To join or not to join the DB.

[Daemos Avetorii]

Hello. I had a quandary I thought was perfect for other forumers to examine. I have a level 35 Altmer Mage. He is currently master of Alteration, Mysticism, Conjuration, and Illusion. An expert of Alchemy and Journeyman of Destruction and Restoration. He has 100 Intelligence, Willpower, and Personality. Some 68 luck, and speed and endurance in the 50's. He has 350 magicka and uses several "staple" spells to go about his business. One is a light, life detect, and feather for 100 seconds. The other is a 40 second chameleon at 100% magnitude.

With such abilities, he would exceed very well in the DB and end up Listener in mere hours. But. He has no need for financial compensation, or magic trinketry. He already owns estates in Skingrad, and Cheydinhal. And is currently saving up for chorrol, next.

If he were to join, it would be to make use of his skills. He recently killed Hirrus Clutumnus in Crucible, while chameleoned, with his standard "Erase Life" touch spell (weakness to magic 100% + drain health 100 pts for 1 sec). It obviously counted as murder, even though Hirrus Clutumnus requested it. The thing is, the next time he rests, Lucien will appear. I am considering reasons whether to join or not.

Despite murdering Hirrus Clutumnus. My mage has usually been fairly morally correct and formal. The one note of exception being breaking into the house of a certain nord related to a quest involving Thoronir. The act of entering counted as trespassing, but was necessary. Oblivion has a fairly illogical judicial system in any event. XD

My reasons to consider joining the DB are usually based on the "oh he is all-powerful, high level, he can commit murder because he is larger than the law" That of course being complete bs, but still. :p It is kinda cool to go chameleon and Erase Life some smuck in front of a baffled guard. It cannot be denied that those guards are annoying, they need a wake-up call anyway.

On the other hand, despite the killing of Hirrus Clutumnus. My character has as said above been rather good. I am often surprised that I always seek to attempt to make a virtuous character that then goes rogue at some poing after a substantial increase of power/ability. I wonder what that says about me? XD

So. To join or not to join. That is the question.

[PrinceJonathan]

Too many of the DB quest rewards become useless at mid-high levels. Some are bugged and need the UOP just to work properly.

The only reward I find to be actually useful is Cruelty's Heart. Even with maxed stats, it's Fortify Strength and Willpower effects increase encumbrance and magicka regeneration.

I play the DB questline for the novelty rather than the rewards.

[Daemos Avetorii]

Novelty? As in you really enjoy quests like Whodunit?

[Fabio95]

The decision is only yours. When I'm undecided about questlines I do a backup of my current save and I begin the questline. If it doesn't fit for my character, I simply restore the save.

[Daemos Avetorii]

That is a very good idea. How very practical. Thanks for the idea.

[Fabio95]

You're welcome. It may be because I like to mess with mods, but I took the habit of doing backup very early. Especially with higher levels characters.

[Daemos Avetorii]

Decided to lure Lucien to a cave with a bedroll in it and ice him. I did. Then I finished the mages guild quest line. Got more money now and some 24 fame. Nice. I felt it was more rewarding than DB.

[Dark Spark]

I could not, for the life of me, stomach the thought of my earliest characters making their way through the Dark Brotherhood. Spellswords and mages and thieves all around, but their hearts were never wicked enough foster any devotion to the Night Mother or the Dread Father. I ended up creating a character who was tailor-made for the Dark Brotherhood, not just in mechanical build (archer, stealth, alchemy and whatnot) but in temperment as well.

Ability alone will not define an assassin. That moral elasticity to commit a heinous deed and not let it upset you is what separates a contemptuous mercenary from a stone cold killer. The mercenary will try to convince themselves that it was necessary, or the fellow deserved what he got. The killer wouldn't even bother themself with such counsel.

[Daemos Avetorii]

Hey Dark Spark. Thanks for the comment. I knew you would not be able to resist. haha. Also @ your status. Reality is only as real as you need it to be.

[Dark Spark]

Alas, I've been at this for so long (I created the character of Casandra well before I joined this forum, and look at that date) that anything I say today skirts the danger me parroting something I've already said already a few times over.

[Daemos Avetorii]

I did not quite follow that one. Danger parrot? lol I have not been up very long yet. I probably misconstrued the meaning of it.

[Dark Spark]

parrot = repeating

It's about repeating something like a parrot would. Because parrots repeat some things.

[Daemos Avetorii]

Ah. Well I am known for overthinking possibly simple words. XD It's a character flaw I have. XD
Btw, do you still have a skull and pumpkin on the wall of your Cheydinhal house? ^_^

[Dark Spark]

I still do. And yes, Cassie kills Luckless Lucinia beforehand to ensure the pumpkin stays on the wall.

[Daemos Avetorii]

That explains her name. XD Well my next character will be a simple killer. Heh after so long playing a goody goody guy. One needs a dose of darkness and sinister scheming in the shadows.
I guess the point of the whole thread, is that one may well plan in advance if one wishes to join the DB. My Altmer is Arch Mage now. Once I get bored of him, I'll make some evil scheming archer fellow and become listener again.

Incidentally. Despite killing lachance, Sithis would be pleased with the countless necromancers I sent his way. XD I sent their souls screaming to the underworld. :3