What are the consequences of letting the hag take Mayrina's child in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let the hag, Auntie Ethel, take Mayrina's child is a morally complex choice with significant consequences. This choice occurs during the quest "Save Mayrina," where you encounter Mayrina, a pregnant woman who has made a desperate deal with the hag to bring her deceased husband, Connor, back to life. The hag offers to take Mayrina's unborn child in exchange for reviving Connor, and you must decide whether to intervene or allow the deal to proceed. Here is a detailed breakdown of the mechanics, strategies, and consequences involved in this decision.
To reach this point in the story, you must first navigate the Sunlit Wetlands, which is actually a disguised version of the Putrid Bog. You will encounter Mayrina in Auntie Ethel's lair, a hidden area beneath the bog. The lair is filled with traps, puzzles, and enemies, so preparation is key. Before entering, ensure your party is well-equipped with healing potions, scrolls, and spells. Characters with high Perception can help detect traps, while those with high Strength or Dexterity can disarm them. Additionally, having a character with the "Speak with Dead" spell can provide valuable information about the hag's intentions.
Once inside the lair, you will face several challenges, including fighting redcaps and navigating through illusory walls. Eventually, you will reach a chamber where Mayrina is held captive in a cage, and Auntie Ethel will confront you. During the dialogue, you can choose to fight the hag or negotiate with her. If you choose to fight, be prepared for a tough battle. Auntie Ethel is a powerful spellcaster with abilities like Hold Person, Mirror Image, and Invisibility. She can also summon illusory copies of herself, making it difficult to target her directly. Focus on dispelling her illusions and using area-of-effect spells to damage her and her minions.
If you choose to negotiate, Auntie Ethel will offer to let Mayrina go in exchange for her unborn child. This is where the critical decision comes into play. If you agree to let the hag take the child, Mayrina will be devastated, but she will be released from the cage. The hag will then disappear, leaving you to deal with the aftermath. Mayrina will express her grief and anger, and you will have to decide how to comfort her or whether to leave her to her fate. This choice has long-term consequences, as it affects Mayrina's mental state and her future interactions with you.
One important tip is to consider the moral implications of your decision. Allowing the hag to take the child may seem like a quick solution, but it has lasting effects on Mayrina and the world around you. If you choose to fight the hag instead, you can save both Mayrina and her child, but the battle will be challenging. Use crowd control spells like Sleep or Hold Person to incapacitate the hag, and focus on dealing as much damage as possible in the early rounds of combat.
A common mistake is underestimating the hag's abilities. She is a formidable opponent, and her illusions can make the fight more complicated than it appears. Make sure to use abilities like Detect Magic or True Seeing to identify her real form and avoid wasting attacks on illusions. Additionally, be mindful of the environment. The lair is filled with traps and hazards that can turn the tide of battle if you are not careful.
Advanced techniques include using stealth and ambush tactics to gain the upper hand. Characters with high Stealth can sneak up on the hag and deal significant damage before she has a chance to react. You can also use environmental objects, such as explosive barrels, to create additional damage sources. If you have a character with high Charisma, you can attempt to deceive the hag or persuade her to release Mayrina without a fight.
In terms of D&D rules, Auntie Ethel is a Green Hag, a type of fey creature known for its cunning and magical abilities. Green Hags have innate spellcasting and can use abilities like Invisibility and Mimicry to deceive and confuse their enemies. Understanding these abilities can help you prepare for the fight and develop effective strategies.
In conclusion, the decision to let the hag take Mayrina's child is a pivotal moment in Baldur's Gate 3 with far-reaching consequences. Whether you choose to fight the hag or allow the deal to proceed, your choice will shape the narrative and affect the lives of the characters involved. By understanding the mechanics, preparing for the challenges, and considering the moral implications, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your character's values and goals.
To reach this point in the story, you must first navigate the Sunlit Wetlands, which is actually a disguised version of the Putrid Bog. You will encounter Mayrina in Auntie Ethel's lair, a hidden area beneath the bog. The lair is filled with traps, puzzles, and enemies, so preparation is key. Before entering, ensure your party is well-equipped with healing potions, scrolls, and spells. Characters with high Perception can help detect traps, while those with high Strength or Dexterity can disarm them. Additionally, having a character with the "Speak with Dead" spell can provide valuable information about the hag's intentions.
Once inside the lair, you will face several challenges, including fighting redcaps and navigating through illusory walls. Eventually, you will reach a chamber where Mayrina is held captive in a cage, and Auntie Ethel will confront you. During the dialogue, you can choose to fight the hag or negotiate with her. If you choose to fight, be prepared for a tough battle. Auntie Ethel is a powerful spellcaster with abilities like Hold Person, Mirror Image, and Invisibility. She can also summon illusory copies of herself, making it difficult to target her directly. Focus on dispelling her illusions and using area-of-effect spells to damage her and her minions.
If you choose to negotiate, Auntie Ethel will offer to let Mayrina go in exchange for her unborn child. This is where the critical decision comes into play. If you agree to let the hag take the child, Mayrina will be devastated, but she will be released from the cage. The hag will then disappear, leaving you to deal with the aftermath. Mayrina will express her grief and anger, and you will have to decide how to comfort her or whether to leave her to her fate. This choice has long-term consequences, as it affects Mayrina's mental state and her future interactions with you.
One important tip is to consider the moral implications of your decision. Allowing the hag to take the child may seem like a quick solution, but it has lasting effects on Mayrina and the world around you. If you choose to fight the hag instead, you can save both Mayrina and her child, but the battle will be challenging. Use crowd control spells like Sleep or Hold Person to incapacitate the hag, and focus on dealing as much damage as possible in the early rounds of combat.
A common mistake is underestimating the hag's abilities. She is a formidable opponent, and her illusions can make the fight more complicated than it appears. Make sure to use abilities like Detect Magic or True Seeing to identify her real form and avoid wasting attacks on illusions. Additionally, be mindful of the environment. The lair is filled with traps and hazards that can turn the tide of battle if you are not careful.
Advanced techniques include using stealth and ambush tactics to gain the upper hand. Characters with high Stealth can sneak up on the hag and deal significant damage before she has a chance to react. You can also use environmental objects, such as explosive barrels, to create additional damage sources. If you have a character with high Charisma, you can attempt to deceive the hag or persuade her to release Mayrina without a fight.
In terms of D&D rules, Auntie Ethel is a Green Hag, a type of fey creature known for its cunning and magical abilities. Green Hags have innate spellcasting and can use abilities like Invisibility and Mimicry to deceive and confuse their enemies. Understanding these abilities can help you prepare for the fight and develop effective strategies.
In conclusion, the decision to let the hag take Mayrina's child is a pivotal moment in Baldur's Gate 3 with far-reaching consequences. Whether you choose to fight the hag or allow the deal to proceed, your choice will shape the narrative and affect the lives of the characters involved. By understanding the mechanics, preparing for the challenges, and considering the moral implications, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your character's values and goals.