Can You Take Out the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can destroy the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim, but only if you make a crucial decision early in the questline. The option to eradicate the infamous assassins hinges on your actions during the “With Friends Like These…” quest. Refusing to join them sets you on a path to extinguish their sinister flame.
The Path to Destruction: A Detailed Walkthrough
The key to eliminating the Dark Brotherhood lies in resisting their initial recruitment. Instead of succumbing to their dark allure, choosing to confront Astrid directly triggers the alternative questline, “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!”. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Kidnapping and Astrid’s Demand: After completing “Innocence Lost” (killing Grelod the Kind at the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften), you’ll be kidnapped by Astrid and forced to choose a hostage to kill.
- Rejecting the Contract: Instead of killing one of the hostages, attack Astrid herself. This act signifies your rejection of the Dark Brotherhood’s ways.
- Initiating “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!”: Killing Astrid will immediately trigger the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest.
- Reporting to a Guard: After escaping the shack, travel to any city and speak to a guard about your actions. They will direct you to someone who can help.
- Finding Commander Maro: Travel to Dragon Bridge, located southwest of Solitude. There, you will find Commander Maro of the Penitus Oculatus.
- Briefing with Commander Maro: Speak with Commander Maro. He will be pleased to hear of your actions and task you with wiping out the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
- Infiltrating and Eliminating the Sanctuary: Head to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Prepare for a tough fight, as the assassins will be hostile. You must kill every Dark Brotherhood member inside. This is the most challenging part of the questline.
- Reporting Back: Once you’ve cleansed the Sanctuary, return to Commander Maro in Dragon Bridge.
- Claiming Your Reward: Commander Maro will thank you for your service and reward you for your efforts.
The Consequences of Your Choice
Destroying the Dark Brotherhood has several consequences:
- Missing the Dark Brotherhood Questline: You will forego the opportunity to experience one of Skyrim’s most extensive and engaging questlines.
- Unique Rewards Forgone: You will miss out on unique items and gear associated with the Dark Brotherhood, such as the Blade of Woe and the Shrouded Armor.
- A Clear Conscience (Potentially): You may feel a sense of moral satisfaction for eradicating a group of ruthless assassins. However, some may question whether joining the Brotherhood and working from within offers more opportunities for influence and change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Destroying the Dark Brotherhood
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding taking out the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim:
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Can I destroy the Dark Brotherhood after joining them?
No, once you join the Dark Brotherhood and speak to Astrid after killing any of the hostages, you lock yourself out of the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline. The Dark Brotherhood NPCs become essential and unkillable.
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Is it worth it to destroy the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim?
This depends on your playstyle. If you prioritize experiencing all content, joining the Dark Brotherhood is recommended for its rich storyline. However, if you prefer a more morally upright character, destroying them might be more satisfying. The rewards for destroying them are significantly less than completing their questline.
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Are you evil if you join the Dark Brotherhood?
From a moral standpoint, yes. The Dark Brotherhood is an organization dedicated to assassination, and joining them involves committing acts of murder. Killing Grelod the Kind is practically a prerequisite for joining, and that alone would be considered an evil act.
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What happens to Babette if you destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
If you destroy the Dark Brotherhood, Babette will not be present in the Sanctuary during the final assault. She effectively disappears from the game after you trigger the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest.
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How do I get rid of the Dark Brotherhood Forever quest?
The “Dark Brotherhood Forever” quest is designed to be repeatable and never-ending. There is no way to permanently remove it from your quest log if you have started it by completing the main Dark Brotherhood questline.
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Can you save any of the Dark Brotherhood members?
No, you cannot save any of the Dark Brotherhood members if you choose to destroy them. The quest requires you to kill all members inside the Sanctuary.
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Can you marry Astrid in Skyrim?
Without using mods, no, you cannot marry Astrid. She lacks the necessary dialogue and flags to be a marriageable NPC.
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Who betrayed the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim?
During the “Breaching Security” quest, it is revealed that Astrid ultimately betrays the Dark Brotherhood by making a deal with the Penitus Oculatus to save herself.
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Is the Dark Brotherhood a necessary evil?
This is a matter of perspective. Some might argue that their existence serves as a check on unchecked power, while others see them as simply purveyors of chaos and death. The game doesn’t explicitly endorse either view, leaving it to the player to decide.
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Why is the Dark Brotherhood so weak in Skyrim?
By the time of Skyrim, the Dark Brotherhood is a shadow of its former self. Their numbers have dwindled, their influence has waned, and their Sanctuary in Skyrim is one of the last remaining.
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What is the last mission for the Dark Brotherhood Skyrim?
The final mission of the main Dark Brotherhood questline is “Hail Sithis!”, where you assassinate the Emperor Titus Mede II on his ship, the Katariah.
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Can you betray the Dark Brotherhood at any time?
The only real way to be against the Dark Brotherhood is by attacking Astrid in the shack at the start of the questline. Any other point in the game has you locked in.
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Do the Night Mother quests ever end?
No, the “Dark Brotherhood Forever” quests given by the Night Mother are intentionally designed to be repeatable and endless.
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What to do after finishing the Dark Brotherhood?
After completing the main Dark Brotherhood questline, you can continue to receive contracts from the Night Mother via the “Dark Brotherhood Forever” quest, earning gold and experience.
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Can you adopt Babette?
In the base game, you cannot adopt Babette. However, there are mods available that allow you to adopt her after completing the Dark Brotherhood questline.
Making Your Decision
The decision to destroy or join the Dark Brotherhood is a significant one, impacting your gameplay experience and character’s moral alignment. Consider your priorities and playstyle before making this choice. Each path offers unique rewards and challenges, allowing you to shape your Skyrim adventure to your liking.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Embrace the darkness, or stand as a beacon of light against the shadows. Remember that video games are not only a great source of entertainment but also can be a means of creative expression and a tool for learning, as discussed on the Games Learning Society website, a community fostering research and innovation in game-based learning. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more about the role of games in education and development.