Are the Silver-Bloods Good or Bad in Skyrim? A Deep Dive
The Silver-Blood family in Skyrim is, without a doubt, one of the most morally ambiguous and arguably evil factions in the game. While they don’t openly engage in acts of obvious villainy like the Thalmor, their insidious influence and ruthless pursuit of wealth and power at the expense of others firmly places them on the “bad” side of the moral spectrum. They exploit the native Reachmen, orchestrate conspiracies, and corrupt the legal system in Markarth to maintain their dominance. Their actions speak volumes, making it difficult to see them as anything other than antagonists in the region.
The Shadowy Empire of the Silver-Bloods
The Silver-Bloods are a wealthy and powerful family residing in Markarth. They control a vast network of businesses, including the Cidhna Mine and the Treasury House. Their influence extends throughout the Reach, allowing them to manipulate events to their benefit. Their methods are often brutal, involving exploitation, murder, and political maneuvering. Key members like Thonar Silver-Blood are directly implicated in the Forsworn Conspiracy, showcasing their willingness to commit heinous acts to maintain control. The family’s wealth is built on the backs of others, and their cruelty is a recurring theme throughout the game.
Evidence of Malice
Several quests and interactions within Skyrim clearly demonstrate the Silver-Blood’s malevolence:
- The Forsworn Conspiracy: This questline unveils the depth of the Silver-Blood’s involvement in the Forsworn’s activities. They are shown to be pulling strings, manipulating events to destabilize the Reach and maintain their power.
- Cidhna Mine: The conditions within the Cidhna Mine are appalling. Prisoners, including Madanach and other Forsworn, are subjected to harsh treatment and forced labor.
- Betrid Silver-Blood: The plot surrounding Betrid Silver-Blood shows the family’s capacity for cold-blooded murder and cover-ups. Even her own family is not spared from their treachery.
- Corruption: The guards and officials in Markarth are often shown to be corrupt and in the Silver-Blood’s pocket, demonstrating the family’s ability to pervert the legal system.
- Exploitation of the Reachmen: The Silver-Bloods have long benefited from exploiting the Reachmen and using their influence to take advantage of the local resources and people of the reach.
The Complex Case of Madanach and the Forsworn
While the Silver-Bloods are undeniably antagonistic, the situation with the Forsworn and their leader, Madanach, adds another layer of complexity. The Forsworn are a group fighting for the independence of the Reach and the rights of the Reachmen. However, their methods are often brutal and involve terrorism and violence against innocent people.
Whether Madanach is a “good guy” is a matter of perspective. He is fighting for the freedom of his people, but he does so through extreme means. Siding with him in the “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” quest provides the player with the Armor of the Old Gods, but also means supporting a faction responsible for numerous atrocities. From the perspective of the Nords who live in Markarth, they are viewed as nothing but murdering terrorists.
Ultimately, both the Silver-Bloods and the Forsworn represent different sides of a complex conflict. While the Silver-Bloods use insidious and manipulative tactics to maintain their power, the Forsworn resort to violence and terrorism in their fight for freedom.
Making the Choice
Navigating the moral landscape of Markarth requires careful consideration. Players are forced to make difficult choices, often with no clear “right” or “wrong” answer. The quests involving the Silver-Bloods and the Forsworn highlight the corrupting influence of power and the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition. Understanding the nuances of each faction is crucial for making informed decisions and shaping the future of the Reach.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there a way to save Betrid Silver-Blood?
Yes, Betrid’s death can be avoided. By pickpocketing and reading Thonar’s journal instead of directly questioning him, or by going directly to Eltrys after questioning Nepos the Nose, you can prevent the events that lead to her death. The trigger seems to be confronting Thonar directly.
2. Should I let Madanach live?
The decision to let Madanach live depends on your moral alignment and gameplay preferences. Allowing him to live will make the Forsworn at Druadach Redoubt friendly and will reward you with the Armor of the Old Gods. However, it also means condoning his violent actions.
3. What happens if you join the Forsworn?
There is no official way to join the Forsworn as a faction. However, helping Madanach escape from Cidhna Mine will make the game acknowledge you as aligned with the Forsworn, and the Forsworn at Druadach Redoubt will become friendly. Wearing a full set of Forsworn armor will also prevent other Forsworn from attacking you.
4. Can you become friendly to the Forsworn?
Yes, after completing the “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” quest by helping Madanach, the Forsworn at Druadach Redoubt will become friendly to you. He will be wearing the armor of the Reachmen.
5. What do I get for killing Madanach?
If you kill Madanach and escape Cidhna Mine alone, Thonar Silver-Blood will return your equipment and reward you with the Silver-Blood Family Ring.
6. Should I go to jail in Markarth?
To progress the Forsworn Conspiracy questline, you must either get arrested or run. However, choosing to run will result in the guards attempting to arrest you every time you enter Markarth. Therefore, getting arrested is necessary to continue the quest.
7. Can you prevent Eltrys from dying?
Eltrys is scripted to die as part of the Forsworn Conspiracy questline. You cannot prevent his death, but you can loot his body for valuable items before starting “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine”, as his body disappears once the quest begins.
8. Can I save the Silver-Blood wife?
The Silver-Blood wife, referring to Margret, cannot be saved by killing her would-be murderers beforehand. Her death is scripted to occur after confronting Thonar about her. The only way for her to survive is to not confront Thonar about Margret in the first place.
9. Can you overthrow the Silver-Bloods?
Yes, you can effectively “overthrow” the Silver-Bloods by killing them. Putting Thongvor into bleedout mode and choosing the dialogue option “Markarth will be better without you” will initiate this. However, this can break Markarth if the Imperials lose the city during the Civil War.
10. Who becomes Jarl of Markarth?
Igmund is the Jarl of Markarth at the start of the game. His father was murdered by the Forsworn. He remains the Jarl unless the city changes hands during the Civil War.
11. What happens if you help Madanach in Skyrim?
Helping Madanach escape will reward you with the Armor of the Old Gods and make the Forsworn at Druadach Redoubt friendly. However, the Forsworn will still attack you elsewhere, and Madanach disappears from the game after the quest.
12. Can you improve Forsworn armor?
Yes, you can improve Forsworn armor with smithing skills and enchantments to increase its armor rating.
13. When should I do The Forsworn Conspiracy?
The Forsworn Conspiracy can be started as soon as you arrive in Markarth. There are no prerequisites to complete before beginning the quest.
14. Are the Reachmen Bretons?
The Reachmen are primarily of Breton descent, inhabiting the Reach region of Skyrim and High Rock. However, their ancestry also includes other races of Tamriel.
15. Can I go back to Cidhna Mine?
Yes, you can return to Cidhna Mine after completing the “No One Escapes Cidhna Mine” quest. To do so, you must be arrested in Markarth and choose to serve your sentence in jail.