Nothing quite captures the thrill of tension and intrigue like indulging in the dark arts of assassination. Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls series expertly incorporates this theme through the infamous Dark Brotherhood.
This elusive guild offers players the chance to become a stealthy agent of death, taking on contracts that range from morally ambiguous to outright malevolent, all while occasionally aiming to improve the realm of Tamriel.
In the realm of Morrowind, players encounter the Dark Brotherhood as foes during the Tribunal expansion. In contrast, the Morag Tong, another guild of assassins, operates with the sanction of the Dunmer government, providing an interesting juxtaposition to the Dark Brotherhood’s clandestine activities.
10 Kill Lurbuk
Too Much of a Bad Thing
|
Game |
Skyrim |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
Minister |
|
Location |
Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary |
Upon joining any of the assassin guilds in The Elder Scrolls, players receive various contracts requesting the termination of NPCs, including powerful mages and political officials—sometimes even rather untalented bards like Lurbuk.
What kind of bad singing prompts a contract for assassination? This quest is uniquely amusing, as you also receive another contract to eliminate a vampire simultaneously—suggesting someone really has it out for Lurbuk.
9 Perform Severe Magic
End The Competition
|
Game |
Morrowind |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
One Hlaalu |
|
Location |
Morag Tong Guildhall (Vivec) |
In a move that echoes various quests from the Mages Guild, you are tasked to eliminate the Dark Brotherhood’s local “Night Mother”for the Morag Tong. This mission requires tracking down Severa Magia, who hides amid the ruins of Ald Sotha, amplifying the challenge as locating your target is a quest in itself.
The rewards, however, are substantial—upon the successful completion of your task, Eno bestows the Black Hands Dagger upon you, a powerful weapon renowned for its enchantments.
8 Writ For Feruren Oran
Kill for Acceptance
|
Game |
Morrowind |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
One Hlaalu |
|
Location |
Morag Tong Guildhall (Vivec) |
Located within the Morag Tong hideout in the Arena Canton of Vivec, the Grandmaster presents a rite of passage—a writ compelling you to slay Feruren Oran. This act not only legitimizes your participation in the guild but also offers a unique legal protection that frees you from the repercussions of your lethal deed.
This dynamic situates Morrowind as a distinctive landscape where such bizarre cultural practices make sense, adding depth to its alien narrative.
7 A Knife In The Dark
Joining The Brotherhood
|
Game |
Oblivion |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
Lucien Lachance |
|
Location |
Anywhere |
Contrasting with the Morag Tong’s politeness, Oblivion’s Dark Brotherhood requires a far grimmer initiation ritual. To gain acceptance, you must commit murder against an unsuspecting civilian, proving your potential as an assassin.
Once you’ve completed this dreadful task, Lucien Lachance will appear, praising your deed and beckoning you to commit further atrocities.
This opening quest sets an ominous tone for the subsequent Dark Brotherhood missions that follow.
6 Bound Until Death
No Honeymoon Necessary
|
Game |
Skyrim |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
Astrid |
|
Location |
Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary (Falkreath) |
One of Skyrim’s most captivating assassination missions tasks you with killing Vittoria Vici, an Imperial woman caught in the midst of her wedding ceremony. Rather than serve as a beacon of hope, her marriage amplifies the division between the loyalists and the Stormcloaks.
The numerous creative methods to eliminate your target make the quest particularly enjoyable; one standout approach involves dropping a gargoyle statue on her, producing an accidental yet exhilarating spectacle.
Completing the task during her speech will also reward you with a bonus, while cleverly evading a bounty for your actions.
5 Threads of the Webspinner
Hunting Daedric Items
|
Game |
Morrowind |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
One Hlaalu |
|
Location |
Morag Tong Guildhall (Vivec) |
While “Threads of the Webspinner”might resemble a fetch quest, it stands out as one of the more intriguing endeavors in the Elder Scrolls series. In this mission, you are tasked with hunting down 27 Sanguine items linked to the Daedric lord.
Unlike other miscellaneous quests, the items discovered during this search provide tangible benefits before completion. Each item enhances a corresponding skill by 5 points, significantly boosting your capabilities.
Collecting these items occurs naturally as you tackle other Morag Tong assignments, eliminating the need for excessive wandering through Vvardenfell. Successfully fulfilling this quest grants you “Mephala’s Skill, ”a powerful spell that represents the sole source of the Fortify Attack effect.
This feature, combined with Morrowind’s unparalleled spell creation mechanics, ensures this quest remains a fan favorite.
4 Innocence Lost
A Child’s Request
|
Game |
Skyrim |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
Arezzo Adventure |
|
Location |
Windhelm |
In a stark departure from the cutthroat atmosphere of Oblivion, the Dark Brotherhood’s initiation in Skyrim delves into more sympathetic territory. Following whispers of intrigue in Windhelm, you encounter Aventus Aretino, a child seeking vengeance on his cruel orphanage mistress.
Aventus describes “Grelod the Kind”as a sadistic figure, and upon carrying out the boy’s bidding, he represents both your entry into the Brotherhood and deliverance for the orphaned children.
3 Dark Brotherhood Attacks
Please, Just Let Me Sleep
|
Game |
Morrowind |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
None |
|
Location |
Anywhere |
Despite your inability to join the Dark Brotherhood in Morrowind, their ominous presence looms large thanks to the Tribunal expansion. Players face the frustration of unexpected attacks every time they attempt to rest.
Their assassins may appear uninvited in a variety of locations—including cities and inns—rendering a peaceful night’s sleep nearly impossible. To put an end to these relentless intrusions, players must progress through the main quests and eliminate a key adversary within Mournhold.
2 The Purification
Assassinate Your Friends
|
Game |
Oblivion |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
Lucien Lachance |
|
Location |
Fort Farragut |
In a chilling twist within the Dark Brotherhood narrative, your ally Lucien Lachance becomes wary of a traitor among the ranks. The only viable solution? To eliminate every member of the Cheydinhal Sanctuary.
This quest exemplifies the darker, more somber elements of Oblivion’s Dark Brotherhood storyline, creating a profound impact by forcing players to betray their comrades in search of justice.
1 Hail Sithis!
And you, Dovahkiin?
|
Game |
Skyrim |
|---|---|
|
Questgiver |
The Night Mother |
|
Location |
Dawnstar Sanctuary |
When an emperor is assassinated, it echoes across history—a monumental event resulting in significant political ramifications. In Skyrim, you are presented with the unique chance to assassinate Titus Mede II, the ruler of Tamriel, forever marking your legacy.
Your mission entails a solo infiltration of the emperor’s ship, concealing your role in this high-stakes assassination. Succeeding will not only signal the resurgence of the Dark Brotherhood but also allow the Night Mother to revel in your success.
As a climactic finale to the questline, “Hail Sithis!”encompasses challenging foes, a richly designed environment, and an act that will undeniably shape Tamriel’s narrative.
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