Barbas, the loyal canine companion in Skyrim, is well-known for his humorous antics and unfailing loyalty to his master, Clavicus Vile. However, at one point in the game, players are faced with a difficult decision: to kill Barbas or to spare him. This decision has lasting consequences, including the fate of an incredibly powerful weapon, the Runeful Axe.
The Runeful Axe is a unique weapon that can be obtained during the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend.” It is a magical axe imbued with powerful enchantments that make it a formidable weapon in the hands of any warrior. However, obtaining the Runeful Axe comes at a price: the player must kill Barbas, sacrificing his loyal friend in exchange for the weapon.
But what if there was a way to keep the Runeful Axe without killing Barbas? Can the player find a loophole in the game’s mechanics and spare the loyal pooch? Many players have sought to answer this question, and there are indeed some possibilities to consider.
One possible solution is to utilize a bug in the game’s programming. By rapidly talking to Barbas during a specific dialogue sequence, it is possible to convince him to part ways with you temporarily, allowing you to keep the Runeful Axe. This bug has been widely discussed among Skyrim players, but it is important to note that it is not an intended feature of the game and may be patched in future updates.
Another option is to utilize a mod that alters the game’s mechanics and allows you to spare Barbas while still obtaining the Runeful Axe. Mods can provide players with a wide range of options and can often add new quests, companions, and items to the game. By using a mod, players can create a more personalized gameplay experience and explore different possibilities within the game world.
Ultimately, the decision to keep the Runeful Axe and spare Barbas is a matter of personal preference and playstyle. Some players may value the power and unique abilities of the weapon, while others may prioritize the loyalty and companionship of Barbas. Whichever path you choose, Skyrim offers a vast and immersive world full of choices and consequences, making every playthrough a unique and memorable experience.
Can You Spare Barbas and Keep the Powerful Rune Axe?
In the popular video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players encounter a unique quest involving the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile. During this quest, players must make a decision that potentially affects the outcome of their adventure. One of the key choices in the quest involves Barbas, a talking dog and companion to Clavicus Vile.
The Choice: Spare or Sacrifice Barbas
During the quest, players are given the option to either spare or sacrifice Barbas. Sparing Barbas allows players to keep the powerful rune axe, while sacrificing him results in receiving a powerful Daedric artifact. This choice presents players with a moral dilemma: sacrificing Barbas promises a powerful reward, but sparing him allows for a more compassionate outcome.
Sparing Barbas: A Compassionate Decision
Choosing to spare Barbas showcases a player’s compassion and empathy. By sparing him, players not only prevent Barbas from being sacrificed but also maintain a loyal and helpful companion throughout their adventures in Skyrim. The powerful rune axe remains in the player’s possession, allowing them to wield its formidable power.
Sparing Barbas also aligns with the principles of justice and kindness, as players demonstrate mercy towards a sentient being. This choice may have positive consequences in the game world, creating opportunities for future encounters, quests, and alliances.
Keeping the Rune Axe: A Powerful Weapon
By sparing Barbas and keeping the rune axe, players retain a powerful weapon that enhances their combat abilities. The rune axe boasts impressive enchantments and can be upgraded with further enchantments or improvements at an appropriate forge. This weapon grants players an advantage in battles against numerous foes, making it a valuable asset in their arsenal.
The rune axe’s unique enchantments and abilities make it an appealing option for players who prioritize strength and combat prowess. Its distinctive appearance and magical properties add to the overall immersive experience of the game.
Ultimately, the choice to spare Barbas and keep the rune axe or sacrifice him for a different reward depends on a player’s personal values and gameplay preferences. Whether players prioritize morality, combat effectiveness, or a combination of both, the decision adds depth and consequences to the immersive world of Skyrim.
The Dilemma of Keeping Barbas Alive
In the popular video game Skyrim, players encounter a unique dilemma when faced with the choice of keeping the runeful axe and sparing the life of Barbas, an intelligent and talking dog, or vice versa. This moral choice presents players with a challenging decision that raises ethical questions.
The Character of Barbas
Barbas is a loyal and helpful companion who accompanies the player on various quests throughout the game. As a talking dog, he possesses intelligence and wit, making him a valuable ally. Barbas is known for his unwavering devotion and ability to guide players through difficult situations, often providing useful information and aid.
The Runeful Axe
The runeful axe, on the other hand, is a powerful weapon with unique abilities and enchantments. It grants the wielder enhanced combat capabilities, making it highly sought after by players. However, the axe comes with a catch: it is cursed, and its possession requires a constant sacrifice of one’s morals.
It is at this point that players are faced with a difficult decision – whether to keep the alluring runeful axe and forsake Barbas’ life or to prioritize their companion’s well-being over personal gain.
To further complicate matters, Barbas himself encourages the player to keep the axe, as it is ultimately what he desires. He argues that the axe’s power can be used to benefit both the player and himself, suggesting that the ends justify the means.
| Keeping Barbas Alive | Killing Barbas and Keeping the Axe |
|---|---|
| 1. By sparing Barbas’ life, players demonstrate empathy and morality, choosing to prioritize the welfare of a loyal companion over personal gain. | 1. Keeping the axe allows players to take advantage of its powerful abilities and gain an advantage in combat situations. |
| 2. Barbas’ presence provides companionship and adds depth to the gameplay experience, making the player’s journey more enjoyable and emotionally rewarding. | 2. Possessing the axe enables players to defeat enemies more easily, progressing through the game at a faster pace. |
| 3. Keeping Barbas alive aligns with the principles of kindness and mercy, promoting positive and ethical behavior within the game. | 3. The cursed nature of the axe presents an opportunity for players to explore the darker side of their character and make morally ambiguous choices. |
Ultimately, the dilemma of keeping Barbas alive in Skyrim challenges players to reflect on their own moral compass and decide what values are most important to them. It acts as a microcosm for real-life ethical quandaries and prompts players to consider the consequences of their choices.
The Benefits of Having the Rune Axe
The Rune Axe is a powerful weapon that has many benefits for those who possess it. Here are some of the notable advantages of wielding this legendary axe:
1. Increased Damage
One of the primary benefits of using the Rune Axe is its ability to deal massive damage to enemies. The magical runes etched into the blade enhance its cutting power, making it extremely effective in combat. With each swing, the Rune Axe can cleave through even the toughest armor and deliver devastating blows.
2. Magical Abilities
In addition to its impressive physical damage, the Rune Axe also possesses unique magical abilities. When wielded in battle, it has the power to unleash powerful shockwaves that can stagger foes, allowing for easier and more strategic attacks. These shockwaves can also disrupt enemy spellcasting and interrupt their attacks, giving the wielder a significant advantage in combat.
3. Enhanced Durability
The Rune Axe is not just a powerful weapon, but also an incredibly durable one. Its construction from a rare and resilient material ensures that it can withstand the harshest conditions without losing its sharpness or effectiveness. This durability makes the Rune Axe an invaluable tool for adventurers who frequently face challenging battles or engage in extended journeys.
4. Unique Enchantments
The Rune Axe is known for its ability to be enchanted with a wide variety of magical effects. This means that those who possess it have the opportunity to customize its abilities to suit their specific needs or preferences. Whether it’s adding fire damage, increasing critical hit chance, or draining the life force from enemies, the Rune Axe allows for a tailored combat experience.
Overall, the Rune Axe is a weapon that offers a wide range of benefits to its wielder. From increased damage and magical abilities to enhanced durability and unique enchantments, it is a valuable asset for any adventurer seeking to conquer their foes. Its power and versatility make it a mighty tool that should not be underestimated.
| Advantages |
|---|
| Increased damage |
| Magical abilities |
| Enhanced durability |
| Unique enchantments |
Weighting the Consequences of Killing Barbas
Barbas, the loyal dog that accompanies Clavicus Vile, presents a unique moral dilemma for players in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. While it may be tempting to kill him, as he is often seen as a nuisance, it is worth considering the consequences of such an action.
Firstly, killing Barbas will result in losing the opportunity to complete the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” in favor of obtaining the powerful Runeful Axe. This axe is imbued with powerful enchantments and can be useful in battles against tough enemies. However, it is important to note that there are alternative ways to acquire a powerful weapon in the game, such as through crafting or other quests.
On the other hand, sparing Barbas and completing the quest will earn the player the Masque of Clavicus Vile, a powerful Daedric artifact. This artifact grants the wearer a Charisma boost, making it easier to influence people and better negotiate in various encounters throughout the game.
Another consequence of killing Barbas is the potential impact on the player’s reputation and standing with certain factions. Some characters in the game may react unfavorably to the player if they discover that Barbas has been killed. This could result in missed opportunities, lost quests, or even hostility from NPCs, making certain areas and interactions in the game more challenging or inaccessible.
Ultimately, the decision to kill or spare Barbas rests with the player and their personal values within the game. Considering the potential benefits of sparing Barbas, such as acquiring the Masque of Clavicus Vile and maintaining a positive reputation with certain factions, it may be worth exploring alternative ways to obtain a powerful weapon rather than sacrificing these potential advantages.
| Consequences of Killing Barbas | Consequences of Sparing Barbas |
| Loss of the Runeful Axe | Earning the Masque of Clavicus Vile |
| Potential negative reputation with factions | Maintaining a positive reputation with factions |
| Potential missed opportunities and quests | Potential Charisma boost when wearing the Masque |
Barbas, the Loyal Companion
Barbas is a unique character in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. He is a talking dog and the companion to Clavicus Vile, the Daedric Prince of Power, Trickery, and Bargains. Barbas has accompanied Clavicus Vile for centuries and is incredibly loyal to him.
Barbas makes an appearance in the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend,” where the Dragonborn encounters him in Falkreath. Barbas seeks the Dragonborn’s assistance in reuniting with Clavicus Vile. Throughout the quest, Barbas offers hints and guidance to the Dragonborn, leading them to various locations and eventually to Clavicus Vile’s shrine in Haemar’s Shame.
During the quest, the Dragonborn has the option to either kill Barbas or keep him as a companion. If the Dragonborn chooses to keep him, Barbas will become a follower and can be summoned using the spell “Barbas’ Summoning.” Additionally, Barbas can be used to complete the quest “The Break of Dawn” by offering him as a sacrifice to the altar in the Forgotten Vale.
| Barbas’ Properties: | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 1 |
| Value: | 0 |
| Barter: | No |
| Essential: | Yes |
Barbas is an essential character and cannot be killed. His loyalty to Clavicus Vile is unwavering, and he will always return to his master even if dismissed. Despite being a dog, Barbas possesses the ability to speak and often displays a witty and sarcastic personality. He provides comic relief throughout the quest and adds a unique dynamic to the game.
The Fallout of Killing Barbas
Killing Barbas, the faithful dog companion in Skyrim, can have significant consequences for the player. While it is possible to keep the runeful axe associated with Barbas without killing him, murdering the loyal canine results in several negative outcomes.
- Losing a Companion: Barbas is a loyal and helpful companion, always at the player’s side during battles and offering assistance when needed. Killing him means permanently losing this valuable asset.
- Damage to the Player’s Reputation: Killing Barbas is considered a cruel act by many characters in Skyrim, particularly by warriors who value loyalty and honor. This can lead to NPCs reacting negatively towards the player, causing a decline in their reputation.
- Missing Out on Quest Opportunities: Barbas is an integral part of the Daedric quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend.” By killing him, players miss out on the chance to complete this mission and reap the rewards and benefits associated with it.
- Loss of Barbas’ Bark: One of Barbas’ special abilities is his bark, which is used to find secret treasure chests and hidden items. Without Barbas, players lose this unique advantage and the potential rewards that come with it.
- The Whispering Door Consequences: Killing Barbas affects the outcome of “The Whispering Door” quest. Without him, players can no longer obtain the key to the Whispering Door and miss out on the potential rewards of completing this questline.
Overall, the fallout of killing Barbas is substantial. Players not only lose a loyal companion, but also face damage to their reputation, miss out on quest opportunities, lose unique abilities, and alter the outcome of other quests. Choosing to spare Barbas and keep the runeful axe is a more favorable decision, ensuring the player can benefit from all the advantages associated with him.
Alternatives to Killing Barbas
If you are playing the game Skyrim and have come across the quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend,” you may be faced with the decision of whether or not to kill Barbas, the talking dog. While the quest requires you to kill Barbas in order to progress, there are a few alternative options available if you wish to keep the runeful axe and spare Barbas’s life.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Temporarily Part Ways | If you’re not ready to make a decision, you can tell Barbas to wait for you in a specific location and complete other quests or explore the game world. This will allow you to come back to the quest later and potentially find another solution. |
| 2. Find Another Companion | If you want to keep the runeful axe but still have a companion, you can choose to find another follower in Skyrim. There are many options available, such as Lydia, Aela the Huntress, or Marcurio. Each follower has their own unique abilities and can assist you in combat. |
| 3. Use Console Commands | If you’re playing on PC and are comfortable using console commands, you can use them to complete the quest without killing Barbas. This option is not available for console players, and it’s important to note that using console commands may have unintended consequences or affect the game’s stability. |
While these alternatives allow you to keep the runeful axe and spare Barbas’s life, it’s important to remember that each option may have its own consequences and impact on the game’s storyline. Choose the option that aligns with your character’s values and preferences, and enjoy your adventures in Skyrim!
