Can You Keep Astrid Alive?
Astrid is a significant character in the Dark Brotherhood questline in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. She is a skilled assassin and the leader of the Dark Brotherhood, a secret society of assassins. Throughout the game, players must complete various quests for Astrid, including the "Death Incarnate" quest, which ultimately leads to her demise. But can you keep Astrid alive?
Spoiler Alert
Before we dive into the answer, please note that this article contains spoilers for the Dark Brotherhood questline in Skyrim.
Direct Answer
Unfortunately, it is not possible to keep Astrid alive in the game. Her death is a scripted event that occurs during the "Death Incarnate" quest. However, there are some ways to extend her life and delay her death, which we will discuss later in this article.
Why Can’t You Keep Astrid Alive?
Astrid’s death is a crucial plot point in the game, and it is necessary for the story to progress. Her character serves as a mentor and guide for the player, and her death allows the player to take on a new role within the Dark Brotherhood. Additionally, her death sets the stage for the final quest in the Dark Brotherhood storyline.
How to Extend Astrid’s Life
While it is not possible to keep Astrid alive indefinitely, there are some ways to extend her life and delay her death. Here are a few tips:
- Complete the "Death Incarnate" quest quickly: The faster you complete the "Death Incarnate" quest, the longer Astrid will live. This is because the quest’s script is triggered by a timer, and completing the quest quickly will delay the timer.
- Choose the right hostages: When selecting the hostages to kill, choose the ones that are most likely to be guilty. This will reduce the number of innocent people you need to kill, which will extend Astrid’s life.
- Use the "Summon Spectral Assassin" power: Astrid teaches you the "Summon Spectral Assassin" power, which allows you to summon a spectral assassin to kill your targets. Using this power can reduce the number of innocent people you need to kill, which will extend Astrid’s life.
Consequences of Keeping Astrid Alive
While it is possible to extend Astrid’s life, doing so will have significant consequences. Here are a few things to consider:
- The Dark Brotherhood will be upset: If you extend Astrid’s life, the Dark Brotherhood will be upset and may not take you seriously. This could lead to a decrease in your reputation within the Brotherhood.
- The quest will not progress: If you keep Astrid alive, the "Death Incarnate" quest will not progress, and you will not be able to complete the final quest in the Dark Brotherhood storyline.
- The game’s story will be altered: Keeping Astrid alive will alter the game’s story, which could have unintended consequences. The game’s story is designed to unfold in a specific way, and altering it could lead to bugs or other issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is not possible to keep Astrid alive indefinitely, there are some ways to extend her life and delay her death. However, doing so will have significant consequences, and it is recommended that you complete the "Death Incarnate" quest as intended. Astrid’s death is a crucial plot point in the game, and it is necessary for the story to progress.