Template:SkyrimNPCs
- "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 Nord child in Windhelm found in the home of his deceased parents. When found, he is performing the Black Sacrament, hoping to contact the Dark Brotherhood. Desiring the death of Grelod the Kind for mistreating her charges at Honorhall Orphanage, he asks the Dragonborn to fulfill the contract. If successful, he gives them the Aretino Family Heirloom.
Background
Aventus lost his mother Naalia 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 the headmistress Grelod the Kind, who, despite her name, was extremely cruel to him and the other children. Aventus escaped from the orphanage and returned to the now-deserted house in the middle of Windhelm where he had 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 Dragonborn's travels, a rumor is heard about a child in Windhelm that is trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood. This rumor can be heard from multiple sources, including innkeepers and guards. Upon hearing this rumor, the miscellaneous quest, "Talk to Aventus Aretino" begins. Upon reaching the Aretino Residence, a child, Grimvar Cruel-Sea, can be seen asking Idesa Sadri if it is true that Aventus is trying to perform the Black Sacrament. Idesa tells him that this is nonsense, but when Grimvar says that he's going to go ask Aventus to play she quickly admits the lie and begs him not to approach Aventus:
Idesa: "Oh, Grimvar... always with the nonsense. No, no, of course not. Those are just tales..."
Grimvar: "Fine. Then I'll invite him out to play. He lives right there. I'm going to knock on his door..."
Idesa: "No, child! Wait! That boy, that house - they're cursed."
Grimvar: "Ha! Then I'm right. I knew it. He's trying to have somebody killed!"
Idesa: "All right. I won't deny it, child. What you heard is true. But Aventus Aretino walks a dark path. His actions can lead only to ruin. Now, enough. We will speak no more of this. I am the only friend you need.
Upon entering the house, the Dragonborn finds a macabre scene, as the Aretino boy chants the prayer to the Night Mother over and over while stabbing an effigy made up of human parts. If the Dragonborn waits it becomes chillingly apparent that the boy has been performing the ritual for a great deal of time; but undaunted he continues to stab his home-made effigy of Grelod, as he pleads for the Night Mother's help. No matter what is said, Aventus is sure that the Dragonborn has come to fulfill the contract if he is spoken to, and the quest Innocence Lost begins.
Hearthfire
With Hearthfire, it is not possible for him to be adopted, even if all requirements for adopting a child have been met.
Quotes
Aventus performing the Black Sacrament
- "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 Grelod is killed 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." ―Repeatedly, until the Dragonborn interacts with him.
- "I'm so tired..." ―Between bouts of praying and stabbing.
- "You came to visit! So much better now that Grelod's gone, thanks to you!" ―If another Aretino spawns in the orphanage.
- "No! It's not supposed to work like that!" If the Dragonborn attacks him before talking to him.
Trivia
- Despite being a Nord, Aventus is sometimes referred to as an Imperial by others, as his name is constructed like an Imperial one.