Can You Get Kicked Out of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim?
The Dark Brotherhood, Skyrim’s infamous guild of assassins, offers a unique and morally ambiguous path for the Dragonborn. But what happens if you step out of line? Can you actually be kicked out of the Dark Brotherhood? The answer, surprisingly, is not in the traditional sense. There isn’t a mechanic in the game that allows for a formal expulsion, like in the Fighters Guild or Mages Guild. You won’t find yourself unceremoniously dumped outside the sanctuary with a stern warning. However, there are ways to become “unwelcome” and effectively cut yourself off from the Brotherhood’s services.
The primary way to become alienated from the Dark Brotherhood is through attacking its members. While a single assault might not result in immediate expulsion, repeated offenses, particularly killing a member, will certainly have consequences. The most significant consequence is locking yourself out of the Dark Brotherhood questline entirely. Once you’ve committed certain irreversible actions, like attacking Astrid during your initial encounter, you trigger the alternative questline: “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!”, essentially siding against them.
So, while you won’t receive a pink slip and be told to pack your bags, your actions dictate whether you remain a welcomed member of the shadows or become their ultimate target. Your choices have significant implications, impacting the available quests, rewards, and the overall narrative experience within Skyrim. Understanding these choices allows you to tailor your playthrough according to your character’s morality and desired outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Dark Brotherhood
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim, providing deeper insights into the assassin’s guild and its inner workings:
1. What happens if I kill Astrid in the shack?
Killing Astrid in the shack during your initial encounter completely alters your path. Instead of joining the Dark Brotherhood, you’ll initiate the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline. You report Astrid’s actions to a guard, who then directs you to Commander Maro of the Penitus Oculatus, leading you on a mission to eradicate the entire Dark Brotherhood.
2. Can I rejoin the Dark Brotherhood if I leave or attack them?
Unfortunately, once you initiate the questline to destroy the Dark Brotherhood, there is no turning back. You cannot rejoin them on that playthrough. Your actions are permanent, committing you to wiping out the entire sanctuary. Make sure you have truly thought out the consequences before taking action.
3. Are there any benefits to destroying the Dark Brotherhood instead of joining?
Destroying the Dark Brotherhood offers a different perspective on the game. You’ll receive rewards from the Penitus Oculatus, including gold and unique dialogue from guards acknowledging your actions. Additionally, you’ll be preventing the assassinations committed by the Brotherhood, aligning yourself with a more morally righteous path.
4. Does the Dark Brotherhood Forever quest ever end?
The “Dark Brotherhood Forever” quest is a radiant quest, meaning it’s designed to be repeatable and never-ending. After completing the main Dark Brotherhood questline, you can receive contracts from the Night Mother indefinitely, ensuring a constant stream of assassination missions.
5. Can you marry anyone in the Dark Brotherhood?
While you cannot marry existing Dark Brotherhood members like Astrid or Arnbjorn, you can potentially marry individuals who become available due to Dark Brotherhood quests. For example, Muiri from Markarth becomes a marriage option if you fulfill her request to kill Nilsine Shatter-Shield during the “Mourning Never Comes” quest. More broadly, you can marry any eligible NPC in Skyrim regardless of race or sexual orientation, as long as you complete their associated quest and use the Amulet of Mara.
6. What are the disadvantages of joining the Dark Brotherhood?
Joining the Dark Brotherhood means participating in morally questionable activities. You’ll be required to assassinate targets, some of whom might be innocent or have sympathetic backstories. This can lead to feelings of guilt or conflict for players who prefer a morally good character. The assassination of some NPCs may remove them from other quest lines.
7. Who is guilty in the “With Friends Like These…” quest?
In the “With Friends Like These…” quest, you are tasked with killing one of three hostages. The truth is, it’s impossible to know for sure who the intended target is. Each hostage has a vague and potentially incriminating backstory, leaving the decision entirely up to the player’s discretion.
8. Can Dark Brotherhood quests interfere with other quests?
Generally, Dark Brotherhood quests do not directly interfere with other major questlines like the main quest or the Civil War. However, assassinating specific NPCs can indirectly impact minor side quests if those NPCs are essential to those quests. It is advisable to complete any small sidequests from NPC’s before you start an assassination mission related to them.
9. Can I join the Dark Brotherhood and the Imperials/Stormcloaks?
Yes, you can join both the Dark Brotherhood and either the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloaks. There is no inherent conflict between these factions. Your allegiance to the Dark Brotherhood remains independent of your role in the Civil War. However, the narrative implications of being a loyal soldier in one of these factions and a cold-blooded assassin are up to the player’s interpretation and roleplaying choices.
10. What happens to Babette if you destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
Babette always survives, regardless of whether you join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood. She is considered an immortal character within the game. In the destroy questline she teleports out of the building before it explodes and is never seen again. However, she is alive.
11. How do I get kidnapped by the Dark Brotherhood?
After completing the quest “Innocence Lost,” where you kill Grelod the Kind, you must sleep in a bed. This triggers the Dark Brotherhood to abduct you and take you to the abandoned shack, initiating the quest “With Friends Like These…”.
12. Is it possible to save everyone in the Dark Brotherhood?
No, it is not possible to save every member of the Dark Brotherhood. Throughout the main questline, several members are destined to die due to the narrative. However, you can “save” the Dark Brotherhood as an organization by completing their questline instead of destroying them.
13. What are the consequences of joining the Dark Brotherhood?
The primary consequence of joining the Dark Brotherhood is that you are complicit in their acts of murder. The assassins require you to kill individuals, some of whom are innocent, for payment. Killing some NPCs eliminates side quests for you. There are a few perks, though. By joining them you’ll have access to unique quests, rewards, and storyline elements unavailable to those who choose to destroy them. You also gain access to the services of the Brotherhood, such as assassination support.
14. Can you get arrested for Dark Brotherhood activities?
If you are caught committing a crime while fulfilling a Dark Brotherhood contract, you can be arrested as usual. Your affiliation with the Dark Brotherhood does not grant you immunity from the law. The guards will react as they normally would to criminal activity.
15. Where can I learn more about gaming and its impact?
For a deeper understanding of the educational and societal aspects of gaming, consider exploring the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society delves into the research and design of games for learning and social impact, providing valuable insights into the positive potential of the gaming world.