What Happens If You Don’t Poison the Stew in Skyrim?
If you choose to not poison the stew during the “Recipe for Disaster” quest in Skyrim, you’ll essentially complete the quest through an alternate, non-lethal method. Instead of assassinating the Gourmet, you reveal his true identity and his nefarious plot to impersonate the Emperor’s chef, potentially leading to his arrest or exile, but certainly not his death. This results in you still successfully infiltrating the Gourmet’s cooking contest, but with a significantly different moral outcome and associated in-game ramifications.
The Stew, The Gourmet, and The Quest: A Moral Crossroads
The “Recipe for Disaster” quest, received from Festus Krex in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, presents a morally ambiguous choice. You are tasked with preventing Anton Virane, known as “The Gourmet,” from cooking for the Emperor. The seemingly simplest path is poisoning his stew, a quick and silent assassination. However, Skyrim often provides alternative solutions, and in this case, bypassing the poisoning allows for a more nuanced and potentially less morally reprehensible outcome.
The Path of Non-Lethality: Exposing The Gourmet
Instead of slipping the Jarrin Root (the deadly poison) into the stew, you can follow a different investigative route. This involves gathering information about Anton Virane’s past and discovering his fraudulent nature. This typically involves speaking to specific NPCs, such as his old cooking rival, and piecing together evidence suggesting he isn’t who he claims to be.
Ultimately, you will confront the Gourmet and reveal that you know his true identity. At this point, he’ll likely attempt to bribe you to keep your mouth shut. However, if you resist his offer and expose him, he will be unable to participate in the cooking contest, thereby fulfilling the Dark Brotherhood’s contract without resorting to murder.
Consequences of Choosing the Non-Poison Route
- Moral Implications: This is the most significant consequence. Avoiding the poisoning allows you to maintain a clearer conscience, aligning with players who prefer a less morally compromised playthrough. It can influence your overall roleplaying experience, especially if you’re playing a character with a strong sense of justice.
- No Murder on Your Record: More concretely, you will not incur a murder statistic. While Skyrim is often a sandbox of violence, some players actively try to minimize their kill count or avoid unnecessary bloodshed. This route provides a direct way to do so within the constraints of the Dark Brotherhood questline.
- Dialogue Variations: You will experience different dialogue options and responses from NPCs involved in the quest. For example, your interactions with Festus Krex might differ slightly depending on how you completed the objective.
- Same Rewards: The monetary reward and advancement within the Dark Brotherhood remain the same regardless of which path you choose. You’ll still receive your payment and maintain your standing within the organization.
- Roleplaying Opportunities: Choosing the non-poison route can unlock richer roleplaying opportunities. It allows you to explore the complexities of the Dark Brotherhood and the motivations behind their contracts. You can grapple with the ethical dilemmas inherent in being an assassin while attempting to navigate the situation with as little bloodshed as possible.
Why Choose to Not Poison?
Several reasons might motivate a player to avoid poisoning the stew:
- Moral Compass: Some players simply prefer to avoid killing if possible, regardless of the quest’s objectives.
- Character Alignment: Players roleplaying characters with strong moral codes or oaths might find the poisoning option unacceptable.
- Completionist Approach: Some players are driven by the desire to explore all available options and outcomes in the game, including the non-lethal route.
- Story Immersion: Choosing the less obvious path can enhance the overall narrative experience and create a more memorable playthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it harder to complete the quest without poisoning the stew?
It’s not necessarily harder, just different. It requires more investigation and dialogue, but doesn’t involve any combat or stealth challenges associated with a direct assassination. Some players might find the information gathering easier than sneaking around.
2. Does the Gourmet try to fight me if I expose him?
No, the Gourmet doesn’t typically initiate combat. He primarily attempts to bribe you to keep silent. He is not a powerful combatant, so fighting him wouldn’t be a significant challenge regardless.
3. Does exposing the Gourmet impact my relationship with the Dark Brotherhood?
No, your standing within the Dark Brotherhood remains unaffected. The organization prioritizes the completion of the contract, not the method used to achieve it. As long as the Emperor’s food is secure, they are satisfied.
4. Can I still poison the stew after finding out the Gourmet’s true identity?
Yes, even after uncovering his secrets, you still have the option to poison the stew. The game doesn’t lock you out of the assassination route simply because you explored other avenues. The choice remains yours until you make it.
5. What happens if I accept the Gourmet’s bribe?
If you accept the Gourmet’s bribe, you essentially fail the quest. The Dark Brotherhood will be displeased, and you’ll likely incur a penalty, such as a fine or reduced standing within the organization. You will need to reload an earlier save to attempt the quest again.
6. Can I kill the Gourmet after exposing him?
Yes, while exposing him fulfills the quest objective, you are still free to kill him afterward if you choose. However, this would be a separate action and would result in a murder statistic.
7. Are there any unique rewards for choosing the non-poison route?
Unfortunately, no. The rewards for “Recipe for Disaster” are the same regardless of whether you poison the stew or expose the Gourmet.
8. Does the Emperor ever find out about the Gourmet’s plot?
The Emperor himself is never directly involved in the quest’s narrative after this point. Whether he learns of the Gourmet’s deception is left ambiguous and open to the player’s interpretation.
9. Is there a “best” way to complete the “Recipe for Disaster” quest?
The “best” way is subjective and depends on your playstyle and moral preferences. There’s no objectively superior option. If you prioritize minimizing bloodshed and aligning with a more virtuous character, exposing the Gourmet is the preferable choice. If you value efficiency and are unconcerned with moral implications, poisoning the stew might be more appealing.
10. Can I report the Gourmet to the authorities instead of dealing with the Dark Brotherhood?
Unfortunately, the game doesn’t provide a direct option to report the Gourmet to the authorities and circumvent the Dark Brotherhood contract entirely. You are bound to fulfill the contract in some way to progress the storyline.
11. Does not poisoning the stew affect any other quests in Skyrim?
No, choosing not to poison the stew has no direct impact on any other quests or storylines in the game. It’s a self-contained decision with consequences limited to this specific quest.
12. Is the Jarrin Root used for any other purposes in the game?
Yes, Jarrin Root is a rare and powerful ingredient primarily used for alchemy. It can be used to create potent poisons with devastating effects. However, its availability is limited, making it a valuable resource.
13. How can I find information about the Gourmet without being detected?
Stealth and dialogue are key. Use Sneak to avoid detection while eavesdropping on conversations or picking pockets. Invest in Speech skills to persuade NPCs to reveal information.
14. Is it possible to intimidate the Gourmet into backing down without poisoning him?
While intimidation isn’t a direct option, revealing you know his true identity effectively forces him to back down. He then resorts to bribery, but if you reject the bribe, his plot is foiled.
15. Does failing the “Recipe for Disaster” quest affect my ability to complete the Dark Brotherhood questline?
Yes, failing the “Recipe for Disaster” quest will prevent you from progressing further in the Dark Brotherhood questline. You’ll need to reload an earlier save and complete the quest successfully to continue.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to poison the stew in Skyrim’s “Recipe for Disaster” quest lies entirely with the player. Each choice offers a unique experience, and neither path is inherently “right” or “wrong.” Embrace the freedom of choice that Skyrim offers and craft your own unique story within its expansive world.