Morag Tong or Dark Brotherhood (or both)?

Enkil · July 2014

In the QuakeCon video they showed armor for both Assassin guilds. The Dark Brotherhood most likely came about when they splintered off from the Morag Tong after they assassinated Emperor Reman III--250 years before ESO takes place. Naryu Varian is a main character in EP and is one of only a few remaining members of the Morag Tong.

Morag Tong
The Morag Tong is an ancient guild of assassins headquartered in Morrowind, celebrating murder in the name of Mephala. They have been active since at least the First Era, and their targets have included multiple rulers of Tamriel, high-ranking Dunmer nobility, and countless others. The Morag Tong is unique in its sanctioned status under the Morrowind government to perform legal executions, bound under contracts called 'writs', although extralegal 'gray writs' are rumored to exist.

Morag Tong Armor

Morag Tong Weapons

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Morag_Tong

Dark Brotherhood
The Dark Brotherhood is a guild of assassins shrouded in shadow and mystery which has been active all over Tamriel. While their business is certainly not legal, their existence has typically been tolerated or ignored.Whenever an individual with legal authority takes an interest in their dealings, the Brotherhood relies upon a combination of bribery, blackmail, coercion, and murder to keep their activities hidden. They have been bitter rivals of the Morag Tong since the Second Era. The Brotherhood is also known for their worship of the Dread Father Sithis.Dark Sisters are accepted into the Brotherhood as equally as Dark Brothers, though members of either gender are often referred to as Brothers.

Dark Brotherhood Armor

Dark Brotherhood Weapons

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Dark_Brotherhood

Do you think they will add one or both as join-able factions?
Which would you rather join???

Blud · July 2014

It would be great if there were both. I suspect it will be easier to just have the Dark Brotherhood as a pan-Tamrielic association than the Morag Tong.

Also, what about the Argonian assassins? How do they fit into this? Aren't they called the Shadowscales? http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Shadowscale

mndfreeze · July 2014

I'm positive the dark brotherhood will of course be a joinable faction just like the other guilds because its TES tradition and they are really big in trying to implement the lore and activities from the single player games into this. The Morag Tong I bet will end up maybe with some complex questing or soemthing, but I doubt it will be a proper joinable faction, though its very possible far far down the road when all the main obvious stuff is implemented and they are looking around for another faction and skill line to toss in they might.

I really feel though the tong will end up a quest line or a story arch but not much more then that. Isn't it this era that they all finally dissapeared and died out? If so maybe we will get to have a hand in it.

CoUsT · July 2014

To be honest I rushed with quests, spamming "1" all the time. I finished 1150 quests and... Morag Tong quest line was great and actually it interested me so much that I listened to all dialogues! I really loved Naryu and quests with her in Deshaan and Eastmarch. Story and this organisation interested me so much, all that hidding from real life, that special power (magic?) and they past.

I really want to learn more about them in ESO and I hope it will be new guild.

Enkil · July 2014

Shadowscales fall under the Dark Brotherhood in the lore.. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Shadowscales

I really hope there is an option for both (it's fine if they have the same skill lines but different stories).

Morag Tong has figured more prominently in the history of Tamriel because their targets have often been political and have included multiple emperors. Dark Brotherhood is basically the child of the Morag Tong.

They did not die out during the time of the ESO and in Morrowind (which takes place centuries after ESO), Morag Tong is the only join-able assassin guild. The Dark Brotherhood targets the player there and was introduced in the Tribunal expansion.

Nox_Aeterna · July 2014

I would join the dark brotherhood if i had to pick one in a single player TES , in ESO i would get the one with the better skill tree.

Assuming that is not the case , both like the usual TES games.

yarnevk · July 2014

Morag Tong already exists in the game, she already hinted you will cross paths again, and the origin story of the Dark Brotherhood can be told. Huge opportunity to implement both because this is when both happens, but it would be a much richer RPG experience if you could not do both.

For PVP/PVE both you could have a shadow war of them working cross purposes, and bring back the exclusivity of guilds last seen in Morrowind that you have to pick a side, or at least suffer from faction ratings. Like the Thieves guild and Camonna Tong hated each other. Sadly I do not see such choice happening because this is a game where you advance by replaying as your enemy because soccer kids want that they can do it all without having to tryout again.

Istyar · July 2014

Just one thing:

Morag Tong > Dark Brotherhood

Thalmor_Pony · July 2014

Istyar wrote: »

Just one thing:

Morag Tong > Dark Brotherhood

All the way this.

Lynx7386 · July 2014

Not overly fond of either, to be honest.

Mud_Puppy · July 2014

Blud wrote: »

It would be great if there were both. I suspect it will be easier to just have the Dark Brotherhood as a pan-Tamrielic association than the Morag Tong.

Also, what about the Argonian assassins? How do they fit into this? Aren't they called the Shadowscales? http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Shadowscale

Shadowscales are usually forwarded to the dark brotherhood early in life.

stabbykitteh · July 2014

Love to see the Tong as a joinable faction complete with writ quests and a conflict / rivalry between it and the Brotherhood.

Tong all the way (that armor preview made me giddy)

edited to make more sense post coffee...

Delte · July 2014

I would like a choice because I would forgo my membership to the DB to join the Morag Tong.

As someone who RP's a Tong assassin in the game this would make perfect sense to me.

aipex8_ESO · July 2014

There is a slight clue if you look at the weapon concept art. The Morag Tong only has one of each weapon which could indicate drop items. The DB weapons have tiers, indicating a motif. That says to me, DB joinable, you fight MT as part of the story line. That's just a guess of course.

Delte · July 2014

aipex8_ESO wrote: »

There is a slight clue if you look at the weapon concept art. The Morag Tong only has one of each weapon which could indicate drop items. The DB weapons have tiers, indicating a motif. That says to me, DB joinable, you fight MT as part of the story line. That's just a guess of course.

I won't be joining the DB then its that simple.

MasterSpatula · July 2014

I'd rather join the Morag Tong, but the Dark Brotherhood is probably easier to implement for all alliances.

Mr.Turtlesworth · July 2014

Zorrashi · July 2014

The only issue with the Morang Tong is the fact that they are typically only associated with Morrowwind, and are said to mainly operate in said area.

If they are implemented, it would be safe to say that it would only be available for anyone in the EP territory; meaning that it would be closed off to other players simply because of their faction choice, even though they can likely join up after they enter the EP territory due to VR status.

But if I had to think of a compromise....It would have to be that the Morang Tong would only be available to veteran ranked players, but that would still anger some.

Personally, I would highly enjoy it if both guilds were super hard to join. I would want the player to reach vet level and meet certain qualifications with the justice system.
It's just that I always thought of the DB and MT as a reclusive bunch and should not be readily known to the general public. Its going to irritate the heck out of me if everyone joins up...

dodgehopper_ESO · July 2014

I am personally hoping that Dark Brotherhood or Morag Tong could be joined, and a generic skill line titled 'Assassination Guild' could be chosen. This would allow for a storyline choice, which would be fun I think. In terms of repulsiveness, I find them both equally repulsive, but that is their purpose. While it is true they often assassinate bad people, they likewise assassinate good people. They are not discriminating. I hope they create alternate joinable factions like the Vigilants of Stendarr. Factions with a bit more nobility, honor and goodness behind them.

Speaking of which, I am hoping when the Thieves guild comes out, that we can have a choice to play the Grey Fox 'Robin hood' type role, or the bandit/thug/mafia type. I have characters for being heroic and villainous, and I like to have growth and story options available to them. My biggest complaint about Skyrim, is that there was far more villainous content available to the player than heroic, and that I think was sad. I suppose it does fit within the Greco-Roman mythic theme. My Dragonborn often reminded me of the confused/conflicted Hercules. He was heroic, he'd go down a path thinking he was a hero and next thing he knows he's a monster, after a while of being a villain he discovered his heroism again.

Dawnguard did go a long way to improve upon things, but there never really was a good alternate heroic side to Thieves guild, Twilight/Nocturnal, and Dark Brotherhood. Any alternate choices fell very flat in terms of storyline availability. It is my hope that this game does not limit us in that manner.

Enkil · July 2014

dodgehopper_ESO wrote: »

I am personally hoping that Dark Brotherhood or Morag Tong could be joined, and a generic skill line titled 'Assassination Guild' could be chosen. This would allow for a storyline choice, which would be fun I think.

I really hope the Dev's go this route.. would make the wait for a proper assassin guild much more worthwhile.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · July 2014

dodgehopper_ESO wrote: »

I am personally hoping that Dark Brotherhood or Morag Tong could be joined, and a generic skill line titled 'Assassination Guild' could be chosen. This would allow for a storyline choice, which would be fun I think. In terms of repulsiveness, I find them both equally repulsive, but that is their purpose. While it is true they often assassinate bad people, they likewise assassinate good people. They are not discriminating. I hope they create alternate joinable factions like the Vigilants of Stendarr. Factions with a bit more nobility, honor and goodness behind them.

Speaking of which, I am hoping when the Thieves guild comes out, that we can have a choice to play the Grey Fox 'Robin hood' type role, or the bandit/thug/mafia type. I have characters for being heroic and villainous, and I like to have growth and story options available to them. My biggest complaint about Skyrim, is that there was far more villainous content available to the player than heroic, and that I think was sad. I suppose it does fit within the Greco-Roman mythic theme. My Dragonborn often reminded me of the confused/conflicted Hercules. He was heroic, he'd go down a path thinking he was a hero and next thing he knows he's a monster, after a while of being a villain he discovered his heroism again.

Dawnguard did go a long way to improve upon things, but there never really was a good alternate heroic side to Thieves guild, Twilight/Nocturnal, and Dark Brotherhood. Any alternate choices fell very flat in terms of storyline availability. It is my hope that this game does not limit us in that manner.

thieves guild isn't really evil in skyrim, it's downright benevolent. Even in Oblivion it is. AND in Morrowind. They don't murder, they just steal anything they can get their hands on.

I don't really want to play a grey fox type, I just want to play a klepto as that is what I always play in TES, but I have no doubt there will be room for robin hood types.

Deidian · July 2014

I feel torn, as a Nightblade Dunmer.. this to me is like a parent choosing between their children.

I feel as if I should be loyal to the Morag Tong, but.. The Dark Brotherhood is the Dark freakin' Brotherhood.

I agree with Mr. Turtlesworth, both please! ^-^

aipex8_ESO · July 2014

I just hope I get to see Naryu Varian again.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · July 2014

Morag Tong turned their back on Sithis for the Tribunal. DB all the way.

Kronosphere · July 2014

i really really hope u have to pick out of morag tong or the brotherhood. that way there could be interesting player rivals based on who u picked

Enkil · July 2014

smeeprocketnub19_ESO wrote: »

Morag Tong turned their back on Sithis for the Tribunal. DB all the way.

The Morag Tong carries out its' writs in the name of Mephala, a Daedric Price. Sithis is neither Daedra nor Aedra.....

Zabus · July 2014

Morag Tong because of the armor, BUT I have much more history with the Dark Brotherhood.

Kronosphere · July 2014

smeeprocketnub19_ESO wrote: »

Morag Tong turned their back on Sithis for the Tribunal. DB all the way.

Lol please. DB originated from morag tong. DB are the cheap immitation of morag tong

SgtPepperUK · July 2014

I'd really love to see the MT as a playable faction. I've never really liked the DB. Hated them in MW, in OB I gave them the benefit of the doubt and got sucked into the quest line and felt bad afterwards. In Skyrim I simply took them out.

Additionally, one of the most awesome NPCs in ESO, Naryu Virian, is with the MT.

The only difficulty I foresee is having them outside of Pact areas but, with some thought, I think this could be done.

I do think if we have both MT and DB, though, then they should be mutually exclusive, you only get to join one or the other.

CoUsT · July 2014

There can be many possibilities why Morag Tong is active outside EP territory. It can be:

- Target is currently outside EP territory, so they sent someone outside EP. We meet that agent and become part of Morag Tong and help with their mission.
- Similar case - someone from Morag Tong had mission outside EP territory and is now badly wounded. We help that person and become part of Morag Tong, and help with their mission here.
- There is very powerful artifact somewhere in Tamriel, so they sent someone to get this artifact.

I mean... there are a lot solutions which are lore-friendly.

skeletorz_ESO · July 2014

I'm willing to bet that the Dark Brotherhood will be a playable guild faction with it's own skill line. During it's series of quests, the DB's enemies will be the Morag Tong. So they will likely just be NPCs.