It's so dark!

[LiftedNevermore]

Okay, my character has finally run out of torches. Now the game is virtually unplayable, it being pitch black in most dungeons. And for the life of me I can't find anyone selling them.

So where can they be bought?

[fable]

Respawning containers are your friends. Especially check out those in the Market area of Imperial City, but basically any of them have a chance of containing torches, hammers, and/or lockpicks. You might also want to acquire an Illusion-based spell that provides light, and possibly shift the gamma control under Oblivion's visual options upwards.

[RavenBlackthorn]

Have you considered using some Illusion spells? There are a number of spells that cast an area of effect spell on the caster that will illuminate the dungeons, dark rooms etc. There are also a small number of "Night Vision" spells that you could cast as well. --At least until you found some more torches. Keep in mind however, that the "Light" spells may affect your Sneak ability. I dont believe this is the case if you go the route of the "Night Vision" spells. And as was previously mentioned, you can find torches in crates and barrels. Since they don't weigh anything, you can carry as many as you want (without having to worry about being encumbered) and suppliment with the Illusion spells if you run out again.

Here's a list of some of the Illusion Spells that may help:
Starlight, Novice, creates a 20-ft sphere of light around the caster for 1 minute, on self.
Moonlight, Apprentice, creates a 30-ft sphere of light around the caster for 2 minutes, on self.
Candlelight, Journeyman, creates a 40-ft sphere of light around the caster for 3 minutes, on self.
Daylight, Master, creates a 60-ft sphere of light around the caster for 8 minutes, on self.
Torchlight, Expert, creates a 50-ft sphere of light around the caster for 4 minutes, on self.

Eyes of Eventide, Apprentice, allows the caster to see in the dark for 15 seconds, on self.
Eyes of Midnight, Journeyman, allows the caster to see in the dark for 30 seconds, on self.

[Babytank]

There is a shop in the Imperial city market district the sells a dwarven helmet that is enchanted with light, and a few others things. It works well, the only down side is the it drains your speed. But that wasn't an issues with me since my speed was still well over 100.

[Bloodstalker]

I had the same problem at first. I cpouldn;t find anyone to sell me torches. I also had bad luck and couldn;t find them very often. I seemed to find them most in crate either in caves.

At some point, the Gods smiled upon me and I stumbled across a ring with Night Eye constant effect. Of course, as soon as this happened, I find about 3-4 torches every 5 crates or so I open.

My advice, search all crates you find in caves, and either enchant something with night eye or hope to find something already enchanted. I think I've found a couple of those, and a couple helms with Light effects. Night Eye is better though, since it lets you see in the dark without illuminating the area surrounding your character.