What Does Killing Cicero Do in Skyrim?
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Killing Cicero in Skyrim is a significant choice with immediate and long-term consequences, impacting the Dark Brotherhood questline, your character’s morality, and available gameplay options. Primarily, choosing to kill Cicero during the quest “The Cure for Madness” will prevent him from becoming a potential follower after the Dark Brotherhood questline is completed. You will be able to loot his unique armor set from his corpse. Furthermore, it alters the narrative, as Cicero is a beloved, albeit eccentric, character by many players of Skyrim.
The Immediate Impact of Killing Cicero
Loss of a Unique Follower
The most immediate and tangible consequence is the loss of Cicero as a follower. After completing the Dark Brotherhood questline, if Cicero is alive, he will become available as a follower at the Dawnstar Sanctuary. He’s a formidable assassin with unique combat skills and dialogue, making him a valuable addition to any player’s party.
Looting Cicero’s Armor
Upon killing Cicero, you can loot his body for his unique armor set. While visually distinct and fitting for an assassin character, the armor’s stats may not be superior to other high-end armor sets obtainable later in the game.
Altered Narrative and Morality
Killing Cicero impacts the narrative. While his antics can be unsettling, he is a devout follower of the Night Mother and adheres to the tenets of the Dark Brotherhood. Sparing him is often seen as the more morally aligned choice within the context of the Dark Brotherhood’s own code.
The Long-Term Implications
Missed Gameplay Opportunities
By eliminating Cicero, you forgo any future interactions, quests, or potential benefits tied to him. While not explicitly game-breaking, his presence can add flavor and variety to your gameplay.
Impact on Your Character’s Reputation
While there’s no explicit “reputation” system tracking your choices regarding Cicero, your decision contributes to the overall perception of your Dragonborn’s character. Sparing Cicero might align better with a player roleplaying a character who values loyalty and adherence to a code, even within a morally questionable organization.
Morality and the Dark Brotherhood
The Dark Brotherhood is, inherently, a morally corrupt organization. However, within its structure exists a strange sense of honor and tradition. Killing Cicero, who embodies that tradition, can be seen as a betrayal of the Brotherhood’s principles, even though the Brotherhood practices assassination.
Choosing Your Path
The decision to kill or spare Cicero ultimately rests on your playstyle, moral compass, and desired gameplay experience. Both choices have consequences, but neither fundamentally alters the core Skyrim experience.
FAQs: All About Cicero and the Dark Brotherhood
1. What happens if I choose to spare Cicero?
If you spare Cicero, he will become available as a follower after completing the Dark Brotherhood questline at the Dawnstar Sanctuary. He will also express his gratitude and provide entertaining (and sometimes disturbing) commentary during your adventures.
2. Can I get Cicero’s armor without killing him?
Yes! With a high enough pickpocketing skill, you can steal Cicero’s armor without killing him. This requires investing perks into the pickpocketing skill tree.
3. Is Cicero an essential character in Skyrim?
Cicero is flagged as essential before “The Cure for Madness“. During “The Cure for Madness” quest, you are given the choice to kill him. If you choose to kill him, only then he can be killed.
4. What are the benefits of having Cicero as a follower?
Cicero is a skilled assassin follower, proficient in stealth and one-handed combat. His unique dialogue and quirky personality also add entertainment value.
5. Why does Astrid betray the Dark Brotherhood?
Astrid betrays the Dark Brotherhood out of a desire for control and power. She sees the Night Mother and the traditions she represents as a threat to her leadership.
6. What happens if I kill Astrid instead of Cicero?
If you kill Astrid, you will begin the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline. You will attack and destroy the Dark Brotherhood, eliminating the faction from your game entirely.
7. Is it better to join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
The “better” choice depends on your playstyle. Joining offers unique quests, rewards, and storyline. Destroying aligns with a more morally “good” playthrough and eliminates a source of evil from the world. From a completionist standpoint, joining is the more rewarding route.
8. What should I do if I accidentally attack Cicero?
If you accidentally attack Cicero before “The Cure for Madness“, he will likely become hostile. If this happens, you may need to reload a previous save or use console commands to reset his disposition. He is essential, so he can’t die prior to the quest.
9. Can Cicero become a vampire or werewolf?
No, Cicero cannot become a vampire or werewolf. He lacks the necessary dialogue and scripting to support those transformations.
10. How do I start the Dark Brotherhood questline?
To start the Dark Brotherhood questline, you typically need to complete the quest “Innocence Lost” in Windhelm. This involves killing Grelod the Kind at the orphanage.
11. Can I marry Cicero in Skyrim?
No, you cannot marry Cicero in Skyrim. He lacks the dialogue options and scripting necessary for marriage.
12. Is joining the Dark Brotherhood evil?
Yes, joining the Dark Brotherhood involves committing morally reprehensible acts, including murder for hire. It is an inherently evil organization.
13. What are the disadvantages of joining the Dark Brotherhood?
The primary disadvantage is the moral cost of participating in assassinations. You will be forced to kill characters, some of whom may be innocent or likeable.
14. Can I betray the Dark Brotherhood after joining?
No, there isn’t a way to formally betray the Dark Brotherhood once you’ve joined, aside from initiating the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” questline by killing Astrid.
15. Does killing Cicero affect my ability to get Shadowmere?
If you spare Cicero and lie to Astrid, she will still let you keep Shadowmere.
The decision to kill or spare Cicero is a microcosm of the choices presented throughout Skyrim. The game encourages exploration, experimentation, and the freedom to shape your own story. Whether you value loyalty, morality, or simply desire a quirky follower, your choice regarding Cicero will contribute to the unique tapestry of your Skyrim adventure.
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