Aventus Aretino
Race	Imperial
Gender	Male
Level	1
Class	Child
Essential	Always
Ref ID	0001B121
Base ID	00014132

"When I grow up, I'm gonna be an Assassin, that way I can help lots of children, Just like you!"

―Aventus Aretino^[src]

Aventus Aretino is a male Imperial child in Windhelm, found in the home of his deceased parents. He practices the Black Sacrament, hoping to contact the Dark Brotherhood.

Background

Aventus lost his mother when he was about 10 years old (the fate of his father is unknown). Since he had no one else to care for him, Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak sent him to Riften to live at the Honorhall Orphanage. At the orphanage, he developed a strong hatred for Grelod the Kind, the headmistress (who, despite her name, was extremely cruel to him and the other children). Aventus fled from the orphanage and returned to the now-deserted house in the middle of Windhelm, where he lived with his mother when she was alive. When the Dragonborn encounters him, he is attempting to contact the Dark Brotherhood by performing The Black Sacrament.

Interactions

In the absence of a Listener, the Dark Brotherhood hears about The Black Sacrament through local rumors. Rumors that Aventus is performing the Black Sacrament have spread across much of Skyrim. Hearing of the deed from an innkeeper (or other sources), the Dragonborn may choose to answer the call. Confusing him or her with a Dark Brotherhood member (it is not possible to dissuade him), Aventus will send the Dragonborn to kill Grelod the Kind. If the Dragonborn chooses to do so, Aventus will reward him/her with a family heirloom.

Despite claiming to miss his friends at Honorhall, Aventus stays in his same location for the rest of the game. Even if Hearthfire is installed, it is not possible for the Dragonborn to adopt him, even if all requirements for adopting a child have been met. It is not known if this is because of a bug, an oversight, or a deliberate decision on Bethesda's part.

Quotes

• "When I grow up, I'm gonna be an Assassin, that way I can help lots of children, Just like you!"
• "Really, I mean, I knew the Dark Brotherhood was good... just not that good! You killed the old hag before I even asked!" (if you kill Grelod before talking to him)
• "I'll go back to the Orphanage in a while. I'll give them time to, you know... clean up the mess."
• "Sweet mother, sweet mother, send your child unto me for the sins of the unworthy must be baptized in blood and fear."
• "You came to visit! So much better now that Grelod's gone, thanks to you!" (This one only appears if you spawn another Aretino in the orphanage)
• "No! It's not supposed to work like that!" (If you attack him before you talk to him)

Trivia

• Aventus will not return to the Honorhall Orphanage, This was fixed with hearthfire.

Quests

• Innocence Lost

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (First appearance)