The Shadowy Prize: Unveiling the Reward of Boethiah’s Calling in Skyrim

The primary reward for completing the Daedric quest, Boethiah’s Calling, in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the Ebony Mail. This unique Daedric artifact is a piece of heavy armor that offers powerful enchantments, making it highly desirable for certain character builds. Beyond the tangible armor, however, the true reward lies in becoming Boethiah’s champion, gaining a unique position in the world and embracing the Daedric Prince’s philosophy.

The Allure of the Ebony Mail

The Ebony Mail is more than just a chest piece; it’s a symbol of power and treachery. Its enchantments provide significant benefits to the wearer:

• Muffling: The armor makes the wearer more difficult to detect, effectively granting a stealth bonus. This allows for a more clandestine playstyle, making it easier to sneak past enemies or strike from the shadows.

• Poison Aura: A shroud of poison emanates from the armor, dealing continuous damage to enemies who get too close. This makes it particularly effective in close-quarters combat, punishing foes who attempt to swarm the wearer.

The combination of stealth and damage makes the Ebony Mail a fantastic piece of gear for assassin-type characters, warriors who enjoy a more tactical approach, or anyone looking for a unique edge in combat. The Ebony Mail offers both defensive and offensive utility, making it a formidable addition to any adventurer’s arsenal.

Becoming Boethiah’s Champion

Acquiring the Ebony Mail also signifies the player’s ascension to the role of Boethiah’s Champion. This comes with a certain degree of prestige and the acceptance of Boethiah’s ideals. While there’s no formal “champion” title displayed in the game, you are essentially Boethiah’s chosen one.

A Moral Quandary

It’s essential to acknowledge the moral implications of undertaking Boethiah’s Calling. The quest involves sacrificing a follower and betraying others. The journey tests a player’s willingness to make difficult decisions in exchange for power. The moral complexities can add a layer of role-playing depth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Boethiah’s Calling

1. What level do I need to be to start Boethiah’s Calling?

You must reach level 30 or higher to initiate Boethiah’s Calling. At this level, you are considered to be of sufficient power and skill to be worthy of Boethiah’s attention.

2. How do I start the Boethiah’s Calling quest?

The quest begins by reading the book “Boethiah’s Calling”. This book can be found randomly throughout the world or, more reliably, after encountering a cultist who will try to assassinate you. The cultist will typically appear after you reach the minimum level requirement (level 30).

3. Who is the best follower to sacrifice to Boethiah?

The “best” follower to sacrifice is subjective. Generally, a non-essential follower is recommended, meaning a follower whose death won’t break other quests or storylines. Common choices include mercenaries hired from taverns, such as Jenassa from The Drunken Huntsman in Whiterun. Characters acquired through the Dark Brotherhood questline are invincible and cannot be sacrificed. Remember that characters essential to any questline cannot be used as a sacrifice.

4. Can I fail Boethiah’s Calling?

Yes, it is possible to fail Boethiah’s Calling. If you kill all the cultists before sacrificing your follower, the quest can glitch and prevent you from progressing. Also, killing all the cultist after being commanded can cause the quest to break. Additionally, failing to complete the task Boethiah assigns after the sacrifice will result in failing the quest.

5. Is the Ebony Mail worth getting?

Yes, the Ebony Mail is a very worthwhile item to get. Its unique combination of stealth and poison damage makes it a valuable asset for various playstyles, especially those favoring stealthy or close-quarters combat.

6. How do I fix a glitch in Boethiah’s Calling?

Glitches in Boethiah’s Calling are, unfortunately, not uncommon. The most effective fix is usually to load a previous save. If the glitch persists, try waiting (in-game) for several days before attempting the quest again. This can sometimes reset the scripting. If you’re on PC, console commands might offer a solution, but be careful when using them, as they can have unintended consequences.

7. What are the stats of the Ebony Mail?

The Ebony Mail is a piece of heavy armor with a base armor rating comparable to other ebony armor pieces. Its unique enchantments provide the muffling effect and the poison aura. The poison aura deals a small amount of poison damage per second to enemies within range. The amount of poison damage inflicted increases as your character level increases.

8. Does the Ebony Mail stack with other stealth perks or enchantments?

Yes, the muffling effect of the Ebony Mail stacks with other stealth-enhancing perks and enchantments, such as the Muffled Movement perk in the Sneak skill tree or Muffle enchantments on boots. This allows you to become incredibly difficult to detect.

9. Where is the Shrine of Boethiah located?

The Shrine of Boethiah is located east of Windhelm. It is marked on the map after reading the Boethiah’s Calling book or hearing rumors about a cult.

10. Can I use Serana as a sacrifice for Boethiah’s Calling?

No, you cannot use Serana as a sacrifice for Boethiah’s Calling. Serana is an essential character in the Dawnguard DLC and therefore cannot be killed.

11. Is Boethiah good or evil?

Boethiah is generally considered to be one of the “bad” Daedric Princes by most of the races of Tamriel. She is associated with conspiracy, deceit, and treachery. However, she is worshipped by the Dunmer in a different form.

12. What other Daedric artifacts are similar to the Ebony Mail?

No other Daedric artifact is precisely similar to the Ebony Mail. However, other artifacts offer unique stealth or combat enhancements. For example, the Ring of Namira provides health and cannibalism benefits, while the Nightingale Armor offers stealth-related bonuses.

13. What happens after I become Boethiah’s champion?

After becoming Boethiah’s champion, you are tasked with eliminating the previous champion and the other cultists at Knifepoint Ridge. You can continue to act as a follower of Boethiah, but there are no further specific quests directly tied to her after this point.

14. Can I remove the Ebony Mail after equipping it?

Yes, you can remove the Ebony Mail after equipping it. There are no permanent binding effects associated with the armor. You can equip and unequip it as you please.

15. How does Boethiah’s quest tie into themes explored through the Games Learning Society?

The Daedric quest Boethiah’s Calling and its reward, the Ebony Mail, intricately highlight elements of player agency and ethical decision-making within gaming. These elements are of considerable interest within the Games Learning Society. The choices players make, such as who to sacrifice and how to approach conflicts with the cultists, reflect on the character’s moral alignment and influence their gaming experience. These are some of the same discussions that take place on GamesLearningSociety.org regarding the narrative construction that involves complex, nuanced characters with consequences that affect the overall game environment.

Conclusion

The reward for completing Boethiah’s Calling is twofold: the powerful and unique Ebony Mail, and the role of Boethiah’s Champion. The quest tests players’ morality and offers significant benefits to those willing to embrace the Daedric Prince’s ideals. The quest rewards both stealthy and damage dealing players for the efforts to retrieve the Ebony Mail and become Champion.