What are the consequences of letting the hag live and take Mayrina's child in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the encounter with Auntie Ethel, the hag, in Act 1 and Act 2 presents players with a significant moral dilemma. One of the key decisions involves whether to let the hag live and allow her to take Mayrina's child, or to kill her and save the child. This choice has lasting consequences that ripple through the story, affecting both the immediate outcome and future events. Here, we will explore the consequences of letting the hag live and taking Mayrina's child, along with the mechanics, strategies, and considerations involved in making this choice.
When you first encounter Auntie Ethel in Act 1, she is disguised as a kindly old woman helping Mayrina, a pregnant woman grieving the loss of her husband. As the story unfolds, you discover that Ethel is actually a hag who has struck a deal with Mayrina: in exchange for bringing her husband back to life, Mayrina agrees to give her unborn child to the hag. If you confront Ethel in her lair, you have the option to fight her or negotiate. If you choose to negotiate, you can strike a deal where Ethel lets Mayrina go but keeps the child. This decision has significant consequences in Act 2 and beyond.
Letting the hag live and allowing her to take Mayrina's child has several key consequences. First, Mayrina will be deeply distraught and will blame you for not saving her child. She will express her grief and anger, which can affect your relationship with her and potentially influence future interactions. Second, by letting the hag live, you allow her to continue her malevolent activities in the world. Hags are known in Dungeons & Dragons lore for their cruelty and manipulation, and sparing Ethel means she will likely cause more harm to others in the future. This choice aligns with a more morally ambiguous or pragmatic playstyle, where you prioritize survival or personal gain over altruism.
From a mechanical standpoint, letting the hag live can have both immediate and long-term benefits. In the short term, you avoid a difficult fight with Ethel, who is a powerful enemy with abilities like invisibility, regeneration, and the ability to summon minions. By negotiating with her, you can gain a unique reward: a permanent +1 boost to one of your ability scores. This is a significant boon that can enhance your character's effectiveness in combat and skill checks. However, this comes at the cost of Mayrina's child and the moral weight of your decision.
In Act 2, the consequences of your choice become more apparent. If you let the hag live, you may encounter her again in later acts, where she could pose a threat or offer further deals. The child, now in the hag's possession, will likely be transformed into a hagspawn, a twisted creature that serves Ethel's purposes. This outcome is tragic and underscores the dark nature of your decision. Additionally, your companions may react negatively to your choice, especially those with strong moral convictions like Wyll or Karlach. Their approval of you may decrease, which can affect their personal quests and your ability to romance them.
When making this decision, it is important to consider your character's alignment and roleplaying goals. If you are playing a character who values pragmatism or self-interest, letting the hag live and taking the ability score boost may align with your goals. However, if you are playing a heroic character who prioritizes saving others and defeating evil, killing the hag and saving Mayrina's child is the more appropriate choice. This decision also ties into the broader themes of Baldur's Gate 3, where choices often have no clear right or wrong answer, and the consequences of your actions can be far-reaching.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of the hag fight. Ethel is a formidable opponent, and if you choose to fight her, you should be prepared with strong tactics and resources. Using abilities that reveal invisible enemies, such as Faerie Fire, can help you track her movements. Focusing on dealing high damage quickly can prevent her from regenerating health. Additionally, positioning your party strategically to avoid her area-of-effect spells and minions is crucial. If you are not confident in your party's strength, negotiating with the hag may be the safer option, even if it comes with moral compromises.
In terms of advanced techniques, players who are skilled in dialogue and persuasion can explore alternative outcomes. For example, you can attempt to deceive the hag or use clever dialogue options to gain an advantage. However, these options require high Charisma and proficiency in skills like Deception or Persuasion. If your character is not built for these skills, you may find it challenging to navigate the conversation successfully.
From a D&D rules perspective, hags are creatures of chaos and evil, and their deals often come with hidden costs. The ability score boost you gain from Ethel is a powerful reward, but it is balanced by the moral and narrative consequences of your choice. This reflects the D&D principle of balancing mechanical benefits with roleplaying and story impact. The game's implementation of these rules ensures that your choices feel meaningful and impactful, both in terms of gameplay and narrative.
In conclusion, letting the hag live and taking Mayrina's child in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex decision with significant consequences. It offers a powerful mechanical reward but comes at a moral cost that affects the story and your relationships with other characters. By understanding the mechanics, considering your character's alignment, and preparing for the challenges involved, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your playstyle and goals. Whether you choose to spare the hag or defeat her, your decision will shape the world of Baldur's Gate 3 and the fate of its inhabitants.
When you first encounter Auntie Ethel in Act 1, she is disguised as a kindly old woman helping Mayrina, a pregnant woman grieving the loss of her husband. As the story unfolds, you discover that Ethel is actually a hag who has struck a deal with Mayrina: in exchange for bringing her husband back to life, Mayrina agrees to give her unborn child to the hag. If you confront Ethel in her lair, you have the option to fight her or negotiate. If you choose to negotiate, you can strike a deal where Ethel lets Mayrina go but keeps the child. This decision has significant consequences in Act 2 and beyond.
Letting the hag live and allowing her to take Mayrina's child has several key consequences. First, Mayrina will be deeply distraught and will blame you for not saving her child. She will express her grief and anger, which can affect your relationship with her and potentially influence future interactions. Second, by letting the hag live, you allow her to continue her malevolent activities in the world. Hags are known in Dungeons & Dragons lore for their cruelty and manipulation, and sparing Ethel means she will likely cause more harm to others in the future. This choice aligns with a more morally ambiguous or pragmatic playstyle, where you prioritize survival or personal gain over altruism.
From a mechanical standpoint, letting the hag live can have both immediate and long-term benefits. In the short term, you avoid a difficult fight with Ethel, who is a powerful enemy with abilities like invisibility, regeneration, and the ability to summon minions. By negotiating with her, you can gain a unique reward: a permanent +1 boost to one of your ability scores. This is a significant boon that can enhance your character's effectiveness in combat and skill checks. However, this comes at the cost of Mayrina's child and the moral weight of your decision.
In Act 2, the consequences of your choice become more apparent. If you let the hag live, you may encounter her again in later acts, where she could pose a threat or offer further deals. The child, now in the hag's possession, will likely be transformed into a hagspawn, a twisted creature that serves Ethel's purposes. This outcome is tragic and underscores the dark nature of your decision. Additionally, your companions may react negatively to your choice, especially those with strong moral convictions like Wyll or Karlach. Their approval of you may decrease, which can affect their personal quests and your ability to romance them.
When making this decision, it is important to consider your character's alignment and roleplaying goals. If you are playing a character who values pragmatism or self-interest, letting the hag live and taking the ability score boost may align with your goals. However, if you are playing a heroic character who prioritizes saving others and defeating evil, killing the hag and saving Mayrina's child is the more appropriate choice. This decision also ties into the broader themes of Baldur's Gate 3, where choices often have no clear right or wrong answer, and the consequences of your actions can be far-reaching.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the difficulty of the hag fight. Ethel is a formidable opponent, and if you choose to fight her, you should be prepared with strong tactics and resources. Using abilities that reveal invisible enemies, such as Faerie Fire, can help you track her movements. Focusing on dealing high damage quickly can prevent her from regenerating health. Additionally, positioning your party strategically to avoid her area-of-effect spells and minions is crucial. If you are not confident in your party's strength, negotiating with the hag may be the safer option, even if it comes with moral compromises.
In terms of advanced techniques, players who are skilled in dialogue and persuasion can explore alternative outcomes. For example, you can attempt to deceive the hag or use clever dialogue options to gain an advantage. However, these options require high Charisma and proficiency in skills like Deception or Persuasion. If your character is not built for these skills, you may find it challenging to navigate the conversation successfully.
From a D&D rules perspective, hags are creatures of chaos and evil, and their deals often come with hidden costs. The ability score boost you gain from Ethel is a powerful reward, but it is balanced by the moral and narrative consequences of your choice. This reflects the D&D principle of balancing mechanical benefits with roleplaying and story impact. The game's implementation of these rules ensures that your choices feel meaningful and impactful, both in terms of gameplay and narrative.
In conclusion, letting the hag live and taking Mayrina's child in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex decision with significant consequences. It offers a powerful mechanical reward but comes at a moral cost that affects the story and your relationships with other characters. By understanding the mechanics, considering your character's alignment, and preparing for the challenges involved, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your playstyle and goals. Whether you choose to spare the hag or defeat her, your decision will shape the world of Baldur's Gate 3 and the fate of its inhabitants.