The question of “Who Did Corvo Canonically Kill” is one that has fascinated players of the Dishonored series since its inception. Corvo Attano, the Royal Protector and eventual Lord Protector, is a figure shrouded in both mystery and blood. His journey through the grimy streets of Dunwall and beyond is marked by pivotal decisions, and while players have the freedom to choose their path, there’s a core narrative that defines his canonical actions. Understanding who Corvo *canonically* killed is key to grasping the true, distilled essence of his story.
The Weight of the Crown Who Did Corvo Canonically Kill
When we talk about who Corvo canonically killed, we’re referring to the individuals whose demise is essential to the overarching plot and the established ending of the first Dishonored game. These are the individuals whose deaths serve as turning points, driving the narrative forward and shaping the fate of Dunwall. It’s not about every guard Corvo might have dispatched in a stealthy approach, but the significant figures whose absence reshapes the political landscape.
The primary antagonists Corvo is canonically bound to confront and, in most interpretations, eliminate, are the conspirators behind Empress Jessamine Kaldwin’s assassination and the subsequent usurping of the throne. These individuals are:
- Lord Regent Hiram Burrows
- Master Overseer Campbell
- Lady Boyle (specifically, the Lady Boyle who aided in the conspiracy)
- The Royal Physician Anton Sokolov (while not killed, he is a target of assassination and his fate is critical)
- The Guard Captain Morlan
The importance of these eliminations lies in their direct impact on the narrative. They are the architects of the conspiracy, and their removal is necessary to restore order and justice, albeit through Corvo’s often violent methods. While a player might choose to non-lethally incapacitate some of these individuals, the canonical interpretation leans towards their deaths being the most straightforward path to achieving Corvo’s objectives and securing Emily’s future.
Let’s look at the key targets more closely:
| Target | Canonical Role | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Hiram Burrows | Mastermind of the assassination plot | Assassinated |
| Overseer Campbell | Key conspirator and manipulator | Assassinated |
| Lady Boyle | Active participant in the conspiracy | Assassinated |
The presence of a high chaos versus low chaos gameplay mechanic means players can technically achieve the game’s ending without killing any of these characters. However, when discussing the *canonical* interpretation, the most impactful and historically significant actions are generally considered those that lead to the restoration of Emily as Empress, which often involves the direct elimination of these figures. The canonical narrative is often distilled to the core actions that define Corvo’s primary objective and its successful, albeit grim, conclusion.
For a more in-depth understanding of Corvo’s journey and the specific details surrounding these events, we highly recommend delving into the official lore presented in the game’s codex entries and supplemental materials. These sources offer direct insights into the narrative that shaped the Dishonored universe.