In the much-loved game of Skyrim, the Dark Brotherhood is a mystery that could send shivers down anyone’s spine. It’s a very dark part of the game that has so much strangeness and mystery.

But even when we play through the questline to be a part of the Dark Brotherhood, it’s very easy to miss all the small details that they’ve actually put into the lore and characters you come across. There is so much to go over even in this very small part of the game. Are they just some sort of crazy cult? What’s the history behind the Night Mother? We’ve got it all right here so you can fully understand the importance of what these characters have done for everyone in the universe this game takes place in.

The Dark Brotherhood is a faction in the game universe that is very dark, they often take people out, usually because of morals, which makes them different than the Thieves Guild who just steals and tries their best not to hurt anyone. They take people out for the greater good, but sometimes just because they can. They also have rituals and pray to their leader who has been gone for many many years. Creepy to say the least; we won’t be joining in on this ritual, thank you!

So, here are all the things that most fans missed about the loved (or feared) Dark Brotherhood faction. Even seasoned fans of the Elder Scrolls series will learn something here.

25 Was The Night Mother A Random Person?

One thing we’re unsure of is whether or not the Night Mother was actually one single individual or just a series of different people and it was treated as a title to be given. We don't even know if the Night Mother was human. While her body might be shown in the games, it's all mangled and strange, almost burnt, so who knows what or who she really is. She could have even been some random woman who was captured and used by a crazy guy to be made into the Night Mother, similar to how the situation occurred in the latest game.

24 The Night Mother Could Have Been Multiple People

If the Night Mother did actually turn out to be many different people, it would make more sense that they were humans that were just given the title or that the title was earned. This would mean that the cult theory would also make sense because it would make the most sense with how things unfold in the story of the games. Can you imagine if she wasn't actually human though? How would that change how you feel about the Brotherhood as a whole, would you still make a character that’s a part of the Brotherhood?

23 Many Think The Night Mother Was The Prince In Human Form

If the Night Mother actually happened to be the prince in human form, making her a vessel for a demon essentially, do you think that would make the Brotherhood more evil than they actually think they are? At least their intentions were based on the good of others in the community at first; do you believe a daedric prince would have that kind of morality in his character? Many believe that he wouldn't actually care about making the world a better place and instead he was just using those for his own advantage.

22 The Story Of The Dread Father

The Dread Father isn't usually discussed in the actual games, but in the lore, it's said that the Night Mother and the Dread Father came together to create children, and they ended up having five.

It’s not a story that’s all nice and cheery, you will have nightmares.

These five kids are quite the mystery to many, especially those within the Brotherhood. Some fans of the series have said this is just bad writing while others say there is a reason as to why the game doesn't go into much detail about this story.

21 The Five Kids Born To The Dread Father

While not much came to be for the life of those kids and of the two parents, there seem to be many secrets between them, we don't even know if they happen to be human! Of course, we don't know the whole story, no one does. But we hope to find out more just like all the other hardcore fans that research everything as much as possible to learn about the different factions in the game. We care about our characters and their ethics! We swear!

20 The Hierarchy Of The Hand

When you play through the Dark Brotherhood, there is a handprint made from ink on most of the letters you are given from the brotherhood. Whether they’re warning you or they’re letting you know that they know about the way you ended someone. Whichever it may be there is a reason for the hand being their notable symbol. Each of the fingers on the hand represent the five tenets and the five children. They also represent the hierarchy of the Dark Brotherhood as a whole.

19 They're Just A Bunch Of Fanatics

Sometimes it's easy to assume that just because they’re called a brotherhood that they’re a scary cult. While many people might not think that this is the case, if you look closely it does look like a cult between the lines.

If they are just a crazy cult, they’re doing pretty good at keeping up the aesthetic!

Plus with all the candles and assassins, what else could they really be? Any way you look at it, you'll find that it's just hard to deny the fact they’re probably a cult.

18 Going Back To Their Roots

Just to add fuel to the flame of the idea that the Dark Brotherhood is just a cult, they even come from a deeply religious background. They come from a much more righteous place and have obviously fallen from the path, even if they wouldn't exactly admit that to anyone. Their religious themes do still appear in the game, but it would be interesting to see how it all started and how they wanted to better the world with their mission.

17 They Started In Morrowind

Not only did they have a religious beginning, but they also started in Morrowind. This doesn't exactly tell much about the history of them, but it would be interesting to see exactly how they started in a modern day game (with better graphics). Morrowind, just like any other location in the games, has a very deep and rich history, which is why it might be interesting to revisit it again in a newer version of the game. Maybe someday.

16 Worshiping The Daedric Prince

While he isn’t their leader, they did start off worshiping the daedric prince called Mephala, which might still have heavy influence over their calling today. They still hold their own form of deities as their priority, such as the Night Mother and Dread Father. While Mephala isn't mentioned much in recent games, he still has a strong hold on all of those who are connected to the brotherhood. Maybe he’ll have a stronger presence in future games, just maybe.

15 They Fell Apart Because Of No Leader

Like we mentioned above, the Brotherhood went many years without a leader, which is probably the biggest reason they strayed from their religious path.

Whenever there is a group of people and no leader, that can only mean one thing: trouble.

Having no leader made them become darker and more evil with each passing day. Maybe that’s why they're such a mess now. Maybe if they found a new leader they could get it together like they have in the past!

14 The Night Mother Became Leader

When the Night Mother became the leader of the group, it was a mystery whether or not she was actually a human as well. There is some nod to the fact that she might actually be a human that even had children. But it is still unsure whether she is who she's made out to be or not. Maybe in a future game, they can make it so the player can actually be the new version of her, the Night Mother or even the Dread Father!

13 She Created The Rules & Tenets

One thing many people don't realize is the fact that the Night Mother actually created the rules for the Brotherhood to abide by, but since she was no longer alive within the group it seems like they've all fallen off the path of what the group initially stood for in the first place. Hopefully, in future games, they can create a longer story line that goes into depth about the history of the brotherhood so we can see why these tenets were made.

12 Down With The Serpent King

No one knows the real reason the Brotherhood chooses to end people, but the serpent king happened to be the first person they took care of. They completely disagreed with the rulings of the Serpent King so they took it upon themselves with their own methods. Maybe that's why they turned into what they are now. Perhaps that's the reason they went as low as they have with their methods they apply to every situation even if it hurts them in the end.

11 Because Of Their Goals They Were Shunned

Because of all the changes they've made throughout their history, they've now created such a horrible reputation for themselves they are essentially shunned. They will never be able to come back into what they once were when religion was their main focus, they will be forever looked at as the lesser, feared, and those who are disgusting. But who knows, maybe they will be able to turn their story around for the greater good. If they plan to they need to do it soon.

10 Saying Goodbye To The Night Mother

When the Night Mother passed away, her body was kept within the Brotherhood, even until this day.

It’s really sad that their leader passed away, but at the same time it’s a little bit strange they still bring her everywhere.

While it might be strange that they've kept her body with them all this time, it really does show their dedication and loyalty to her and how important she was to the family she knew and loved so much. Maybe this is when they started to take a turn from being a brotherhood into more of a cult-like feel?

9 The Listener Was Born

The Listener was born into the Brotherhood because after the Night Mother passed away, she continued to talk through a chosen one who was named The Listener. While there has been more than one listener over the years, it still was regarded as a very important and crucial part of the Brotherhood. Even though some people who become The Listener might just be crazy and hear voices in their head. Who knows who's really telling the truth? Anyone could pretend to be The Listener in all honesty.

8 Sending Them All Straight To The Void

One thing you would never want to witness if you had your own children is sending them to a whole new dimension! Because that’s exactly what happened when the Night Mother ended up having five children, they were all sent to the void. It seems that they were also sent without any real reason whatsoever which seems quite cruel. While the Night Mother was highly respected, why would her children be sent to the void for no reason, at least that we currently know?

7 The Night Mother Turned On Her Own People

Many people have written books within the world known as Skyrim about the Dark Brotherhood and the Night Mother herself, trying to find the real truth behind her in the game. More often than not, the Night Mother constantly makes very strange demands and does very strange things, which makes us think that she wouldn’t be considered a human. It’s almost as if she knows something mortals wouldn’t even be able to comprehend. The Night Mother even worked for the demon prince before she ever created the Brotherhood. Why would she turn on her own people?

6 The Tomb Of The Night Mother & Her Children

After knowing that the Night Mother actually turned on her own people, it almost seems quite strange that she would have a tomb right in the middle of the city in her honor. Why would she be remembered like that when she was so hated by many? Was it because she still took the moral high ground and only took care of those who caused more harm than good?

It’s overall just pretty creepy that it’s right there in plain daylight in front of everyone and no one really pays attention to it.

Who knows why she really was honored in this way, it all seems like a big mystery.