Can You Join the Dark Brotherhood as a Werewolf in Skyrim?
Yes, absolutely! Being a werewolf in Skyrim does not prevent you from joining the Dark Brotherhood. In fact, the game even acknowledges your lycanthropic nature within the Brotherhood. A member of the Dark Brotherhood will recognize you as a werewolf, which is a neat and immersive detail, adding to the rich world-building that Bethesda is known for. Embrace your inner beast and your inner assassin! It’s a deadly combination, but one that can make for a very interesting and powerful playthrough.
Delving Deeper: The Intersection of Lycanthropy and Assassination
The beauty of Skyrim lies in its freedom to create unique and compelling characters. The game imposes very few hard restrictions on what you can and cannot do, allowing for the exploration of unconventional builds and storylines. Joining the Dark Brotherhood as a werewolf is a perfect example of this freedom.
Acknowledgment, Not Restriction
The key takeaway is that Skyrim’s design philosophy favors acknowledgment over restriction. While your status as a werewolf may be recognized by certain NPCs, it rarely prevents you from pursuing other questlines or joining different factions. This means you can be a werewolf assassin, a werewolf mage, a werewolf warrior, or any other combination you can dream up.
Roleplaying Opportunities
Being a werewolf within the Dark Brotherhood opens up some fascinating roleplaying possibilities. Consider the internal conflict of a character torn between the primal instincts of a werewolf and the calculated precision of an assassin. Perhaps your character uses their beast form to intimidate targets or to escape after a kill. Or maybe they see their lycanthropy as a curse that they must learn to control, using the discipline of the Dark Brotherhood to hone their animalistic impulses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the relationship between werewolves and the Dark Brotherhood, and more broadly, lycanthropy in Skyrim.
1. Will the Dark Brotherhood treat me differently if I’m a werewolf?
Generally, no. Aside from a few lines of dialogue from certain members acknowledging your lycanthropy, your treatment within the Dark Brotherhood will be largely the same as any other member. They care about your skill in assassination, not your furry side.
2. Can I use my werewolf form during Dark Brotherhood quests?
Yes, you can transform into a werewolf during Dark Brotherhood quests. However, it’s worth considering the consequences. Transforming in a populated area will likely alert guards and turn them hostile, potentially failing the quest. Use your beast form strategically, focusing on situations where stealth isn’t crucial or when you need to quickly eliminate multiple targets in a secluded location.
3. Does being a werewolf affect my stealth abilities in the Dark Brotherhood?
While in human form, being a werewolf has no impact on your stealth abilities. However, transforming into a werewolf removes your ability to sneak and pickpocket. So plan accordingly!
4. Can I marry someone from the Dark Brotherhood as a werewolf?
Yes, you can marry any eligible NPC in Skyrim, regardless of your lycanthropic status. As the original article excerpt said, Muiri, from Markarth will only be interested if you kill Nilsine Shatter-Shield in the Dark Brotherhood Quest Morning Never Comes.
5. Can I become a vampire and a werewolf simultaneously?
No. Skyrim does not allow you to be both a vampire and a werewolf at the same time. If you become a werewolf while being a vampire, the lycanthropy will override your vampirism. This ensures you are one or the other, but not both.
6. Is it worth being a werewolf in Skyrim?
That depends on your playstyle! From a practical standpoint, the 100% disease resistance is invaluable. On a roleplaying level, it adds another layer of depth to your character. Consider embracing the primal power and the connection to Hircine.
7. What are the downsides of being a werewolf in Skyrim?
The primary downsides are the forced third-person perspective in beast form and the inability to interact with items. However, you can always choose not to use the beast form and still benefit from the 100% disease resistance.
8. What’s the best race to be a werewolf?
According to some player analyses, Redguards, Argonians, Dunmer, and Nords are generally considered good choices for werewolves due to their racial abilities that complement the werewolf playstyle. Khajiit, Imperials, Bosmer, and Bretons are generally not as well-suited to being werewolves. But ultimately, it’s about what you enjoy playing!
9. Can I cure my lycanthropy if I change my mind?
Yes, you can cure your lycanthropy by completing the Companions questline. However, be aware that curing your lycanthropy is generally a one-time deal, making you immune to becoming a werewolf again unless you have the Dawnguard DLC or the Special Edition, which allows Aela the Huntress to restore your beast form.
10. Can I become a werebear in Skyrim?
Unfortunately, no, you cannot become a werebear in Skyrim. You can summon one using the power from the Beast Stone on Solstheim, but you cannot transform into one yourself.
11. Does joining the Dawnguard prevent me from being a werewolf?
No, joining the Dawnguard does not prevent you from being a werewolf. The Dawnguard are primarily focused on combating vampires, not werewolves.
12. How many times can I switch between vampire and werewolf?
You can cure vampirism as many times as you like. However, you only get two opportunities to become a werewolf, unless you have the Dawnguard DLC or Special Edition, in which case Aela can grant you the beast form again after you’ve been cured.
13. Is the Dark Brotherhood an evil faction?
Yes, the Dark Brotherhood is widely considered an evil faction. Their activities revolve around assassination and murder, and joining them requires committing morally reprehensible acts.
14. How many kills are needed to max out the Werewolf perk tree?
It takes approximately 164 feedings to unlock all the perks in the werewolf skill tree. The number of hearts needed increases with each perk you unlock.
15. What are the benefits of being a werewolf?
The benefits include powerful melee attacks, increased strength, the ability to devour corpses to restore health and extend your beast form, and a howling ability that can cause enemies to flee. Most importantly, you gain 100% disease resistance.
Embracing the Darkness and the Beast Within
Ultimately, the decision to join the Dark Brotherhood as a werewolf is a matter of personal preference. However, Skyrim’s game mechanics clearly show it supports the path of the werewolf assassin. Skyrim’s freedom allows you to explore the nuances of this character concept, creating a truly unforgettable experience. So, go forth, embrace your inner beast, and become the most feared assassin in Skyrim! Remember to always hone your knowledge of game design and learning, as the GamesLearningSociety.org can help in these areas. Join the Games Learning Society to discover new connections in the world of game-based learning.