Lore:Dark Brotherhood

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1 Morrowind
2 Tribunal
3 Oblivion
4 References

A typical Dark Brotherhood Member.

A Black Hand member.

A Dark Brotherhood assassin in Tribunal.

The Dark Brotherhood is a guild of assassins shrouded in shadow and mystery. Their origins lie with the Morag Tong, but some time after the assassination of Potentate Versidue-Shaie by the Morag Tong in 2E 324 the Dark Brotherhood split away. The exact reason for this schism in the Morag Tong is a topic still debated on by scholars. One theory holds that, after the murder of Potentate Versidue-Shaie (and the outlawing of the Morag Tong throughout the whole of Tamriel) the Morag Tong appealed to the highest power in Morrowind to ensure their existence. The highest power in Morrowind at that time where the three god-kings, Almalexia, Sotha Sil and Vivec. Mephala, whom the Tong worshiped as their patron goddess, was seen by the Dunmer as Anticipation of Vivec. This theory concludes that because of this it is logical to assume that in exchange for toleration of their continued existence, the Tong ceased their worship of Mephala in exchange for the worship of Vivec. The Dark Brotherhood could not forgive their brethren in Morrowind for this betrayal, resulting in the war between the two organizations that has lasted until this day.^[1]

Another, perhaps more disputed, theory holds that somewhere in the Second Era some members of the Thieves Guild found it efficacious to strangle the occupant of the house when performing a burglary. The leadership of the Thieves Guild disagreed with this and found it too dangerous for business. As a reaction to this, an unnamed female Guild member founded her very own murder syndicate. When members of the Morag Tong, disgruntled with the Tong’s assassination of Potentate Savirien-Chorak in 2E 431, joined this organization it became officially known as the Dark Brotherhood.^[2]

Although the reasons behind the schism might still be nothing but speculation, more is known about the exact date of the formation of the Dark Brotherhood. In 2E 358 a note was found beneath the floorboards of an abandoned house in the Nordic village of Jallenheim. Depicting a war going on between two shadowy organizations, scholars speculate that this note is a rare piece evidence about the war between the Morag Tong and its hated offshoot, the Dark Brotherhood. This would make this note the first recorded evidence about the existence of the Dark Brotherhood. About fifty years later , in 2E 412, the Blood Queen Arlimahera of Hegathe wrote a short piece in her journals, mentioning that her family had enlisted the services of the Dark Brotherhood since her grandfather's time. Together with the note found in Jallenheim this puts the formation of the Dark Brotherhood somewhere between 2E 358 and 2E 360.^[3]

As was already mentioned, in 2E 431 they were involved in the murder of the Potentate Savirien-Chorak and all of his heirs, ending Akaviri rule over Tamriel. In the centuries thereafter the Dark Brotherhood showed just how powerful they really had become. In 3E 41 Tiber Septim's heir, Pelagius I, was murdered by the Dark Brotherhood while he was praying in the Temple of the One.^[4]

Today the Brotherhood can be found all over Tamriel and, although their business is certainly not legal, they are almost universally tolerated. Whenever an individual with legal authority takes an interest in their dealings, the Brotherhood relies upon a combination of bribery, blackmail, coercion, and murder to keep their activities hidden.

In contrast to the Morag Tong's veneration of the Daedric Prince Mephala, the brotherhood worship the void - Sithis. In addition, they see their murders as more of a business opportunity than as a matter of religion and honor. These differences have caused bitter enmity between the two organizations.

The leader of the Dark Brotherhood in Tamriel is the Night Mother, but facts about her are almost impossible to establish. Some suggest that the current Night Mother is the ghost of the first, who is now the wife of Sithis. Others say that the title is merely an honorific given to the current leader. Some even consider her to be none other then Mephala.

Next in command beneath the Night Mother is the Black Hand; a Listener and four Speakers. The Listener relays instructions from the Night Mother to the Speakers who will dispatch a brotherhood member to carry out the murder. To obtain a contract with the Dark Brotherhood, it is necessary to perform a ritual to contact the Night Mother. The ritual involves stabbing some actual body parts (including a heart, skull, bones and flesh), within a circle of candles, with a dagger rubbed with the petals of a Nightshade plant, while whispering the plea, "Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send your child unto me, for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear."^[5]^[6]

A special part of the Dark Brotherhood are known as the Shadowscales. In the Argonian homeland of Black Marsh, those born under the sign of the Shadow are taken at birth and presented to the Dark Brotherhood. A Shadowscale hatchling is then trained in the arts of stealth and assassination, and lives a life in service to the mighty kingdom of Argonia. Any Shadowscale who lives to come of age is accepted into the Dark Brotherhood as a full member of the family. If a Shadowscale deserts the Dark Brotherhood, the penalty is death.

In 3E 421 a Dark Brotherhood member named Greywyn began his own crusade against the Dark Brotherhood. Believing to have been ordered by Sithis to remove all non-vampires from the brotherhood, Greywyn founds an organization known as the Crimson Scars. His attempt failed however when a member of the Crimson Scar betrayed him to the Black Hand. The Black Hand swiftly retaliates and murders the Crimson Scars. The final fate of Greywyn, or his supposed sanctuary, is unknown.^[7]

[edit] Morrowind

The preeminence of the Morag Tong in Vvardenfell means that the Dark Brotherhood has been driven out almost totally. There are rumors, however, that the Dark Brotherhood is attempting to move into the island - a development that the Morag Tong will oppose strenuously.

[edit] Tribunal

King Helseth is worried that the Nerevarine may represent a challenge to his rule, and has hired the Dark Brotherhood to end the threat.

[edit] Oblivion

Rumors around Cyrodiil suggest that once somebody commits murder, the Dark Brotherhood will visit them in their sleep and extend an invitation to join the organization. Perhaps other rumors, of a Brotherhood sanctuary in Cheydinhal are more than just fantasy. Commander of the Imperial Legion, Adamus Phillida has sworn to stamp out the Brotherhood and is clamping down on any who try to elicit their macabre aid. Meanwhile, even the Brotherhood are nervous: could there be a killer among killers?