Going to sound like an idiot, but..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you open chest without killing all brothers? Just find the cave enterance and enter, and go to the middle? killing the brother you get?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if you can, since it is random, would you still have the same chance of getting a barrows drop?

Yes, but you would not be able to get an item.

Yes, but you would not be able to get an item.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not entirely true. You would have a (very small) chance of getting a barrows drop from whatever brother(s) you kill in the tunnel. ONLY from the brother you kill though. (In other words, you can't get a Guthan drop if you only kill Ahrim).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind though, if you don't kill any brothers before going into the tunnel you have a chance of getting attacked by ALL of them while in the tunnels.

Ok thanks, just a simple thought I had.