Astrid’s Demise: Unveiling the Benefits of Destroying the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim
Killing Astrid in Skyrim triggers the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline, offering a unique alternative to joining the infamous assassins. The primary benefit is embracing a more morally aligned playthrough, ridding Skyrim of a den of cutthroats and murderers. Beyond the ethical considerations, this path yields 3,000 gold from Commander Maro, a mention of your heroic deed to the Emperor, and a significant amount of valuable loot normally acquired through the Dark Brotherhood questline. You also gain Astrid’s unique equipment and prevent the other members of the Dark Brotherhood from becoming un-killable. Furthermore, you will gain the satisfaction of avenging those murdered by the Dark Brotherhood.
The Moral High Ground and Other Rewards
A Path of Redemption
The Dark Brotherhood, while offering a compelling questline and unique rewards, is undeniably a force of evil in the world of Skyrim. They operate on contracts, indiscriminately ending lives for profit. By choosing to kill Astrid, the Dragonborn consciously rejects this lifestyle, opting for a path that aligns with justice and order. For players seeking a heroic role-playing experience, destroying the Dark Brotherhood is a far more suitable choice than embracing their darkness. This decision impacts the narrative of your playthrough, positioning you as a champion against a pervasive threat.
Financial Compensation and Imperial Recognition
Commander Maro, upon hearing the news of Astrid’s demise and the destruction of the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary, is overjoyed. He rewards the player with 3,000 gold, a substantial sum that can be used for various purposes, from purchasing a house to acquiring powerful equipment. Beyond the gold, Maro promises to inform the Emperor himself of the Dragonborn’s accomplishments. This recognition, though not directly tangible, adds to the feeling of being a true hero of Skyrim. The Emperor hearing of your achievements validates the hard decisions you have made.
A Hoard of Ill-Gotten Gains
While joining the Dark Brotherhood grants access to various treasures, destroying them doesn’t leave you empty-handed. You can loot the entire Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. Expect to find valuable weapons, armor, potions, and gold, much of which would normally be obtained by completing Dark Brotherhood contracts. This loot represents the ill-gotten gains of the assassins, now repurposed for a more noble cause. You can also find Astrid’s unique equipment on her person which includes the Blade of Woe, an enchanted dagger with the ability to absorb health from those it strikes.
Preventing Unkillable Assassins
Choosing to not kill Astrid in the beginning will cause the other members of the Dark Brotherhood to become un-killable. If you later have a change of heart and wish to do what is right, it will be more difficult. Choosing to destroy the Dark Brotherhood from the beginning allows you to take out the assassins.
Avenge Those Murdered by the Dark Brotherhood
By destroying the Dark Brotherhood you can take pride in the fact that you avenged the lives of innocent people murdered by this insidious group. It can be incredibly satisfying to rid Skyrim of this evil faction. This is especially true if you are looking to be more morally aligned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I kill Astrid?
Killing Astrid initiates the quest “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!”. This prevents you from joining the Dark Brotherhood and triggers a quest to eliminate the remaining members.
2. How do I start the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest?
Complete the quest “Innocence Lost” and then kill Astrid in the shack where she imprisons you.
3. Is it worth killing Astrid in Skyrim?
It depends on your roleplaying preferences. If you prioritize a moral playthrough and want to rid Skyrim of the Dark Brotherhood, it is worth it. Otherwise, it might not be.
4. What rewards do I get for destroying the Dark Brotherhood?
You receive 3,000 gold from Commander Maro, Imperial recognition, Astrid’s unique equipment, and valuable loot from the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
5. Can I still get the Blade of Woe if I kill Astrid?
Yes, you can obtain the Blade of Woe by looting it from Astrid’s corpse.
6. Does it matter who I kill in the shack for Astrid’s quest?
Astrid prefers that you kill Vasha, the Khajiit, as he openly admits to being a murderer, rapist, and thief. However, the choice is ultimately yours. Killing any of the imprisoned individuals progresses the questline.
7. Can I join the Dark Brotherhood after killing Astrid?
No, killing Astrid locks you out of the Dark Brotherhood questline and starts the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest instead.
8. What is the downside of joining the Dark Brotherhood?
The primary downside is that you become complicit in murder and unethical activities, which may conflict with a morally aligned character.
9. Is it better to destroy or join the Dark Brotherhood?
It depends on your preferred playstyle and roleplaying choices. If you prioritize a moral playthrough, destroying them is better. If you want a compelling story with unique rewards, joining them is the preferred choice.
10. Can I still explore Volunruud if I kill Astrid?
Yes, you can still explore Volunruud, but the related Dark Brotherhood questline won’t be initiated.
11. Can I marry Astrid in Skyrim?
Without mods, marrying Astrid is impossible. She lacks the necessary voice lines and marriage flags.
12. What happens if I let Cicero live?
If you let Cicero live, he can become a follower later on, allowing you to benefit from his stealth skills and combat assistance.
13. Can a good character join the Dark Brotherhood?
While it’s possible mechanically, it may be challenging to reconcile joining the Dark Brotherhood with a truly “good” character’s moral code. This is why it would be important to analyze video games and consider their implications! A great place to do that is at the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
14. Can the Dark Brotherhood quests be completed infinitely?
No, once the Dark Brotherhood questline is completed (or destroyed), it cannot be repeated in the same playthrough.
15. Can I save any of the Dark Brotherhood members if I destroy them?
No, completing the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest involves eliminating all members present in the sanctuary. You can only “save” them by not triggering or continuing the Dark Brotherhood questline in the first place.
Ultimately, the decision to kill Astrid is a significant one, with lasting consequences for your Skyrim playthrough. Weigh the pros and cons carefully, considering your own character’s motivations and moral compass before making your choice. Whether you choose to embrace the darkness or stand against it, the world of Skyrim offers a rich and engaging experience for all players.