Keeping Astrid Alive: A Guide Across Game Universes

▶

Astrid. The name conjures images of ruthless assassins, unwavering loyalty (or calculated betrayal), and, more often than not, a tragic demise. Whether you’re roaming the snowy peaks of Skyrim or strategizing on the battlefields of Fire Emblem, the question of whether or not Astrid can be saved is a recurring one. Let’s dive into the possibilities – and impossibilities – across different game universes.

Astrid’s Fate: A Breakdown by Game

The stark reality is that the answer to the question “How do you keep Astrid alive?” varies dramatically depending on which Astrid you’re talking about. This article breaks down the most well-known Astrids and whether or not their fates can be altered.

Skyrim’s Astrid: The Dark Brotherhood’s Demise

In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Astrid, the leader of the Falkreath Sanctuary’s Dark Brotherhood, plays a pivotal role. However, her fate is almost entirely sealed.

• The Unavoidable Death: Astrid dies. Period. During the quest “Death Incarnate,” she sacrifices herself to atone for betraying the Dark Brotherhood, ensuring the remaining members have a chance to escape the Penitus Oculatus attack. There is no in-game way to prevent this.

• Essential Character Status: While you can encounter Astrid early in the game, attempting to kill her before her scripted death is futile. She’s marked as an essential character, meaning she’ll simply fall to her knees when her health is depleted and recover shortly after.

• Console Commands Limitation: Even if you’re playing on PC and have access to console commands, resurrecting Astrid after her death is unlikely to produce a satisfactory result. While you might technically bring her back, her dialogue and quest triggers won’t function correctly, effectively making her a non-interactive shell of her former self. Moreover, there are no voice lines implemented for her to marry you.

• Destroying the Dark Brotherhood: Your only choice concerning Astrid’s fate comes during the quest “With Friends Like These…” You can choose to kill Astrid instead of a hostage. If you do this, you are presented with the option to destroy the Dark Brotherhood. But that means you will not be able to get all of the unique armor and weapons available to members.

Fire Emblem’s Astrid: A Tactical Rescue

The situation is drastically different in the Fire Emblem universe, specifically in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. Here, Astrid is a recruitable character whose survival hinges on your strategic prowess.

• Recruitment is Key: To keep Astrid alive, you must first recruit her. This typically involves using Ike to speak with her on the map. However, due to her initial placement and the surrounding enemies, this can be challenging.

• The Shove and Smite Strategy: A common strategy to recruit Astrid in Path of Radiance involves using characters like Mordecai and other strong units to manipulate Ike’s position. By carefully using the “Shove” and “Smite” skills, you can move Ike close enough to Astrid on turn 1 to initiate the recruitment conversation.

• Luck Can Play a Part: Another option, albeit less reliable, is to hope that the enemy Myrmidon attacking Astrid has insufficient Strength to double her. This scenario can happen and give you a precious turn to reach her.

• Protecting Astrid After Recruitment: Once recruited, Astrid is still vulnerable. Her initial stats are relatively low, making her a glass cannon. Keep her out of direct combat, use her to take potshots at weaker enemies, and prioritize her safety until she levels up.

Other Games Featuring an Astrid

While Skyrim and Fire Emblem feature the most well-known Astrids, other games may have characters with the same name. Whether or not you can save these Astrids would depend on the individual game’s mechanics and story. Always check game-specific wikis and forums for information on specific NPCs.

FAQs: Astrid’s Fate and Related Questions

1. Can I marry Astrid in Skyrim? No. Even if you use console commands to resurrect her, there are no voice lines or dialogue options implemented for marriage.

2. Why does Astrid betray the Dark Brotherhood? Astrid’s betrayal stems from her ambition and fear of losing control. She believes the Dragonborn, as the Listener of the Night Mother, will eventually usurp her leadership, so she attempts to eliminate you to retain her power and the contract’s payment.

3. What happens if I kill Astrid instead of the hostages in Skyrim? Killing Astrid during the “With Friends Like These…” quest initiates the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline, allowing you to wipe out the Dark Brotherhood altogether.

4. Is it better to join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim? This depends on your playstyle. Joining the Dark Brotherhood offers a unique storyline with interesting quests, characters, and rewards. Destroying it aligns with a more moral playthrough. A Completionist will likely want to complete both questlines on separate playthroughs.

5. Does the Dark Brotherhood questline ever end in Skyrim? The main Dark Brotherhood questline culminates in the “Hail Sithis!” quest. Afterward, you can take on radiant quests from the Night Mother indefinitely, meaning you’ll essentially be killing forever.

6. What’s the point of destroying the Dark Brotherhood? The primary benefit is moral satisfaction and the satisfaction of eliminating a group of ruthless killers. You’ll also receive some gold and the Blades armor set as rewards.

7. Who is the guilty hostage in the Dark Brotherhood initiation quest? The game doesn’t explicitly reveal which hostage is guilty, if any. The choice is ultimately yours, based on the vague backstories they provide.

8. Can I become the leader of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim? Yes. After completing the main questline, you become the Listener, effectively leading the Dark Brotherhood under the guidance of the Night Mother.

9. What should I do with Astrid’s body after she dies? You can loot her body for her unique armor set. There’s no other significant interaction with her corpse.

10. Who wanted Astrid dead in the show Vikings? Zoa and Bel were planning to kill Astrid in order to take control of Eden and remove her from the power dynamic.

11. Can I save Astrid’s husband in Skyrim? Astrid’s husband is a character in Burn Notice, not Skyrim. In the context of Skyrim, Astrid dies during the Dark Brotherhood questline, and her death is unavoidable.

12. Can you remarry if your spouse dies in Skyrim? No, you cannot remarry in Skyrim. Once you are married, that bond is permanent, even if your spouse meets an untimely end.

13. Is it possible to avoid meeting Astrid altogether in Skyrim? You can delay meeting Astrid by ignoring the quest “Innocence Lost.” However, to complete certain achievements or explore certain storylines, you will eventually need to interact with her. You can go to Volunruud before meeting Astrid, but the quest associated with the ruins won’t start until you talk to her.

14. What kind of person is Astrid in the show Vikings? Astrid is portrayed as a strong, independent shieldmaiden who is fiercely loyal to Lagertha. Her character is complex, driven by a desire for power and acceptance.

15. Are there any studies about the impact of character deaths on players’ emotional engagement with video games? Yes, there is a growing body of research on this topic. Organizations such as the Games Learning Society are actively involved in exploring how game mechanics, including character deaths, influence player behavior and learning. For more information, you can visit their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of Unavoidable Fates

The enduring fascination with Astrid’s fate, across various games, highlights the power of storytelling in video games. While saving Astrid is sometimes possible through strategic gameplay (as in Fire Emblem), the tragic inevitability of her death in Skyrim underscores the impact of narrative constraints and the emotional resonance of sacrifice. Whether you’re meticulously planning tactical maneuvers or grappling with the consequences of a morally ambiguous choice, the question of Astrid’s survival remains a compelling testament to the complex relationships we form with the characters we encounter in our favorite games.