Basically, my character is a high-level with 100 in all stats, withholding Luck. Since attaining that level, I've gotten most of my major skills to 100 as well, but by consequence, raising all of those major skills has given me a number of more levels that I can take. Since the NPC's and monsters increase in strength when you level, though, I don't want to take these additional levels due to me not gaining anything other than a harder time.

So this is the problem...

I want to start the Dark Brotherhood quest-line, and I've already killed Rufio. However, I now have to rest in order to have Lechance come back to me -- but I don't want to. If I rest, I get to put one more stat into Luck, and nothing else, while all my enemies get exponentially tougher. I've noticed, though, that there are points in the game where you can rest without leveling up, and was wondering if people knew about more times.

For instance, during Through a Nightmare, Darkly, you can enter Henentier's Dream World without having to level up, and it will also trigger Lucien Lechance to show up, despite the rest not having been complete. Are there other quests where you have to rest? Where it's obligated, and part of the quest itself? That would save me the trouble of having to screw over my min-max character.

interesting question

you mention 'levels' to take; when you rest you'll only have to level once.

exponential increase in difficulty? I don't think it's THAT much and I think your enemies top out at level 25

of course if you're using mods that may not be true

The only quest I can think of at the moment might be Benaris Manor in Anvil where you rest and the ghosts appear. But you've most likely done that and I don't know about whether you would level or not.

Use your skills, that's why you got 'em.

im new to this but if your worried about enemies being stronger why dont you turn the difficultie down then

I don't see why people see all the enemies as hard; even when I first began playing Oblivion, all enemies at any level were a pushover...

well say your versing those hard one likes i always do a few guilds before the main quest so its also hard i go out of the room heal and go back in also they have weakness

because i am level 52 and all my skills for major are level 100 and higher, i set the dificulty bar 2 easy. i enjoy it more and its more realistic and enamies still take a little bit or effort to kill but i like it this way. try it.