What Do You Get at the End of the Dark Brotherhood Questline in Skyrim?
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So, you’ve been skulking in the shadows, plunging daggers into unsuspecting victims, and generally embracing your inner assassin in Skyrim’s Dark Brotherhood questline. But what’s the final reward for all that morally questionable behavior? In short, you get leadership of the Dark Brotherhood, access to improved resources, and a sense of grim satisfaction.
Upon completing the final quest, “Hail Sithis!”, you become the de facto leader of the restored Dark Brotherhood sanctuary. This comes with several perks:
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Access to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary: This serves as your base of operations, providing a safe haven, resources, and contacts for future contracts. It’s filled with a unique ambiance and a sense of macabre belonging.
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Night Mother’s Coffin: While the Night Mother continues to provide endless radiant quests, which are repeatable assassination tasks, she remains a constant source of information. After “Hail Sithis!” you can now access her Coffin in order to receive the Night Mother’s embrace.
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Continuing Contracts from the Night Mother: The Night Mother never stops offering contracts. These are essentially repeatable quests that provide a continuous, albeit somewhat repetitive, source of gold.
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The Warmth of Family: You’re now the head of a (dysfunctional) family. This means you have loyal (if slightly unhinged) followers who will assist you and contribute to the overall atmosphere of your game.
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Gold: While you receive gold throughout the questline, the final quest provides a significant sum (typically upwards of 20,000 gold) for completing the assassination of the Emperor. However, this gold is often used to restore the Dawnstar Sanctuary. This is one of the biggest benefits of finishing the Dark Brotherhood quest line.
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The knowledge that you have saved The Dark Brotherhood: Without the Dragonborn the Dark Brotherhood would have ceased to exist in Skyrim.
In essence, the final reward is not just a single item or sum of gold, but a position of power, access to ongoing opportunities, and the satisfaction of having restored the Dark Brotherhood to its former glory (or infamy). The questline is about the journey as much as the destination, and the culmination of your efforts leaves you a powerful figure in Skyrim’s criminal underworld. The narrative power of leading this group of assassins can be a real draw for gamers, as evidenced by research explored by the Games Learning Society, which investigates how games provide engaging learning opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a deeper understanding of the Dark Brotherhood questline rewards and related aspects:
What is the reward for destroying the Dark Brotherhood?
If you choose to destroy the Dark Brotherhood, you receive a relatively small sum of gold from Commander Maro of the Penitus Oculatus, typically around 3,000 gold. While this is a morally “good” ending, it is seen as comparatively underwhelming when contrasted with the rewards and opportunities available from joining and completing the questline.
Can you marry anyone in the Dark Brotherhood?
Sadly, no. While there are several intriguing characters within the Dark Brotherhood, none of them are available for marriage. Astrid, a popular choice, is already married.
What happens if you kill Astrid?
Killing Astrid initiates the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline. You will be directed to report her death to a guard, leading you to Commander Maro and the Penitus Oculatus, who will then task you with eliminating the remaining members of the Dark Brotherhood.
Is the Shrouded Armor the best armor for assassins?
The Shrouded Armor is an excellent choice for assassins, providing bonuses to skills such as archery, sneak, poison resistance, and carrying capacity. However, its effectiveness can depend on your specific playstyle and whether you prefer different enchantments or armor types. Many players eventually enchant their own armor to surpass the Shrouded Armor’s capabilities.
Are the Night Mother contracts infinite?
Yes, the Night Mother contracts, received through the “The Dark Brotherhood Forever” quest, are indeed infinite. They serve as a repeatable source of gold and experience for players who enjoy the assassination gameplay.
How do I get the Dark Brotherhood questline started?
To begin the Dark Brotherhood questline, you must first complete the quest “Innocence Lost” in Windhelm. This involves killing Grelod the Kind at the Honorhall Orphanage. After completing this quest, a courier will deliver a note with a black hand on it, followed by you being kidnapped and brought to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, where you’ll meet Astrid.
Who is the right hostage to kill for Astrid’s quest?
There is no “right” hostage to kill. Each hostage has committed deeds worthy of a contract. Astrid does remark that Vasha the Khajiit was the obvious choice due to his self-professed history of murder, rape, and theft, but the choice is ultimately yours.
Does Astrid betray you?
Yes, Astrid ultimately betrays you towards the end of the Dark Brotherhood questline. This is because she felt that you would become a leader to the Brotherhood, and sought to control and regain power.
What happens to Babette if you destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
Babette, being a child vampire, is remarkably resilient. Regardless of whether you join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood, Babette survives. She is considered an essential character and cannot be killed.
Can you save the Dark Brotherhood members if you follow the questline?
No, the Dark Brotherhood members cannot all be saved in the end if you continue with the questline. Some members will die during specific missions, as planned by the writer.
What is Shadowmere, and how do I get it?
Shadowmere is a unique, immortal horse obtained during the Dark Brotherhood questline. She is obtained during the quest “The Silence Has Been Broken”. This horse is known for its high health, stamina, and ability to regenerate health quickly, making it a valuable asset for any assassin.
What are the downsides to joining the Dark Brotherhood?
The main downside to joining the Dark Brotherhood is the moral conflict associated with assassinating innocent (or at least, not definitively guilty) targets. You may also find yourself eliminating characters you otherwise liked or needed for other quests. This moral ambiguity can detract from the role-playing experience for some players.
Is it better to join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
The “better” choice depends entirely on your playstyle and preferences. Joining the Dark Brotherhood offers unique quests, powerful rewards, and an engaging storyline focused on assassination and intrigue. Destroying the Dark Brotherhood provides a morally “good” ending and a sense of purging evil from Skyrim. Completionists often prefer to join to experience the content before potentially reloading a save to destroy them later.
What other unique items can you get from the Dark Brotherhood questline?
Beyond the Shrouded Armor and Shadowmere, you can obtain other unique items, such as:
- Blade of Woe: A powerful dagger with a unique enchantment that absorbs health.
- Jarrin Root: A highly potent and rare poison ingredient.
- Windshear: A unique Scimitar.
- Muiri’s Ring: A ring that makes potions 15 percent stronger.
How do Night Mother contracts work?
After completing the Dark Brotherhood questline, you can speak to the Night Mother to receive radiant assassination contracts. These contracts involve killing a randomly selected target in a specific location. Successfully completing these contracts earns you gold. They exist to reward you for continuing to fulfill the Night Mother’s will.
In conclusion, the Dark Brotherhood questline offers a rich and rewarding experience for players willing to embrace the assassin lifestyle. While the moral implications may be questionable, the unique rewards, engaging storyline, and continued opportunities for gameplay make it a compelling path for many Skyrim adventurers. Games can be amazing spaces to experience roleplay in a way you never could in real life! So don’t be afraid to explore the Dark Brotherhood and see what you can do.