Following the Hound: An In-Depth Guide to Barbas’s Journey in Skyrim

Barbas, the ever-present, often-annoying, but ultimately helpful canine companion of the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile, takes you on a winding journey through the heart of Skyrim. His questline, “A Daedra’s Best Friend,” guides you from the gates of Falkreath to Haemar’s Shame, a vampire-infested cave, and finally to the shrine of Clavicus Vile himself, culminating in a momentous decision that shapes the fate of both the Daedric Prince and his loyal dog.

The Quest Begins: Falkreath and the Shrine of Clavicus Vile

Your journey with Barbas begins just outside of Falkreath. At level 10 or higher, you’ll likely encounter him, a large, shaggy dog, seemingly lost and definitely talkative. He explains his predicament: he’s a piece of Clavicus Vile, separated from the Prince, and needs your help to reunite. This initial conversation sets the stage for the entire quest.

Barbas directs you towards the Shrine of Clavicus Vile. The shrine is not clearly marked on your map initially, relying on Barbas’s guidance. This initial trek can be seen as a symbolic journey, forcing you to trust the seemingly simple (but Daedra-influenced) dog. The Shrine is located some ways east of Falkreath.

Haemar’s Shame: A Necessary Detour

Once you reach the shrine, you’ll speak with the statue of Clavicus Vile. He agrees to reunite with Barbas, but only if you complete a task for him: retrieve the Rueful Axe. This axe is currently in the possession of Sebastian Lort, a mage residing within Haemar’s Shame. This is where Barbas guides you.

Haemar’s Shame is a sprawling cave system overrun with vampires. Barbas, despite his lack of stealth, is invaluable in this section. His invulnerability makes him a perfect distraction, allowing you to focus on eliminating the vampiric threat. He’ll essentially charge through, barking and drawing their attention.

It’s important to note that Barbas’s pathfinding can be a bit… enthusiastic. He has a tendency to sprint ahead. He may often get separated from you, causing brief periods of panicked searching. He does eventually arrive at the correct location, if sometimes not in a timely fashion.

The Return to the Shrine: A Moment of Truth

After retrieving the Rueful Axe from Sebastian Lort within Haemar’s Shame, Barbas accompanies you back to the Shrine of Clavicus Vile. Here, you’re faced with the crucial decision: Use the axe to kill Barbas and complete Clavicus Vile’s request or refuse and allow Barbas to rejoin the Prince.

The implications of this choice are significant. Killing Barbas grants you the Rueful Axe, a unique but relatively underwhelming weapon. Allowing Barbas to live earns you the Masque of Clavicus Vile, a Daedric artifact helmet that improves speech, barter, and magicka regeneration, as well as contributing to the Oblivion Walker achievement.

Ultimately, the journey with Barbas leads you to a moral crossroads. The choice reflects the nature of Daedric Princes and the consequences of interacting with them. It is a testament to the morally gray world that Skyrim inhabits.

Beyond the Quest: An Unfinished Journey?

It’s important to note that, through an exploit, you can effectively keep Barbas as a permanent companion if you avoid completing the quest. After speaking with Clavicus Vile’s statue for the first time, but before retrieving the Rueful Axe, you can simply ignore the quest objectives.

In this case, Barbas will follow you indefinitely, offering his tank-like durability and endless barking. However, he’s still considered a quest follower, so he cannot carry items. And he does not shut up. This is a good option for people who are trying to max out their strength stats. However, this is generally not a great permanent situation due to the many limitations.

FAQs: Unraveling the Mysteries of Barbas

Here are some frequently asked questions about Barbas and his role in Skyrim:

1. What happens if I tell Barbas to stop following me?

If you tell Barbas “Stop following me!”, he returns to the Shrine of Clavicus Vile, where you can pick him up again at any time.

2. Can I have Barbas and another follower at the same time?

Yes! Barbas is considered a quest follower, allowing you to have him, a regular follower, an animal companion, and even summoned creatures simultaneously.

3. Can I keep Barbas as a pet permanently?

Yes, through an exploit. After first speaking to Clavicus Vile’s statue, you can simply abandon the quest and Barbas will follow you indefinitely.

4. What reward do I get if I spare Barbas?

If you refuse to kill Barbas, you will receive the Masque of Clavicus Vile, a Daedric artifact helmet.

5. Is it better to kill Barbas or let him live?

While both options provide unique rewards, sparing Barbas and obtaining the Masque of Clavicus Vile is generally recommended, as it counts towards the Oblivion Walker achievement and arguably has a more useful effect.

6. Why is Barbas so annoying?

Barbas is often considered annoying because he barks incessantly and lacks stealth. He also tends to rush into combat without a second thought.

7. What kind of dog is Barbas supposed to be?

Barbas’s appearance is generally considered to be similar to a shaggy Irish Wolfhound or Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

8. Does Barbas ruin stealth gameplay?

Yes, Barbas is terrible for stealth. He does not crouch or sneak, and will often alert enemies to your presence with his constant barking and reckless behavior.

9. Should I side with Barbas or Clavicus Vile?

Siding with Barbas means letting him rejoin Clavicus Vile, and results in you receiving the Masque of Clavicus Vile. Siding with Clavicus Vile (by killing Barbas) grants the Rueful Axe. The choice depends on your character build and preference.

10. Is Barbas a good companion in combat?

Barbas is incredibly durable due to his invulnerability, making him an excellent distraction. However, he doesn’t deal much damage.

11. What is the strongest animal companion in Skyrim?

Many animal companions have different strengths, but the Steadfast Dwarven Sphere (from the Dragonborn DLC) is often considered one of the strongest due to its high health.

12. Does Barbas count as a pet for my children?

No, Barbas is considered a quest follower, not a pet. To have pets for your children, you need to adopt them through Hearthfire and interact with the appropriate animals.

13. Can you have two dog followers in Skyrim?

You can have Barbas and another dog follower. This is because Barbas is a quest follower, and the other dog follower will be a standard pet follower.

14. Which is better, the Rueful Axe or the Masque of Clavicus Vile?

The Masque of Clavicus Vile is generally considered the better choice, offering useful enchantments and contributing to the Oblivion Walker achievement. The Rueful Axe is comparatively weak.

15. Can Barbas die?

No. As Barbas is essential to the quest, he has infinite health and cannot be killed.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Dog

The journey with Barbas is a memorable one. He takes you from the relative safety of Falkreath through the dangerous depths of Haemar’s Shame, to the very doorstep of a Daedric Prince. The path you take is one of decision and consequence, and ultimately, the choice of Barbas’s fate is yours. It reminds us that even in a world filled with dragons and magic, the choices we make can have far-reaching implications. It also reminds us that even the most annoying companions can have their uses. To further explore how games create engaging narratives and impactful choices, consider researching the work done at the Games Learning Society. You can find more information about the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.