The iconic Dark Brotherhood are probably the best known of all the Elder Scrolls series’ many factions. Operating on the fringes of society, this shadowy league of assassins-for-hire is willing to commit murder for anyone who can leave an offering of gold to the Dread Father, Sithis.
In Oblivion Remastered, you can join the Dark Brotherhood – but only if you can prove your worthiness first.
Without getting into a debate about the morality of Sithis, the chaotic void deity the Dark Brotherhood worships, The Dark Brotherhood is considered an “evil” faction in Oblivion Remastered. The actions you’re asked to undertake during its questline are considered illegal and will raise your bounty with city guards if you’re caught in the act.
Further to this, joining the Dark Brotherhood and completing their quests will also raise your Infamy. Fame and Infamy are semi-hidden stats in Oblivion which track your noble and nefarious deeds across your journey. Infamous adventurers will be shunned by the Nine Divines and denied their blessings until they complete enough “good” quests to show their penitence.
However, showing fealty to the Dark Brotherhood has a great many rewards. Completing Dark Brotherhood quests is an easy way to collect some of the best enchanted weapons and the best sets of light armor for Marksmen quickly. You also eventually get a unique mount and companion.
How to join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion Remastered
To join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion Remastered you need to murder an innocent NPC, then go to sleep.
Murder is a specific action in Oblivion. It doesn’t apply to creatures or aggressive bandits you find out in the wilderness, only non-aggressive NPCs who won’t attack you first.
The best places to find an innocent are either at the isolated farms and homesteads you come across while walking the roads. Alternatively, you could role-play a troubled past and kill someone inside the Skooma Den in Bravil to the south of the Imperial City. But really, pretty much anyone not tied to a specific quest is an easy target once they retire to bed in the evening.
Once you’ve chosen a poor, unsuspecting person, you will know your “application” has been successful when you get a message at the top of your screen which says: “your killing has been observed by forces unknown”.
Next time you sleep in a bed, the quest to join the Dark Brotherhood will begin.
Where to find the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Oblivion Remastered
To accept the invitation to join the Dark Brotherhood, you need to make your way to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, which is found on the eastern edge of the city of Cheydinhall, to the east of the Imperial City at the end of the Blue Road.
Approach the abandoned house and you’ll descend into a tunnel which ends at the imposing Black Door. Give the secret password, “Sanguine, my brother” and you’ll enter the hideout that will become your home in the Dark Brotherhood. From here you’ll be able to embark on the rest of the guild’s quests.
For more help on how to join the rest of the factions, here’s our page on how to join the Thieves’ Guild in Oblivion Remastered.