Skyrim's Dark Brotherhood is one of the most twisted factions a player can join — but it's also one of the most fun. With intriguing stealth missions and a storyline full of satisfying twists, the Brotherhood is good at keeping players engaged.

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In between the main storyline missions, though, the Dragonborn still has some busy work to do. And for an assassin, that means low-grade contracts, missions with few special requirements or strings attached. Though most are easy to execute, they all raise the same question in players' minds: who wanted this person dead? Here, we offer some speculation on that query, as well as a few tips on how to fulfill each contract.

Beitild

Beitild turned hostile

A mine boss in Dawnstar, Beitild is relatively easy to take out. When speaking to her, the player can announce themselves as Dark Brotherhood, causing her to turn hostile and allowing the player to kill her without repercussions. Alternatively, players can hide and cast Fury or Frenzy on Beitild, usually resulting in the guards killing her.

Beitild isn't popular with her employees — or her husband Leigelf. In fact, if the player tells Beitild that someone wants her dead, she'll assume they're talking about her "so-called husband." Considering the bad blood (and apparent lack of divorce procedure in Skyrim), it's not unlikely that Leigelf indeed had his wife killed.

Narfi

Narfi outside his shack

Perhaps the saddest contract, Narfi is a mentally ill, impoverished beggar living in a shack on the outskirts of Ivarstead. He spends his days waiting for his dead sister to return, crying over how much he misses her. Tragic as it is, players can fulfill this contract easily. Narfi is often out of sight of other NPCs, making it easy to execute a sneak attack.

Some fans speculate that this contract may have been a mercy killing. Narfi has lost his whole family, and clearly isn't capable of caring for himself. Perhaps one of the townsfolk of Ivarstead thought death was the kindest fate for Narfi. As cruel a thought as that is, a contract is a contract for the Brotherhood.

Ennodius Papius

Ennodius Papius with a knife

Once the boss of Anga's Mill, Ennodius Papius now camps out at the top of the nearby hill. As one of the earlier contracts, he's an easy kill: most weapons can take him out with one strike, and there are very rarely any witnesses to contend with.

It's tricky to speculate who may have wanted this man dead, as he doesn't appear until the player accepts the contract. Perhaps, as the mill's former owner, an old employee or rival wanted him taken out in the hope that it would lead to their personal gain. Ennodius seems paranoid that someone was out to get him, but the game offers no clues as to who he suspected.

Lurbuk

Lurbuk holding a lute

A tone-deaf Orc bard, Lurbuk performs at the Moorside Inn in Morthal. He doesn't put up much of a fight, but it can be tricky to kill him without alerting Jonna, the inn's proprietress. Since Lurbuk does sleep at the inn, this is usually the most convenient time to do the deed.

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Upon giving this contract, Nazir remarks that many people have performed the Black Sacrament for this Orc. One likely candidate is Jonna, who has to put up with his caterwauling day in and day out.

Hern

Hern and Hert fighting the player

Hern is a vampire, living at Half-Moon Mill north of Falkreath with his wife Hert. It's easy to provoke him into combat with dialogue, though once he begins fighting the player, Hert will join in to assist him. The Dragonborn typically has to kill them both to make it out alive, but usually witnesses aren't a concern.

As a vampire hunting human prey, it's little wonder that Hern has enemies. Most likely, one of Hern's former meals has a loved one who contacted the Dark Brotherhood out of revenge. However, Skyrim's dialogue offers no clues as to which NPC this could be.

Deekus

Deekus at his campsite

This Argonian lives alone near a shipwreck northeast of Dawnstar. Deekus is fairly easy to kill; he can be attacked and slaughtered without witnesses since his location is so remote.

Judging by his location and piles of goods, Deekus appears to be a scavenger, but it's possible he's a thief as well. Perhaps a former target wanted revenge — or perhaps Riften's Thieves' Guild didn't want him infringing on their territory.

Ma'randru-jo

Ma'randru-jo in Skyrim

This Khajiit mage guards Ri'saad's traveling merchant caravan. He's a tricky one to kill, as he's usually close by the others in his caravan. The Dragonborn may choose a dialogue option to insult him, causing him to turn hostile; however, other caravan members will aid him in combat. Frenzy is an option as well, but may result in several caravan members being killed.

It's difficult to say who might have wanted Ma'randru-jo dead, but there's room for speculation. While there doesn't appear to be any bad blood between different caravans, unspoken rivalries may run deep. Perhaps another caravan believes that Ma'randru-jo's boss Ri'saad is interfering with their business, and wishes to scare him off.

Anoriath

Anoriath

A hunter from Whiterun, Anoriath can be tricky to kill since he spends most of his time in highly-populated areas. Players are best off waiting until he heads into the Drunken Huntsman, out of sight. It might take some waiting and some stealth, but it's better than killing him in broad daylight. Alternatively, as with most targets, it is possible to challenge Anoriath and turn him hostile.

Anoriath appears friendly and an honest businessmen; it's difficult to imagine his neighbors would want him dead. Racial prejudices may come into play here; for example, Nazir expresses distaste for Anoriath's elven heritage.

Agnis

Agnis

A maid in Fort Greymoor, Agnis spends her days cleaning and complaining. The fort may be controlled by troops from the player's side in the Civil War — or, if the player has not taken sides, by bandits. In the latter case, entering the fort might take some combat; however, in both cases, killing Agnis is an easy task.

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Notes scattered around the fort indicate that the occupants aren't fond of Agnis, as she constantly nags them and inhibits their sleep. Regardless of who's occupying the fort at the time of the contract, it's likely one of its residents contacted the Brotherhood.

Maluril

Maluril in battle

Holed up in the Dwemer ruin Mzinchaleft, Maluril has hired bandits and mercenaries to protect him. Though the mission isn't exactly easy, players don't have to concern themselves with stealth when it comes to Maluril. Simply fight his guards, and lastly, the man himself.

A dangerous wizard, it's not all too surprising Maluril has enemies. Perhaps an academic rival like Calcelmo wishes to see him dead and take credit for his work — but this seems extreme. It's more likely that his contract is simply the result of prejudices against mages in Skyrim.

Helvard

Helvard

Helvard serves as housecarl to Jarl Siddgeir of Falkreath. As he is often surrounded by guards, it's hard to kill him stealthily, and the guards will aid him if the player provokes him into combat. Players are best off waiting until he is alone and asleep to sneak attack him.

Siddgeir is lazy and ineffective as Jarl; thus, it's possible someone ordered Helvard's death to try and scare Siddgeir out of office. Perhaps even Dengeir, the former Jarl of Falkreath, executed this plan in the hope of regaining power. As Siddgeir is Dengeir's nephew, the latter would likely not wish to kill his own kin, but in his paranoia he might not be above killing the housecarl.

Safia

Safia (left); the Red Wave (right)

As Nazir's final contract, Safia is no pushover. Crewmembers of the Red Wave will be instantly hostile upon the player boarding the ship, and they don't hold back in a fight. Safia herself is a tough opponent as well, hardened by life on the seas. On the upside, Safia and all her crew can be killed without repercussions.

As a pirate captain, Safia has no shortage of enemies. Of all the minor contracts, she's the most likely to be Maven Black-Briar's target, as her piracy may well be interfering with Maven's business interests. Of course, as Safia notes, attempts on her life are hardly rare.

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