Joining The Dark Brotherhood In Skyrim A Step By Step Guide
Hey guys! Ever wanted to join a secret society of assassins in Skyrim? The Dark Brotherhood is where it's at! This shadowy group is one of the most intriguing factions in the game, filled with mystery and, of course, murder. If you're ready to embrace your inner assassin, this guide will walk you through the steps to join their ranks, focusing on how to get started by speaking with Aventus Arentino and eventually meeting the enigmatic leader, Astrid.
Initiating Your Dark Journey Talking to Aventus Arentino
To kickstart your journey into the Dark Brotherhood, you first need to find a young boy named Aventus Arentino. Your quest begins in Windhelm, one of the major cities in Skyrim, which is located in the northeastern part of the province. Windhelm is a city steeped in history and divided by cultural tensions, so navigating it can be quite an experience in itself. Once you arrive, head to the eastern side of the city, where you’ll find the Aretino Residence. This is where your first crucial interaction will take place.
The Aretino Residence is a modest home, easily identifiable by the quest marker once you’ve activated the correct quest. Inside, you’ll find Aventus Arentino performing a dark ritual. This isn't just any childish game; Aventus is attempting to perform the Black Sacrament, a ritual used to contact the Dark Brotherhood and request an assassination. You’ll find him kneeling and chanting before a makeshift shrine, surrounded by candles and the gruesome effigy of a Jarrin Root-laced skeleton. The scene is quite unsettling, setting the tone for the grim path you’re about to embark on.
When you approach Aventus, he’ll mistake you for an assassin sent by the Dark Brotherhood to fulfill his request. He’s desperate for revenge and relief from his harsh circumstances. This initial interaction is vital because it sets the stage for the questline and immediately immerses you in the dark and morally ambiguous world of the Brotherhood. Aventus will task you with a specific assassination: the killing of Grelod the Kind, the cruel mistress of the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften. This is your first contract, and completing it is the key to drawing the attention of the Dark Brotherhood.
This part of the questline really sets the tone for what's to come. It's not just about hacking and slashing; it’s about making choices that have dark consequences. The moral ambiguity is a big part of what makes the Dark Brotherhood so compelling. Are you doing the right thing by fulfilling Aventus's request? Or are you stepping onto a slippery slope? These are the kinds of questions the game wants you to ask yourself.
Remember, your conversation with Aventus is more than just a quest trigger. It’s an introduction to the grim realities of Skyrim’s underworld and the desperation that drives people to seek out the Dark Brotherhood. Pay attention to the details in his house and his fervent chanting. They provide clues about his background and the lengths he’s willing to go to for justice or revenge. This encounter is your first step into a world where morality is often blurred and every choice has its price.
Fulfilling the Contract Eliminating Grelod the Kind
Grelod the Kind is, ironically, anything but kind. She runs the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften with an iron fist, making life miserable for the children under her care. Taking on this contract means you'll be heading to Riften, a city known for its shady dealings and criminal underworld, which fits perfectly with your new dark path. Riften is located in the southeastern part of Skyrim, nestled among the golden forests of the Rift. Getting there might involve a bit of travel, but it's a journey that further immerses you in the game world.
Upon arriving in Riften, make your way to the Honorhall Orphanage. You'll immediately sense the oppressive atmosphere Grelod has created. The orphans are downtrodden and fearful, and the environment is bleak. This setting underscores the urgency and justifiability of your mission. Grelod's cruelty is evident, making her a target that many players find easy to justify eliminating.
When you confront Grelod, you have several options for how to deal with her. You can choose a stealthy approach, sneaking into the orphanage and eliminating her without being seen. This method requires patience and a good understanding of the game's stealth mechanics. Alternatively, you can take a more direct approach and confront her openly. This might involve a bit of a fight, but it can be a quicker way to complete the contract. The choice is yours, and it reflects your playstyle and the kind of assassin you want to be.
Regardless of your method, eliminating Grelod is a pivotal moment. It's your first official act as a potential member of the Dark Brotherhood, and it sends a clear message that you're willing to do what it takes to fulfill a contract. This act of violence, though directed at a cruel target, still carries weight and adds to the moral complexity of the questline. Once Grelod is dealt with, word of your actions will spread, and it won't be long before the Dark Brotherhood takes notice.
The impact of this mission extends beyond just completing a task. It's about the ripple effect your actions have on the world of Skyrim. The orphans at Honorhall will be better off without Grelod, but your methods have far-reaching implications. Completing this contract is a necessary step, but it’s important to consider the broader consequences. Remember, in Skyrim, every action has a reaction, and your choices define your path.
This part of the quest is a perfect example of how Skyrim blends storytelling with gameplay. You're not just following instructions; you're making choices that shape your character and your experience in the game. The elimination of Grelod is a dark but necessary step on your journey to becoming a member of the Dark Brotherhood. Get ready; things are about to get even more interesting!
The Mysterious Message and a Bedtime Interruption
After successfully completing your first contract by eliminating Grelod the Kind, you might expect a grand reward or some immediate recognition. However, the Dark Brotherhood operates in mysterious ways. Instead of a direct invitation, you'll receive a cryptic message, a subtle hint that your actions have not gone unnoticed. This message is delivered through a courier, a common sight in Skyrim but this time, the letter is anything but ordinary. The note simply reads, "We know."
This message is both eerie and intriguing. It confirms that the Dark Brotherhood is aware of your actions and is watching you. It adds to the suspense and mystery surrounding the organization, making you wonder what their next move will be. The simplicity of the message is what makes it so effective. It doesn’t reveal any specific details, but it carries a weight of implication, suggesting a powerful and secretive force at play. Receiving this message is a clear sign that you're on the right track, but it also serves as a warning that you're entering dangerous territory.
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. To officially join the Dark Brotherhood, you'll need to get some sleep. Yes, you heard that right. After receiving the mysterious message, find an owned bed in any city or town and go to sleep. It doesn't matter where the bed is located, as long as it’s considered owned. This could be an inn, a house you've purchased, or even a bed in a bandit camp you’ve cleared out. The key is that the game needs to register that you’re sleeping in a bed that isn't a generic, unowned bedroll.
As you drift off to sleep, you'll be abruptly awakened by a shadowy figure standing over you. This is Astrid, a key figure in the Dark Brotherhood and your primary contact for the majority of the questline. Her appearance is both intimidating and captivating. She’s cloaked in dark armor and possesses a commanding presence that immediately establishes her as someone to be reckoned with. This encounter is a pivotal moment because it marks your formal introduction to the Dark Brotherhood and sets the stage for the quests to come.
Astrid’s dialogue is sharp and to the point. She'll accuse you of stealing a contract that was meant for the Brotherhood and will present you with a grim choice: pay the price for your transgression or join their ranks. This dilemma is a classic initiation test, designed to gauge your willingness to commit to the Brotherhood's dark path. Of course, if you're reading this guide, you already know the answer! Choosing to join the Dark Brotherhood is the only way to continue the questline and delve deeper into their shadowy world.
This entire sequence – the mysterious message, the interrupted sleep, and the encounter with Astrid – is brilliantly executed. It’s a masterclass in building suspense and immersing the player in the game’s narrative. It reinforces the secretive and dangerous nature of the Dark Brotherhood and makes you feel like you’re truly becoming a part of their clandestine world. So, get some sleep, and prepare to be awakened to a new, darker chapter in your Skyrim adventure!
Meeting Astrid and Joining the Dark Brotherhood
Being abducted in your sleep might sound like a nightmare, but in this case, it’s your ticket into one of Skyrim’s most intriguing factions. Waking up in an unfamiliar shack, you'll find yourself face to face with Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary in Skyrim. This initial encounter is crucial as it sets the tone for your relationship with the Brotherhood and introduces you to the moral complexities that lie ahead.
Astrid isn't exactly warm and welcoming, but she is pragmatic. She accuses you of stealing a contract by killing Grelod the Kind, which technically you did. She presents you with a chilling ultimatum: pay the price for your transgression or join the Dark Brotherhood. This choice isn't just a formality; it's a test of your commitment to their way of life. Of course, if you want to continue the Dark Brotherhood questline, the choice is clear: you must pledge your allegiance to the Brotherhood.
Choosing to join the Dark Brotherhood leads to a unique initiation trial. Astrid tasks you with a disturbing but telling assignment: you must choose one of three captured individuals to kill. Each captive has a story, and you’re given a brief overview of their alleged crimes. However, Astrid makes it clear that the choice is ultimately yours and that there is no right or wrong answer. This trial is designed to assess your willingness to kill without remorse and to demonstrate your understanding of the Brotherhood's core principles. It's a dark introduction to the morally gray world you’re entering.
This task is more than just a gruesome decision; it’s a commentary on the nature of justice and morality within the Dark Brotherhood. There’s no clear “good” choice, and each option forces you to confront the consequences of your actions. This moral ambiguity is a recurring theme throughout the Dark Brotherhood questline, making it one of the most compelling and thought-provoking storylines in Skyrim. Once you’ve made your choice and carried out the execution, Astrid will be satisfied, and you’ll officially be welcomed into the Brotherhood.
After completing the initiation trial, Astrid will provide you with the key to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, your new home and base of operations. The Sanctuary is hidden away from the rest of Skyrim, providing a safe haven for the assassins. This marks the beginning of your journey as a full-fledged member of the Dark Brotherhood. You’ll be given new contracts, meet your fellow assassins, and begin to unravel the mysteries and dark secrets of the Brotherhood. Joining the Dark Brotherhood is a significant turning point in your Skyrim adventure. It opens up a whole new world of quests, characters, and moral dilemmas. Are you ready to embrace the shadows?
Conclusion Embracing the Shadows
Joining the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim is a thrilling experience that adds a layer of intrigue and darkness to your gameplay. From the initial encounter with Aventus Arentino to the chilling initiation trial by Astrid, every step is designed to immerse you in the shadowy world of assassins. This questline is not just about completing missions; it's about making choices, facing moral dilemmas, and embracing the consequences of your actions.
The journey begins with a simple act – answering the plea of a desperate child. But it quickly spirals into a complex web of intrigue, betrayal, and violence. The characters you meet along the way are memorable and often morally ambiguous, forcing you to question your own values and beliefs. The Dark Brotherhood questline is a masterclass in storytelling, blending action, suspense, and character development seamlessly.
One of the most compelling aspects of the Dark Brotherhood is its moral complexity. Unlike some other factions in Skyrim, the Dark Brotherhood operates in a gray area, where right and wrong are often blurred. You'll be tasked with making difficult decisions, and the consequences of those decisions will shape your character and your experience in the game. This moral ambiguity adds depth and weight to the questline, making it one of the most rewarding in Skyrim.
Ultimately, joining the Dark Brotherhood is a choice. It's a choice to embrace the shadows, to walk a darker path, and to become a master of assassination. It's a choice that will change your Skyrim experience forever. So, are you ready to answer the call of the void? Are you ready to join the Dark Brotherhood?