Tamriel: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. They became powerful enough to warrant a mention in the journals of the Blood Queen Arlimahera of Hegathe, which puts their latest date of formation at 2E 360.^[1]

In 2E 431 they were involved in the murder of the Potentate Savirien-Chorak and all of his heirs, ending Akaviri rule over Tamriel and leading to the rise of Tiber Septim. 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.

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." ^[2]^[3]

[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?