Many players exploring the world of Skyrim eventually become curious about the Dark Brotherhood. This mysterious group of assassins is one of the most well-known factions in the game, famous for its secret rituals, deadly contracts, and unique storyline. Joining the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim offers a completely different gameplay experience compared to other factions. Instead of fighting monsters or helping towns, players take on assassination missions that require stealth, planning, and careful decision making. For many fans of the game, the Dark Brotherhood questline is one of the most memorable parts of the entire adventure because of its dark atmosphere and dramatic story twists.
What Is the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim?
The Dark Brotherhood is a secret society of assassins that exists across the world of Tamriel. In Skyrim, the group operates from hidden locations and carries out contracts known as Black Sacraments. These rituals allow individuals to contact the Brotherhood and request the death of a specific person.
Members of the Dark Brotherhood follow a set of ancient traditions and rules tied to the mysterious entity known as the Night Mother. The organization believes that their assassinations are not just murders but sacred tasks carried out in honor of their dark patron.
Throughout the history of The Elder Scrolls series, the Dark Brotherhood has appeared as a powerful yet controversial faction. In Skyrim, however, the group is weaker than it once was. When the player first encounters the Brotherhood, the organization is struggling to survive and maintain its influence.
How to Start the Dark Brotherhood Questline
Joining the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim does not happen immediately. Players must first trigger a specific series of events that lead them into the organization’s world. The process begins in the city of Windhelm.
In Windhelm, rumors spread about a young boy named Aventus Aretino who is trying to perform the Black Sacrament. The ritual is supposed to summon the Dark Brotherhood so he can request an assassination.
Players can begin the questline by investigating these rumors and visiting Aventus at his home. This starts the quest called Innocence Lost. During this mission, Aventus asks the player to kill Grelod the Kind, the cruel caretaker of the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften.
Once the task is completed, the path toward joining the Dark Brotherhood slowly begins to unfold.
The Mysterious Invitation
After completing the request from Aventus Aretino, the player will not immediately meet the Dark Brotherhood. Instead, a strange message appears later in the game. A courier delivers a note that simply reads We know.
This message indicates that the Brotherhood has noticed the player’s actions. Shortly afterward, the player character is kidnapped while sleeping and wakes up inside an abandoned shack.
Inside the shack stands Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim. She explains that the player has interfered with a contract that belonged to the Brotherhood. To resolve the situation, she forces the player to make a difficult choice.
Proving Yourself to the Dark Brotherhood
Astrid presents three prisoners inside the shack and claims that one of them is the real contract target. However, she refuses to say which one. The player must decide who to kill in order to prove their willingness to join the Brotherhood.
This moment is one of the most famous scenes in the Skyrim Dark Brotherhood storyline because it tests the player’s morality and instincts. Regardless of which prisoner is chosen, Astrid eventually accepts the player’s actions as proof of their potential.
Once the task is completed, Astrid invites the player to visit the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary located near Falkreath. This marks the official beginning of the Dark Brotherhood faction questline.
Entering the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary
The sanctuary is a hidden underground base protected by a magical black door. To enter, players must speak a secret phrase when the door asks a question.
After entering the sanctuary, players meet the remaining members of the Dark Brotherhood. Each character has a distinct personality and background, making the faction feel alive and complex.
Some of the notable members include
- Astrid – The leader of the Skyrim Dark Brotherhood
- Nazir – A Redguard assassin who provides contracts
- Babette – A vampire child who has lived for centuries
- Festus Krex – A powerful mage specializing in destruction magic
- Veezara – An Argonian assassin with strong combat skills
These characters become important companions during the storyline, offering quests, advice, and insight into the Brotherhood’s traditions.
Dark Brotherhood Contracts and Missions
Once the player joins the faction, they begin receiving assassination contracts. These missions usually involve eliminating specific targets across Skyrim. Each mission can be approached in different ways depending on the player’s preferred style.
Stealth is often the most effective strategy. Sneaking, using poisons, or setting traps allows the player to complete contracts without attracting attention. However, direct combat is also possible if the situation becomes chaotic.
The Dark Brotherhood questline gradually grows more complex as the player takes on more dangerous assignments. Some missions involve infiltrating guarded locations or planning creative assassinations.
These quests provide a different kind of gameplay compared to other factions in Skyrim because they focus heavily on secrecy and precision.
The Role of the Night Mother
One of the most mysterious figures in the Dark Brotherhood is the Night Mother. According to Brotherhood tradition, she communicates with a special listener who receives assassination contracts through her voice.
As the storyline progresses, the player becomes closely connected to this ancient figure. The Night Mother plays a crucial role in guiding the future of the Brotherhood and restoring its influence in Skyrim.
Her presence reinforces the dark and supernatural tone of the faction’s story, making the questline feel different from typical guild adventures in the game.
Rewards for Joining the Dark Brotherhood
Joining the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim offers several unique rewards that make the faction attractive to many players. These rewards include special gear, powerful abilities, and access to exclusive quests.
Some of the benefits include
- Unique armor designed for stealth and assassination
- Powerful enchanted weapons
- A steady supply of gold from completed contracts
- Special abilities tied to the Night Mother
- One of the most detailed questlines in the game
The Dark Brotherhood armor, in particular, is very popular among stealth-focused characters because it improves sneaking, backstab damage, and poison resistance.
Choices and Consequences
Although many players choose to join the Dark Brotherhood, Skyrim also provides an alternative path. Instead of accepting Astrid’s offer, players can attack her in the abandoned shack. Doing this starts a completely different questline where the player helps destroy the Dark Brotherhood.
This choice gives players control over how they want their character to interact with the darker parts of Skyrim’s world. Whether joining or destroying the faction, the storyline adds depth and variety to the game.
The ability to make this decision reflects the open-ended nature of Skyrim’s gameplay and role-playing system.
Why the Dark Brotherhood Questline Is So Popular
Many Skyrim fans consider the Dark Brotherhood storyline one of the best faction quests in the game. The combination of mystery, moral choices, and memorable characters creates a strong narrative experience.
Unlike simple side quests, the Dark Brotherhood story feels like a dramatic journey filled with twists and emotional moments. The player gradually becomes more involved in the fate of the organization and its members.
The missions also encourage creative gameplay, especially for players who enjoy stealth mechanics and strategic thinking.
Joining the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim offers a dark but fascinating path through the game’s world. From the first rumor about Aventus Aretino to the secret sanctuary hidden near Falkreath, the journey into the Brotherhood introduces players to a secret society built around assassination and ancient traditions.
The faction’s unique quests, memorable characters, and powerful rewards make it one of the most engaging storylines in Skyrim. Whether players join the Brotherhood or choose to oppose it, the experience adds depth to the adventure and reveals another layer of the complex world of Tamriel.