Who to Lure to Boethiah: A Skyrim Sacrificial Guide

Choosing the right follower to sacrifice to Boethiah, the Daedric Prince of deceit and treachery, in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can be a morally complex decision. After all, you’re sending someone to their doom! While the choice is ultimately yours, several factors can inform your decision, ranging from their perceived moral standing to their utility as a follower and even your personal roleplaying preferences. The short answer? Consider Ralis Sedarys for moral reasons, any easily replaceable mercenary for practical reasons, or a character you dislike for roleplaying immersion.

Evaluating Potential Sacrifices

Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider, offering a comprehensive guide to help you decide who deserves (or maybe just gets) to grace Boethiah’s altar.

Morality and Justice

Ralis Sedarys: As highlighted in the initial text, Ralis from the Kolbjorn Barrow excavation in Solstheim is often cited as a “just” sacrifice. He repeatedly requests your money for a dig that ultimately unleashes a dangerous dragon priest. While Ralis means well, his recklessness and potential exploitation make him a viable candidate for those seeking a somewhat justifiable offering.
Evil Followers: While the provided text mentions Eola as an “evil follower,” remember that the Dark Brotherhood initiates are ineligible. You need a follower who will actually follow you. If you have other followers acquired through morally questionable means (like certain quest outcomes or mods), they might be considered.
Consider the Gray Areas: Skyrim is full of characters with questionable pasts or behaviors. Did a follower steal from you? Are they consistently rude to NPCs? Sometimes, “justice” is a matter of perspective.

Practical Considerations

Replaceability: Let’s be honest, some followers are simply more useful than others. A generic mercenary from a hold city is easily replaceable. They don’t have unique dialogue or questlines tied to them. Losing them is less impactful on your overall game experience.
Skills and Combat Prowess: Sacrifice a follower whose skills don’t complement your playstyle. If you’re a stealth archer, a heavy armor-wearing warrior might not be the best fit for your team, making them a less valuable loss.
Emotional Attachment: This is crucial. Don’t sacrifice someone you’ve grown attached to. The emotional toll can diminish your enjoyment of the game, especially if you’re playing a “good” character.

Roleplaying Immersion

Character Conflict: Does a follower clash with your Dragonborn’s personality or values? Perhaps a staunch Stormcloak follower is constantly arguing with your Imperial-supporting character. Using such a conflict to justify the sacrifice can enhance your roleplaying experience.
Embrace the Evil: If you’re playing an explicitly evil character, the sacrifice becomes an act of dominance and furthering your character’s goals. The choice is less about justification and more about power.
The Unexpected Choice: Sometimes, the most impactful sacrifices are the ones that surprise you. Perhaps a seemingly loyal follower betrays you, or you uncover a hidden secret that changes your perception of them. Use these moments to fuel your decision.

Important Reminders

Essential NPCs: You cannot sacrifice essential NPCs (those vital to the main quest or major side quests). The game simply won’t allow it.
Quest-Related Followers: Be wary of sacrificing followers who are actively involved in other quests. Doing so could break those quests.
The Sacrifice Itself: Remember that the method of sacrifice involves using the Blade of Sacrifice given to you by a Priestess of Boethiah, on the designated Altar of Sacrifice. Follow the quest instructions carefully.

By carefully weighing these factors, you can choose a sacrifice that aligns with your gameplay style, moral compass (or lack thereof), and roleplaying aspirations, making your encounter with Boethiah a memorable experience. Understanding how games like Skyrim shape our learning and morality is an important area of study, and organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org are dedicated to exploring the educational and social impact of gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Boethiah’s Calling

What level should I be to start Boethiah’s Calling?

You must be level 30 or higher to initiate Boethiah’s Calling. Once you reach level 30, you can discover the Shrine of Boethiah or find the book Boethiah’s Proving to trigger the quest. However, some players report needing to reach level 32 for the quest to properly begin.

Can I fail Boethiah’s Calling?

Yes, you can fail Boethiah’s quest. After failing, you can still recruit her ex-champion, making it a partial failure with a minor consolation prize.

What is the reward for completing Boethiah’s Calling?

The reward for completing Boethiah’s Calling is the Ebony Mail, a unique piece of heavy armor with a powerful enchantment that muffles your movements and poisons nearby enemies.

How do I fix Boethiah’s Calling if it glitches?

If Boethiah’s Calling glitches, try these solutions:

Load a previous save: This is the most reliable fix.
Kill all worshippers: Some players report that killing all of Boethiah’s worshippers after she summons you forces the quest to progress.
Wait: Travel to a bed and sleep for 7-10 days. This can sometimes reset the game state.

Can you sacrifice Eola to Boethiah?

No, you cannot sacrifice Eola to Boethiah. While Eola is an “evil follower” obtained through Namira’s Daedric quest, she is essential to that quest and cannot be killed.

What happens if Eola dies?

If Eola dies in Reachcliff Cave, the quest The Taste of Death will end.

Do Dark Brotherhood initiates respawn?

No, even though both of the Dark Brotherhood Initiates are marked to respawn if killed, they are also marked as Essential, they can never die and will never utilize this function.

Does the Ebony Mail count as Ebony armor?

Yes, the Ebony Mail counts towards the full Ebony armor set bonus, even though it’s technically a Daedric artifact.

Is Ebony Mail better than Ebony armor?

The Ebony Mail and Ebony armor have similar defense values. However, the Ebony Mail has unique enchantments that make it particularly useful for stealth characters. The armor’s visual appearance also differs, with the Ebony Mail lacking the large shoulder plates of regular Ebony armor.

Is Boethiah evil?

Boethiah is considered one of the more evil Daedric Princes due to their association with conspiracy, deceit, sedition, treachery, battle, and bloodshed.

What level is Boethiah’s Champion?

The level of Boethiah’s Champion depends on your level:

If you’re level 57 or below, the Champion will be level 38.
If you’re level 58 or above, the Champion will be level 51.

How do you get the Blade of Sacrifice in Skyrim?

The Blade of Sacrifice is given to you by a Priestess of Boethiah as part of the quest Boethiah’s Calling. She intends for you to use it to kill a follower on the Altar of Sacrifice.

Is The Taste of Death a Daedric quest?

Yes, The Taste of Death, which involves the cannibalistic cult of Namira, is a Daedric quest.

Is Namira’s Ring worth it?

The value of Namira’s Ring depends on your playstyle. While it provides a stamina boost and the ability to consume corpses, many players find other rings with better enchantments more useful. It is more valuable for roleplaying an evil character than for its inherent power.

Can you start Boethiah’s Calling before level 30?

No, you cannot start Boethiah’s Calling before level 30. You must reach this level before you can trigger the quest by finding the Shrine of Boethiah or the book Boethiah’s Proving.

Who to lure to Boethiah?