Whispers in the Dark

Listen to Your Mother

This quest begins once you complete Dark Brotherhood Quests: Mourning Never Comes.

Back at the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, Astrid tells you about a personal matter she’s worried about: It seems Cicero is acting erratically, locking himself inside the chamber where the Night Mother is stored, and she hears whispering voices. She fears a conspiracy, but who is he talking to? Feel free to ask more questions after you agree to eavesdrop from the most secure location in the room: inside the Night Mother’s coffin!

The coffin is now out of its carrying crate and is installed just behind the circular stained-glass window. Unlock it and step inside; there’s just enough room between you and the Night Mother’s remains. With the doors shut behind you, you can hear Cicero engaged in conversation with the corpse. There’s no conspiracy talk here, just one-sided chatter from the jester about keeping the Night Mother safe and finding the “Listener.” Then something odd happens; the face of the Night Mother begins to glow, and a voice appears inside your head! She informs you that “you’re the one,” and the coffin doors swing open.

“Defiler!” Cicero stops short of an all-out attack but is alarmed at your subterfuge. However, as you relate what the Night Mother has told you, the jester’s anger dissipates and is replaced with excitement that he’s found “the Listener.” After you convince Cicero, Astrid enters the chamber, wanting to know what the commotion is about. You relay the events and the Night Mother’s request that you speak with someone named Amaund Motierre in Volunruud. Astrid needs time to think about this possible contract from a long-dead matriarch and instructs you to attempt other work in the meantime.

You may tell Nazir about the recent occurrences, but be sure to ask about some additional work. You must finish the previous three side contracts before receiving information on two more targets for you to swiftly dispatch: a fearsome vampire named Hern and a bard called Lurbuk. Tackle either target in any order you wish.

Quest Conclusion

Return to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. After a conversation with Astrid (detailed in the next quest), locate Nazir to collect any additional payments for side contracts you’ve finished. You may wish to finish any outstanding assassinations at this point, too.

Postquest Activities

You usually return to Nazir once Dark Brotherhood Quests: The Silence Has Been Broken begins.