Daud

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.

In Their Own Story

In the additional content focusing on Daud, the player undertakes a series of missions to seek redemption for the assassination of Empress Jessamine. The story is set within the same fictional, plague-ridden industrial city of Dunwall, where technology and otherworldly forces coexist. Daud must navigate various mission objectives that open new paths and alternatives, allowing completion through stealth, combat, or a combination of both. His journey involves confronting those he conspired against and dealing with the consequences of his past actions. The narrative reacts dynamically to the player's choices, altering dialogue and scenes based on the level of violence employed. Through these missions, Daud attempts to balance his role as an assassin with his desire for atonement.

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.