So apparantly, I can't continue my Main Quest Line, because of this bug. I joined the Thieves Guild before I started doing the Main Quest Line, untill now. I completed "Diplomatic Immunity" and then I was told to look for Brynjolf I believe, I'm not sure, anyways, the guy is nowhere to be found in or outside Riften(The Ragged Flagon etc.) After I completed "Diplomatic Immunity", I never received another Main quest. I've searched for ways to fix this, but you can only fix it when you're playing Skyrim on the PC, and I'm playing on the Xbox 360. So please Bethesda, can you please patch or fix this soon, because I'd really like to continue and finish Skyrim. Thank you. Declan.

Join the club buddy! I've been stuck on this for a month i'm at level 61 and I really don't want to start over again, I can talk to him but all he says is that he doesn't have time to talk to me yet, maybe later...and like you the quest A cornered rat never appeared in my main quest line, and that stupid esbern in the ratway doesn't have any dialogue options, just stand there behind his door and tells me to go away. And neither the barkeep in the inn or the one in the ratway will help me or talk about esbern.
even went back to the greybeards and delphine in riverwwod, but sadly nothing happens. I mean I can live with texture bug, rendering bug, but this really svckS.
I've been playing the serie since daggerfall (morrowind, oblivion and skyrim on the 360) but as of yet I've never seen so many major bug on a main story line from bethesda.
So went back and played fallout-new vegas instead...for now
still hoping...

if you go to the skyrim wiki and search for details about this particular, there will be a link in the known bugs part of the article. In there is a link to a sound file that has to be downloaded and I believe put into the data folder. However, there are instructions in the download and on the wiki. Assuming you are on PC...

http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/A_Cornered_Rat

Sroll down to the bugs section and it is the fourth bullet point down...It worked for me...

It's the same issue with my level 70 char playing on a PS3: I won't get the cornred rat quest by delphine after completing diplomatic immunity.
I've found more people on the internet who have the same problem. But no solutions so far. It's a real game breaker for me that I cannot play the main quest till the end.

You're asking for Bethesda's help, so you should be posting here:

http://www.gamesas.com/forum/179-skyrim-hardware-and-software-issues-subforums/


If you want player's help on trying to figure out a way around the bug or something of the like, then say that instead, and post here.

I don't think anyone cares.

Being bedridden with a broken leg for several months having nothing to do but Skyrim and chilling on forums has made me very pissy about people complaining about bugs all the time. Especially when there's an area that people should be posting it where I wouldn't have to see plain complaints, rather than asking for help, which I'm glad to offer if it's actually requested rather than just complained about.

" a cornered rat " still will not start after completing " diplomatic immunity " . my dude is level 81, thieves guild master, and still brynjolf will not talk and lead me to esbern. even going straight to esbern doesnt help, he just doesnt open the door.
am i missing something? or will this be fixed in the next patch? -

There is a bartender in Riften who knows where Esbern is. Don't remember his name but there is not that many bartenders in Riften, is there?