Can I save Mayrina from Auntie Ethel in Baldur's Gate 3?

Saving Mayrina from Auntie Ethel in Baldur's Gate 3 is a challenging but rewarding task that requires careful planning, strategic combat, and thoughtful decision-making. Auntie Ethel, a powerful hag, has kidnapped Mayrina and taken her to her lair in the Sunlit Wetlands. To save Mayrina, you must navigate through Ethel's lair, defeat her, and make the right choices during the encounter. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to locate Auntie EthelÔÇÖs lair. This is found in the Sunlit Wetlands, which is accessible after you encounter the hag in the Riverside Teahouse. Once you enter the lair, youÔÇÖll face various traps and enemies, including Redcaps and poisonous gas vents. ItÔÇÖs important to proceed cautiously, using stealth and perception checks to detect and disarm traps. Characters with high Dexterity and proficiency in ThievesÔÇÖ Tools, like Rogues, are particularly useful here.

As you progress through the lair, youÔÇÖll eventually reach a large chamber where Auntie Ethel is holding Mayrina captive. Ethel will offer you a deal: she will release Mayrina if you agree to let her keep the unborn child Mayrina is carrying. This is a critical decision point. If you refuse the deal, combat will ensue. If you accept, Mayrina will be released, but the child will be cursed. Most players aim to save both Mayrina and her child, which means refusing the deal and fighting Ethel.

Combat with Auntie Ethel is challenging due to her powerful spells and abilities. She can cast spells like Hold Person, which can incapacitate your party members, and she can summon illusions to confuse you. Additionally, the environment is hazardous, with poisonous gas vents that can deal damage over time. To optimize your chances, ensure your party is well-prepared before the fight. This includes having healing potions, scrolls, and spells like Lesser Restoration to cure conditions like Poisoned or Paralyzed.

One effective strategy is to focus on crowd control and damage output. Spells like Silence can prevent Ethel from casting spells, while area-of-effect spells like Fireball can deal significant damage to her and any summoned illusions. Melee characters should position themselves to avoid the gas vents while dealing consistent damage. ItÔÇÖs also helpful to have a character with high Wisdom to resist EthelÔÇÖs Hold Person spell.

During the fight, Ethel will eventually retreat to a lower level of the lair, where she will continue to fight while holding Mayrina hostage. At this point, you need to be careful not to accidentally harm Mayrina with area spells or attacks. Focus your attacks on Ethel while keeping an eye on MayrinaÔÇÖs health. If Mayrina dies, the quest will fail, so prioritize her safety.

Once EthelÔÇÖs health is low, she will offer another deal: she will release Mayrina and lift the curse on the child if you spare her life. This is another critical decision. If you accept, Ethel will flee, and Mayrina will be safe, but Ethel will remain a threat. If you refuse and kill Ethel, Mayrina will be saved, and the curse will be lifted, but you will have to deal with the consequences of killing a powerful hag.

After the fight, you can speak with Mayrina to conclude the quest. If you saved her and her child, she will be grateful and may provide useful information or items. If you failed to save her, the quest will end in tragedy, and you may face negative consequences in the story.

In terms of D&D mechanics, this encounter involves several key elements. Hags are powerful fey creatures with high spellcasting abilities, and their lairs often have environmental hazards. The fight with Ethel tests your partyÔÇÖs ability to manage multiple threats, including spells, illusions, and environmental dangers. It also emphasizes the importance of decision-making, as your choices can lead to different outcomes for Mayrina and her child.

Common mistakes to avoid include rushing into the fight without preparation, neglecting to heal or cure conditions, and accidentally harming Mayrina during combat. Advanced techniques include using stealth to gain a tactical advantage, positioning your party to avoid environmental hazards, and using spells like Counterspell to negate EthelÔÇÖs abilities.

In summary, saving Mayrina from Auntie Ethel requires careful planning, strategic combat, and thoughtful decision-making. By preparing your party, managing the fight effectively, and making the right choices, you can save Mayrina and her child, ensuring a positive outcome for this challenging quest.