So you want to join the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim? Honestly, I remember my first playthrough stumbling around trying to figure this out. Took me ages because I skipped a crucial step everyone misses. The Dark Brotherhood questline is one of Skyrim's most iconic factions - assassins, secret contracts, that creepy sanctuary. But joining isn't as straightforward as walking up and saying "hey, I like knives." Let's break it down properly.
What Exactly is the Dark Brotherhood?
Think of them as a twisted family of professional killers worshipping the Night Mother. They're not like the stealthy Thieves Guild - these guys leave blood trails. When I first joined, I was shocked how casually they discuss murder over dinner. You get unique gear, wild quests, and hands-down the best horse in the game. But fair warning: joining makes you a public enemy.
The Essential Starting Point: Innocence Lost
Forget rumors about murdering random NPCs. The only reliable trigger is the "Innocence Lost" quest. Here's what you absolutely must do:
- Head to Windhelm's Gray Quarter (southeast district)
- Listen for a child's chanting near Aretino Residence
- Talk to Aventus Aretino - he's the kid trying to perform the Black Sacrament
I once wasted three hours killing farmers before realizing this was mandatory. Don't be like me.
Completing the Black Sacrament Contract
Aventus wants Grelod the Kind dead. Yeah, ironic name. She runs Honorhall Orphanage in Riften. Travel options:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Carriage (from any major city) | Instant travel, costs 20-50 gold | Won't discover map locations |
| Walking/Riding | Discover new areas, random encounters | Takes real-world 15+ minutes |
| Fast Travel | Instant if you've visited Riften before | Requires prior map discovery |
Once inside Honorhall Orphanage:
- Wait until night when kids are asleep - Grelod's alone in her room
- Sneak kill avoids witnesses - no bounty
- Tell Aventus you succeeded (he’s back in Windhelm)
The Make-or-Break Moment: Abduction
Here's where most players get stuck. Nothing happens instantly after killing Grelod. You MUST sleep in any owned bed. Not an inn bed - your personal bed in:
- Breezehome (Whiterun)
- Honeyside (Riften)
- Proudspire Manor (Solitude)
- Or any purchased home
I learned this the hard way - slept in an inn for a week wondering if my game glitched. Woke up in a shack with Astrid staring at me. Creepy but effective.
Astrid's Ultimatum: Kill or Be Killed
You're in Abandoned Shack with Astrid and three hostages. She drops this line: "Kill one of these prisoners to prove yourself." What they don't tell you:
| Choice | Consequence | My Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Kill a hostage | Begin Dark Brotherhood questline | Best for new players |
| Kill Astrid | Start "Destroy Dark Brotherhood" quest | Good for paladin characters |
| Kill all four | Quest fails permanently | Don't do this accidentally! |
Pro tip: Kill the khajiit. He's a drug dealer. Least moral guilt.
Joining the Dark Brotherhood Proper
After choosing to kill a hostage, Astrid invites you to their sanctuary. It's hidden near Falkreath. Follow her instructions exactly:
- Travel to Falkreath (southwest of Whiterun)
- Find the entrance east of town - look for black door with the handprint
- Say the password: "Silence, my brother"
Inside, you'll meet the family. They're... colorful. Nazir gives your first contracts. Babette is a 300-year-old vampire child. Cicero's insane. But they grow on you.
First Missions and Key Rewards
Initial quests involve simple assassinations across Skyrim. Stick with it - the rewards escalate:
| Quest | Reward | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| With Friends Like These... | Ancient Shrouded Armor set | Better than vanilla Dark Brotherhood gear |
| Sanctuary | Shadowmere (horse) | Regenerates health, fights enemies |
| Death Incarnate | 20,000 gold | Biggest single reward in Skyrim |
Shadowmere alone makes joining worthwhile. That horse survived a dragon attack that killed three of my followers.
Common Roadblocks When Trying to Join the Dark Brotherhood
Sometimes things don't trigger right. Based on my testing across 10+ playthroughs:
Problem: Aventus won't start "Innocence Lost"
Fix: Complete "Blood on the Ice" in Windhelm first (investigate serial murders)
Problem: Astrid never kidnaps you
Fix: Ensure you killed Grelod personally (no followers/fire traps)
Warning: Killing Cicero on the road early fails the entire questline. Don't attack the jester!
Why Would You Even Want to Join?
Let's be real - becoming an assassin isn't for everyone. But the perks are insane:
- Unique Gear: Shrouded armor, Blade of Woe dagger (absorbs health)
- Massive Payouts: 20,000 gold for final quest
- Shadowmere: Best horse in base game
- Skill Bonuses: Constant stealth/sneak practice
The downside? Guards constantly say "I know who you are" with that accusing tone. And destroying them gives you 3,000 gold later via a quest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood
Can I join the Dark Brotherhood without killing Grelod?
No. Killing Grelod is unavoidable. She's designed to die horribly.
Does my character level affect joining?
No level requirement. I've joined at level 5 and level 50 - same process.
Can I complete the questline non-lethally?
Absolutely not. Murder is the whole point. Even "non-violent" quests poison people.
What if I accidentally killed Astrid?
Reload a save or commit to destroying them. No middle ground.
How profitable is joining vs destroying them?
Joining nets ≈60,000g total. Destroying gets one-time 3,000g. Easy choice.
Advanced Tips for Brotherhood Members
Once you're in, optimize your assassin career:
- Dual Wield: Blade of Woe + Mehrunes' Razor melts bosses
- Poison Crafting: Giants toe + deathbell = instant-kill poison
- Shadowmere Tactics: Park him near enemies as distraction
- Sanctuary Upgrades: Complete all radiant quests to rebuild hideout
One thing I dislike? The sanctuary location. Falkreath's always raining. Wish we got a Solitude base.
Alternative Path: Destroying the Brotherhood
If you killed Astrid in the shack, Commander Maro in Solitude gives "Destroy the Dark Brotherhood." You'll:
- Attack Falkreath Sanctuary (bring health potions!)
- Kill all members inside
- Collect 3,000 gold reward
It's shorter and morally cleaner. But you miss the best gear and story moments. Personally, I find it underwhelming.
Long-Term Effects of Your Choice
Joining changes guard dialogue permanently. Destroying them removes assassination radiant quests. Neither affects main storyline. Do whatever suits your character.
Final Reality Check
Look, joining the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim isn't complicated once you know the triggers. Most players fail by skipping Aventus or not sleeping properly. Follow these steps exactly:
- Trigger Innocence Lost in Windhelm
- Kill Grelod in Riften
- Report back to Aventus
- SLEEP IN YOUR OWN BED
- Kill a hostage in Abandoned Shack
- Find Falkreath Sanctuary
The whole process takes about 90 minutes if you fast travel. Worth it for that sweet Ancient Shrouded Armor alone. Just maybe don't tell your non-gamer friends about your new murder hobby.
Leave a Message