a dagger with the same number?
It's per hit. A longsword of equal material will have a higher damage number than a dagger, though they may do the same DPS (though to be honest, I think Longswords would do more).
OK, next question. Is there any reason not to join every guild under the sun? Even that one with the creeper dude who was watching me sleep? Are there diminishing returns and/or conflicts?
" Even that one with the creeper dude who was watching me sleep?"
That dude asks you to assassinate other dudes, which can possibly prevent you from completing other quests. I'd leave his guild until later on in the game if you want to keep your options open (it won't stop any major quests, but you might regret it). You can join for now, just don't do the quests. Other than that, feel free to undertake as many quests from the other guilds, as they don't conflict (if they do, it's only one or two specific situations).
" OK, next question. Is there any reason not to join every guild under the sun? Even that one with the creeper dude who was watching me sleep? Are there diminishing returns and/or conflicts? "
At one point, the Thieves' Guild will ask you to steal something from the Mages' Guild, and it's harder as a Mages' Guild member because you are more likely to be punished and get some dull sidequest done in order to regain membership.
Other than that, they don't really conflict with one another.
Oh, and a good all-inclusive Oblivion resource is http://uesp.net
" OK, next question. Is there any reason not to join every guild under the sun? Even that one with the creeper dude who was watching me sleep? Are there diminishing returns and/or conflicts? "
Join everything, do everything. Just be careful not to kill thieves or mages while in their respective guilds, because the make-up quest for the Mages is a BITCH.
Ok, so is the damage number listed on the inventory screen a raw per-hit number or a DPS figure? Does a longsword with a high damage number put out more overall damage than a dagger with the same number?
If that's the case, then why bother with anything but longswords? I guess maybe if you have some kind of enchantment that procs on a per-hit basis?
I remember Oblivion being my whole life for a complete month.
That dude asks you to assassinate other dudes, which can possibly prevent you from completing other quests. I'd leave his guild until later on in the game if you want to keep your options open (it won't stop any major quests, but you might regret it). You can join for now, just don't do the quests. Other than that, feel free to undertake as many quests from the other guilds, as they don't conflict (if they do, it's only one or two specific situations).
At one point, the Thieves' Guild will ask you to steal something from the Mages' Guild, and it's harder as a Mages' Guild member because you are more likely to be punished and get some dull sidequest done in order to regain membership.
Other than that, they don't really conflict with one another.
Oh, and a good all-inclusive Oblivion resource is http://uesp.net
Join everything, do everything. Just be careful not to kill thieves or mages while in their respective guilds, because the make-up quest for the Mages is a BITCH.