What Happens When You Tell Barbas to Stop Following You in Skyrim?
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In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Barbas, the canine companion of the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile, plays a crucial role in the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend”. If you tell Barbas to stop following you before completing the quest, he will not remain a permanent follower. Instead, he will travel to Haemar’s Shame and wait for you there. This is because Barbas isn’t a typical follower, but rather a quest-related NPC essential to the “A Daedra’s Best Friend” quest. To continue the quest, you need to meet him at Haemar’s Shame.
The Unique Nature of Barbas in Skyrim
Barbas stands out from typical followers in Skyrim due to his integral role in a Daedric quest. He cannot be killed, and his behavior is specifically tailored to guide you through the questline. Understanding his mechanics is crucial for navigating “A Daedra’s Best Friend” effectively.
Barbas as a Quest-Related NPC
Unlike standard companions, Barbas is primarily designed to facilitate the completion of “A Daedra’s Best Friend.” He provides essential dialogue, directs you to key locations, and participates in combat alongside you. His existence within the game is therefore dictated by the quest’s progression.
Temporary Companion Status
Barbas’s companionship is intrinsically tied to the active quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend.” Telling him to stop following you doesn’t dismiss him entirely from the game; rather, it parks him at a designated location (Haemar’s Shame) until you’re ready to proceed with the storyline. This temporary halt ensures the quest can be picked up again without breaking the game’s narrative or mechanics.
Haemar’s Shame: The Waiting Game
Haemar’s Shame is a pivotal location in the quest because it’s where Barbas patiently awaits your return after being told to stop following you.
Why Haemar’s Shame?
Haemar’s Shame is a vampire den, and it serves as the meeting point for Barbas as it is on the way to Clavicus Vile’s Shrine. This location selection is part of the quest’s design, ensuring players know where to find Barbas when they decide to continue.
Continuing the Quest
To proceed with the quest, you must travel to Haemar’s Shame and locate Barbas. Upon reuniting, he will continue to guide you through the remaining steps of “A Daedra’s Best Friend,” which eventually leads to the crucial decision of whether to kill Barbas with the Rueful Axe or spare him.
Moral Choices: Sparing or Killing Barbas
“A Daedra’s Best Friend” presents the player with a significant moral choice: whether to kill Barbas at the behest of Clavicus Vile or to defy the Daedric Prince and spare the shapeshifting dog. This decision directly impacts the reward you receive at the end of the quest.
The Rueful Axe
If you choose to kill Barbas with the Rueful Axe, you retain the axe as your reward. However, it is important to note that the Rueful Axe does not count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement, which requires collecting all Daedric artifacts. This weapon offers moderate damage and is best used against armored opponents, but many players consider it inferior to other weapons available in Skyrim.
The Masque of Clavicus Vile
Alternatively, if you refuse to kill Barbas and return the Rueful Axe to Clavicus Vile, you will receive the Masque of Clavicus Vile. This Daedric artifact offers several benefits: it improves prices by 20%, boosts Speechcraft by 10 points, and regenerates Magicka 5% faster. Crucially, the Masque of Clavicus Vile is required for the Oblivion Walker achievement, making it the preferred choice for completionists.
Roleplaying and Impact on Tamriel
From a roleplaying perspective, sparing Barbas can be seen as the “better” option, as it is suggested that with Barbas and Vile reunited, Vile will be more reasonable and less destructive in the use of his powers, which will ultimately benefit Tamriel overall.
Additional Considerations
Understanding the implications of your decisions regarding Barbas can enhance your overall Skyrim experience.
Barbas as a Temporary Follower
While Barbas is with you, he functions as an animal follower. This means he cannot carry items, nor can he stealth effectively. However, you can have him alongside a humanoid follower and conjured creatures, effectively increasing your party size. Be aware that his constant barking can sometimes be a nuisance, especially for players who prefer stealth-based gameplay.
The Oblivion Walker Achievement
The quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” is essential for players aiming to unlock the Oblivion Walker achievement. Since only the Masque of Clavicus Vile counts as a Daedric artifact, choosing to spare Barbas is crucial. If you want both items, you can save before making the decision, acquire one item, then reload the save to obtain the other, ensuring you don’t miss out on any content.
Starting the Quest
The quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” becomes available once you reach level 10. You can initiate it by traveling to Falkreath and speaking with Lod, the town’s blacksmith. Lod will task you with finding a dog, leading you to Barbas.
By understanding these aspects of Barbas and “A Daedra’s Best Friend,” you can make informed decisions that align with your gameplay style and goals in Skyrim. Remember, every choice has consequences, and the fate of Barbas rests in your hands. You can delve deeper into the educational aspects of gaming by visiting the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Barbas in Skyrim
1. Can I keep Barbas as a permanent follower in Skyrim without mods?
No, without mods, you cannot keep Barbas as a permanent follower after completing “A Daedra’s Best Friend.” Once the quest is finished, he either returns to Clavicus Vile or is killed.
2. Where does Barbas go if I tell him to stop following me?
If you tell Barbas to stop following you before finishing the quest, he will travel to Haemar’s Shame and wait for you there.
3. Does Barbas count towards my follower limit?
Barbas functions as an animal follower, allowing you to have him alongside a humanoid follower and summoned creatures.
4. Is it better to kill Barbas or spare him?
For the Oblivion Walker achievement, it’s better to spare Barbas to obtain the Masque of Clavicus Vile. From a roleplaying perspective, sparing him is seen as a better option as it makes Clavicus Vile more reasonable.
5. What are the benefits of the Masque of Clavicus Vile?
The Masque of Clavicus Vile provides 20% better prices, +10 to Speechcraft, and regenerates magicka 5% faster.
6. Does the Rueful Axe count as a Daedric artifact?
No, the Rueful Axe does not count as a Daedric artifact for the Oblivion Walker achievement.
7. How do I start the “A Daedra’s Best Friend” quest?
The quest starts by traveling to Falkreath and speaking with Lod, the blacksmith, after reaching level 10.
8. Can Barbas carry items for me?
No, as an animal follower, Barbas cannot carry items.
9. Is Barbas a Daedra?
Yes, Barbas is a shapeshifting Daedra who most commonly takes the form of a dog. He is also a part of Clavicus Vile’s power.
10. What level do I need to be to start “A Daedra’s Best Friend”?
You need to be at least level 10 to start “A Daedra’s Best Friend.”
11. What happens if I lose Barbas?
Waiting or resting for about a week in-game should cause Barbas to return to his initial spawn location near Falkreath.
12. Can I sneak with Barbas?
No, Barbas’ AI does not support stealth, making it difficult to sneak effectively while he is following you.
13. Can I get both the Rueful Axe and the Masque of Clavicus Vile in a single playthrough?
Not without exploiting a save and reload. You must choose one or the other.
14. Is Clavicus Vile evil?
Clavicus Vile is a Daedric Prince known for making deals that often backfire in ironic ways, fitting the archetype of a trickster and is generally considered evil.
15. What breed of dog is Barbas?
Barbas often appears as a shaggy dog breed, resembling an Irish Wolfhound or a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. You can learn more about the importance of games in learning environments on the Games Learning Society website.