Does Astrid Betray the Dragonborn? A Deep Dive into Skyrim’s Dark Brotherhood

Yes, Astrid absolutely betrays the Dragonborn in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. While she initially recruits you into the Dark Brotherhood and acts as your leader, her actions are ultimately driven by self-preservation and a desire to maintain her own power within the organization. The betrayal culminates in the quest “The Breaching Security,” where it’s revealed that Astrid tipped off the Penitus Oculatus, the Imperial spy agency, to the Dark Brotherhood’s location in exchange for her own safety. This act sets in motion the chain of events leading to the destruction of the Dawnstar Sanctuary and Astrid’s ultimate demise. Her motivations are a complex blend of fear, ambition, and perhaps even a twisted sense of loyalty to the Brotherhood, as she attempts to control the damage caused by the Dragonborn’s growing influence and connection to the Night Mother.

Astrid’s Complex Motivations

Astrid’s decision to betray the Dragonborn isn’t a simple act of malice. It stems from a confluence of factors:

• Fear of Losing Control: Astrid has led the Dark Brotherhood for a considerable time, and her authority is absolute. The sudden arrival of the Dragonborn, a Listener of the Night Mother, threatens her established hierarchy. A Listener is traditionally second only to the Night Mother herself, potentially undermining Astrid’s position.

• Ambition for Power: Astrid is power-hungry, and she’s willing to make drastic decisions to maintain her status. She perceives the Dragonborn as a threat to her leadership. Even though she doesn’t show it, Astrid fears that the Dragonborn may overthrow her position.

• Preservation Instincts: When the Penitus Oculatus begins to actively hunt the Dark Brotherhood, Astrid prioritizes her own survival and that of the few remaining members she trusts. Betraying the Dragonborn, in her mind, is a calculated risk to ensure the survival of at least a fragment of the Brotherhood.

• Discomfort with Tradition: Astrid deviates from the traditional tenets of the Dark Brotherhood, particularly those concerning the Night Mother and the Listener. She views the Night Mother as an outdated figurehead, thus not wanting to see a more powerful figure than herself.

The Consequences of Astrid’s Actions

Astrid’s betrayal has devastating consequences:

• Destruction of the Dawnstar Sanctuary: The Penitus Oculatus, acting on Astrid’s information, launches a full-scale assault on the Dawnstar Sanctuary.

• Loss of Brotherhood Members: Many members of the Dark Brotherhood are killed during the attack.

• Astrid’s Death: Astrid ultimately meets her end, forced to atone for her betrayal by immolating herself to appease the Night Mother.

• Potential Rebuilding of the Brotherhood: Depending on the Dragonborn’s choices, the Dark Brotherhood can either be completely destroyed or rebuilt at a new sanctuary.

FAQ: Understanding Astrid and the Dark Brotherhood

1. Can you save Astrid in Skyrim?

No, you cannot permanently save Astrid. Even if you attempt to kill her before the events of “The Breaching Security,” she’s considered an essential character and will only become incapacitated, not die. Her death is a scripted event necessary for the progression of the Dark Brotherhood questline.

2. What happens if you kill Astrid early in the game?

If you kill Astrid during the “With Friends Like These…” quest, you’ll initiate the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline. This will lead you to Commander Maro and the Penitus Oculatus. Doing so prevents you from joining the Dark Brotherhood.

3. Who does Astrid initially want you to kill in “With Friends Like These…”?

Astrid presents you with three potential targets: Alaine, Fultheim the Fearless, and Vasha. While the choice is yours, she subtly suggests that Vasha, the Khajiit, is the most deserving of death due to his confessed crimes.

4. What are the benefits of joining the Dark Brotherhood?

Joining the Dark Brotherhood offers several rewards, including gold, unique equipment like the Blade of Woe and the Ancient Shrouded Armor, access to exclusive quests, and the opportunity to delve into a morally ambiguous and compelling storyline.

5. What are the consequences of destroying the Dark Brotherhood?

Destroying the Dark Brotherhood provides a sense of righteous justice, particularly for players who prefer a morally good character. You’ll also receive a reward from Commander Maro for eliminating a dangerous criminal organization. However, you’ll miss out on the unique quests, rewards, and storyline associated with joining the Brotherhood.

6. How do you destroy the Dark Brotherhood?

To destroy the Dark Brotherhood, kill Astrid during the quest “With Friends Like These…” and then speak to Commander Maro in Dragon Bridge. He’ll task you with eliminating the remaining members of the Dark Brotherhood.

7. Can you betray the Dark Brotherhood after joining?

Not in the same way that Astrid does. Once you’ve joined the Dark Brotherhood, you’re committed to their quests. There’s no in-game option to turn against them until the scripted events of “The Breaching Security” unfold.

8. What is the Blade of Woe?

The Blade of Woe is a unique dagger belonging to Astrid. It possesses the enchantment to absorb health from its targets. It can be obtained by pickpocketing Astrid, killing her during “With Friends Like These…”, or by completing the quest “Death Incarnate.”

9. Is the Dark Brotherhood evil?

Yes, the Dark Brotherhood is unequivocally evil. They are assassins who kill for profit, and their actions often involve morally reprehensible acts. Joining them requires committing acts that are clearly against the law and often against conventional morality. This aspect is even discussed in academic circles, such as at the Games Learning Society, which examines the ethical implications of choices in video games, see GamesLearningSociety.org.

10. What is the Night Mother’s role in the Dark Brotherhood?

The Night Mother is a revered figure in the Dark Brotherhood, believed to be the spiritual mother of all assassins. She is contacted through the Black Sacrament, a ritual used to request a contract. The Listener of the Night Mother is the only one who can understand her whispers and pass them on to the Brotherhood.

11. What is the Black Sacrament?

The Black Sacrament is a ritual performed to request a contract from the Dark Brotherhood. It involves specific ingredients and a dark prayer whispered to the Night Mother.

12. Why does Astrid dislike the Night Mother?

Astrid’s discomfort with the Night Mother stems from her desire for control and her belief that traditional practices are outdated. She sees the Night Mother as a figurehead and resents the power that the Listener holds as the interpreter of her will.

13. Can you marry Astrid in Skyrim?

Without the use of mods, you cannot marry Astrid. She lacks the necessary dialogue options and scripting to be a marriage candidate.

14. Does the Dark Brotherhood questline ever truly end?

The main Dark Brotherhood questline concludes after the events surrounding Astrid’s betrayal and the rebuilding (or destruction) of the Sanctuary. However, after completing the main storyline, you can continue to receive radiant assassination contracts from the Night Mother indefinitely.

15. What happens to the Dark Brotherhood after Astrid’s death?

If the Dragonborn chooses to follow the Dark Brotherhood questline after Astrid’s betrayal, they will help rebuild the organization at a new sanctuary. If they chose to destroy the Dark Brotherhood at the beginning of the story, they will destroy all the members of the Dark Brotherhood.

In conclusion, Astrid’s betrayal of the Dragonborn is a pivotal moment in the Dark Brotherhood questline, driven by a complex mix of fear, ambition, and a desire to maintain control. While her actions are ultimately self-serving, they set in motion a chain of events that significantly impacts the fate of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim.