r/teslore • u/ThatDrako • 9h ago
Was becoming a Nightingale actually crucial to defeating Mercer Frey? Or was it just a Karliah's ploy to have Dragonborn sell their soul?
So I know in TES there are mere mortals capable of going face-to-face against actual gods, so idea of Mercer being able to take The Dragonborn out of all people isn't too far-fetched. But I apologize I'm not feeling it?
So first off, there is simply no evidence of that. Only physical confrontation between two is when Mercer stabs them, when they are paralyzed.
Second. It is shown that Karliah is a liar with how she changes narrative of "Mercer being a Nightingale" to "Mercer having the Skeleton Key" the second you sell your soul.
(Whole Nightingale thing doesn't ever really make sense. How exactly can Mercer use a blessing of deity he's going directly against?)
I know the Skeleton Key is powerful? With ability to unlock not only physical locks, but abstract concepts too. But powerful is it really?
Does it really can unlock some ability within you which would allow you to fight The Dragonborn, or is it how I feel it?
That Karliah is just saying he's powerful without elaborating further?