Should You Embrace the Shadows or Eradicate Them? A Deep Dive into Skyrim’s Dark Brotherhood
The question of whether to join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim is a pivotal one, laden with moral implications, gameplay consequences, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned stabbing. The “better” choice ultimately depends on your individual playstyle, your character’s alignment, and what you hope to gain from your Skyrim experience. For those seeking a morally ambiguous, reward-rich, and uniquely thrilling questline, joining the Dark Brotherhood is the better option. However, if your Dragonborn is a beacon of justice, dedicated to eradicating evil and upholding the law, then destroying them is the path to take.
The Allure of the Shadows: Why Join the Dark Brotherhood?
A Completionist’s Dream
For the completionist, the Dark Brotherhood questline is a treasure trove of unique items, locations, and experiences. Joining grants access to Shadowmere, a powerful and resilient horse; the Summon Spectral Assassin power, a ghostly ally in combat; and access to Master trainers in Alchemy and Light Armor. You will also gain access to unique armor and equipment, not to mention the satisfaction of completing a detailed and compelling story arc.
Roleplaying Opportunities
The Dark Brotherhood offers unparalleled roleplaying opportunities for those who enjoy playing morally ambiguous or outright evil characters. Embrace the life of an assassin, fulfill contracts, and delve into the dark underbelly of Skyrim’s society. The questline is filled with interesting characters and intriguing storylines, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the role of a ruthless killer. The rewards of joining the Dark Brotherhood are immense, especially if you’re looking for specific enchantments or unique weapons.
Unique Rewards and Abilities
Beyond the completionist aspects, the Dark Brotherhood provides tangible gameplay benefits. Shadowmere is arguably the best horse in the game, while the Spectral Assassin can be a valuable asset in tough fights. The contracts, radiant quests, and unique equipment all contribute to a powerful and well-equipped character. You gain access to the Ancient Shrouded Armor, and other valuable loot.
The Path of the Righteous: Why Destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
Moral Alignment
For players committed to playing a morally good character, joining the Dark Brotherhood is simply not an option. The guild’s activities are inherently evil, involving the cold-blooded murder of innocent people (and sometimes not-so-innocent people). Destroying the Dark Brotherhood allows you to rid Skyrim of a dangerous and corrupting influence, upholding your character’s moral code.
A Unique Challenge
While the rewards for destroying the Dark Brotherhood are less numerous than those for joining, the questline itself presents a unique challenge. You’ll be pitted against skilled assassins, requiring you to use all your combat prowess and tactical skills to survive. While not as rewarding in terms of unique rewards, the satisfaction of destroying the evil group is enough for some players.
Eradicating Evil
Destroying the Dark Brotherhood removes a pervasive threat from Skyrim. It’s an act of selfless heroism that contributes to a safer and more just world. While you may miss out on some unique items, you’ll gain the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a positive impact on the game world.
A Closer Look at the Consequences
Joining the Dark Brotherhood: Downsides
The most significant downside to joining is the moral cost. You’ll be forced to commit acts of murder, some of which may target innocent characters or even characters you’ve grown to like. This can be particularly jarring for players who prefer to play as “good guys.” The game does provide contracts that target less sympathetic people to help ease this issue.
Destroying the Dark Brotherhood: Downsides
The primary downside is the loss of unique rewards. You’ll miss out on Shadowmere, the Spectral Assassin, and the Master trainers, among other things. These rewards can be quite valuable, especially for certain character builds. However, these rewards can be somewhat compensated for by using skills and abilities.
Conclusion: The Choice is Yours
Ultimately, the decision of whether to join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood comes down to personal preference. There is no “right” or “wrong” answer. Consider your character’s alignment, your playstyle, and what you hope to gain from your Skyrim experience. Will you embrace the shadows, or will you stand in the light? The fate of the Dark Brotherhood, and perhaps your soul, rests in your hands.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there a point of no return?
Once you’ve completed the quest “Innocence Lost” and slept in a bed, you’ll be abducted by the Dark Brotherhood. At this point, you have the option to kill Astrid, initiating the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline. This is your point of no return.
2. Can I kill Astrid after joining the Dark Brotherhood?
No, Astrid cannot be killed after joining the Dark Brotherhood, until her scripted death occurs during the questline. She is considered an essential character until that point.
3. What happens if I destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
Destroying the Dark Brotherhood eliminates the entire guild and prevents you from accessing their unique questline, rewards, and characters. You’ll complete the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline instead.
4. Which hostage should I kill in the shack?
The choice of which hostage to kill is entirely up to you. There is no “correct” choice, and it has no bearing on the Dark Brotherhood questline. Kill whoever you think deserves it the most, or just pick one at random.
5. Can I marry anyone in the Dark Brotherhood?
You cannot directly marry members of the Dark Brotherhood. However, Muiri from Markarth becomes available for marriage if you complete the Dark Brotherhood quest “Mourning Never Comes” and fulfill her request to kill Nilsine Shatter-Shield.
6. Do I become the leader of the Dark Brotherhood?
Yes, after completing the Dark Brotherhood questline, you will become the Listener, essentially the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, guided by the Night Mother.
7. Can I save everyone in the Dark Brotherhood?
No, you cannot save all the members of the Dark Brotherhood. The questline involves the deaths of several key characters. However, you can save the Dark Brotherhood itself by completing the main questline.
8. What are the benefits of joining the Dark Brotherhood?
The benefits include unique weapons, armor, Shadowmere, the Summon Spectral Assassin power, access to Master trainers, and a fascinating questline filled with intrigue and morally ambiguous choices.
9. Is the Dark Brotherhood initiate a good follower?
Yes, the Dark Brotherhood Initiate is a good follower due to their high level and the fact that they are marked as Essential, meaning they cannot die.
10. What level should I start the Dark Brotherhood questline?
While you can start at any level, it’s recommended to be at least level 10-15, and have decent skills in stealth, archery, or one-handed combat, to effectively handle the assassination contracts.
11. Why does Astrid betray you?
Astrid betrays you because she fears your growing influence and power as the Listener. She attempts to eliminate you and take control of the Dark Brotherhood for herself, motivated by ambition and self-preservation.
12. Can you ignore Astrid and go straight to Volunruud?
You can go to Volunruud before speaking to Astrid, but the “Silence Has Been Broken” quest won’t start until you’ve spoken with her and initiated the Dark Brotherhood questline.
13. What race is Astrid?
Astrid is a Nord. This is most visible in her character’s appearance but in her dialogue she has no traditional Nord accent.
14. Can you let Astrid live Skyrim?
No, towards the end of the quest line Astrid betrays you, then sends a contract to the Night Mother with herself being used for the contract. She can’t be saved as you have to kill her to continue with the main quest.
15. Can I marry a Jarl in Skyrim?
No, you can’t marry any of the Jarls in Skyrim. While many characters are available for marriage in Skyrim, such as Aela the Huntress or Farkas of the Companions, Jarls aren’t one of them.