Is it Worth Killing Barbas in Skyrim? An In-Depth Analysis
In the vast and complex world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, few decisions provoke as much ethical debate amongst fans as the fateful choice in the Daedric Quest “A Daedra’s Best Friend” to kill Barbas with the Rueful Axe or spare the talkative canine’s life. As the fleshy incarnation of Clavicus Vile’s discarded power, Barbas acts as both companion and conscience to the nefarious Daedric Prince of tempting faustian bargains. This article will delve into all facets of the debate around killing Barbas versus returning him to his master, providing ample research, philosophical perspectives, strategic advice, and my personal take as a seasoned Skyrim player. Grab a mug of ale in the tavern, pull up a seat by the fire, and let’s unravel the mystery of whether it’s truly worth killing man’s best friend in Skyrim!
Origins of Barbas and Clavicus Vile
To analyze Barbas’ significance, it helps to understand his origins in Elder Scrolls lore. Clavicus Vile is one of the most storied Daedric Princes, appearing prominently across multiple games dating back to Daggerfall. In Oblivion, Clavicus Vile is depicted as a young boy with a horns emerging from his forehead – likely inspiring his canine companion’s name “Barbas” which derives from the Latin word for beard.
Clavicus is known for granting wishes through ritual summoning, but his boons frequently contain twist endings and ironic punishments for mortals. As the mischievous Daedric embodiment of dirty deeds and bargains, he requires a stabilizing force to control his chaotic inclinations. Enter Barbas.
Barbas – Clavicus Vile’s Alter Ego
Barbas is introduced in Skyrim as Clavicus Vile’s canine companion, who he sent into exile many years earlier. However, Barbas clearly represents much more than a literal dog.
As Vile reveals when you reunite them, Barbas is in fact a physical fragment of Clavicus’ personality and power – his caution, reason, and vestiges of humanity. Like Jekyll and Hyde, Vile represents ambition and excess while Barbas conveys his lingering conscience. By splitting them apart, Vile shed his last inhibitions and fully embraced his trickster nature.
Reuniting Man & Dog’s Best Friend
Most in-game lore and dialog suggests that the ethical choice is reuniting Barbas with Clavicus Vile by returning the Rueful Axe and receiving the Masque of Clavicus Vile. As one devoted Skyrim player put it:
"By returning Barbas to Vile’s shrine and sparing his life, you are restoring the Daedric Prince’s capacity for reason and humanity. Only united as one being can Barbas properly act as Clavicus’ moral compass and counterbalance his dark schemes with good intentions.”
However, consensus amongst fans is far from unanimous…
The Case for Killing Barbas
Despite the lore depicting Barbas as the metaphorical conscience of Clavicus Vile, some argue that killing Barbas is the less evil act. As the sinister Daedric Princes cannot truly be killed, Barbas will eventually regenerate his physical form years later.
And without Barbas nagging in his ear, Vile’s power to grant wishes is enhanced. As one Skyrim player put it:
"By keeping the Rueful Axe I can send that whining mutt back to Oblivion where he belongs and reap all the rewards from Clavicus unfiltered and unleashed. One less Daedra means more power and riches for me!”
So which perspective is valid? I shall present research on the gameplay rewards to inform your decision.
Gameplay Perks of Sparing Barbas
The Masque of Clavicus Vile
By returning Barbas and surrendering the Rueful Axe, you receive the Masque of Clavicus Vile as your reward. This heavy helm fortifies your Speech skill by 10 points, allowing you to get better prices from merchants. The Masque also regenerates magicka 5% faster, making it a useful all-purpose item for mages.
The mask‘s enchantment is as follows:
Fortify Barter, 20 pts \
Fortify Magicka Regen, 5 pts
Being a Daedric Artifact, obtaining the Masque also counts towards earning the Oblivion Walker Achievement for gathering 15 Daedric prizes.
Keeping Barbas as a Follower
While not a material reward per say, sparing Barbas also enables you to keep him around indefinitely as an essential dog follower. Having a second companion can really help in combat!
Just don’t return to Clavicus Vile’s shrine and Barbas will patiently follow you on adventures forever. However, he cannot carry items or equipment. Think of him as a backup tank!
Benefits of Killing Barbas
The Rueful Axe
If you go through with slaying Barbas and present his corpse to Clavicus Vile, you will be awarded the Rueful Axe – a unique battleaxe sporting one of the highest base damage values in Skyrim.
With an attack rating of 14, it rivals warhammers and greatswords in brute force. The Rueful Axe also bears a sinister enchantment:
Rueful Axe, Absorb Stamina, 10 pts
So while not imbued with any direct combat buffs, absorbing stamina with each hit helps you power through extended battles. Visually, the Rueful Axe‘s crude iron finish and jagged edges strike fear into your foes as you cleave them in two!
The main downside is that the Rueful Axe does not count as a Daedric Artifact for achievements.
Weighing Morality in an RPG Open World
Looking beyond gameplay incentives, the act of sparing or killing Barbas represents a moral litmus test of sorts. Skyrim and other open world RPGs allow players to make ethical choices that define their hero‘s character. Do you take the high road or descend into darkness?
Traditional western morality systems promote compassion as virtue, reflected in the "good karma" attached to saving Barbas. However, I believe games like The Elder Scrolls transcend simplistic notions of right and wrong.
Your Dragonborn‘s motivations depend on their worldview and lived experiences in the unforgiving land of Skyrim. Perhaps a righteous crusader slays Barbas to prevent Clavicus Vile from exploiting more innocents. Or an avaricious mercenary spares Barbas knowing Vile rewards loyalty in the long run.
Ultimately, choices around killable NPCs like Barbas reveal deeper truths about the players themselves. Great art inspires introspection!
My Take – To Kill Barbas, or Not to Kill Barbas?
While there are compelling cases both for and against slaying Clavicus Vile‘s dog Barbas, here is my personal take after countless hours adventuring across Skyrim:
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During initial playthroughs, I always spared Barbas because reducing harm feels instinctively correct in games, and I wanted to experience Vile‘s shop discounts!
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However, I‘ve since changed my perspective and now view killing Barbas as the more interesting choice thematically. It forces you to confront mortality in a fantastical world, and RP an outlaw defying rigid morals.
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That said, I‘d suggest first timers spare Barbas to gain the Masque and complete the Daedric Questline before later unleashing their dark side.
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Ultimately, clever open world games like Skyrim transcend simple notions of right and wrong. The freedom to decide Barbas‘s fate yourself is a triumph of player agency!
Exploiting the System – Duplicating the Masque of Clavicus Vile
If you crave both Daedric artifacts and disregard morality, cunning players can exploit a loophole to duplicate the Masque of Clavicus Vile and keep the Rueful Axe as well.
Here are the steps:
- Complete the Quest by sparing Barbas and receiving the Masque
- Place the Masque in any container like a chest or cupboard
- Speak to Clavicus Vile and return the Rueful Axe via dialogue. Vile will grant you a 2nd Masque
- Retrieve the original Masque from the container – now you have both!
This exploit lets you double down on the Masque‘s Speechcraft buffs or make a tidy profit fencing one to merchants. However, it comes at the cost of poor Barbas‘ life. The choice is yours!
Epic Battle – Slaying Barbas with the Rueful Axe
If you resolve to brutally murder Barbas irrespective of morality or loot incentives, be prepared for the most sensational canine combat in Skyrim!
After first receiving the Rueful Axe from Clavicus Vile’s statue, Barbas will plead with you:
“I hope you‘re not thinking of picking up that axe. It would make me mad enough to tear your arms off.”
But once you pick up the cursed axe, Barbas’ fate is sealed. He will attack you relentlessly to preserve his life.
As a level 50 enemy with over 1000 health points, Barbas is tougher than most named Skyrim bosses. Back him into a corner and hack away with the Axe using power attacks to stagger him. Just be ready to guzzle health potions when he inevitably breaks your defenses!
The spectacle of dueling to the death with a chatty Daedric dog makes for an epic confrontation that sears itself into memory. Soon the Rueful Axe will be yours to cleave bandits and draugr until the end of time.
Parting Words
The heartrending choice of whether or not to kill Barbas during Clavicus Vile‘s Daedric Quest perfectly encapsulates why we pour countless hours into rich roleplaying experiences like Skyrim. Murdering a wise-cracking canine companion provokes outrage in some players. For others, it allows their inner villain to surface in a fantasy land free of real world consequences.
Ultimately, there are compelling cases on both sides of the debate with powerful weapons and achievements at stake. Hopefully this guide has thoroughly analyzed the deeper gameplay and ethical implications at hand to inform whatever decision speaks to your Dragonborn‘s personality.
Now get out there and decide Barbas‘s fate for yourself – just be sure to give him a good belly rub first either way!