One of the most iconic factions in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the Dark Brotherhood—an elite guild of assassins who serve the mysterious Night Mother. Joining the Dark Brotherhood unlocks one of the best questlines in the game, complete with secret sanctuaries, moral dilemmas, and powerful rewards. If you want to embrace the shadows and become a contract killer for gold and glory, this guide will walk you through exactly how to join the Dark Brotherhood in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion.
What Is the Dark Brotherhood?
The Dark Brotherhood is a secretive organization of assassins that operates across Cyrodiil. Members of the Brotherhood carry out murder contracts known as “Black Sacraments,” believing they are divine acts carried out in the name of Sithis and the Night Mother. Once you’re in, you’ll have access to a unique sanctuary, exclusive gear, gold for each contract, and one of the richest storylines in the game.
How to Join the Dark Brotherhood
To join the Dark Brotherhood, you must first commit a murder. That means killing an NPC—any non-essential character—in cold blood. The murder must be witnessed by the game’s hidden faction tracker, not just considered an accident or battle casualty.
An easy way to do this is to sneak into a town at night and kill a sleeping NPC in their bed, or attack a random traveler on the road.
After the murder is committed, you must then sleep in a bed.
When you wake up, you’ll be greeted by a mysterious figure named Lucien Lachance, a Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood. He’ll commend you for your actions and offer you a place among the Brotherhood’s ranks.
Where to Sleep After the Murder in Oblivion
You can sleep in any non-hostile bed after the murder to trigger Lucien’s visit. That includes:
- Inn rooms that you’ve rented
- Your own home (if you’ve purchased one)
- Free beds in guild halls or abandoned buildings
- Make sure you’re not in combat or trespassing when you sleep, or the encounter may not trigger.
What Happens When Lucien Lachance Visits
Lucien Lachance will appear as you wake up. He’ll be standing near your bed and initiate a dialogue. He’ll explain the Brotherhood’s purpose and offer you an initiation quest: to kill a man named Rufio who is staying at the Inn of Ill Omen.
He gives you a dagger and directs you to complete the contract.
Accepting this quest is the first step to joining the Dark Brotherhood.
How to Complete the Initiation in Oblivion
- Travel to the Inn of Ill Omen, located southeast of the Imperial City.
- Speak to the innkeeper to find Rufio, who is hiding in his room.
You can sneak into his room and kill him in his sleep, or confront him directly—it’s up to you. Once he’s dead, sleep again.
Lucien Lachance will appear once more to formally welcome you into the Dark Brotherhood. You’ll be given a key and directions to the Cheydinhal Sanctuary, where the rest of your journey begins.
Where Is the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary?
The first sanctuary you’ll visit is located in Cheydinhal, behind an abandoned house on the western edge of town.
Use the key Lucien gave you and speak the passphrase: “Sithis be with you.”
Inside, you’ll meet your new Brothers and Sisters in the guild, including Ocheeva, Vicente Valtieri, and others who will guide you through your contracts and rank advancement.
What You Get by Joining the Dark Brotherhood
- Access to a full questline of unique assassination missions
- Powerful rewards like enchanted gear, poisons, and gold
- Special perks like the Black Hand Hood and Robe
- The chance to earn promotions and eventually lead the guild
- Immersion in one of the best story arcs in the Elder Scrolls series
Final Thoughts
Joining the Dark Brotherhood in Elder Scrolls 4 Oblivion is a thrilling and rewarding experience. With a single cold-blooded murder and a night’s rest, you open the door to a shadowy world of intrigue, power, and moral ambiguity. Whether you play as a stealthy assassin or just want to experience one of the most iconic factions in Elder Scrolls history, this is a must-do questline for any Oblivion player.