How to join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion Remastered

Who stands as the optimal target to begin your assassin career?

Aligning with the Dark Brotherhood faction within The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered grants access to exclusive assassination contracts featuring distinctive reward systems. These clandestine missions incorporate secondary objectives that influence your final compensation, meaning your approach to each contract directly impacts potential earnings. Mastering stealth execution techniques becomes crucial for maximizing returns.

This comprehensive guide details initiation protocols for the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion Remastered while identifying the most strategically advantageous first target to accelerate your assassin progression.

The singular path to Dark Brotherhood membership requires terminating an innocent civilian. Following this act, rest in any secure location—whether tavern accommodations or dwellings where hostilities aren’t imminent—to awaken facing Lucien Lachance’s imposing presence. He will commend your lethal capabilities and extend a probationary membership invitation pending successful completion of his evaluation task.

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Critical Initiation Mechanics: Your victim must qualify as genuinely innocent, excluding bandits, marauders, or individuals with justified grievances against you. The game designates plot-critical NPCs with crown symbols when approached—permanently eliminating these characters may irrevocably disrupt future quest availability. Strategic target selection preserves gameplay flexibility while advancing your assassin ambitions.

Lucien Lachance assigns Rufio’s elimination during the “A Knife in the Dark” evaluation. While his motivations remain undisclosed, he precisely identifies the target’s whereabouts—the Inn of Ill Omen positioned along the southern thoroughfare from the Imperial City.

Journey to this location and optionally consult the innkeeper regarding Rufio’s position. He resides within the “private quarters” basement area. Access the cellar entrance adjacent to the main doorway and proceed to the chamber at the corridor’s terminus. Rufio remains slumbering in his bed, presenting multiple engagement options: immediate execution, preliminary pickpocketing, or conversation initiation to discover his background. Upon awakening, he confesses to femicide before attempting escape.

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Strategic Advantage: The basement configuration prevents successful flight, eliminating mission failure risk from target evacuation. Post-assassination, utilize any bed within the inn to reactivate Lucien’s appearance sequence. This location offers ideal conditions for novice assassins due to contained environment and minimal witness presence.

After reconfirming your dedication to the Dark Brotherhood cause, Lucien directs you toward a Cheydinhal residence. Infiltrate the basement level and vocalize the recognition phrase: “Sanguine, My Brother.” Sanctuary commander Ocheeva will conduct your formal induction interview, finalizing your official Brotherhood membership status. She subsequently delegates your inaugural sanctioned assassination contract.

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Sanctuary Protocol: The Cheydinhal sanctuary operates as the central hub for Cyrodiil’s eastern operations. Memorizing the password prevents unnecessary elimination by suspicious members. Your initial assignments will test fundamental assassination techniques while introducing the faction’s unique reward structure based on execution finesse.

Many initiates prefer the Adoring Fan companion due to his resurrection capability several days post-mortem. However, he only becomes available after advancing through the Arena hierarchy, requiring significant time investment. This method provides financial compensation and secondary faction progression, though earlier Dark Brotherhood initiation demands alternative approaches.

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Early Game Target Analysis: Rufio represents the most efficient initial target due to immediate accessibility and contained environment. Alternative options include anonymous travelers along roadways or isolated villagers, though these carry higher witness risks and potential bounty complications. The Inn of Ill Omen’s seclusion provides optimal conditions for your inaugural assassination.

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Stealth Optimization: Approach Rufio’s assassination with maximum stealth proficiency. Utilizing the Sneak skill’s mechanics allows undetected elimination, potentially fulfilling bonus objectives for enhanced rewards. Consider using paralysis poisons or silent takedown methods to minimize alert status.

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Faction Synergy: The Dark Brotherhood’s stealth-focused gameplay complements Thieves Guild operations perfectly. Developing these parallel faction relationships creates comprehensive criminal network integration throughout Cyrodiil. Your assassination techniques will progressively refine through continued contract completion, with advanced missions offering substantially improved rewards.

Equipment Preparation: Before initiation, acquire basic stealth gear and healing provisions. While Rufio presents minimal combat threat, subsequent contracts demand improved preparedness. The Brotherhood provides specialized equipment access upon membership, making initial investment worthwhile for long-term assassin career development.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » How to join the Dark Brotherhood in Oblivion Remastered Master the initiation ritual and strategic target selection for joining Cyrodiil's legendary assassin guild