Is Astrid a Traitor?
Astrid is indeed a traitor in the context of the Skyrim storyline, specifically within the Dark Brotherhood quest line, where she betrays the Dragonborn in a struggle for control and power over the Brotherhood’s leadership. Her actions lead to a significant plot twist, where the Dragonborn must decide whether to kill her or not, impacting the progression of the Dark Brotherhood quests and overall Skyrim experience.
Understanding Astrid’s Betrayal
Background on Astrid and the Dark Brotherhood
Astrid is a central figure in the Dark Brotherhood, acting as the leader of the Falkreath Sanctuary, one of the last surviving headquarters of the Brotherhood. She is the character who recruits the Dragonborn into the Dark Brotherhood, setting the stage for the Dragonborn’s involvement in the Brotherhood’s activities.
Astrid’s Motivations
Astrid’s decision to betray the Dragonborn stems from her awareness that the Dragonborn would eventually become the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, surpassing her authority. This realization prompts her to attempt to eliminate the Dragonborn to maintain her position and control over the Brotherhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Astrid’s Betrayal
- Does Astrid betray the Dragonborn? Yes, Astrid betrays the Dragonborn in the storyline, leading to a critical juncture in the Dark Brotherhood quest line.
- Why does Astrid betray the Dragonborn? Astrid betrays the Dragonborn to prevent being overthrown as the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, fearing the Dragonborn’s potential to take her place.
- Can you save Astrid? No, Astrid’s death is a fixed event in the storyline, and there is no way to save her through regular gameplay, although console commands on PC can be used to move her or place her somewhere else, this does not change the storyline outcome.
About the Dark Brotherhood Quests
- What happens if you kill Astrid? Killing Astrid initiates the quest “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood” and allows the retrieval of her unique equipment but ends the possibility of continuing the Dark Brotherhood quest line as a member.
- Is it better to kill Astrid or not? The decision to kill Astrid depends on the player’s preference for storyline progression and moral alignment, as killing her leads to the destruction of the Dark Brotherhood, while sparing her (if possible) would continue the quest line but is not an available option due to her inevitable betrayal and death.
- Can you join the Dark Brotherhood if you kill Astrid? No, killing Astrid leads to the failure of the initial Dark Brotherhood quest line, and instead, the player must destroy the Dark Brotherhood in a new quest line.
About the Consequences and Benefits
- What are the benefits of killing Astrid? Killing Astrid allows the player to start a new quest line to destroy the Dark Brotherhood, retrieve Astrid’s unique equipment, and align with a different moral path.
- What are the benefits of joining the Dark Brotherhood? Joining the Dark Brotherhood provides the player with unique rewards, including 20,000 gold, the Blade of Woe, and the Ancient Shrouded Armor set, enhancing the player’s power and abilities.
About Characters and Factions
- Who has a crush on the Dragonborn? Aela, a character within the Companions, has a crush on the Dragonborn, showing a personal interest beyond the Dragonborn’s abilities and quests.
- Is the Dark Brotherhood evil? The Dark Brotherhood is considered an evil faction due to its primary objective of mercilessly killing targets for contracts, which can include innocent characters, making it morally questionable and aligned with darker themes.
About Gameplay and Storyline
- Can you betray the Dark Brotherhood? Once the player joins the Dark Brotherhood, there is no option to betray them within the standard game mechanics, though the player can choose to destroy the Brotherhood by killing its members.
- Can you ignore Astrid and go to Volunruud? While it is possible to go to Volunruud without speaking to Astrid first, the quest related to it will not start until Astrid has been spoken to, indicating a structured progression in the storyline.
About Specific Characters and Quests
- Who is the most evil dragon priest in Skyrim? Miraak is considered the most evil dragon priest, being the main antagonist of the Dragonborn DLC and embodying significant evil traits and actions.
- Can you save Astrid’s husband in Skyrim? No, Astrid’s husband, if considered within the context of marriage or relationship quests, cannot be saved without her, as her death is a critical event that does not allow for alternate outcomes through regular gameplay or console commands.
- Is it better to destroy the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim? The decision to destroy the Dark Brotherhood depends on the player’s alignment and preferences, offering a heroic path but also meaning the loss of unique storyline and rewards associated with joining the Brotherhood.