What happens if I let the hag take Mayrina's child in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let the hag take Mayrina's child is a significant moral choice that occurs during the quest "Save Mayrina." This quest is part of the larger narrative involving the hag Ethel, who has kidnapped Mayrina and is holding her captive in her lair. The choice to let the hag take the child has lasting consequences and is tied to the game's deep narrative and moral complexity. Here is a detailed breakdown of how this choice unfolds, the mechanics involved, and the implications of your decision.
To reach this point in the story, you must first locate the hag's lair, which is hidden in the Sunlit Wetlands. The area is filled with traps, illusions, and hostile creatures, so preparation is key. Before entering the lair, ensure your party is well-equipped with healing potions, scrolls, and spells. Characters with high Perception can help detect traps, while those with high Wisdom or Intelligence can resist the hag's illusions. Once inside, you will encounter Mayrina, who is being held in a cage above a pit of fire. The hag, Ethel, will offer you a deal: she will spare Mayrina and her unborn child if you agree to let her take the child once it is born.
The mechanics of this choice are straightforward but impactful. If you agree to the hag's deal, she will release Mayrina and leave peacefully. However, this decision has long-term consequences. Mayrina will be distraught and angry, blaming you for allowing the hag to take her child. This choice also affects your relationship with your companions, particularly those who value morality and justice, such as Wyll or Karlach. They may disapprove of your decision, leading to tension within the party.
If you decide to fight the hag instead, the battle will be challenging. Ethel is a powerful spellcaster with abilities like Mirror Image, which creates duplicates of herself, and Hold Person, which can incapacitate your party members. To defeat her, focus on breaking her concentration on spells, using abilities like Counterspell or attacking her with high-damage melee or ranged attacks. Once defeated, Ethel will drop valuable loot, including her staff, which grants powerful abilities. Mayrina will be grateful, but the child's fate remains uncertain, as the hag's magic may have already influenced the unborn baby.
Important tips and considerations include understanding the moral weight of your decision. Letting the hag take the child may seem like a pragmatic choice, but it aligns you with darker forces and can lead to negative outcomes later in the game. Conversely, fighting the hag demonstrates your commitment to justice and protecting the innocent, which can strengthen your bond with certain companions. Additionally, consider the long-term implications of your choice on the story. The child, if taken by the hag, may reappear later as a twisted version of itself, creating further complications.
Common mistakes to avoid include rushing into the hag's lair without proper preparation. The area is filled with traps and illusions that can quickly overwhelm an unprepared party. Another mistake is underestimating the hag's combat abilities. Ethel is a formidable opponent, and failing to disrupt her spells or focus fire on her can lead to a quick defeat. Finally, avoid making hasty decisions without considering the consequences. The choice to let the hag take the child is irreversible and will shape your character's moral alignment and relationships.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and abilities for the encounter. Characters with high Wisdom, such as clerics or druids, can resist the hag's illusions and provide healing support. Rogues or rangers with high Perception can detect and disarm traps, while spellcasters like wizards or sorcerers can counter Ethel's spells. Using environmental tactics, such as pushing Ethel into the fire pit or using area-of-effect spells, can also turn the tide in your favor.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the hag's abilities are based on her stat block as a Green Hag. She has innate spellcasting, including abilities like Invisibility and Polymorph, which can make her a challenging opponent. Understanding these mechanics can help you strategize effectively. For example, using abilities like Faerie Fire can reveal her when she turns invisible, while Counterspell can prevent her from casting Polymorph.
Specific examples and scenarios include the potential for the child to reappear later in the game as a hagspawn, a twisted creature created by the hag's magic. This can lead to further moral dilemmas and quests, as you may be forced to confront the consequences of your earlier decision. Additionally, your choice may influence how other characters, such as Mayrina or your companions, view you, affecting future interactions and storylines.
In conclusion, the decision to let the hag take Mayrina's child is a complex and morally charged choice in Baldur's Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the immediate and long-term consequences, as well as strategic preparation for the challenges involved. By understanding the mechanics, optimizing your party, and weighing the moral implications, you can navigate this pivotal moment in the game's narrative.
To reach this point in the story, you must first locate the hag's lair, which is hidden in the Sunlit Wetlands. The area is filled with traps, illusions, and hostile creatures, so preparation is key. Before entering the lair, ensure your party is well-equipped with healing potions, scrolls, and spells. Characters with high Perception can help detect traps, while those with high Wisdom or Intelligence can resist the hag's illusions. Once inside, you will encounter Mayrina, who is being held in a cage above a pit of fire. The hag, Ethel, will offer you a deal: she will spare Mayrina and her unborn child if you agree to let her take the child once it is born.
The mechanics of this choice are straightforward but impactful. If you agree to the hag's deal, she will release Mayrina and leave peacefully. However, this decision has long-term consequences. Mayrina will be distraught and angry, blaming you for allowing the hag to take her child. This choice also affects your relationship with your companions, particularly those who value morality and justice, such as Wyll or Karlach. They may disapprove of your decision, leading to tension within the party.
If you decide to fight the hag instead, the battle will be challenging. Ethel is a powerful spellcaster with abilities like Mirror Image, which creates duplicates of herself, and Hold Person, which can incapacitate your party members. To defeat her, focus on breaking her concentration on spells, using abilities like Counterspell or attacking her with high-damage melee or ranged attacks. Once defeated, Ethel will drop valuable loot, including her staff, which grants powerful abilities. Mayrina will be grateful, but the child's fate remains uncertain, as the hag's magic may have already influenced the unborn baby.
Important tips and considerations include understanding the moral weight of your decision. Letting the hag take the child may seem like a pragmatic choice, but it aligns you with darker forces and can lead to negative outcomes later in the game. Conversely, fighting the hag demonstrates your commitment to justice and protecting the innocent, which can strengthen your bond with certain companions. Additionally, consider the long-term implications of your choice on the story. The child, if taken by the hag, may reappear later as a twisted version of itself, creating further complications.
Common mistakes to avoid include rushing into the hag's lair without proper preparation. The area is filled with traps and illusions that can quickly overwhelm an unprepared party. Another mistake is underestimating the hag's combat abilities. Ethel is a formidable opponent, and failing to disrupt her spells or focus fire on her can lead to a quick defeat. Finally, avoid making hasty decisions without considering the consequences. The choice to let the hag take the child is irreversible and will shape your character's moral alignment and relationships.
Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and abilities for the encounter. Characters with high Wisdom, such as clerics or druids, can resist the hag's illusions and provide healing support. Rogues or rangers with high Perception can detect and disarm traps, while spellcasters like wizards or sorcerers can counter Ethel's spells. Using environmental tactics, such as pushing Ethel into the fire pit or using area-of-effect spells, can also turn the tide in your favor.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, the hag's abilities are based on her stat block as a Green Hag. She has innate spellcasting, including abilities like Invisibility and Polymorph, which can make her a challenging opponent. Understanding these mechanics can help you strategize effectively. For example, using abilities like Faerie Fire can reveal her when she turns invisible, while Counterspell can prevent her from casting Polymorph.
Specific examples and scenarios include the potential for the child to reappear later in the game as a hagspawn, a twisted creature created by the hag's magic. This can lead to further moral dilemmas and quests, as you may be forced to confront the consequences of your earlier decision. Additionally, your choice may influence how other characters, such as Mayrina or your companions, view you, affecting future interactions and storylines.
In conclusion, the decision to let the hag take Mayrina's child is a complex and morally charged choice in Baldur's Gate 3. It requires careful consideration of the immediate and long-term consequences, as well as strategic preparation for the challenges involved. By understanding the mechanics, optimizing your party, and weighing the moral implications, you can navigate this pivotal moment in the game's narrative.