The Dark Brotherhood is an organization of highly trained assassins
who carry out assassination contracts. The Dark Brotherhood is called upon by
those who wish to utilize their deadly services through a ritual called "The Black Sacrament". They were once the most
highly feared organization in all of Tamriel, but have lost their reputation over
time. At one point, they were governed by The Five Tenets, which set the ground rules for
being in the Brotherhood, but those Tenets have long since been abandoned.
The Dark Brotherhood has been operating in Tamriel for many centuries, at one time having
many clandestine sanctuaries across the Empire. They revere Sithis, the avatar of entropy and chaos, as well
as the Night Mother, who is the spiritual leader of the
Dark Brotherhood. However, the Night Mother has not spoken to anyone for quite
some time...
Contents [show]
Joining
or Destroying the Brotherhood<img alt="DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="250" height="179"
data-src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111122081049/elderscrolls/images/thumb/0/04/DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png/250px-DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111122081049/elderscrolls/images/thumb/0/04/DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png/250px-DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
width="250" height="179" />
Added by Beastyal
"Sweet mother, sweet
mother, send your child unto me for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in
blood and fear"
―The Black Sacrament ritual[src]
Any man or woman may join the Dark Brotherhood. Initiates must also display
the ability to kill mercilessly, without regret or sorrow. As a result, their
ranks include Vampires, Werewolves and Bandits as well as Mages. The player can go to any inn and ask for
the latest gossip from the innkeeper. The innkeeper may tell the player that Aventus Aretino is trying to perform the Black
Sacrament in Windhelm. Or, if in Riften, the player should speak to a man named Maul.
He can usually be found standing against a post off to the left at the entrance
of the city. After sharing some tough words, he can give information on both the
Thieves Guild, and the Dark Brotherhood; for a
price, of course. (Upon intimidation, persuasion or upon being shown an unusual
gem, Maul's information is free). The children at the Honorhall
Orphanage will also speak about Aventus' attempts to summon the
Dark Brotherhood, which will give the player a miscellaneous objective as well.
Speaking with Aventus Aretino initiates the quest Innocence
Lost and starts the Dark Brotherhood questline. After accepting
Aretino's proposal, the player is directed to visit the Honorhall
Orphanage. Upon speaking to the children there, and they will
tell the player Aventus Aretino escaped and planned to kill their Headmistress,
Grelod the Kind, by summoning the Dark
Brotherhood. Kill Grelod (the children will cheer and celebrate once she's
dead.)
<img
src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120822120825/elderscrolls/images/thumb/7/7a/DBTenets.png/180px-DBTenets.png"
width="180" height="220" />The Five Tenents are no longer followed by the Brotherhood.
Added by JimeeeAfter Innocence
Lost has been completed, 24
hours later A courier will appear to the player in any city, with a note
with a black hand and the words "We Know". After receiving the note, sleeping in
any bed will begin the next phase of the quest (the acquisition of this note is
optional). After some restful slumber, the player is seemingly abducted by a
Dark Brotherhood Assassin in their sleep, and wakes up in an Abandoned Shack. (This is where the decision to
join or destroy The Dark Brotherhood can be made). There, the player is asked by
Astrid to kill one of three people in the room,
initiating the quest With Friends Like These. Killing one, two, or
even all of the potential victims will earn the Dragonborn an invitation to join
the Dark Brotherhood. The Dragonborn may also take the opportunity to destroy
the organization by attacking the Dark Brotherhood representative, Astrid. This will initiate the quest Destroy the Dark Brotherhood! (This is the only
chance to destroy the dark brotherhood because after joining, the Brotherhood
members are otherwise unkillable.)
Joining the Dark Brotherhood requires a high sneak skill. Jobs done for them
often need the Dragonborn to remain stealthy, and kill an enemy without being
detected. A very useful perk to obtain in doing so, is Assassin's Blade. To get this, the Dragonborn
must have a level 50 sneak skill (along with the other perks leading up to it).
It will allow sneak attacks with daggers to do x15 damage to the unsuspecting
enemy. This will likely initiate a killcam of the Dragonborn slitting the throat
or stabbing the other character in complete stealth (or there will just be a
slash and the other character will just over dead).
Dark Brotherhood
Quests
Armor and
apparel
When completing quests in the Dark Brotherhood, the player can obtain four
different armor sets.
Dawnstar
Sanctuary<img
src="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111118104334/elderscrolls/images/thumb/f/fc/Dawnstar_Sanctuary_NightMother.jpg/250px-Dawnstar_Sanctuary_NightMother.jpg"
width="250" height="141" />The Night Mother's coffin at the Dawnstar Sanctuary.
Added by Jadadin
"What is life's greatest illusion?
Innocence, my
brother."
―Dawnstar Sanctuary Door
Astrid's
betrayal
After Astrid betrays the brotherhood to Commander
Maro and the Penitus Oculatus during the first assassination
attempt against Emperor Titus Mede II, the Penitus Oculatus ravage the
Falkreath Sanctuary, killing all but Nazir, Babette, and possibly Cicero. During the attack, the Night Mother hides her Listener within her coffin, to protect them from
the invaders and the fires they ignited in the sanctuary. The Listener awakens
in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, safe and sound.
Refurbishing the
sanctuary
Nazir sends the Listener to Delvin Mallory in The
Ragged Flagon for assistance with refurbishing the sanctuary. The
total upgrade of the sanctuary costs 19,000 <img alt="Gold"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="20" height="20"
data-src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Gold"
src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
width="20" height="20" />. The 20,000 <img alt="Gold"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="20" height="20"
data-src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Gold"
src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
width="20" height="20" /> reward given by Amaund
Motierre for killing the Emperor can cover this entire
expense.
Afterwards, the Listener may report back to Nazir, who effectively serves as
a Speaker for additional contracts that do not have
significance to the faction's storyline. The Night Mother can be approached an
unlimited number of times for more radiant quests, rewarding 500-1200 <img alt="Gold"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="20" height="20"
data-src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Gold"
src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
width="20" height="20" /> per assassination.
Notable
Members<img alt="Dbhand.png"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="180" height="180"
data-src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120310225846/elderscrolls/images/thumb/6/66/Dbhand.png/180px-Dbhand.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Dbhand.png"
src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120310225846/elderscrolls/images/thumb/6/66/Dbhand.png/180px-Dbhand.png"
width="180" height="180" />
Added by URL
who carry out assassination contracts. The Dark Brotherhood is called upon by
those who wish to utilize their deadly services through a ritual called "The Black Sacrament". They were once the most
highly feared organization in all of Tamriel, but have lost their reputation over
time. At one point, they were governed by The Five Tenets, which set the ground rules for
being in the Brotherhood, but those Tenets have long since been abandoned.
The Dark Brotherhood has been operating in Tamriel for many centuries, at one time having
many clandestine sanctuaries across the Empire. They revere Sithis, the avatar of entropy and chaos, as well
as the Night Mother, who is the spiritual leader of the
Dark Brotherhood. However, the Night Mother has not spoken to anyone for quite
some time...
Contents [show]
- 1 Joining or Destroying the Brotherhood
- 2 Dark Brotherhood Quests
- 3 Armor and apparel
- 4 Dawnstar Sanctuary
- 5 Notable Members
- 6 Gallery
- 7 Trivia
- 8 Achievements/Trophies
- 9 See
also
Joining
or Destroying the Brotherhood<img alt="DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="250" height="179"
data-src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111122081049/elderscrolls/images/thumb/0/04/DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png/250px-DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111122081049/elderscrolls/images/thumb/0/04/DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png/250px-DarkBrotherhoodAssassination.png"
width="250" height="179" />
Added by Beastyal
"Sweet mother, sweet
mother, send your child unto me for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in
blood and fear"
―The Black Sacrament ritual[src]
Any man or woman may join the Dark Brotherhood. Initiates must also display
the ability to kill mercilessly, without regret or sorrow. As a result, their
ranks include Vampires, Werewolves and Bandits as well as Mages. The player can go to any inn and ask for
the latest gossip from the innkeeper. The innkeeper may tell the player that Aventus Aretino is trying to perform the Black
Sacrament in Windhelm. Or, if in Riften, the player should speak to a man named Maul.
He can usually be found standing against a post off to the left at the entrance
of the city. After sharing some tough words, he can give information on both the
Thieves Guild, and the Dark Brotherhood; for a
price, of course. (Upon intimidation, persuasion or upon being shown an unusual
gem, Maul's information is free). The children at the Honorhall
Orphanage will also speak about Aventus' attempts to summon the
Dark Brotherhood, which will give the player a miscellaneous objective as well.
Speaking with Aventus Aretino initiates the quest Innocence
Lost and starts the Dark Brotherhood questline. After accepting
Aretino's proposal, the player is directed to visit the Honorhall
Orphanage. Upon speaking to the children there, and they will
tell the player Aventus Aretino escaped and planned to kill their Headmistress,
Grelod the Kind, by summoning the Dark
Brotherhood. Kill Grelod (the children will cheer and celebrate once she's
dead.)
<img
src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120822120825/elderscrolls/images/thumb/7/7a/DBTenets.png/180px-DBTenets.png"
width="180" height="220" />The Five Tenents are no longer followed by the Brotherhood.
Added by JimeeeAfter Innocence
Lost has been completed, 24
hours later A courier will appear to the player in any city, with a note
with a black hand and the words "We Know". After receiving the note, sleeping in
any bed will begin the next phase of the quest (the acquisition of this note is
optional). After some restful slumber, the player is seemingly abducted by a
Dark Brotherhood Assassin in their sleep, and wakes up in an Abandoned Shack. (This is where the decision to
join or destroy The Dark Brotherhood can be made). There, the player is asked by
Astrid to kill one of three people in the room,
initiating the quest With Friends Like These. Killing one, two, or
even all of the potential victims will earn the Dragonborn an invitation to join
the Dark Brotherhood. The Dragonborn may also take the opportunity to destroy
the organization by attacking the Dark Brotherhood representative, Astrid. This will initiate the quest Destroy the Dark Brotherhood! (This is the only
chance to destroy the dark brotherhood because after joining, the Brotherhood
members are otherwise unkillable.)
- Killing a Dark Brotherhood Assassin (when attacked randomly, at a random
location) holds no ramifications as the 5 Tenets have been abandoned. - There are no repercussions for sacrificing a Dark Brotherhood Initiate in Boethiah's Calling.
- A Werewolf can still sleep in any bed, initiating the quest.
- Killing Astrid, or pickpocketing her with the Perfect Touch perk (which will
allow the player to join the Dark Brotherhood), yields a pair of boots enchanted
with the Muffle ability. (This armor feature is also
obtainable by joining the Thieves Guild and becoming a Nightingale. The Nightingale
Armor features boots with the muffle ability. You could also
disenchant a pair of muffle enchanted boots (randomly
found throughout the game) and then enchant any boots you
choose.)
Joining the Dark Brotherhood requires a high sneak skill. Jobs done for them
often need the Dragonborn to remain stealthy, and kill an enemy without being
detected. A very useful perk to obtain in doing so, is Assassin's Blade. To get this, the Dragonborn
must have a level 50 sneak skill (along with the other perks leading up to it).
It will allow sneak attacks with daggers to do x15 damage to the unsuspecting
enemy. This will likely initiate a killcam of the Dragonborn slitting the throat
or stabbing the other character in complete stealth (or there will just be a
slash and the other character will just over dead).
Dark Brotherhood
Quests
- Delayed Burial
- Innocence Lost
- With Friends Like These...
- Sanctuary
- Whisper In The Dark
- The Silence Has Been Broken
- Bound Until Death
- Breaching Security
- The Cure For Madness
- Recipe for Disaster
- To Kill An Empire
- Death Incarnate
- Hail Sithis!
- Where You Hang Your Enemy's Head
- The Dark Brotherhood Forever
- Honor Thy Family
Armor and
apparel
When completing quests in the Dark Brotherhood, the player can obtain four
different armor sets.
- Shrouded Armor (Skyrim) - obtained at the
beginning of With Friends Like These... - Cicero's Armor - obtained if Cicero is killed during The Cure For Madness.
- Jester's Outfit - found on the table in the Dawnstar Sanctuary during The Cure For Madness. The variation is weaker
statistically than Cicero's Armor. - Ancient Shrouded Armor - obtained by redeeming Olava's
Token. - Shrouded Robes - found in the Falkreath Sanctuary, located on the shelves in
the first room upon entrance. It can also be obtained from corpse of Gabriella during Death Incarnate or Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!.
Dawnstar
Sanctuary<img
src="http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111118104334/elderscrolls/images/thumb/f/fc/Dawnstar_Sanctuary_NightMother.jpg/250px-Dawnstar_Sanctuary_NightMother.jpg"
width="250" height="141" />The Night Mother's coffin at the Dawnstar Sanctuary.
Added by Jadadin
"What is life's greatest illusion?
Innocence, my
brother."
―Dawnstar Sanctuary Door
Astrid's
betrayal
After Astrid betrays the brotherhood to Commander
Maro and the Penitus Oculatus during the first assassination
attempt against Emperor Titus Mede II, the Penitus Oculatus ravage the
Falkreath Sanctuary, killing all but Nazir, Babette, and possibly Cicero. During the attack, the Night Mother hides her Listener within her coffin, to protect them from
the invaders and the fires they ignited in the sanctuary. The Listener awakens
in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, safe and sound.
Refurbishing the
sanctuary
Nazir sends the Listener to Delvin Mallory in The
Ragged Flagon for assistance with refurbishing the sanctuary. The
total upgrade of the sanctuary costs 19,000 <img alt="Gold"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="20" height="20"
data-src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Gold"
src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
width="20" height="20" />. The 20,000 <img alt="Gold"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="20" height="20"
data-src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Gold"
src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
width="20" height="20" /> reward given by Amaund
Motierre for killing the Emperor can cover this entire
expense.
Afterwards, the Listener may report back to Nazir, who effectively serves as
a Speaker for additional contracts that do not have
significance to the faction's storyline. The Night Mother can be approached an
unlimited number of times for more radiant quests, rewarding 500-1200 <img alt="Gold"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="20" height="20"
data-src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Gold"
src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120214050861/elderscrolls/images/thumb/8/8a/GoldIcon.png/20px-GoldIcon.png"
width="20" height="20" /> per assassination.
Notable
Members<img alt="Dbhand.png"
src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D"
width="180" height="180"
data-src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120310225846/elderscrolls/images/thumb/6/66/Dbhand.png/180px-Dbhand.png"
onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}"
/><noscript><img alt="Dbhand.png"
src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120310225846/elderscrolls/images/thumb/6/66/Dbhand.png/180px-Dbhand.png"
width="180" height="180" />
Added by URL