Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-151.225.142.234-20140517150540/@comment-13518348-20140617150432

202.156.136.232 wrote: I don't think Mercer can just slit your throat or cut you from behind that easily - again, that's the limitation of gameplay mechanics. I would have persuaded him to go in first. Even if he did attack me from behind, on legendary with a 15x sneak attack bonus, he wouldn't even hurt my character. What I am saying is that the only thing that stops Karliah's choices from being downright stupid and what makes Gallus extremely intelligent compared to the player is the limitations of gameplay mechanics. For example, I already deduced that Mercer was not a good guy long before going to Snow Veil, but gameplay mechanics stop me from exposing him.

Plus, replying to Alduin - She should have known better when seeing someone in full daedric plate, with abstract dragon armor, wielding a crimson sword if lifeleech. Also, while I do appreciate the effort, she could have immediately followed up with another arrow, unless she actually can't shoot as well as you think she can.

Mercer could kill you if you are lower leveled or don't have good armor. If your character is a high level and has good armor, that's great and that does make Karliah look bad but not everyone is a high level or has good armor at that point.

It would have been interesting if there were two different endings to the Thieves Guile questline: The one in game for a lower leveled character and one for a higher leveled character where you beat Mercer at Snow Veil with Karliah's help and expose him to the Guild. I don't know how that would affect/change the rest of the Thieves Guild Main Quests though.

In reply to your reply to Alduin - Didn't Karliah say she only had one arrow? or enough poision for one arrow? (It's been a while since I've done the Thieves Guild Quests so I don't remember exactly what she says.)