Finding Aventus Aretino in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide
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Aventus Aretino, the troubled young boy performing the Black Sacrament, is a pivotal character in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. He resides in the Aretino Residence in Windhelm. More precisely, his house is situated on the eastern side of the city, easily identifiable by its peculiar shape that juts out over the Gray Quarter. He’s hard to miss if you know what you’re looking for!
Locating the Aretino Residence
The Aretino Residence is a relatively easy landmark to find once you know where to look in Windhelm. When entering Windhelm through the main gate, head east, towards the lower levels of the city. Keep an eye out for a building that seems to partially overhang the area below. This architectural quirk is the easiest way to identify the Aretino Residence. Inside, you’ll find young Aventus engaged in his desperate attempt to contact the Dark Brotherhood, setting the stage for the quest “Innocence Lost”.
The Significance of Aventus Aretino
Aventus’s quest, “Innocence Lost,” is the gateway to joining the Dark Brotherhood, one of the most iconic and morally ambiguous factions in Skyrim. His actions and desperation highlight the grim realities of the world, where orphaned children sometimes resort to extreme measures to seek justice or revenge. By helping Aventus, the Dragonborn becomes entangled in a web of assassination, intrigue, and dark secrets. The themes of justice and morality explored through this storyline are complex. The ethical questions surrounding the Dark Brotherhood’s actions have been discussed and debated by players, adding another layer to the role-playing experience. You can explore more about the connection between games and learning more at the Games Learning Society.
The Quest: Innocence Lost
Once you locate Aventus in his home, he mistakes you for the assassin he summoned. He tasks you with eliminating Grelod the Kind, the cruel headmistress of the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften. Completing this task triggers a chain of events that eventually leads to your recruitment into the Dark Brotherhood. The quest itself is relatively straightforward, involving traveling to Riften and assassinating Grelod. However, the moral implications of fulfilling Aventus’s request are substantial, forcing players to consider the consequences of their actions.
Adoption and Beyond
Interestingly, after completing the “Innocence Lost” quest, it is sometimes possible to adopt Aventus (depending on the modifications that have been installed). After finishing the quest, the game description indicates that he should return to Honorhall Orphanage, allowing the Dragonborn to adopt him. This option provides a more positive resolution to Aventus’s story, allowing him to find a stable and loving home after his ordeal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions concerning Aventus Aretino and the associated quests, answering common questions players might have:
1. Can you adopt Aventus Aretino in Skyrim without mods?
In the base game of Skyrim (without any modifications or Creation Club content), Aventus Aretino cannot be adopted directly after completing the “Innocence Lost” quest. He returns to Honorhall Orphanage in Riften, and if you have a home and have the prerequisites for adoption, you can then adopt him. Mods like the Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP) or other mods that specifically alter Aventus’s behavior after the quest can affect this, potentially making him available for adoption even sooner. Just be aware that his dialogue might not always reflect his new status as an adopted child.
2. How do I start Aventus Aretino’s quest?
To start the quest “Innocence Lost”, you must first hear a rumor about a boy in Windhelm performing the Black Sacrament. This rumor is typically spread by innkeepers. Alternatively, you can go directly to Windhelm and find the Aretino Residence, located in the eastern part of the city, overhanging the Gray Quarter. Aventus will be inside, attempting to summon the Dark Brotherhood. Interacting with him will automatically initiate the quest.
3. Can you skip Aventus Aretino and still join the Dark Brotherhood?
Yes, technically, you can trigger the Dark Brotherhood questline without directly speaking to Aventus Aretino. If you assassinate Grelod the Kind in Riften without receiving the quest from Aventus, a courier will eventually deliver a mysterious note bearing a black hand symbol. This note will prompt you to sleep in a bed, which will trigger the “With Friends Like These…” quest, initiating your involvement with the Dark Brotherhood.
4. What happens to Aventus Aretino after the quest?
After completing the “Innocence Lost” quest, Aventus Aretino is sent back to the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften. He believes that he has successfully hired the Dark Brotherhood to avenge his parents’ deaths. After that, he simply lives as one of the orphans.
5. Where to find the Aretino family heirloom?
The Aretino Family Heirloom is located in the Aretino Residence in Windhelm, where you find Aventus. It’s not essential to the “Innocence Lost” quest. Once inside the home, you can find the heirloom and pick it up. The Heirloom has no use aside from selling it to merchants for a small amount.
6. Is Aventus Aretino essential to the Dark Brotherhood questline?
No, Aventus Aretino is not considered an essential character after you’ve started the Dark Brotherhood questline. His role is primarily to trigger the “Innocence Lost” quest, which serves as an entry point to the Dark Brotherhood.
7. Can you kill Aventus Aretino?
Yes, after completing the “Innocence Lost” quest and he goes to Honorhall Orphanage, Aventus Aretino can be killed. There are no particular consequences for killing him, but keep in mind any companions traveling with you who disapprove of killing innocents will react negatively.
8. Why is Aventus Aretino trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood?
Aventus Aretino is trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood because his parents were killed, and he seeks revenge. He believes that by performing the Black Sacrament, a ritual involving specific ingredients and incantations, he can summon an assassin from the Dark Brotherhood to avenge his family.
9. What reward do you get from Aventus Aretino?
Upon completing the “Innocence Lost” quest, Aventus Aretino rewards you with a family heirloom. It is not particularly valuable, but it serves as a token of his gratitude for avenging his parents. The true reward, however, is the invitation to join the Dark Brotherhood, opening up a significant questline with numerous opportunities for wealth, power, and unique skills.
10. Where is the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften?
The Honorhall Orphanage is located in the eastern part of Riften. Upon entering the city from the main gate, follow the path to the right and continue until you see a wooden building with a sign that reads “Honorhall Orphanage.”
11. What are the consequences of killing Grelod the Kind?
Killing Grelod the Kind has no major negative consequences. There are no guards around, so you won’t be charged with murder if no one sees you. Completing the deed fulfills Aventus Aretino’s request and triggers the Dark Brotherhood questline.
12. Who are the potential children to adopt in Skyrim?
Besides Aventus Aretino (if you adopt him), several other children can be adopted in Skyrim:
- Lucia (Whiterun)
- Sofie (Windhelm)
- Blaise (Katla’s Farm, near Solitude)
- Dorthe (dependent on certain circumstances; likely not available if you side with the Empire)
- Hroar, Knud, and Sissel (Honorhall Orphanage, Riften)
- Alesan (Dawnstar)
13. How do you adopt a child in Skyrim?
To adopt a child in Skyrim, you must first have a home that is properly furnished with a child’s bedroom. You must also complete the quest “Innocence Lost” to trigger the adoption mechanic, even if you don’t adopt Aventus. Then, speak to a child who is living on the streets or in an orphanage. If they express a desire for a home, you will have the option to adopt them, provided you have completed the “Innocence Lost” quest and have a suitable home.
14. What happens if you destroy the Dark Brotherhood instead of joining them?
If you choose to destroy the Dark Brotherhood, you can initiate the quest “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” by speaking to a guard after completing “Innocence Lost”. You will then need to kill Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary in Falkreath. This will prompt a series of quests where you systematically eliminate the members of the Dark Brotherhood. Destroying the Dark Brotherhood effectively ends their questline and prevents you from accessing the unique skills, equipment, and benefits associated with the faction.
15. Can you marry Astrid in Skyrim?
No, you cannot marry Astrid in Skyrim. She is already married to Arnbjorn, another member of the Dark Brotherhood, and there is no option to marry her, even if you were to eliminate Arnbjorn. Additionally, Astrid dies regardless of whether you destroy the Dark Brotherhood or join them.
Hopefully, this information helps you find Aventus Aretino and navigate the complex world of the Dark Brotherhood. Remember to explore the themes presented in the game, perhaps by reading up on the work done by the Games Learning Society, and enjoy your adventures in Skyrim!