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Dive into Darkness: A Guide to Starting the Dark Brotherhood in ESO

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So, you’ve got a taste for the shadows, eh? You yearn to join the ranks of Tamriel’s most infamous assassins, the Dark Brotherhood. Excellent choice! The Gold Coast awaits, ripe with contracts and drenched in secrets. Here’s the lowdown on how to initiate your journey into the sinister embrace of the Dark Brotherhood in The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO).

The Short Answer: You can begin the Dark Brotherhood questline in ESO in two primary ways:

In-Game Initiation: Travel to any Outlaw’s Refuge and speak with Amelie Crowe. She’ll bestow upon you the first quest, “Voices in the Dark.”
Collections UI Activation: Access the Collections UI, navigate to Stories, then Zone DLC, and select the Dark Brotherhood. This will immediately kick off the questline.

Now, let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of joining, surviving, and thriving in the Dark Brotherhood. Get ready to sharpen your blades and embrace the shadows!

Embracing the Shadows: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before you begin slicing and dicing your way across the Gold Coast, let’s break down the essential steps.

Acquire the Dark Brotherhood DLC: This is paramount. You need to have access to the Dark Brotherhood DLC. You have two options:
- ESO Plus Subscription: If you’re subscribed to ESO Plus, you automatically have access to all DLCs, including Dark Brotherhood, for the duration of your membership.
- Crown Store Purchase: If you don’t have ESO Plus, you can purchase the Dark Brotherhood DLC directly from the in-game Crown Store.
Choose Your Initiation Method: As mentioned earlier, you can either seek out Amelie Crowe or initiate the questline through the Collections UI. Both methods lead to the same starting point.
Embark on “Voices in the Dark”: This is your initial quest, guiding you to the Gold Coast and introducing you to the inner workings of the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary.
Find the Sanctuary: The Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary is located on the Gold Coast, north of the Gold Coast Wayshrine, nestled between Anvil and Kvatch, near Varen’s Wall. Once you arrive at the Sanctuary, you’ll start to receive main quests from the Dark Brotherhood.
Follow the Black Sacrament: Accept contracts, sharpen your skills, and rise through the ranks of the Dark Brotherhood. Be prepared to make morally ambiguous decisions, for the path of an assassin is rarely paved with virtue.

Understanding the Perks and Pitfalls

Joining the Dark Brotherhood isn’t merely about slaying targets; it’s about embracing a lifestyle. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Benefits of Membership

Unique Skill Line: The Dark Brotherhood grants access to a dedicated skill line, featuring abilities tailored for stealth, assassination, and evasion.
Exclusive Gear and Styles: Complete daily quests and earn rewards, including the coveted Dark Brotherhood Style, allowing you to craft gear with a distinct assassin’s aesthetic.
Intriguing Storyline: Immerse yourself in a gripping narrative filled with intrigue, betrayal, and moral dilemmas. The Dark Brotherhood questline is renowned for its compelling storytelling.
Daily Contracts: Earn gold and experience by completing daily assassination contracts, offering a consistent source of income and progression.

Potential Drawbacks

Moral Implications: Be prepared to make difficult choices that may conflict with your personal morality. The Dark Brotherhood’s methods are often ruthless and unforgiving.
Targeted Consequences: Some players might find the guild’s tasks distasteful if they involve eliminating characters that hold sentimental value. Remember, your actions have consequences.
Reputation Considerations: While the Dark Brotherhood operates in the shadows, your actions can still impact your overall reputation within the game world.

Mastering the Art of Assassination

To truly excel in the Dark Brotherhood, you need to hone your skills. Here are some tips for becoming a master assassin:

Embrace Stealth: Invest in stealth-related skills and gear. High stealth proficiency is crucial for avoiding detection and executing successful assassinations.
Utilize Poisons: Poisons are your friend. Experiment with different concoctions to weaken your targets or inflict debilitating effects.
Master Blade of Woe: This powerful ability allows you to instantly kill weakened enemies. Learn to recognize opportunities to utilize this devastating skill.
Exploit Weaknesses: Observe your targets carefully and identify their vulnerabilities. Exploit these weaknesses to maximize your effectiveness.
Manage Your Bounty: Avoid getting caught committing crimes, as this will increase your bounty and attract unwanted attention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Dark Brotherhood in ESO

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Dark Brotherhood in ESO, offering even more clarity and guidance. The Games Learning Society supports communities like the ESO community. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

1. Do I need to be a certain level to start the Dark Brotherhood questline?

No, there’s no level requirement to start the Dark Brotherhood questline. However, it’s generally recommended to be at least level 10-15 to handle the challenges and enemies you’ll encounter on the Gold Coast.

2. Can I access the Dark Brotherhood content if I only have the base game?

No, you need to either purchase the Dark Brotherhood DLC from the Crown Store or have an active ESO Plus subscription to access the content.

3. What happens if I get caught during a Dark Brotherhood contract?

If you’re caught committing a crime, you’ll accrue a bounty. Guards may attempt to arrest you, and other players may be able to claim a bounty on your head.

4. Is it possible to destroy the Dark Brotherhood in ESO?

Unlike some other Elder Scrolls games, you cannot destroy the Dark Brotherhood in ESO.

5. Can I become a werewolf or vampire and still be a member of the Dark Brotherhood?

Yes, you can be a werewolf or vampire and still join and participate in the Dark Brotherhood. Your supernatural status doesn’t impact your membership.

6. What are the benefits of completing Dark Brotherhood daily quests?

Completing daily quests rewards you with gold, experience, and unique Dark Brotherhood-themed items, including crafting motifs and furnishings.

7. How do I learn the Dark Brotherhood crafting style?

You can obtain the Dark Brotherhood Style motifs by completing the daily repeatable quests for Speaker Terenus in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.

8. Is it better to be a stealth-focused character to join the Dark Brotherhood?

While not mandatory, a stealth-focused character will certainly thrive in the Dark Brotherhood. Skills in stealth, assassination, and evasion are highly beneficial.

9. What is the “Blade of Woe,” and how do I use it?

The Blade of Woe is a unique ability granted to Dark Brotherhood members. It allows you to instantly kill weakened enemies that are below a certain health threshold.

10. Can I replay Dark Brotherhood quests?

You cannot replay the main Dark Brotherhood questline on the same character. However, you can create multiple characters to experience the story from different perspectives. You can also repeat the daily assassination quests.

11. Does ESO Plus give me access to the Dark Brotherhood?

Yes, an active ESO Plus subscription grants access to all available DLC, including the Dark Brotherhood.

12. What happens if I let my ESO Plus subscription expire?

If your ESO Plus subscription expires, you will lose access to the Dark Brotherhood content until you renew your subscription or purchase the DLC separately.

13. Where can I find a list of all the Dark Brotherhood quests?

You can find a comprehensive list of Dark Brotherhood quests on various ESO fan sites and wikis.

14. Are there any unique followers I can obtain through the Dark Brotherhood?

While not traditional “followers,” you can summon a Spectral Assassin through one of the abilities gained from the skill tree.

15. Is the Dark Brotherhood storyline related to other Elder Scrolls games?

While the Dark Brotherhood is a recurring faction in the Elder Scrolls series, the ESO storyline is largely self-contained, though it references events from other games.

So, are you ready to step into the shadows and become a master assassin? The Dark Brotherhood awaits! Embrace the darkness, hone your skills, and prepare for a thrilling journey filled with intrigue, danger, and untold riches. May the Night Mother guide your blade!