Who Should You Sacrifice to Boethiah in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of who to sacrifice to Boethiah in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is fraught with moral ambiguity, but also ripe with role-playing opportunity. While the game presents you with the freedom to choose virtually any follower, some choices carry more narrative weight and align better with Boethiah’s principles of deceit, ambition, and overthrow. So, the definitive answer is: Ralis Sedarys is often considered the most justifiable choice for sacrifice to Boethiah, due to his manipulative nature and questionable actions during the Kolbjorn Barrow excavation. He embodies the very traits Boethiah champions: ambition taken to treacherous extremes.

Justifying the Sacrifice: Why Ralis Sedarys?

Ralis isn’t your average innocent bystander. He’s a complex character entangled in dark practices. His initial charm quickly erodes as the excavation progresses, revealing a disturbing obsession with Ahzidal and a willingness to resurrect the dragon priest, regardless of the consequences. This ambition, fueled by a dangerous curiosity, directly leads to the deaths of numerous miners and threatens the entire region of Solstheim.

Choosing Ralis as the sacrifice allows the Dragonborn to deliver a twisted form of justice. By sacrificing him, you’re essentially purging a character who has already demonstrated a capacity for deceit and disregard for innocent lives. It’s a pragmatic choice that aligns with Boethiah’s ruthless worldview, where the ends often justify the means. This decision also resonates deeply with the Daedric Prince’s penchant for testing and manipulating mortals.

Beyond Ralis: Other Considerations

While Ralis provides a compelling narrative justification, you might have other considerations. Perhaps you need a specific follower for their skills, or you’re role-playing a character with a particular moral code (or lack thereof). Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider:

• Utility of the Follower: How useful is the follower in combat or for carrying your loot? Sacrificing a skilled warrior might hinder your adventuring capabilities.
• Personal Attachment: Are you emotionally invested in any of your followers? Sacrificing a beloved companion can be a difficult decision, even in a game.
• Moral Alignment: Does sacrificing a particularly innocent follower clash with your character’s moral compass?
• Gameplay Mechanics: Remember, you need a non-essential follower for the sacrifice to work. Essential followers cannot die.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Boethiah doesn’t care about your motivations, only that you are willing to betray and sacrifice.

The Reward: Ebony Mail

Regardless of your choice, the reward for completing Boethiah’s Calling is the Ebony Mail. This Daedric artifact is a heavy armor chest piece that provides a powerful sneak bonus and deals poison damage to nearby enemies. It’s a valuable item for any stealth-oriented character, solidifying Boethiah’s influence over your gameplay.

FAQs About Boethiah’s Calling

1. How do I start Boethiah’s Calling?

Read the book “Boethiah’s Calling”. It can be found in various locations throughout Skyrim, often in bandit camps or dungeons. You can also stumble upon the Sacellum of Boethiah, which is located east of Windhelm, once you reach level 30. Arriving at the shrine at level 30 will also initiate the quest.

2. What level do I need to be to start the quest?

You must be at least level 30 to begin Boethiah’s Calling.

3. Can any follower be sacrificed?

No. Only non-essential followers can be sacrificed. Essential followers are protected by the game’s mechanics and cannot die.

4. How do I make a follower use the Pillar of Sacrifice?

Approach the pillar with your chosen follower. Enter command mode (hold ‘use’ or via the “I need you to do something” conversation option). Highlight the pillar, and you should see the option “Use the Pillar of Sacrifice”. Instruct your follower to interact with it. If you are having issues with the follower using the Pillar try to sheath your weapon and wait for the follower to do so as well.

5. What happens after the sacrifice?

Boethiah’s essence will inhabit the body of your sacrificed follower. You will then receive new instructions, and the quest will progress.

6. What is the reward for completing Boethiah’s Calling?

The reward is the Ebony Mail, a Daedric artifact heavy armor chest piece.

7. What does the Ebony Mail do?

The Ebony Mail provides a powerful sneak bonus and deals poison damage to enemies who get too close.

8. Can I fail Boethiah’s Calling?

Yes, you can fail Boethiah’s Calling. One way to fail the quest is to not kill all the initial followers.

9. Where is the Sacellum of Boethiah located?

The Sacellum of Boethiah is located east of Windhelm.

10. Is Boethiah good or evil?

Boethiah is generally considered evil by most races of Tamriel. They are a Daedric Prince of conspiracy, deceit, and treachery.

11. What are Boethiah’s principles?

Boethiah champions deceit, ambition, overthrow, and the pursuit of power by any means necessary.

12. Who are Boethiah’s allies?

Boethiah’s allies are often considered to be Mephala and Azura. They are also said to be allied with the Temple of Stendarr.

13. What is the best way to handle the Boethiah cultists after the sacrifice?

After Boethiah inhabits the body of your sacrificed follower and instructs you to eliminate the current champion, you’ll need to kill all of Boethiah’s worshippers at the Sacellum to prove your loyalty.

14. What happens if I don’t sacrifice anyone?

If you don’t sacrifice anyone, you will be unable to complete the quest and obtain the Ebony Mail.

15. Can I recruit Boethiah’s former champion after completing the quest?

Yes, you can recruit Boethiah’s former champion after completing the quest, so long as you complete the quest by defeating them at the end.

Beyond Gameplay: The Educational Value of Moral Choice

The moral quandaries presented by quests like Boethiah’s Calling highlight the potential for video games to explore complex ethical dilemmas. These games can encourage players to consider the consequences of their actions and reflect on their own values. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org explores these educational potentials further, examining how games can promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. Exploring a video game’s story and quests offer opportunities to improve critical thinking skills, while using mods or glitches can hone the skills of problem-solving.

Choosing who to sacrifice to Boethiah is more than just a gameplay decision; it’s a reflection of your character’s values and your own understanding of morality. Weigh your options carefully, and embrace the ambiguity of the choice. Remember, in the world of Daedric Princes, there are no easy answers.