Should You Kill the Pale Lady in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether or not to kill the Pale Lady in Skyrim is a moral and practical dilemma faced by many players. The answer, as with many things in Skyrim, is: it depends. Killing the Pale Lady is the most direct way to acquire the Pale Blade, a unique and powerful sword. However, there are consequences and alternative approaches to consider before making your decision. This guide will delve into the details, weighing the pros and cons to help you decide what’s best for your playthrough.
Understanding the Pale Lady and Her Quest
The quest, aptly named “The Pale Lady,” revolves around Frostmere Crypt, a location inhabited by bandits and, of course, the Pale Lady herself. The crypt’s history involves a group of adventurers, one of whom, Ra’jirr, stole the Pale Blade from its altar. This act resurrected the Pale Lady, a spectral guardian bound to the sword. The Pale Lady, now enraged, is wreaking havoc on the living.
Your primary objective is to figure out what is going on in the crypt. The immediate problem is a Khajiit bandit leader who took the sword from the altar that summoned the Pale Lady. After going through the crypt, you will eventually be faced with a choice: kill the Pale Lady or restore the sword to its altar.
The Case for Killing the Pale Lady
The most compelling reason to kill the Pale Lady is to obtain the Pale Blade. Here’s a breakdown:
- Acquiring the Pale Blade: Killing the Pale Lady is the only guaranteed way to loot the Pale Blade from Ra’jirr’s corpse, the Khajiit that took the sword initially.
- Powerful Weapon: The Pale Blade is a unique sword that inflicts frost damage and stamina damage, and has a chance to make weaker enemies flee. Its unique enchantment makes it a valuable asset, especially in the early to mid-game.
- Quest Completion: Defeating the Pale Lady completes the quest “The Pale Lady,” providing a sense of closure and clearing the quest from your journal.
The Case Against Killing the Pale Lady
Despite the allure of the Pale Blade, there are reasons to reconsider slaying the spectral guardian:
- Moral Implications: While the Pale Lady is aggressive, she’s arguably a guardian protecting something stolen from her. Is killing her the right thing to do, or is she just defending the altar?
- Restoring Balance: Placing the sword back on the altar appeases the Pale Lady, causing her to disappear and effectively ending her reign of terror without bloodshed.
- The Weight of Choice: In Skyrim, every choice carries weight, and killing a potentially innocent entity can have a psychological impact on some players.
What Happens if You Place the Sword Back on the Altar?
If you choose to place the Pale Blade back on the altar, the Pale Lady will disappear, seemingly satisfied that balance has been restored. However, you will not get the Pale Blade. It remains on the altar, inaccessible to you. This action effectively completes the quest, but at the cost of acquiring a unique weapon. This course of action is best suited for role-playing characters who value morality over material gain.
The Pale Blade: A Closer Look
The Pale Blade is a Steel Sword variant with a powerful enchantment. It has the following effects:
- Frost Damage: Deals 15 points of frost damage to the target.
- Stamina Damage: Drains 30 points of stamina from the target.
- Fear Effect: Weaker creatures and people flee for 30 seconds.
The Pale Blade can be improved with a Steel Ingot at a grindstone and benefits from the Steel Smithing perk, doubling the improvement. This makes it a surprisingly effective weapon, particularly against enemies weak to frost or reliant on stamina.
Making Your Decision: A Summary
Ultimately, the decision to kill the Pale Lady is a personal one. Consider the following:
- Your Playstyle: Do you prioritize acquiring unique items and maximizing power, or do you prefer to role-play a moral character?
- Your Build: Is a frost-enchanted sword useful for your character build?
- Your Immersion: How important is the moral weight of your decisions to your overall Skyrim experience?
If you want the Pale Blade and are willing to take the life of the Pale Lady, then killing her is the only option. If you value morality and role-playing, restoring the sword to the altar might be the more satisfying choice, even if it means missing out on the weapon. There’s no inherently “right” answer, just the one that best suits your individual playthrough. This is a great way to demonstrate how games are valuable learning tools. Explore more about these concepts at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Pale Lady and the Pale Blade
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Pale Lady and the Pale Blade in Skyrim:
1. What is the reward of The Pale Lady in Skyrim?
The primary reward for completing “The Pale Lady” quest, specifically by killing the Pale Lady, is the Pale Blade, a unique enchanted sword.
2. What should I do with The Pale Blade?
You can use the Pale Blade as a weapon, improve it at a grindstone, and even recharge its enchantment.
3. Can you recharge the Pale Blade?
While there is a misconception, the Pale Blade‘s enchantment does not need recharging. It is perpetually enchanted and will not run out of charge like other enchanted weapons.
4. Should I put the Pale Blade back?
Placing the Pale Blade back on the altar will cause the Pale Lady to disappear, effectively putting her to rest. However, you will lose access to the sword.
5. Do I keep the Pale Blade?
You keep the Pale Blade only if you kill the Pale Lady. If you put it back, you will complete the quest, but the sword will remain on the altar inaccessible.
6. Can The Pale Blade be upgraded?
Yes, the Pale Blade can be upgraded at a grindstone using a Steel Ingot. It also benefits from the Steel Smithing perk, which doubles the improvement.
7. Is the Pale Lady evil?
The game does not explicitly define the Pale Lady as evil. She is acting as a guardian protecting something stolen from her, so her actions are out of defense and anger.
8. Where is the sword in the Pale Lady quest?
The Pale Blade is found in Frostmere Crypt on the body of Ra’jirr after he is killed by the Pale Lady.
9. What happens when you activate the Pale Blade?
When you hit an enemy with the Pale Blade, it deals 15 points of frost damage and 30 points of stamina damage. Weaker enemies may also flee for 30 seconds.
10. Is “The Pale Lady” quest scary?
Many players find “The Pale Lady” quest to be creepy and unsettling due to the atmosphere of Frostmere Crypt and the nature of the Pale Lady herself. It is considered one of the creepier quests in Skyrim.
11. Is there any relation between the Pale Lady from the movie and the Skyrim Pale Lady?
No. the Pale Lady from “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” film is a malevolent entity, whereas the Pale Lady of Skyrim is a guardian of a sacred place.
12. Is there any other sword that can be claimed from the Pale Lady?
No, the Pale Blade is the only reward that the Pale Lady gives in the game.
13. How does it reflect on your character if you kill or spare the Pale Lady?
Killing the Pale Lady shows that your character values rewards rather than making peace. While sparing the Pale Lady show compassion, morality and sympathy.
14. What if the difficulty of the quest is too high to kill her?
If the quest is too difficult to complete on your own, try to level up first before tackling the mission. There are many weapons, accessories and potions that can aid in the battle of killing the Pale Lady.
15. Does completing the Pale Lady have an affect on other quests?
No, completing the Pale Lady quest in any way does not have any impact on the rest of the quests.