The quest With Friends Like These in Skyrim makes you decided who to kill for Astrid, a decision many players have trouble with. This quest can be picked up after the quest Innocence Lost and eventually leads you to either join or destroy the Dark Brotherhood.
Skyrim‘s With Friends Like These Quest Requirements
After killing Grelod the Kind in Innocence Lost, return to Aventus Aretino in Windhelm who’ll hand over a family heirloom. There are a couple of possible triggers once you’re done:
- A Mysterious Note is handed to you by a courier. The quest will fire the next time you sleep.
- Alternatively, you can just fast travel to another location further away from Windhelm. In our case, we went to the inn in Ivarstead and slept there.
Meeting Astrid and Deciding Which Hostage to Kill for the Dark Brotherhood
When you wake up, you’ll notice that you’re in an entirely different location — the Abandoned Shack west of Windstad Manor. Yes, you’ve been kidnapped by Astrid, an agent of the Dark Brotherhood. This starts Skyrim‘s With Friends Like These quest.
Astrid tells you that the Grelod the Kind was supposed to be targeted by an assassin, but you stole that kill and, now it needs to be repaid in blood.
Behind you, you’ll see three hostages lined up against the wall. Astrid says that one of them has a contract on their heads. You have to guess which one:
- Fultheim the Fearless – This Nord warrior is quite timid, begging you to spare his life.
- Alea Quintus – This Nord midwife is very feisty, warning you that she’d spit in your face if she didn’t have a hood on.
- Vasha – This Khajiit speaks of his murderous exploits and how he has many enemies.
To be clear, it doesn’t really matter which hostage you kill in Skyrim‘s With Friends Like These quest. In fact, you could even kill two or all three of them, and Astrid will make remarks regarding your decisions. She’s just happy that you followed her order.
In our opinion, though, we feel that Fultheim the Fearless is the one who’s marked for death. Although he does have a grand title, the mere fact that he’s the only one cowering and begging out of the three seemed suspicious.
Sanctuary or Destroy the Dark Brotherhood
In any case, you can talk to Astrid once you’re done. You’ll receive directions to the Dark Brotherhood’s headquarters just west of Falkreath.
This leads to the Sanctuary quest where you’ll join the faction as one of its assassins, subsequently unlocking multiple objectives and rewards.
Alternatively, if you decide to kill Astrid, you’ll obtain a quest called Destroy the Dark Brotherhood. You have to report this act to any guard, followed by addressing Commander Maro. You’ll still visit the Dark Brotherhood’s headquarters, but you’ll need to eliminate most of the agents inside.
That’s it for our guide to With Friends Like These. If you it helpful, check out some of our other Skyrim guides here on GameSkinny.
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