How to Join the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve got a taste for the darker side of Skyrim? Perhaps the life of a noble Dragonborn just isn’t cutting it, and you’re looking for a career change? Well, look no further! The Dark Brotherhood, a guild of assassins renowned throughout Tamriel, might just be the perfect fit. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on how to join the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim, covering every step from hearing the whispers to becoming a full-fledged member.
What is the Dark Brotherhood?
The Dark Brotherhood is a shadowy guild of assassins dedicated to Sithis, the Void, and the Night Mother. They operate on contracts, eliminating targets for payment and leaving a trail of death across the land. Joining the Dark Brotherhood offers unique quests, powerful weapons and armor, and a morally questionable (but undeniably exciting) storyline. Be warned: the Dark Brotherhood questline involves committing heinous acts, so consider your character’s morality before proceeding. There is no going back once the deed is done. Think carefully about your future options before diving deep into the world of assasinations.
Prerequisites
There are no specific skill requirements to join the Dark Brotherhood, meaning characters of any level and build can become assassins. However, being proficient in stealth, one-handed weapons, and archery will certainly make your life easier (and your contracts more successful!). Also, it is worth considering your role-playing options. How do you feel about sneaking in the shadows? What kind of character do you want to play? These are things you should think about before becoming one of the deadliest assasins in Skyrim.
Step-by-Step Guide to Joining the Dark Brotherhood
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to become a member of the Dark Brotherhood:
1. Hear the Whispers: Finding the Rumors
The Dark Brotherhood doesn’t actively recruit new members. Instead, they rely on the rumors of those seeking their services. To trigger the questline, you need to either:
* **Overhear Rumors:** Listen to NPCs in taverns and cities. They will sometimes talk about a child in Windhelm trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood.
* **Visit Windhelm:** Head to Windhelm, a major city in the eastern part of Skyrim. Explore the city and listen to conversations. You may hear about a young boy named Aventus Aretino who is attempting to perform the Black Sacrament.
2. The Innocent’s Plea: Aventus Aretino in Windhelm
* **Locate Aventus Aretino’s House:** Once you’ve heard the rumors, find the Aretino Residence in Windhelm. The house is located in the city’s Gray Quarter, home to the Dunmer (Dark Elves).
* **Enter the House:** The door to the Aretino Residence is usually unlocked. Enter the house to find Aventus Aretino performing the Black Sacrament.
* **The Black Sacrament:** You’ll find Aventus kneeling and chanting in front of a human skeleton, surrounded by candles and ritual items. He believes he’s contacting the Dark Brotherhood to seek revenge for the mistreatment he suffered at the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften.
3. Speak to Aventus Aretino
* **Talk to Aventus:** Approach Aventus and speak to him. He will mistake you for the assassin he summoned. He will tell you about Grelod the Kind, the cruel headmistress of the Honorhall Orphanage, and ask you to kill her.
* **Accept the Contract:** Accept Aventus’s request to kill Grelod the Kind. This will initiate the quest “Innocence Lost.”
4. Innocence Lost: Killing Grelod the Kind
* **Travel to Riften:** Head to Riften, a city located in the southeastern part of Skyrim. Riften is known for its Thieves Guild presence, making it a fitting location for an assassin’s task.
* **Locate the Honorhall Orphanage:** The Honorhall Orphanage is located within Riften’s city walls. It’s a relatively small building, easily identifiable by the children playing outside.
* **Enter the Orphanage:** Enter the Honorhall Orphanage. You will find Grelod the Kind inside, mistreating the orphans.
* **Kill Grelod the Kind:** Your objective is to assassinate Grelod the Kind. You can choose various methods:
* **Direct Confrontation:** Simply attack and kill her. This is the most straightforward approach, but it may alert the orphans and other NPCs in the orphanage.
* **Stealthy Assassination:** Sneak behind her and use a stealth attack (dagger recommended) to instantly kill her. This is a quieter approach, minimizing the risk of alerting others.
* **Environmental Kills:** If you have the opportunity, you might be able to use the environment to your advantage (though this is less likely in the orphanage).
* **Consequences:** Killing Grelod the Kind will be witnessed by the orphans. While they might be initially shocked, they will ultimately be happy that she is gone. They won’t report you to the guards. If you are seen by a guard, you will incur a bounty for murder. You can avoid this by being stealthy or paying off the bounty.
5. Return to Aventus Aretino
* **Travel Back to Windhelm:** After successfully assassinating Grelod the Kind, return to Windhelm and the Aretino Residence.
* **Speak to Aventus:** Talk to Aventus. He will be overjoyed that you fulfilled his request and will reward you with a family heirloom. This reward is of minimal value, but it signifies the completion of the contract.
6. Sleeping Arrangements: The Mysterious Note
* **Sleep in a Bed:** After completing the “Innocence Lost” quest, sleep in any bed for at least a few hours. It doesn’t matter where the bed is located. The most important aspect is to complete a cycle of sleep.
* **The Note:** Upon waking up, you will find a mysterious note with a black hand insignia on it. The note simply reads: “We know.”
7. Kidnapped!: The Abandoned Shack
* **The Abduction:** Shortly after receiving the note, you will be abducted while you sleep. This event is scripted and unavoidable.
* **The Abandoned Shack:** You will wake up in an Abandoned Shack. The shack is located somewhere in the wilderness and its exact location varies. You’ll be surrounded by Astrid, a Nord woman, and three other potential hostages.
* **The Hostages:** The hostages are:
* **Fultheim the Fearless:** A Nord warrior.
* **Alea Quintus:** An Imperial woman.
* **Vasha:** A Khajiit.
8. With Friends Like These…: Astrid’s Test
* **Astrid’s Proposition:** Astrid will reveal herself as a member of the Dark Brotherhood. She explains that you were taken because you took a contract that belonged to them (killing Grelod the Kind).
* **The Test:** To atone for your transgression, Astrid gives you a choice: kill one of the hostages, or kill them all. This is a test of your willingness to kill, a core requirement for joining the Dark Brotherhood.
* **Choosing Your Victim(s):**
* **Killing One Hostage:** You can choose to kill any of the three hostages. The choice is entirely up to you. Consider their dialogue and backstories to make a decision. Killing one hostage is the “intended” path and will progress the questline smoothly.
* **Killing All Hostages:** You can choose to kill all three hostages. This demonstrates your ruthlessness and commitment to the Dark Brotherhood’s ideals. Astrid will be impressed by this decision and will acknowledge your dedication.
* **Killing Astrid:** It is also possible to attack and kill Astrid. This will initiate the quest “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” and lead you down a path to eliminate the Dark Brotherhood instead of joining them.
9. After the Deed: Returning to Astrid
* **Return to Astrid:** After killing your chosen victim(s), speak to Astrid. She will acknowledge your actions and tell you to meet her at the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
* **Reward:** Astrid will give you a leveled piece of enchanted armor as a reward for completing her test. This armor piece will be useful for your future assassinations.
10. Sanctuary: Joining the Dark Brotherhood
* **The Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary:** The Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary is located west of Falkreath, hidden deep within the forest. The entrance is a concealed door in a rock face, marked with a black hand insignia.
* **Enter the Sanctuary:** Approach the door and interact with it. A voice will ask you a question. Answer the question with the phrase: “Silence, my brother.” This will unlock the door and allow you to enter the Sanctuary.
* **Inside the Sanctuary:** The Sanctuary is the Dark Brotherhood’s hidden base of operations. You will find several other assassins residing there, including:
* **Astrid:** The leader of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim.
* **Nazir:** An Redguard assassin who assigns contracts.
* **Festus Krex:** An elderly mage and member of the Dark Brotherhood.
* **Gabriella:** A Dunmer assassin specializing in poisons.
* **Lis:** A Nord assassin.
* **Babette:** A young Breton vampire and alchemist.
* **Arnbjorn:** A Nord werewolf assassin.
* **Speak to Astrid:** Talk to Astrid inside the Sanctuary. She will officially welcome you to the Dark Brotherhood and assign you your first contract.
* **The Brotherhood Begins:** This completes the quest “With Friends Like These…” and initiates the quest “Sanctuary,” marking your official entry into the Dark Brotherhood.
Life in the Dark Brotherhood
Once you’ve joined the Dark Brotherhood, you’ll gain access to a variety of benefits and opportunities:
* **Contracts:** You will receive contracts from Nazir and Astrid, tasking you with assassinating specific targets throughout Skyrim. Completing these contracts will earn you gold and increase your standing within the Dark Brotherhood.
* **Special Assignments:** Astrid will occasionally give you special assignments, which are more complex and rewarding than regular contracts. These assignments often involve infiltrating heavily guarded locations or dealing with particularly dangerous targets.
* **Unique Gear:** The Dark Brotherhood provides access to unique weapons, armor, and alchemical ingredients that are beneficial for assassins. These items can be found within the Sanctuary or earned as rewards for completing contracts.
* **New Abilities:** Completing certain quests within the Dark Brotherhood questline will grant you access to new abilities, such as the ability to summon the Spectral Assassin or use the Shadow Cloak of Nocturnal.
* **Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary Upgrades:** As you progress through the Dark Brotherhood questline, you will have the opportunity to upgrade the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. These upgrades will improve the Sanctuary’s facilities and provide additional benefits to the members.
* **Moral Dilemmas:** The Dark Brotherhood questline presents numerous moral dilemmas, forcing you to make difficult choices that will impact the storyline and your character’s alignment. Be prepared to grapple with the consequences of your actions.
Tips for Aspiring Assassins
Here are some helpful tips for aspiring assassins in the Dark Brotherhood:
* **Master Stealth:** Stealth is crucial for success in the Dark Brotherhood. Invest in skills like Sneak, Lockpicking, and Pickpocket to become a master of shadows.
* **Utilize Poisons:** Poisons can significantly enhance your assassination abilities. Experiment with different poisons to find the ones that best suit your playstyle.
* **Choose Your Weapons Wisely:** Daggers are ideal for stealthy assassinations, while bows are effective for ranged attacks. Choose the weapons that complement your skills and the situation.
* **Observe Your Targets:** Before attempting an assassination, carefully observe your target’s routine and surroundings. Identify potential escape routes and weaknesses that you can exploit.
* **Plan Your Approach:** Don’t rush into an assassination without a plan. Consider all possible approaches and choose the one that offers the highest chance of success with the lowest risk of detection.
* **Use the Environment to Your Advantage:** The environment can be a valuable asset in your assassinations. Look for opportunities to use traps, distractions, or environmental hazards to eliminate your targets.
* **Be Patient:** Sometimes, the best approach is to wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. Patience can be the key to a successful assassination.
* **Save Frequently:** Save your game frequently, especially before attempting a difficult or risky assassination. This will allow you to reload if things go wrong.
* **Embrace the Darkness:** The Dark Brotherhood is a guild of assassins, and its members are not known for their moral integrity. Embrace the darkness and be prepared to make difficult choices in the pursuit of your goals.
The Dark Brotherhood Forever!
Joining the Dark Brotherhood is a thrilling and rewarding experience in Skyrim. It offers a unique storyline, challenging quests, and a chance to embrace the darker side of Tamriel. By following this guide and mastering the art of assassination, you can become a feared and respected member of the Dark Brotherhood. Good luck, assassin, and may the Night Mother guide your blade!