How to Kill Anton Virane in Skyrim

Last Updated: January 9, 2016

Anton Virane is one of the hundreds of non-playable characters (NPC) you’ll encounter in the world of Skyrim. Anton is an old man dressed in chef clothes that lives in Markarth. In the Dark Brotherhood side story, Astrid—the leader of the group—will require you to kill Anton as part of a quest that she’ll give you. Anton is a non-fighting character and is actually pretty easy to kill, provided that you do it properly.

Steps

1
Start the “A Recipe for Disaster” quest. This quest is the fourth from the final quest in the Dark Brotherhood side story. After completing the “A Cure for Madness,” you’ll be instructed to report back to Astrid in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, west of Falkreath.
- After reporting, Astrid will the give you the “A Recipe for Disaster” quest wherein you’ll need to obtain some information from a man named Anton Virane about the Emperor’s chef, and then kill that man after.
2
Head to Markarth. Markarth is the westernmost city in the map of Skyrim. It can easily be reached by taking the northwestern road from the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
- Once in Markarth, head to the center of the city where you’ll find its main building, the Understone Keep.
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3
Find Anton Virane. Head up the main staircase inside the Understone Keep, turn left, and make your way straight ahead to the last room in this area. Step inside this room, and you’ll find the kitchen and Anton.
4
Talk to Anton Virane. You’ll find Anton walking around the kitchen, cooking. Talk to him and ask about the Emperor’s chef. He will hesitate to tell you anything at first, but using a little intimidation, he will eventually give in.
5
Decide the fate of Anton. After spilling the information you need, Anton will ask you to spare his life. You will then have the option to simply walk away to spare his life, or tell him “I’m afraid not” and kill him.
- Either option will complete the quest.
6
Wait for nightfall. If you do choose to kill Anton, do not do it in daylight or with several witnesses, else you’ll find yourself facing a ton of Markarth guards and earning you a bounty.
7
Wait for the night to come, which is around 10 PM in the game.
- Once everyone’s asleep, go back to the kitchen of the keep.
8
Kill the lady at the dining table. Once you get back to the kitchen, you’ll find a lady sitting at the dining table. Get behind this woman and slash at her using your weapon. She’ll give out a shallow cry once you kill her but won’t alert the guards.
9
Kill the witness. After killing the woman at the dining table, a man will come rushing into the room. This man will walk pass by you straight to the dining table. While the man is looking at the dead woman’s body, strike and kill him from behind.
- If you fail to kill this witness, this man will run outside and alert the guards. Make sure that you get him before he reaches the doors and exit the room.
10
Kill Anton. Now that you’ve eliminated all witnesses, head to the back of the kitchen to see Anton Virane slumbering in his bed. Using whatever weapon you have, slash Anton to finish him off while sleeping.
11
Leave the Understone Keep. Once everyone inside the room is dead, exit to the main corridor of the Understone Keep, out the front door and into Markarth. You can now leave the city and proceed with the quest without having to fight a legion of guards or earning yourself a bounty.