Harold Burned-Mane/Guilds

The Companions
Harold had met a group of warriors outside Whiterun that had taken down a giant. He had helped them and they found out that they were Companions. He had heard of the Companions before but never seen one. He decided that he wanted to join them and so he made his way to Jorrvaskr. There he was told to speak to their Harbinger, Kodlak Whitemane. The old man accepted Harold into the guild, but first he wanted to access his abilities. So Harold sparred with another Companion, a Circle member named Vilkas. He ultimately one the fight and gained some respect for his fighting abilities, however at first he was only given menial tasks to carry out. They included bringing a sword to be sharpened, delivering a shield and other chores. Harold overheard a conversation from Aela and Skjor and started to think that something was off about the Circle members. Farkas, another Circle member, then showed Harold to the quarters of the newer members. Soon Harold was able to start doing jobs all over Skyrim for the Companions, he was no longer their errand boy.

After doing a handful of jobs for the Companions it was time that Harold prove his honor, in order to become an official member of the Companions. Skjor told him that the location of a piece of Wuuthrad, Ysgramor's legendary battleaxe, had been discovered. Farkas was chosen as Harold's Shield-Brother and the two departed for Duskman's Cairn. They traversed through the ruin. They fought the draugr and came up to a chamber with a locked gate. Harold found a lever and pulled it, but it locked him inside the lever room. Farkas was annoyed by it and said he would find a way to free Harold, but before he could a group if bandits surrounded Farkas. They said that he was one of them as he wore the Wolf Armor, one only worn by members of the Circle. They attacked and Farkas was forced to turn into his beast form. Harold was shocked to learn that Farkas was a werewolf and watched curiously as Farkas took on the bandits. After killing all of them Farkas transformed back into a human and found the lever that opened the gate that locked Harold in. When he was free Harold asked Farkas some questions, he learned that all the Circle members were werewolves and that the bandits were werewolf hunters named the Silver Hand. The duo then continued on their way and encountered more Silver Hand members, Farkas stated that they might also be looking for pieces of Wuuthrad. Later they encountered a room filled with spiders, Farkas didn't enjoy the encounter. They continued fighting draugr and Silver Hand members until they entered a large chamber, with lots of coffins lining the walls. At the far end they found the piece, next to a word wall in which Harold learned the word TOOR, which meant Inferno. When they picked up the piece the coffins opened and a large group of draugr attacked them. After a long and hard fight they killed all the draugr and left the Cairn, they headed back to Whiterun with the piece.

When they returned to Jorrvaskr, they saw Vilkas waiting for them just outside. He lead them around the building where the entire group of Companions was gathered. Kodlak gave a short speech and welcomed Harold officially to the Companions, while Farkas swore eternal loyalty to him. He then went to Eorlund and was given a choice to one Skyforge weapon. After that he went back to doing jobs. After Harold completed a couple more jobs he got the attention of Skjor, apparently he had something special planned. He requested a meeting after dark near the Underforge, a secret crypt underneath the Skyforge. At night, Skjor was waiting for him near the secret entrance, determined to make him a stronger member of the Companions, making him a Circle member. They went inside. There they encountered Aela the Huntress in her beast form, standing next to an empty fountain. Skjor introduced her as Harold's forebear, and told him to be keep this a secret from Kodlak. Skjor cut Aela's wrist, filling the fountain with her blood. Harold hesitated but drank the blood, he felt a searing pain and then blacked out.

He woke up in the middle of nowhere, Aela was looking over him, concerned. He was naked but his pack was next to him. Aela congratulated Harold on surviving the initiation. She informed him that the Silver Hand have inhabited Gallows Rock and said that they should be slaughtered right away. Aela informed him that Skjor already entered the fort. They headed west towards the fort. A number of Silver Hand members were guarding the exterior area, the duo disposed of them and enter the fort. They traversed through the fort, it was buzzing with enemies and werewolves in cages, both living and dead, all seemingly exposed to torture by their captors. When they were nearing the main chamber Aela warned him about the Silver Hand leader, Krev the Skinner. They entered the chamber and fought he Silver Hand inside, after the fight Aela ran up onto the podium and discovered the dead body of Skjor. Alea was greatly sadden and angered by the discovery, Harold tried to calm her down but to no avail. Aela remained to take care of Skjor's body while Harold returned to Jorrvaskr. The next day Aela went to see Harold and asked for his help in avenging Skjor, together they started going after and destroying Silver Hand hideouts.

Kodlak eventually caught onto what Harold and Aela were doing. He ask for Harold to meet him and chastised him for his and Aela's actions against the Silver Hand. Kodlak told him the true story about how the Companions contracted Lycanthropy. One of his predecessors had made a pact with the Glenmoril Witches to gain more power. Lycanthropy makes the person spend the afterlife in Hircine's realm, making it impossible to go to Sovngarde. It is this fate which compels Kodlak to seek a cure. He asked Harold's help in finding a cure, it required the heads of the Glenmoril Witches. Harold went to the Witches' coven in Falkreath. He entered their hideout an killed all of them, then collected their heads. When he returned to Whiterun, he noticed several citizens gathered around near the stairs leading to Jorrvaskr. Halfway up the stairs, he found both Torvar and Aela next to dead Silver Hand members. He quickly headed inside the hall, Vilkas walked up to him and asked you where he was. He told Harold that while he was gone the Silver Hand attacked Jorrvaskr, they had managed to kill Kodlak and took off with all the fragments of Wuuthrad. Kodlak’s dead body was near the central fireplace, Farkas and Njada were kneeling next to him. Vilkas said that his death would be avenged.

After Kodlak's death, Vilkas was looking for revenge. He and Harold made their way to the Silver Hand hide-out at Driftshade Refuge, a small fort southeast of Dawnstar. They arrived and disposed of the Silver Hand members outside, they then went inside. Driftshade Refuge was crawling with hostile Silver Hand members, however difficult the fight they continued and fought their way through. They then entered Driftshade Cellar. Through the cellar they took a path, leading back to an initially inaccessible part of Driftshade Refuge. The chamber contained the three of the remaining members of the Silver Hand and all the stolen Fragments of Wuuthrad. After killing the rest of the Silver Hand and gathering the pieces they returned to Jorrvaskr. By the time they got back the preparations for Kodlak's funeral were already done, it was held in the Skyforge and so Harold and Vilkas went there to attend the funeral and pay their respects. All of the Companions were present, along with a few citizens and even the Jarl of Whiterun. Kodlak was placed on a pyre above the forge, and the ceremony ended with Aela lighting the pyre, symbolizing a final goodbye.

After the ritual, Eorlund asked for the fragments of Wuuthrad and Kodlak's secret fragment from his chambers. Harold to the Kodlak's chamber and took the fragment from the end table there, Kodlak's Journal was also at the end table. It offered some insight on him and his visions. He then return to Eorlund with the fragment, the smith then told him that the other Circle Members were gathered at the Underforge. Farkas, Vilkas and Aela, were talking. They agreed that Kodlak's death was avenged but his soul now belonged to Hircine, and was destined to hunt in Hircine's Hunting Grounds forever, instead of his desired afterlife in Sovngarde. They could see no solution, as the cure involved going into Ysgramor's Tomb, and the only way in was with Wuuthrad. Eorlund then entered with the repaired Wuuthrad on his back. He said that it was far from impossible to grant Kodlak his final wish and handed Wuuthrad to Harold. Now with new determination the Circle set off for Ysgramor's Tomb to grant Kodlak his final wish.

When they entered the tomb Vilkas warned them about the dangers ahead. He said that he would take no part in the task, as he had too much grief in his heart and regret for his vengeful acts at Driftshade Refuge. Harold placed Wuuthrad on the statue of Ysgramor and the wall to the north opened, he then took Wuuthrad and the Circle proceed forward through the tomb. Before long, they encountered several Companion ghosts who tested your courage. When they reached a chamber with spider webs Farkas told them that after the events in Dustman's Cairn he’s been deathly afraid of spiders, he then decides to head back to the entrance and wait with Vilkas. Aela and Harold continued through the tomb, fighting their way through spiders and ghosts alike. They eventually made it to the burial chamber. The ghost of Kodlak was warming his hands near the Flame of the Harbinger. After talking with Harold and Aela for a bit he asked if they had the heads of the Glenmoril Witches. Harold nodded and then Kodlak told him to toss one into the flame, in an attempt to cure him of his lycanthropy. After doing so, Kodlak's wolf spirit was released and immediately attacked Harold and Aela. After the battle, Kodlak thanked them and name Harold the new Harbinger of the Companions. He then left for Sovngarde to finally find his peace.

Aela recognized Harold's new position and told him that she was going to stay in the tomb for a while longer, for further studies. Vilkas and Farkas arrived at the burial chamber and also say they wanted to stay. In the tomb they found the Shield of Ysgramor and brought it back to Jorrvaskr along with Wuuthrad. Harold left the tomb and outside he discovered a word wall which contained the word RAAN, meaning Animal. Harold had promised to Kodlak to bring honor and glory to the Companions as their Harbinger and so he did, continuing to do jobs all over Skyrim. He also eventually helped cure the Lycanthropy of both Vilkas and Farkas. He and Aela located the three Totems of Hircine and moved them into the Underforge. Athis soon joined the Circle to fill the empty spot left by Kodlak, he chose to become a werewolf like Aela.

The College of Winterhold
To learn more about magic and to further develop his natural skills in magic Harold decided to head to the College of Winterhold. Once in Winterhold, he follow the main road west through town and approached the bridge connecting the town to the College. Standing at the start of the bridge was a High Elven woman named Faralda. She said that to enter he must pass a test, Harold cast a spell to show his aptitude. Faralda allowed him across the bridge and direct him to Mirabelle Ervine, the Master Wizard. After speaking to Mirabelle, Harold was given a tour of the facilities and Novice robes that all new students wore. Upon completing the tour, she asked him to join the lecture hall and listen to Tolfdir, the Master Alteration Teacher. Tolfdir was talking to the new students, the other students wanted the professor to teach them practical knowledge of magic instead of lecturing them about the importance of controlling its dangers. Harold disagreed, however Tolfdir caved in and asked him to perform a protection Ward spell. Harold cast the spell and fend off an attack from Tolfdir, who cast fireballs at him.

After the others trained as well Tolfdir sugested that the class take a trip to Saarthal further their understanding of the various applications of magic throughout history. They travelled to the Noridc Ruin. Tolfdir lead the students into the excavation, playing the roles of teacher and tour guide. He handed out assignments to all of his students. Harold was tasked with helping Arniel Gane find some artifacts. Harold searched the ruin looking for any magical artifacts, he found three rings and a strange ancient amulet. As soon as he picked up the amulet a spear trap activated locking him in the chamber where he found the amulet. Tolfdir saw this and tried to help but saw no escape, he told Harold that maybe the amulet would help. He put on the amulet and it triggered a visible resonance effect with the wall where it was previously located. Tolfdir then suggested that he try casting a spell, he did so and the wall broke apart along with the trap being disabled. Tolfdir and Harold ventured into the tunnel that was revealed after the wall crumbled. At the end of the passageway Harold and Tolfdir entered a small burial room, there a ghostly apparition of a Psijic Order mage appeared to Harold and gave him a warning. After the ghost was gone Harold asked Tolfdir what the ghost's warning meant, but Tolfdir didn't see the ghost. Tolfdir did have a strange feeling and they continued, draugr started appearing and Tolfdir and Harold had to fight their way to the end of the ruin. In a large chamber they found a massive spinning floating orb which was surrounded by a swirling energy barrier. Tolfdir was immediately fascinated by the orb, when they tried to approach the orb a powerful draugr named Jyrik Galdurson attacked them. Their attacks did nothing to Jyrik, as he was absorbing the energy from the orb. Tolfdir noticed this and started trying to sever the connection between the draugr and the orb. With Jyrik vulnerable Harold managed to kill him. Harold found a Gauldr Amulet Fragment, a Writ of Sealing and the Staff of Jyrik. With the draugr's death the barrier disappeared, Tolfdir starts examining the orb and thinks it is a greatly powerful magical artifact. He told Harold to returned to the College and to report to the Arch-Mage. As he was leaving he found a word wall containing the word IIZ, meaning Ice.

When he returned to the College he found Savos Aren and reported to him. He told Savos that they found a magical orb in Saarthal. He told him to check with Urag gro-Shub, the College librarian, for any possible leads regarding the nature of the artifact. Harold found Urag in the Arcanaeum behind his desk, he said that the three books that might of had the information were stolen by a former apprentice named Orthorn. Orthorn had joined a group of renegade mages in Fellglow Keep. Urag told him to go to the Keep and retrieved the books. As he was leaving Faralda approached him and told him that Ancano, the Thalmor advisor, wanted a word with him. Ancano questioned Harold, who, because of his hatred of the Thalmor, didn't reveal anything important. He traveled to Fellglow Keep, it was a large fort located between Whiterun and Windhelm. He fought he renegade mages there and progressed through the keep. In the keep's dungeon he found Orthorn, whom had been imprisoned by the mages he through were his friends. Harold freed him in exchange for help on his task. Orthorn said that the books were with a mage called the Caller, who was the leader of the renegade mages, at the top of the keep. They made their way there and confronted the Caller. Harold defeated her and took the books back to the College. Orthorn followed him back to Winterhold, but remained at the Inn. When he arrive back at the College, Tolfdir had returned from Saarthal and placed the Orb in the Hall of the Elements. Harold went to the Arcanaeum to give the books back to Urag. The book that had information on the Orb was Night of Tears which told about the massacre of Saarthal by the Snow Elves.

As he was looking for Tolfdir Harold encountered his classmates. He helped them all on tasks that they wanted to accomplish. Brelyna and J'zargo need help testing spells and scrolls, respectively. Onmund wanted to get back a family heirloom that he had sold to Ethir. He helped the Master Illusion teacher, Drevis, rebalance the focus points at the College. He helped Arniel start on an experiment that he was working on by collecting some supplies that he needed. Sergus, the Enchanting Teacher, also required Harold help to resupply on soul gems. He also gathered some books that Urag requested. After doing tasks for many of the members of the College Harold went to look for Tolfdir and found him in the Hall of the Elements, where the Orb was relocated. He explained how the markings seemed to be unique, as they do not appear to be Elven, Daedric, or Ayleid. Ancano interrupted Tolfdir and demand that Harold follow him to meet a mysterious visitor who has asked to speak with him. He followed Ancano to the Arch-Mage's quarters where Quaranir, another representative from the Psijic Order, was waiting for him. Quaranir froze time and explained that Harold must prevent anyone from using the Orb, as he fears the consequences its misuse would bring. He then suggested that Harold seeke out the Augur of Dunlain within the College, who might be able to give better guidance. Quaranir then unfroze time and left, confusing Savos and angering Ancano.

Harold then went to Tolfdir to ask him what the Augur was, he said that the Augur was something found in the Midden, a catacombs located under the College. Harold found the trap door that lead to the Midden, and traversed it while killing any enemies he found along the way. He encountered the Augur in the Midden Dark, it was a sentient entity. The Augur informed Harold that others have sought the Eye of Magnus, which is what he called the Orb, before without realizing the dangers it poses. He then informed that he would need the Staff of Magnus to avert the disaster the Psijics warned about, and told him to inform Savos. Harold then left the Midden and went to see Savos in his quarters. He told Savos of the Augur's message, the Arch-Mage directed him to Mirabelle and rewarded him with a powerful circlet. Harold went to ask Mirabelle what she knew about the Staff of Magnus and its whereabouts. She directed you to the Dwemer ruin Mzulft because members of the Synod, a guild of mages from Cyrodiil, recently questioned her about it. Mzulft was a sprawling Dwemer ruin southeast of Windhelm.

As Harold entered Mzulft he found a Synod researcher, Gavros Plinius, uttering his final words. He took the Mzulft Key from Gavros's corpse to unlock the adjacent door and a research log which indicated he was sent here with a "focusing crystal" needed to pursue some mysterious effort. Harold then travel through the extensive ruin to find a curious device called the Oculory. After a lengthy and adventurous journey he found in Mzluft Aedrome a large room containing four Falmer. He killed them and found the focusing crystal on one of them. After finding a key on a Dwarven Centurian he was able to proceed to the Observatory. There he found a door that had been locked by a Synod member on the other side, after talking to Paratus Decimius he opened the door and let Harold pass. Paratus, however, was suspicious of him, but he need the focusing crystal so he agreed to work with Harold. He followed Paratus into the Oculory, there he used the focusing crystal to fix a dwemer machine that the Synod found by using frost and fire spells to focus the crystal that was placed inside the machine. When the crystal was focused the machine became fixed and projected a beam of light on a wall nearby. Paratus was initially excited but then became distressed as he said that something was wrong. The beam had created a map but instead of showing all of Tamriel it only showed Skyrim, to which Paratus said interference was coming from Winterhold. He accused Harold and the College of trying to sabotage the Synod's efforts and demand that he explain himself. After talking with Harold he asked if there was something powerful at the College to which Harold lied, Paratus then pointed out that something else was causing interference and it was coming from Labyrinthian. Harold and Paratus then left the dwarven ruin.

As Harold was leaving the ruin Nerien, the Psijic Order member who appeared to him in Saarthal, appeared again. He warned him that difficulties were ahead, but assure Harold that he was on the right path and that he would prevail. He then urged him to return to the College immediately. He rushed back to the College like Nerien had suggested. When he entered the College he heard a commotion coming from the Hall of the Elements, Savos and Mirabelle were panicing. The gate to the room containing the Eye of Magnus was blocked by a barrier that Mirabelle speculated was some kind of ward, and they implicated Ancano in possibly creating it. They then began casting Destruction spells at the barrier in an attempt to destroy it, Harold helped them and together they broke the barrier. Savos approached Ancano, who is casting a spell at the Eye, and commanded him to stop. Mirabelle warned Savos not to go near Ancano, but Savos began casting a spell at him. All went white, Harold then awakened in the Hall of the Elements when Mirabelle asked him if he was all right and saying that she needed his help. She asked Harold to search for Savos who had gone missing. Harold headed to the College’s central courtyard, There he found the Arch-Mage’s body and the other mages standing over him. Tolfdir approached him and inform him that whatever killed the Savos had also affected the town of Winterhold. Harold, along with Faralda and Arniel, went to Winterhold to see if it was safe. The city was under attack by ten Magic Anomalies, Harold and the others fought to defeat them. Once they secured the town, Harold returned to the College and talked to Mirabelle. She gave him Savos Aren's Amulet and the Torc of Labyrinthian and told him to find the Staff of Magnus in Labyrinthian.

Harold then set off for the ruins of Labyrinthian. There he approached a Ceremonial Door and a ghostly after-image of a younger Savos and five other mages appeared, it seemed that Savos had come to the ruin before with other mages. As Harold traversed through the ruin he saw the tale of Savos and his friends play out until only Savos was left. During certain times Harold heard a voice and a portion of his magicka was drained. The ruin was guarded by numerous undead, including an undead skeletal dragon. Labyrinthian was quite extensive and it took Harold a while to get through it by himself. In the last chamber Harold encountered two of Savos' friends that had been forced to keep the dragon priest, Morokei, trapped while Savos escaped. Harold dispatched the two mages, who were now ghosts, in order to free Morokei, who possessed the Staff of Magnus. After their souls got the rest their deserved Harold turned his attention to Morokei and an intense battle commenced, because of the staff's power Morokei was able to drain Harold magicka, which dragged the fight on. However, in the end ,Harold defeated Morokei. He took the priest's mask, of the same name, and the Staff of Magnus. In the ruin Harold found a word wall which contained the word TIID which meant Time. When he was leaving he encountered a Thalmor who had been sent by Ancano to retrieve the staff. They fought and after Harold defeated him he returned to the College.

Once in Winterhold Harold saw that the College was surrounded by a magical barrier, like the one that was in the Hall of the Elements. Tolfdir, Arniel and Nirya were standing near it. Harold approached them and Tolfdir explained that Mirabelle died helping them escape. Harold then used the Staff of Magnus to absorb the barrier, he then led the group of mages into the Hall of the Elements to stop Ancano. When they entered, Ancano proclaimed that he had the power to destroy the world at his fingertips, and that he could not be stopped. Due to his long exposure to the Eye he was now connected to it and used its power to make his spells stronger. Tolfdir cast a fire spell at Ancano, but it did not faze him. The Eye then began to crack open and emitted a blinding flash and the other mages became paralyzed. It was up to Harold to defeat Ancano, he used the Staff to control the Eye and severed Ancano's connection to it. Then he fought Ancano, who still tried to absorb the Eye's power. Harold had to continuously use the Staff on the Eye while he fought Ancano and magical anomalies, since Ancano had caused the Eye to go out of control. In the end Harold prevailed and killed Ancano, then he shut the Eye of Magnus using the staff, which un-paralyzed the other mages. Harold then asked Tolfdir what they should do now. He explained that he did not know how to contain the Eye, just then Quaranir and two more members of the Psijic Order will appeared.

Quaranir congratulated Harold, saying that he met their expectations. He assured him that the Psijic Order would safeguard the Eye, saying that the world was not ready for the Eye. Quaranir then declared Harold the new Arch-Mage of the College and vanished in a glow of light, along with the Eye and the two other Psijic members. Tolfdir and the other mages agreed that Harold should be the new Arch-Mage for everything he had done for the College, they gave him the key to the Arch-Mage's Quarters and the Archmage's Robes. Harold chose Tolfdir as the new Master Wizard, to replace the deceased Mirabelle. This left a spot open for the Alteration teach, after much convincing Harold was able to get Falion to come back to the College as the new Alteration teacher. Angi, whom Falion had adopted, became a student there. Harold also forgave Orthorn and let him rejoin the College. Harold helped Arniel finish his experiment, sadly it ended with Arniel's death as he was turned into a shade.

The Thieves Guild
Harold came across a merchant named Brynjolf at the Riften market, he proposed that he frame a vendor by planting a stolen ring on his person. The intended victim, Brand-Shei, had apparently become aware that someone was doing something wrong, and that someone wanted him in jail, from where he couldn't interfere. Harold was reluctant at first but his greed got the better of him and he accepted. Brynjolf told him that he would create a distraction. While he drew people's attention, Harold stole a ring from Madesi. After stealing the ring, he sneaked up to Brand-Shei and carefully placed the ring into his pocket. He gave the all clear signal to Brynjolf who stopped the distraction and then the guards arrested Brand-Shei. Brynjolf then rewarded Harold 100 septims and invited him to follow him into the Ratways. Brynjolf then left. The next day Harold went into the Ratways.

Harold traversed the Ratways, he had to fight a few crazy people along the way. He eventually made it to the Ragged Flagon. Brynjolf was there at the bar, Harold talked to him. He instructed him to collect debts from three business owners in town: Keerava, Bersi Honey-Hand and Haelga. After he collected the debts, he returned to Brynjolf. Brynjolf was pleased and lead him to talk to Guildmaster Mercer Frey, welcomed Harold to the Thieves Guild. He was given a set of Thieves Guild armor by Tonilia. He started doing jobs for Vex and Delvin, after a couple Mercer decided to give him a special job. It involved infiltrating Goldenglow Estate. Aringoth, the owner of the estate, had stopped sending shipments to Black-Briar meadery and when Vex was sent to investigate she found an army of mercenaries. Maven wasn't pleased and ordered the guild to teach Aringoth a lesson by burning down three bee hives and clearing out his safe. Before leaving Harold paid Vex a visit and she told him about a secret sewer entrance on the northwest side which would make it significantly easier to enter unseen.

He headed to the estate, he waited until dusk, swam to the rocky outcrop to the west of the beehives and then clambered ashore. He lit three of the beehives on fire with a flame spell, as he was instructed to. Then he went to the secret sewer entrance and used it to gain access to the estate's main building. Once inside the carefully made his way past the many guards and to the owner's room, where he stole a golden bee statuette and took the key to his safe. After that he sneaked his way to the basement and found the safe hidden there. He completely cleared it out and he found a Bill of Sale there. He took everything and then left the estate to return to the Cistern. There he talked to Brynjolf, who was very pleased and rewarded Harold for the job. He then point him to Maven Black-Briar, who had requested Harold for a special job. Before he met Maven Harold did more jobs for Vex and Delvin. He also sold the bee statuette to Delvin who paid a dearly for it.

Harold met her on the second floor of The Bee and Barb. After a condescending greeting, Maven solicited him cooperation in putting her competitor, the Honningbrew Meadery, out of business. She asked him to perform some industrial espionage to understand how Honningbrew could have started up their operation and achieved success so quickly. She then directed him to meet Mallus Maccius, her contact inside the meadery, at The Bannered Mare in Whiterun for further instructions. Harold then left for Whiterun, where he met Mallus in the inn. Mallus told him that Sabjorn, Honningbrew's owner, was planning to hold a special tasting for the city's guard captain, and that Harold must poison the mead for the occasion. He suggested that he approach Sabjorn and offered to help him with a pest infestation, then use the poison Sabjorn would give him to accomplish the deed. He instructed him to access the mead vats through a tunnel leading there from the meadery's basement. Harold went to the meadery and met with Sabjorn, who quickly accepted his offer to help and provided him with the required poison as well as the key to the Meadery. Harold went to the basement and found that there was a cave system under the building, and that there was a crazy hermit living there with pet spiders and skeevers. Harold killed him and his pets then made it to the brewery. He put the poison in the vat that was going to be used in the tasting then returned to Sabjorn to say tell him the vermin were killed. That evening the captain came to the meadery for the tasting and when he tasted the poison he arrested Sabjorn for attempted murder. Mallus then took control of the meadery and gave Harold a key to Sabjorn's office. There he took a golden decanter and note from whomever the meadery's main backer was.

Harold then returned to the guild with the note and there he sold the decanter to Delvin. Maven was frustrated by her inability to identify the note's author. Harold then noticed that the author's symbol was the same as that on the bill of sale previously found in the Goldenglow Estate safe. Maven told him to speak to Brynjolf about it then rewarded him for the job. Back in the Cistern, Brynjolf mused that the identical symbol points to someone attempting to drive a wedge between Maven and the guild, and sent Harold off to Mercer to continue the search for the author. Before meeting with Mercer Harold did more jobs for Vex and Delvin.

When he when to speak to Mercer the guildmaster remarked that the symbol found on the Bill of Sale is the same as the one on the Note, he too believe that some unknown competitor was acting against the guild. Mercer also revealed that a name mentioned on the Bill is the alias of an old corroborator of the Guild; an Argonian dockworker for the East Empire Company named Gulum-Ei. Mercer then sent Harold to the Winking Skeever in Solitude to shake down Gulum-Ei for information regarding the sale of Goldenglow Estate. Harold travelled to Solitude and in its inn met the Argonian, who didn't spill any information. Harold was forced to bribe the Argonian by doing a job for him, stealing an expensive case of wine from the Blue Palace. When he got the wine Gulum-Ei compensated him for the trouble, then he explained that he was approached by a mysterious woman, who gave him a large sack of gold with which to buy Goldenglow Estate. No name was given, but Gulum-Ei mentioned that she was extremely angry, and that this anger was directed at Mercer in particular. The Argonian then declared their business done and left the inn, Harold knew the Argonian was hiding something and decided to follow him.

Eventually the Argonain led Harold to the East Empire Company Warehouse, where he worked and used to steal goods for the Thieves Guild from. The warehouse was patrolled by mercenaries paid for by the company. Harold broke in and proceeded cautiously, he sneaked past the mercenaries and was careful not to get to close to Gulum-Ei. In the warehouse he stole a map of the East Empire Company Shipping Map, in the office. Gulum-Ei took a set of steps down into the water, and around behind a shelving unit to a hidden pathway, leading to a door into the Brinewater Grotto. Harold followed him into the Grotto. He fought the bandits and evaded the traps in the grotto. When he reached the end of the cave he confronted Gulum-Ei and he revealed the name of the mysterious antagonist to the Guild, Karliah. She was the thief who murdered the previous Guildmaster, Gallus. Because Harold chose to spare him the Argonian was very grateful and said he would now work as a fence for Harold. Harold then left the grotto and returned to the Guild, he told Mercer what he learned. The news upset Mercer, however he deduced where Karliah will be next. The frase that Gulum-Ei had told Harold, "to where the end began", lead Mercer to the conclusion. It was a ruin far to the north of Riften known as Snow Veil Sanctum. Mercer insisted that he and Harold went after her and so they departed, after Harold did a few jobs for Vex and Delvin. Mercer went on ahead while Harold did the jobs. Harold also sold the map to Delvin.

Harold journeyed to Snow Veil Sanctum, which is northeast of Windhelm. There they found an abandoned camp near the entrance along with a dead horse. Mercer was waiting outside the ruin's entrance. Mercer said that it was definitely Karliah's camp and said he had killed her horse so she wouldn't be able to escape. They then headed to the door, it was locked and Harold didn't know how to open it. Mercer then picked the lock, despite Harold having failed at doing so, and easily opened it. They then proceeded inside the ruin, there were plenty of draugr as well as several traps along the way. In the ruin Harold found an ancient model ship, which he took. In the Sanctum Harold found a word wall that contained the word ZUN, meaning Weapon. The duo eventually made it to a claw door, Mercer said that the room ahead was the perfect place for and ambush. Despite not having the claw Mercer was able to pick the door, then they went inside. Harold almost immediately shot with an arrow and fell to the ground, it seemed that the arrow was poisoned. Karliah then showed herself and she bantered with Mercer. Harold listened to the conversation and learned that it was Mercer that had killed Gallus, he had framed Karliah, and that they were both Nightingales. Karliah then disappeared when she drank an invisibility potion and Mercer walked over the Harold, who laid on the ground paralyzed. Mercer then stabbed Harold, who then passed out. He regained consciousness outside the Sanctum, when he got up he noticed Karliah was nearby. She approached him and asked how he was feeling. She explained that she had saved his life by shooting him with a special poison that that slowed the heart and stopped him from bleeding out. Harold was still a little confused but he soon understood the situation. She said that she had hoped to capture Mercer alive and to bring him to justice for what he had done. Karliah then said that she managed to acquire Gallus' encoded journal and asked that Harold travel to Winterhold and speak to Enthir about getting its contents translated.

Harold went to speak with Enthir at The Frozen Hearth in Winterhold, Enthir directed him to the wizard, Calcelmo, at Understone Keep in Markarth. Harold then departed for Markarth to speak with Calcelmo, who was an expert in the Falmer language, which the journal was said to be written in. Calcelmo wouldn't let Harold see his work, so he was forced to steal it. He took the key to the dwemer museum, where Calcelmo worked, and sneaked inside. He avoided the guards and made it to Calcelmo's laboratory. There it was heavily guarded by mercenaries and he was forced to take action against some of the guards. In Calcelmo's quarters he found a dwemer puzzle cube and a spider control rod, which he stole. After making it to the Calcelmo's Tower he found a large stone tablet that was written in the falmer language. He got some paper and charcoal and made an imprint of the table. He avoided Calcelmo's nephew and his personal guard and ran back to Winterhold to meet with Karliah and Enthir. Enthir used the copy of Calcelmo's tablet to translate Gallus' journal, confirming that Mercer used the Guild's funds and violated the Twilight Sepulcher, which Karliah said was the secret shrine to Nocturnal that the Nightingales are sworn to protect. Karliah gave Harold the Nightingale Blade as a token of appreciation, and invite him to meet her in the Ragged Flagon.

They headed to the Ragged Flagon through The Ratway. They then went to the Cistern, as they passed through the Flagon Karliah got a lot of dirty looks from the patrons there. In the Cistern Brynjolf and the other veteran thieves were waiting to confront they, Karliah told them the truth and showed Brynjolf Gallus' journal. They quickly made their way to the vault, Brynjolf and Delvin opened it and saw that it was empty, Mercer had stolen everything. Harold then talked to Brynjolf and confirmed Karliah's story, Brynjolf instructed him to break into Mercer's home and look for clues of where he had gone. The problem was Vald, the mercenary guard that worked for Mercer and protected his home. Harold hadto pay his debt to Maven so Vald let his pass. Harold found a secret passage behind a cabinet in the cellar of the house. He went through it, which led to an underground system of tunnels. There were many traps in the tunnels which he was forced to avoid. He eventually found the room which contained Mercer's plans, a glass sword named Chillrend and the Bust of the Gray Fox. He took everything valuable and then continued along the path, which led to the Ratway Vaults. Through the Ratways he headed back to the Cistern. He sold the model ship, the dwemer puzzle cube and the bust of the Gray Fox to Delvin. Afterwards he did a few jobs for Vex and Delvin, then finally went to talk to Brynjolf. He gave Brynjolf Mercer's plans.

Mercer’s plans were about stealing the Eyes of the Falmer, Brynjolf explained the significance of those findings. Mercer planed one more heist before disappearing for good. The only hope of catching him was to intercept him at the location. Karliah requested to speak with both of them. She revealed to them that Mercer Frey was a Nightingale, an agent of Nocturnal. Because of this she was concerned about being at full strength and on equal footing before pursuing Mercer. She asks them to meet her at The Shadow Stone outside of Riften. They met up and headed to the entrance of Nightingale Hall. They proceed inside, while they went deeper into the hall she told them more about the Nightingales and their role. They entered a room which had three stones with a symbol on it, which she said was the Nightingale symbol. They touched the stones and were given Nightingale Armor. Karliah discussed the next step, they must swear an oath to Nocturnal. They follow she further into the cave, she pulled a chain for the gate leading into the oath taking chamber. She told them where to stand then she summoned Nocturnal and asked to resume her role as a Nightingale as well as induct Harold and Brynjolf into their ranks. Nocturnal agreed, but first showed her anger at Karliah for letting Mercer take the Skeleton Key, which allowed him to open anything. Karliah explained Mercer stole the Key from the Twilight Sepulcher, which caused the guild to lose its luck. The key needed to be returned to the Sepulcher to set things to right. Brynjolf said that with Mercer disgraced the issue of the leadership of the Thieves Guild is at hand. He stated that he and Karliah thought Harold would be the right person for the job, once he proved himself by dealing with Mercer and spreading the guild's influence. The trio then left for Irkngthand to go after Mercer.

They made it to the dwemer ruin. There are some bandits camped outside but they were no match for the three Nightingales. The entrance was at the very top of the ruins. Once inside they had to fight numerous dwemer automatons. Like all Dwarven ruins Irkngthand had plenty of loot to gather, and plenty of traps as well. They eventually descended to the Irkngthand Grand Cavern. Karliah believed that Mercer knows that they were following him and planed to ambush them down there. As they continued through the ruin they came up to a open chamber, down bellow in an inaccessible part of the chamber they saw Mercer sneak attacking a Falmer. They proceeded faster than before to catch up to Mercer. Behind an open gate they found some empty chests and a mirrored message from Mercer. The message read "One step ahead - Mercer", which was clearly placed to demoralize them. They then found a door leading to the Irkngthand Slave Pens. The pens were used as a hive to the Falmer. As they proceeded through a corridor Karliah told them that they had a choice between sneaking or fighting the Falmer, they chose to sneak past them. After making it through the pens they found the path that led to the Irkngthand Sanctuary. In the sanctuary they saw Mercer prying out the eyes of the Falmer statue. Mercer then collapsed the ledge they standing on, and after a short conversation, attacked them. During the fight Mercer used his Agent of Subterfuge power on Brynjolf, causing him to attack Karliah, so it was up to Harold to Mercer. Mercer turned invisible occasionally during the fight, but that was not enough to defeat Harold. Once Mercer was killed a pipe at the top of the room burst, flooding the room. Harold quickly took the Skeleton key and the Eyes of the Falmer from Mercer's body and escaped the room through a hole above the statue's head, which led to a short passage. That passage took them to Bronze Water Cave. They then headed back to Riften. Karliah rewarded Harold with a Nightingale Bow. In the Cistern he sold the Left Eye of the Falmer to Delvin while he kept the Right Eye. Then he did a few jobs for Vex and Delvin.

Karliah told Harold to return the Skeleton Key to the Twilight Sepulcher, and so he set off for the temple. Inside it he saw a Nightingale specter. When talking to it he discovered that that spectral sentinel was in fact Gallus the previous Guildmaster. Gallus said that most of the Nightingale Sentinels had gone mad and attacked anyone on sight, even other Nightingales like Harold. Harold went through the pilgrimage to the temple to get to the inner sanctum where the Key was supposed to be held, fighting the sentinels along the way and passing the tests as he did so. There were five tests in total and Harold managed to pass them all and making it to the inner sanctum. There he placed the Skeleton Key in the lock, which opened a portal to Nocturnal's realm and let the Prince manifest herself in the mortal plane. She congratulated Harold on doing his duty as a Nightingale. Now that the portal was open the guild's luck would come back, and unlock the full potential of the Nightingales. Harold became the Agent of Shadow, Karliah the Agent of Strife and Brynjolf the Agent of Subterfuge. Karliah met with Gallus's ghost and said the final goodbye that she wasn't able to before. Gallus then went through the portal and into Ebonmere, becoming one with the shadows. Afterwards Harold and Karliah returned to the Cistern.

Harold did the special jobs that Delvin had acquired in each of the main cities in Skyrim and spread the guild's influence throughout the province. The Ragged Flagon attracted attention and soon became an underground market in Riften. Having succeeded in returning the guild to its former glory in Gallus' days Harold was named the new Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild. He served with Brunjolf and Karliah in the Nightingale Trinity, which was maintained a secret from the rest of the guild as it should be. Harold searched all throughout Skyrim for the 24 stones of Barenziah and remade Barenziah's Crown. Karliah took a special liking to the crown and so the guild didn't sell it.

The Dark Brotherhood
One time when Harold was travelling from Whiterun to Dawnstar he encountered a jester with a carriage in the middle of the road, next to a farm. The carriage's wheel was broken and the farm's owner refused to help the jester. The odd man claimed that he was transporting his mother's corpse. Harold helped the jester and convinced the farmer to fix the wheel. He received some gold from the jester as a reward.

In Windhelm Harold heard a conversation between Idesa Sadri and Grimvar Cruel-Sea. Idesa said that the rumors are true and a kid named Aventus Arentino is performing the Black Sacrament. Harold was curious and enter the residence by picking the lock to discover Aventus was indeed performing the Black Sacrament, and chanting over and over again. He is so engrossed in the ritual that he didn't notice Harold. Harold slowly approached the kid to speak to him, Aventus was overjoyed and mistake him for the assassin he was trying to summon. He told Harold about his mother's death and that afterward he was sent to Honorhall Orphanage in Riften, where he was subjected to the cruelties of its headmistress Grelod the Kind. Harold, having lived as an orphan in that same orphanage with that same mistress knew the kid's pain. Aventus said he concocted a plan to get revenge and so he escaped and returned to his home where he set about performing the Sacrament. He expected Harold to kill Grelod, to ensure that neither he or his friends would have to suffer any more. Harold knew from personal experience how cruel Grelod could be, he felt the overwhelming urge to help the kid and so agreed to kill her. He travelled to Riften and broke into the Orphanage. There he sneaked into Grelod's room and killed her in her sleep. Harold knew she deserved far worse but he didn't want to get caught. After the deed was done he went back to Windhelm to tell Aventus. He greeted the news with happiness and showed his gratitude by giving Harold a family heirloom. Harold kept the heirloom in his house for safe keeping since he planed to give it back to Aventus some day.

Some time after killing Grelod a courier approached Harold and delivered a mysterious note bearing ominous words. That night he could barely sleep thinking about the note but eventually did fall asleep. He awakened in an abandoned shack, a mysterious masked woman sitting atop a bookcase. She calmly informed him that his killing of Grelod had pleased the Dark Brotherhood, but that he stole a contract belonging to them. Thus she said he must repay his debt, by killing one of three people that were tied up nearby. She told him that he cannot leave the room until someone dies. She informed him that one of the bound victims had a contract out on their life. Harold quickly talked to them to see if he could figure out who had the contract. One of them was Fultheim the Fearless, a mercenary. He claimed to be unaware of anyone in particular who would want him dead, but reasons that any number of people could hold a grudge against him. Another captive was Alea Quintus, a crass and abrasive mother of six who constantly and irritatingly demanded to be released. She indicated that the tough attitude she has adopted to manage so many children might motivate someone to wish her dead. The final captive was a Khajiit named Vasha, who casually incriminated himself as an "obtainer of goods, taker of lives, and defiler of daughters." He was the only one of the three who remained calm in the face of imminent death, and mentioned that that wasn't the first time he'd been "bagged and dragged." Harold chose the khajiit and killed him, the woman was pleased and said her name was Astrid. She gave him the password to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary's Black Door the key to the shack.

Harold headed to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, it was located west of Falkreath. Harold walked up to the Black Door and it asked him a question, he answered with the phrase given to him by Astrid. The door unlocked and he entered the sanctuary. He found Astrid inside, she welcomed him to the family by giving him a set of Shrouded Armor. Harold was now a full member of the Dark Brotherhood. Astrid revealed that she was currently arranging an important job to give him, and that he should take care of some routine assassination contracts handled by Nazir. She encouraged him to introduce himself to the other members: Arnbjorn, Babette, Gabriella, Festus Krex, Nazir and Veezara. She gave a brief history on the Brotherhood and also informed him that they have done away with all rules and policies except for one simple principle, "Respect the Family". He also learned that the corpse of the Night Mother was en route to the Sanctuary, though she did not know when it might arrive. Harold introduced himself to the other members and checked around the sanctuary. He found a word wall which contained the word KRII, meaning Kill. He then talked to Nazir and got three contracts to complete.

After killing: Narfi, Beitild and Ennodius Papius; Harold returned to the sanctuary. By the time he got back the Night Mother and her keeper had already arrived. The keeper was none other than the jester that Harold had helped a few days before. Astrid seemed annoyed by the jester, who was named Cicero. Harold then turned in the contracts to Nazir, who told him to go see Astrid as she finished preparing the special job: a Markarth resident named Muiri wanted an ex-lover killed. Harold then travelled to Markarth. There he met with Muiri in The Hag's Cure. He approach her, she was her surprised that the Dark Brotherhood actually still existed and that the Sacrament worked. She then explained the story of how she was once a very close friend of the Shatter-Shield family in Windhelm until she met Alain Dufont. Alain managed to seduce her and used her to get close to the Shatter-Shield family and rob them blind. As a result Muiri was cast out by the Shatter-Shields, who were her surrogate family. She now wants him dead, he is part of a bandit group located in Raldbthar. She also requested the death of Nilsine, the Shatter-Shield's daughter, but Harold refused as they had already recently lost a daughter and he still had a heart. He then travelled to the dwemer ruin. There he killed the bandits outside and inside as he searched for Alain, he found Alain in a central chamber with a few other bandits and killed them all. With Alain he found the Shatter-Shield's family hammer, Aegisbane, which he took and later returned to the Shatter-Shields. This got them to forgive Muiri a little bit, though they still didn't trust her enough to let her back into their lives. When he returned to Markarth Harold received the reward from Muiri, but she was upset that he didn't kill Nilsine. Harold then returned to the Sanctuary to report to Astrid.

Astrid congratulated him on a job well done and proceeded to show greater paranoia concerning Cicero and his insanity. She then asked him a favor, she wanted him to spy on Cicero. Cicero had been locking himself in the room with the Night Mother's coffin and speaking to someone, and won't tell anyone who. She asked Harold to hide in the coffin with the Night Mother's corpse to spy on Cicero to see whom he was talking to. Harold went upstairs into the room and picked the lock on the Night Mother's coffin, then step inside and listened. You heard that Cicero was actually attempting to communicate with the Night Mother and that he was not plotting. But the Night Mother refused to talk to him because he is not the Listener. The Night Mother did, however, talk to Harold. She will task him with traveling to Volunruud and speaking with Amaund Motierre. Cicero then noticed that Harold was inside the coffin and opened it, he angrily yelled at Harold for "defiling" the coffin. Astrid then rushed in the room since she though Cicero was going to attack Harold. Harold explain that there was no traitor and that he are the new Listener. Cicero was angry at first but soon became overjoied that there was a new Listener. Astrid was understanding at first, but her attitude quickly changed. She demanded him not to follow the Night Mother's directions because she was still the leader of that family. She then send him to take a contract from Nazir while she thought about it. Nazir gave him two new contracts. One to kill Hern and the other to kill Lurbuk.

After killing both targets he returned to the sanctuary. He received the reward for them and Nazir then pointed Harold to Astrid. Astrid told him that she had finished thinking. She agreed that it would be madness to just ignore the Night Mother's demands and told him to travel to Volunruud to meet with Amaund. He traveled to Volunruud and entered the ruin, there he found a word wall containing the word LAAS, meaning Life. He found the client waiting with his bodyguard. Amaund informed him that he wanted the Emperor himself assassinated, and the bodyguard gave Harold two items: a valuable Jeweled Amulet and Amaund Motierre's Sealed Letter to deliver to Astrid. He then returned to the sanctuary and delivered the items to Astrid. Astrid asked him to take the amulet to Delvin, so he travelled to Riften. Delvin informed him that the amulet was one-of-a-kind and was only given to members of the Elder Council. He agreed to purchase it and hands Harold a letter of credit, which he later delivered to Astrid. Back at the sanctuary they figured out that Amaund was probably a member of the Elder Council. She informed that the first step to complete the new contract was to assassinate Vittoria Vici, the Emperor's cousin, at her own wedding. He also got some contracts from Nazir, to kill: Deekus, Ma'randru-jo and Anoriath.

After completing the contracts he traveled to Solitude to attend the wedding. When he got there the reception had already started and Vittoria was going to address the guests. Harold remembered the tips that the other Dark Brotherhood Members gave him. he quickly made his way to the walkway above the balcony that Vittoria and her new husband, Asgeir Snow-Shod, where. He pushed the loose gargoyle that Babette mentioned. It fell on top of the bride and killed her. Once Vittoria was killed pandemonium broke loose. Veezara then appeared, he was sent by Astrid to offer a distraction while Harold escaped. He ran from Solitude as Veezara ran interference, returning to the sanctuary. When he arrived Astrid congratulated him for putting the Dark Brotherhood down a path it hadn't travelled in centuries, the assassination of an Emperor. Harold was rewarded by given command over the ghost of a long dead Dark Brotherhood member, Lucien Lachance. Nazir gave him a contract to kill Agnis. Which he completed then returned to the sanctuary.

Astrid instructed him speak to Gabriella inside the Sanctuary. She gave him the mission: kill Gaius Maro, the son of Commander Maro, and plant a letter implicating him in a plot against the Emperor. Harold traveled to the town of Dragon Bridge and stole Gaius' travel schedule. He followed Gaius until he entered one of the cities and there he killed him, looted his corpse and planted the Incriminating Letter on his body. He then return to the Sanctuary. He was rewarded and received a token to get a reading of the future. He went to Whiterun and gave the note to an old woman named Olava. She told him where to find an "assassin of old", which led him to a dead Dark Brotherhood member in a cave dressed with Ancient Shrouded Armor. When he returned to the Sanctuary Gabriella told him that there had been an incident with Cicero. Nazir gave him two contracts, to kill: Maluril and Helvard. After completing them he went to see Astrid.

Astrid revealed that Cicero attempted to murder her and the other members of the Dark Brotherhood, grievously wounding Veezara in the process. Arnbjorn, Astrid's husband, pursued him as he fled from the sanctuary. She asked Harold to search Cicero's room for clues as to his whereabouts. Inside the room he found five journals, with the final journal indicated that Cicero might have headed for the long-abandoned sanctuary outside Dawnstar. Astrid granted him use of her horse, Shadowmere. Immediately outside the sanctuary he rose from the black, bubbling liquid. He mounted him and head to Dawnstar's abandoned Brotherhood sanctuary. He found an injured Arnbjorn outside the sanctuary. He revealed that he and Cicero seriously wounded each other before Cicero escaped into the safety of the sanctuary. Harold told Arnbjorn to return to the Falkreath Sanctuary. He used the pass phrase found inside Cicero's journal to open the Black Door. Once inside Cicero began to speaking to him. Harold summoned the spectral assassin as ghosts started attacking him. Lucien Lachance strongly suggested that the Dread Father would not want him to kill Cicero. As they continued through the sanctuary killing the ghosts they entered the cave of the Udefrykte, a Frost Troll. At the end of the sanctuary he found Cicero curled up, injured. Cicero cautioned him that the Night Mother would not be happy if he kill him. Since both the Night Mother and the Dread Father, Sithis, did not want Cicero to die Harold chose to let him live. He left the Dawnstar Sanctuary and returned to the Falkreath Sanctuary. Nazir gave him the final contract, to kill the captain of the Red Wave, Safia. It was tougher than the others but he completed it all the same.

After returning from the contract he spoke to Astrid. She told Harold to speak with Festus as he was in charge of next phase of the Emperor's assassination. He explained that the new objective was to kill the Gourmet and use his identity to poison the food at a meal being prepared for the Emperor. What complicated the matter was that the Gourmet's identity was known by only a select few. Luckily, Festus had obtained an autographed copy of the Gourmet's cookbook owned by Anton Virane. That suggested that Anton might know the true identity of the Gourmet. He tracked down Anton in Markarth in the Understone Keep kitchen. He was not willing to give any information at first, but after some intimidation he quickly revealed a name: an Orc named Balagog gro-Nolob. Harold told Anton that he would not be harmed. At that night Harold sneaked into the cook's room and assassinated him, the Brotherhood didn't want loose ends. He travelled to the Nightgate Inn to look for Balagog. During the afternoon he saw the orc standing at the dock right outside the inn and gazing out over the pond. Harold sneaked up behind him and sliced his neck. After taking the Writ from his corpse then threw the body in the lake. Then he returned to the sanctuary to report to Festus.

Festus rewarded him then sent him to Astrid. She told him to disguise himself as a chef then to travel to Solitude and report to Commander Maro. Astrid also gave him Jarrin Root, a poisoned root from Stros M'Kai, to use in the assassination. He did as she said and when he got there showed Maro the writ he stole from Balagog to gain entrance to the castle. Maro told him to report to the castle's chef, Gianna. He met with her and together they cooked the Potage that would be served to the Emperor, Harold put the root in the food. He followed Gianna as she served the food to the Emperor. The Emperor was speaking with some guests about his cousin's murder when they entered. Gianna served the Emperor the meal they cooked and he complimented its amazing taste before dying. After the Emperor's death the guards drew their swords and tried to attack Harold. He ran from the dinning room, and headed outside the castle. He crossed the bridge out of Castle Dour and was ambushed by Commander Maro and several of his agents. Maro revealed that the man he had killed was a decoy. He explained that someone from the Dark Brotherhood betrayed Harold and revealed to him his plans to assassinate the Emperor. The deal was to allow the Brotherhood to continue its business in exchange for Harold's life, but because the Dark Brotherhood killed his son he intended to go back on his word and wipe them out. He had sent his agents to attack the sanctuary already. Maro left Harold in the care of his agents. Harold killed them and escaped the city by following the tower's stairs to the very bottom and head outside Solitude.

There were several guards outside the sanctuary when Harold approached it, along with the horses and carriages that they arrived in. He dealt with them. Festus was dead outside, pinned up against a tree by arrows. There are also several stacks of barrels holding oil. When he entered the Sanctuary the entire place was on fire and structurally unsound. Close to the entrance he overheard two members of Penitus Oculatus discussing who among the Dark Brotherhood turned traitor. Next to them was the body of Veezara. Harold killed them. Astrid's and Arnbjorn's rooms were empty, so he headed down the stairs into the central room of the sanctuary. He found Arnbjorn in his werewolf form fighting Penitus agents. Arnbjorn was killed by the agents despite Harold's intervention. The corpse of Gabriella lied in the next room as does Lis, Babette's pet spider. As he continued through the sanctuary, avoiding the flames, he found Nazir. He was locked in a duel with one of the agents, Arcturus. Harold assisted him then talked to him. Nazir was concerned that Harold might be the traitor but stopped thinking that when he saved him. The two of them searched for an escape. They passed by the Night Mother's room. She called out to Harold, telling him the only safe place was in her coffin. Harold went into her coffin and closed it. In the darkness of the coffin he heard explosions and sounds of the sanctuary coming down around him. After a while, he heard the voices of Nazir and Babette talking as Nazir tried to unearth the coffin. When Nazir opened the coffin they were in the main room of the sanctuary. Because of the explosions the coffin was thrown through the stained glass window. After Harold step out of the coffin and talk to the two survivors, the Night Mother talked to him once again and informed him that Astrid was still alive. She asked him to find her. Nazir and Babette followed him after he told them the news.

They took the stairs up to Astrid's old chambers and saw a horrifically burned Astrid stretched out on the floor in her hidden chamber with candles surrounding her. She had performed the Black Sacrament, prayed to the Night Mother and placed herself in the center of the ritual with the Blade of Woe beside her. Astrid revealed that she was the traitor. She betrayed Harold because she wanted things to go back to normal with the Dark Brotherhood. She was skeptical of Cicero and the Night Mother and envious of Harold for being named the Listener. With her last moments she performed the Black Sacrament on herself and asked for a contract. When he arrived, her skepticism of the Night Mother disappeared, since she knows that her prayers were heard. She revealed that what she prayed for was a mercy killing. She wants to be put out of her misery. Harold took the Blade of Woe and killed Astrid. Nazir and Babette were angry and felt pity for their former leader. When they returned to the Night Mother, she instructed Harold to fulfill the Brotherhood's contract to kill the Emperor. She said to talk to Amaund in Whiterun, but to let Nazir and Babetter know of the plan first.

Harold traveled to Whiterun and found Amaund at The Bannered Mare. Amaund revealed that the true Emperor was on board his ship, The Katariah, near Solitude's docks. Amaund also informed him that Maro was outside the East Empire Company Warehouse at the docks. Harold first went to the EEC Warehouse. Commander Maro was standing on the dock, when Harold approached him, he was startled attacked. Harold killed him and threw his body in the water. Then he jumped in the water and swam to the Katariah, which was moored out to the north of the city in a channel called the Solitude Inlet. He climbed in through the anchor chain's hole. Security was more relaxed as the Penitus Oculatus believed that the Dark Brotherhood had been completely eradicated. Nonetheless, many bodyguards were still present on the ship. When Harold got on board he encountered sailors and Penitus Agents. He sneaked past most of them but was forced to kill others. On the deck he found a scimitar, Windshear. He killed Captain Avidius and took his Master Key, which let him open all doors on the ship, including the Emperor's Quarters. he then entered the Emperor's Quarters. Titus Mede II greeted him straight away, as he was expecting him. He acknowledged that it was his destiny to die by Harold's hand, and would not fight it. He asked for one final wish though, to kill the person who masterminded his assassination, as he felt that his intentions could've been malevolent. After slicing Titus' neck he left the ship, by jumping into the water from the Emperor's balcony and escaping.

He returned to Whiterun to speak to Amaund. Harold told him that the Emperor was dead, he was overjoyed. Amaund then revealed that the money was in a dead drop inside the cavern where they first met, in Volunruud. Harold decided to fulfill Titus' last wish, he stabbed Amaund. Amaund was shocked at this and tried to call his bodyguard for help, but Harold quickly finished the killed the Breton. He then went to Volunruud and to the chamber where he first met Amaund. Inside he found an urn containing 20,000 gold, he took and then left the ruin. When he return to the Dawnstar Sanctuary he spoke to Nazir about the gold. Nazir pointed out that Delvin of the Thieves Guild could assist in using the gold to restore the sanctuary. Harold then went to Riften where he used a large portion of the gold to remodel the Dawnstar Sanctuary. Nazir started recruiting new members and Cicero had returned to take care of the Night Mother. Harold had restored the 5 tenants of the Dark Brotherhood, as the Night Mother commanded. With the assassination of the Emperor the Dark Brotherhood was once again feared as the greatest assassins on Tamriel.