Daud

The assassin who killed the Empress, now seeking redemption in the shadows of Dunwall.

Daud is an assassin and the leader of the Whalers, a powerful gang within the criminal underworld of Dunwall. He was the actual assassin who murdered Empress Jessamine Kaldwin, while Corvo Attano was framed for the crime. Daud's story explores his quest for redemption through additional content released after the initial game. While Corvo fights to reclaim the throne, Daud navigates the consequences of his own actions as the conspirator who carried out the regicide. His narrative is distinct from the main campaign, focusing on his specific path and the choices that define his legacy within the plague-ridden city.

Quick Facts

Role: Leader of the Whalers
Affiliation: The Whalers
First appears: Dishonored (2012)
Location: Dunwall

Lore & Background

Daud was a key figure in the conspiracy to assassinate Empress Jessamine Kaldwin, an act he personally carried out, leading to Corvo Attano being framed for the crime. Prior to this event, Daud had already established himself as the leader of the Whalers, operating within the city's criminal networks. The game features additional content specifically focusing on Daud and his quest for redemption, allowing players to explore the events from his perspective. Unlike other characters, Daud possesses supernatural abilities granted by the Outsider, a powerful being who imbues select individuals with magic. These powers, combined with his skills as an assassin, make him a formidable force in Dunwall's underworld. The story and missions in his narrative arc change based on the player's violent actions or lack thereof, mirroring the chaos system found in the main game.

Reader's Guide

Players controlling Daud in the additional content experience a first-person action-adventure game with an emphasis on player choice. Missions can be completed non-lethally or through direct combat, with the story adapting to these decisions via a chaos system that tracks violence and deaths. Daud utilizes magical abilities and equipment designed to create varied effects, similar to the main protagonist Corvo. The gameplay allows for multiple avenues of exploration within self-contained mission areas. Specific mechanics include using supernatural powers like Blink or Possession, managed through a mana system that partially regenerates but requires potions for higher-cost abilities. Strategic movement and stealth are essential, as guards have alertness states ranging from normal to suspicious, responding to sound and visual cues.

Did You Know?

Dishonored was in production for approximately three to four years, during which several versions were developed before settling on the industrial city of Dunwall.
Test players discovered methods to exploit powers unexpectedly, leading designers to redesign levels to accommodate these techniques rather than restricting them.
The game's music score was produced by Daniel Licht specifically to represent the fictional city of Dunwall.
Daud appears in the base game Dishonored, released in October 2012, as well as in additional content focusing on his quest for redemption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Daud's story conclude?

His personal narrative focuses on seeking redemption for his past crimes through the additional downloadable content campaigns. Depending on player choices, he either sacrifices himself to save Emily Kaldwin or survives to rebuild his life away from violence.

What is his relationship with Corvo Attano?

Originally Corvo’s mentor and friend, Daud betrayed him by framing him for the regicide during the initial assassination plot. Their fates remain intertwined as both men deal with the supernatural consequences of the conspiracy they helped create.

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