Summary
As an RPG series,The Elder Scrollslets the player do what ever they want when completing one of its games. This means that they are free to roam the fantasy landscape and interact with whoever they want, while taking out enemies with their choice of weapon. These enemies are rarely innocent beings, so players never feel bad about taking out these villains. Also, any misdeeds are usually punished by the games' law enforcement system.
AlthoughThe Elder Scrollsis mostly considered a lighthearted series, there are some moments when players can choose to do some quite heinous things. What’s more, some of these choices can even lead to some dark outcomes.
About halfway through the story inSkyrim, players will need to meet with the head of the greybeards at the top of the throat of the world. However, players will be shocked to learn that Paarthurnax is a dragon,one of the main enemy types in the gameso far. The dragon will pass on his wisdom to the player, helping them to acquire and elder scroll and take out the main boss of the game, Alduin the world eater.
While, Paarthurnax’s intentions are primarily good, there are some people in the game who see things differently. Another character in the game, Esburn, will give the player the quest to kill Paarthurnax once the main story is complete. The choice is hard, but players who choose to kill the mighty beast will receive an angry lecture from the other greybeards and nothing more.
Once players finish the arena quest line inOblivion, they will be greeted by a friendly wood elf. Calledthe adoring fan, this companion will follow the player all over the map and sing their praises. His presence can get a bit wearing, and he will not assist in combat encounters. Although players can ask the adoring fan to simply stop following them, many gamers choose to find more creative ways to get rid of him.
The adoring fan is considered an essential NPC so cannot be killed by traditional means. That is why some players have gone to such lengths as pushing him into lava pools in the plains of Oblivion and closing the portal or taking him to a high mountain and pushing him off, so he gets lost. These choices are so dark as players can simply ask him to stop following if he gets annoying.
5Killing Barbas
Elder Scrolls V:Skyrim
The Barbas quest inSkyrimis one given by the daedra lord, Clavicus Vile. Citizens will start to whisper about a talking dog nearby, and the quest will begin when players encounter Barbas near Falkreath. The dog will attempt to get players to follow him to the shrine of his master where players will be presented with a choice. They must gaina weapon named the Rueful Axe,and upon returning to the shrine the god will let players keep the axe if they murder Barbas.
If players spare Barbas, then the dog can be taken as a future companion. Sadly, some players find the dog to be annoying and he constantly interrupts stealth encounters. As such, many players choose the dark path and kill Barbas for the axe.
4Leaving The Sacrifice
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
When players first enter the headquarters of the Mythic Dawn cult, they are there to stop Mankar Cameron from fleeing the natural realm into his paradise. Unfortunately, the player will always be a bit too late to succeed in stopping Cameron, but they do get to take one of his tomes as a reward.
However, eagle-eyes players will also notice an argonian lying on a slab at the back of the alter. Once Mankar Cameron escapes, a statue will fall on the poor innocent. Although, players who are quick enough can attempt to rescue the argonian before this happens. The book isn’t going anywhere, and it is always good to save an innocent life instead of leaving them behind,
The Telvanni are an isolated group of wizards who rule the eastern provinces of Morrowind. The main reason this clan seeks solitude is thatthey are an ambitious groupwho are willing to defile some of the natural laws to achieve power and knowledge. That even means allying themselves with vampires in the region.
Players can join this group at any point during their playthrough ofMorrowind. However, players will not be able to join or interact with any other guilds in the region, and ascension through this house is achieved through killing or usurping other members.
2Betraying The Nine
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Knights Of The Nine DLC
The Knights of the Nine quest inOblivionstarts by the player paying homage to nine wayshrines about the map. Each of these shrines is dedicated to a specific God, and only by praying to all nine will the player be given access to the old house of the knights of the nine. From here, the player can then show their devotion to the path of the nine by completing certain challenges to receive the armor required to lead this group.
Wearing the armor of the gods is a heavy burden and sinning will have the armor confiscated. Committing too many crimes, such as attacking innocent NPCs or stealing, will result in losing the armor. The player can only get it back by paying homage to each of the nine wayshrines once again.
The Dark Brotherhood is a faction of assassins who have made an appearance in almost everyElder Scrollsgame so far. Players have also been given the choice to join this group of murderers every time they make an appearance. Joining the group is a dark choice in any version of theElder Scrolls, but the initiation task inDaggerfallis particularly dark.
Most games in the series will require the player to murder at least one person before they are contacted by the guild. However, players must kill at least three innocent civilians or fifteen guards in Daggerfall before they are approached by the Dark Brotherhood. It may still be a dark path in other games, but this one seems excessively dark for the series.
