Can you join the Dark Brotherhood after killing Astrid?

Can you join the Dark Brotherhood after killing Astrid?

The Dark Brotherhood, one of the most notorious factions in the Elder Scrolls universe, has been a part of the franchise since the dawn of time. As a player, you might have wondered, can you join the Dark Brotherhood after killing Astrid, its leader? Well, the answer is a resounding yes! But there are a few caveats you should be aware of.

Innocence Lost: The Quest that Changes Everything

To join the Dark Brotherhood, you must first complete the quest "Innocence Lost." This quest becomes available once you’ve killed Astrid, but it’s essential to note that killing her will have severe consequences. Once you’ve completed the quest, you’ll gain access to the Dark Brotherhood’s hidden sanctuary, where you can join their ranks.

The Pros and Cons of Joining the Dark Brotherhood

Joining the Dark Brotherhood comes with its share of benefits and drawbacks. Here are some key points to consider:

• Exclusive Quests: The Dark Brotherhood has unique quests that can be completed, including the infamous " Contracts" that allow you to assassinate key figures in the world.
• Follower: The Dark Brotherhood offers a unique follower, the Dark Brotherhood Initiate, who is marked Essential and will not die.
• Prestige: Joining the Dark Brotherhood grants you a sense of prestige and notoriety in the world.

However, there are also some significant downsides to consider:

• Negative Reputation: Killing Astrid and joining the Dark Brotherhood will greatly reduce your reputation among the people of Skyrim.
• Conflicting Goals: The Dark Brotherhood’s goals are often at odds with those of other factions, which may lead to conflict.

The Impact of Killing Astrid

Killing Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, has severe consequences. Not only will you anger the Brotherhood, but you’ll also trigger a random event where a nameless Dark Brotherhood assassin will appear at one of several random encounter spots to kill you.

Dark Brotherhood Initiates: The Exclusive Follower

As mentioned earlier, the Dark Brotherhood offers a unique follower, the Dark Brotherhood Initiate. Here are some key points about this follower:

• Essential: Dark Brotherhood Initiates are marked Essential, which means they will not die.
• Levelling: They will level with you, becoming more powerful as you progress.
• Non-Combatant: They will not engage in combat unless attacked or ordered to do so.

Sacrificing a Dark Brotherhood Initiate

It’s possible to sacrifice a Dark Brotherhood Initiate to Boethiah, but this requires careful planning. The animation will show your follower walking to the pillar, and then you can kill them using any means necessary, including the Sacrificial Dagger.

Conclusion

Joining the Dark Brotherhood after killing Astrid is a viable option, but it comes with its share of consequences. Remember that killing Astrid will reduce your reputation and trigger a random event where a Dark Brotherhood assassin will appear to kill you. The Dark Brotherhood’s exclusive follower, the Dark Brotherhood Initiate, is a powerful ally, but requires careful handling.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Innocence Lost: The Quest that Changes Everything
3. The Pros and Cons of Joining the Dark Brotherhood
4. The Impact of Killing Astrid
5. Dark Brotherhood Initiates: The Exclusive Follower
6. Sacrificing a Dark Brotherhood Initiate
7. Conclusion

Keywords: Dark Brotherhood, Astrid, Elder Scrolls, Skyrim, Joining the Dark Brotherhood, Initiates, Sacrificing Followers, Boethiah.