Join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion
To join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion, start by visiting an inn. Speak with an NPC named “Astrid” after meeting specific criteria. Accept a unique quest that leads you to the Brotherhood. Complete the tasks, and you’ll gain access. Embrace the shadows and their secretive ways.

In Oblivion, joining the Dark Brotherhood—a secretive assassin’s guild—requires a few steps that can seem daunting, but they’re pretty straightforward once you know what to do. Let’s dive in and get you on your way to becoming the ultimate stealthy assassin!
Step 1: Commit a Murder
The first thing you need to do is kill someone. But it has to be an innocent—not just any enemy NPC. Think more along the lines of an unsuspecting bystander or a random citizen that won’t impact your gameplay much later. Stay away from quest givers or shop owners because their deaths can mess up your game.
After you successfully pull off the murder, you’ll see a message: “Your killing has been observed by forces unknown…” This means the Dark Brotherhood is now aware of your presence.
Step 2: Hit the Hay
Next up, find a bed and go to sleep. You can either crash at an inn or any safe location. As you drift off, you’ll see a chilling message: “The air grows chill and a shadow approaches…” When you wake up, you’ll meet Lucien Lachance, a member of the Dark Brotherhood, who will give you your next mission.
Step 3: Take Out Rufio
Lucien will send you off to kill Rufio, who can be found at the Inn of Ill Omen, north of Bravil. You may find him in the basement. It doesn’t matter if you talk to him first or just attack—he’s an easy target and won’t try to escape.
Step 4: Sleep One More Time
After taking care of Rufio, sleep again in his bed. Lucien will reappear and instruct you to head to Cheydinhal and locate an abandoned house. Enter through its basement (which requires a lockpick) and approach the door with the skull and red handprint. When prompted, respond with “Sanguine, my Brother” to gain entrance.
Boom! You’re now officially part of the Dark Brotherhood, and your first contract awaits.
Good NPCs to Kill
If you’re feeling indecisive about who to kill for that first contract, here are some solid choices:
| NPC | Location | Notes |
|———————–|————————————————–|————————————————|
| Alga | Honmund’s House, Bruma | Respawns later if killed |
| Dralora Athram | Ulen Athram’s House, Imperial City | Not tied to any quests |
| Glarthir | Glarthir’s House, Skingrad | Can be killed after the “Paranoia” quest |
| Captain Renault | Tutorial | Dies in the tutorial, can kill before ambush |
| Roxanne Brigette | Skooma Den, Bravil | No one reports the kill |
| Adventurer | Random caves | Random encounter, but possible |
| The Adoring Fan | The Arena, Imperial City | Respawns a few days later |
| Lazare Milvan | Lazare Milvan’s House, Skingrad | Just a snooty jerk |
With these tips and tricks, you’re set to make your mark within the shadows of the Dark Brotherhood. Don’t forget to embrace your inner assassin!
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
- Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
- Retail Price: Approximately $19.99 (may vary by vendor)
- Release Date: March 20, 2006
- Where to Buy: Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, and various retail outlets
The game mentioned is The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
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