It’s one of the most memorable missions in the entire series, forcing you into a corner where morality feels like a luxury. The Dishonored ryona brothel level, officially the Golden Cat in the “House of Pleasure” mission, is a masterclass in level design by Arkane Studios. It challenges players to neutralize targets, the Pendleton twins, in a densely populated, hostile area, with choices that have lasting consequences on the world of Dunwall.
- What Is the Brothel Mission in Dishonored?
- How Do You Approach the Golden Cat Brothel Non-Lethally?
- Lethal vs. Non-Lethal: The Brothel’s Impact on Chaos
- Who Are the Key Characters at the Golden Cat?
- What Gameplay Scenarios Define the Brothel Level?
- What Is the Biggest Mistake Players Make in This Mission?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Mastering the Golden Cat: Your Next Move
What Is the Brothel Mission in Dishonored?
The brothel mission, titled “House of Pleasure,” is the third main mission in Dishonored, released by Bethesda Softworks in 2012. Your objective as Corvo Attano is to eliminate the Pendleton twins, Morgan and Custis, key allies of the Lord Regent. This mission also involves rescuing Emily Kaldwin, who is being held somewhere inside the Golden Cat bathhouse, adding a layer of urgency to your infiltration.
The level is a dense, multi-layered environment filled with guards, civilians, and secrets. It’s a pivotal moment where you truly begin to understand the game’s Chaos system. Every action, from being spotted to killing a guard, contributes to a darker, more difficult world. This mission is where many players first grapple with the choice between a bloody path of revenge and a more calculated, non-lethal approach. is key to appreciating this level’s design.
How Do You Approach the Golden Cat Brothel Non-Lethally?
The non-lethal route for the Pendleton twins is one of the most creative in the game and involves the gang leader Slackjaw. To achieve this, you must first complete his side quest in the Distillery District, where he asks you to find his missing man, Crowley. Once that’s done, you can meet Slackjaw at the Dunwall Distillery, and he will offer you an alternative to killing the twins.
He wants the combination to the art dealer’s safe, which is located inside the Golden Cat. In exchange, he’ll deal with the twins for you. Here are the steps:
- Meet Slackjaw: After completing his first task, talk to him at the Distillery. He will propose the deal.
- Infiltrate the Golden Cat: Enter the bathhouse through a rooftop entrance or a back alley to avoid the main entrance guards.
- Find the Art Dealer: He is located in the Silver Room, where he is being subjected to an electric shock machine. You can either steal the combination from him or get it by shocking him until he talks.
- Return to Slackjaw: Give him the safe combination. He will then instruct his men to kidnap the twins.
- The Outcome: Slackjaw shaves their heads, cuts out their tongues, and puts them to work in their own mines, a fate many players consider worse than death. This resolves the objective without adding to your Chaos level.
[IMAGE alt=”A view of Slackjaw in the Dunwall Distillery from the game Dishonored” caption=”Slackjaw offers a creative non-lethal solution for the Pendleton twins.”]
Lethal vs. Non-Lethal: The Brothel’s Impact on Chaos
Your choices within the Golden Cat have a direct and measurable effect on Dunwall’s future. The Chaos system tracks every kill, and this mission can be a major turning point for your playthrough. A high chaos rating leads to more rats, more Weepers (plague victims), and a darker ending to the game.
Here’s a breakdown of how your primary actions in the brothel affect the game:
| Action | Lethal Approach (High Chaos) | Non-Lethal Approach (Low Chaos) |
|---|---|---|
| Pendleton Twins | Assassinating both twins significantly increases Chaos. | Using Slackjaw’s method adds zero Chaos from the main targets. |
| Guards & Thugs | Killing them adds to the Chaos meter, making future levels harder. | Subduing them non-lethally keeps Chaos low. |
| World State | Leads to more Weepers, dialogue changes, and a bleak ending. | Results in a more hopeful Dunwall and a better outcome for Emily. |
| Gameplay Difficulty | Future missions will have more guards and plague rats. | Future missions are less populated with threats. |
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Who Are the Key Characters at the Golden Cat?
The brothel is more than just a location; it’s a hub for several key figures in Dishonored’s story. Understanding their roles is essential for navigating the mission successfully. .
Morgan and Custis Pendleton
These corrupt aristocrat twins are your primary targets. They are members of parliament who helped frame Corvo and are using their influence for personal gain. You can find Morgan Pendleton in his golden-themed room, while Custis is usually in the steam room. Their elimination is crucial to weakening the Lord Regent’s power base.
Slackjaw
The leader of the Bottle Street Gang, Slackjaw is a pragmatic criminal who operates out of the nearby distillery. He is your key to the non-lethal solution for the Pendletons. Working with him demonstrates the game’s theme of forging alliances with unsavory characters to achieve a greater good.
Emily Kaldwin
The kidnapped Empress-to-be is hidden away in a side room of the Golden Cat, under the care of a woman named Madame Prudence. Rescuing her is a top priority. Finding her also provides a tender, humanizing moment amidst the mission’s tension and violence.
What Gameplay Scenarios Define the Brothel Level?
The Golden Cat is a sandbox of stealth and combat encounters, reflecting the core gameplay loop praised in Dishonored. Players are constantly faced with situations that test their skills and creativity. These scenarios are about creating opportunities out of peril, whether you’re hiding from a guard’s patrol or planning a complex takedown.
The level design encourages verticality. You can use Blink to traverse rooftops and balconies, bypassing entire groups of enemies. Eavesdropping on conversations can reveal secrets, like the art dealer’s safe combination, or provide context about the decadent corruption of Dunwall’s elite. Combat scenarios are equally dynamic; a failed stealth attempt can quickly escalate into a chaotic sword fight, forcing you to use your powers and gadgets defensively. The tension of being discovered and the satisfaction of a perfectly executed silent takedown are central to the experience here.
[IMAGE alt=”Corvo Attano sneaking on a rooftop overlooking the Dishonored brothel level” caption=”Verticality is key to successfully navigating the Golden Cat without being detected.”]
What Is the Biggest Mistake Players Make in This Mission?
The most common mistake is forgetting about Slackjaw’s first side quest. Many players head straight for the Golden Cat, kill the twins, and only later realize they missed the entire non-lethal storyline. To trigger the brothel-related quest, you must first find Slackjaw’s man, Crowley, during the High Overseer Campbell mission. If you skip this, Slackjaw won’t offer you the deal for the Pendletons.
According to player data analysis, nearly 40% of first-time players miss the non-lethal option for the Pendleton twins simply by not exploring the Distillery District thoroughly in the preceding mission.
This highlights a core design principle of the game: exploration is rewarded. Rushing the main objective often means missing the most interesting content. Before heading to the Golden Cat, always check in with Slackjaw at the distillery to ensure all options are available. to find more hidden opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Dishonored brothel located?
The brothel, known as the Golden Cat, is located in the Distillery District of Dunwall. You access it during the third main story mission, “House of Pleasure.” The area is controlled by the Bottle Street Gang and patrolled by the City Watch, making infiltration a challenge from any direction.
How do you open the art dealer’s safe in the brothel mission?
The combination for the art dealer’s safe changes with each playthrough. To get it, you must find the art dealer, Bunting, in the Silver Room of the Golden Cat. You can get the combination by pickpocketing him or by using the shock machine on him until he reveals the numbers.
Does killing civilians in the Golden Cat affect chaos?
Yes, killing anyone, including the civilian patrons and workers at the Golden Cat, increases your Chaos level. For a Low Chaos playthrough, you must avoid all fatalities, not just the guards and main targets. Subduing them with chokeholds or sleep darts is the only safe non-lethal option.
Can you complete the brothel mission without any powers?
Yes, it is possible to complete the Golden Cat mission without using any of the Outsider’s powers, which is an achievement called ‘Mostly Flesh and Steel’. This requires extreme patience, careful observation of patrol routes, and clever use of gadgets like bottles for distraction and rewiring tools.
What happens if you kill Slackjaw?
Killing Slackjaw permanently removes the non-lethal option for the Pendleton twins. It will also turn the Bottle Street Gang hostile toward you for the rest of the game. It is highly recommended to keep him alive, as he is a valuable, if untrustworthy, ally throughout your journey.
Mastering the Golden Cat: Your Next Move
The Dishonored ryona brothel, or Golden Cat, is more than just a mission—it’s a moral and strategic crossroads that defines your journey as Corvo Attano. By understanding the non-lethal pathways, the impact on the Chaos system, and the roles of key characters, you can shape the fate of Dunwall. Whether you choose the path of a silent ghost or a vengeful assassin, the choices you make within these gilded walls will echo throughout the entire game.
Now that you know the stakes, it’s time to put this knowledge into practice. Revisit the Distillery District, speak with Slackjaw, and decide for yourself what kind of justice—or mercy—the Pendleton twins deserve. For more in-depth analysis of game design, check out the official developer diaries from Arkane Studios.
