What are the consequences of letting Astarion kill the Gur in Baldur's Gate 3?
In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let Astarion kill the Gur hunter, Gandrel, has significant consequences that ripple through both the story and your relationship with Astarion. This choice occurs during Act 1, when you encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands. Gandrel is a Gur monster hunter who is searching for Astarion, as the Gur people have a vendetta against him for his past actions as a vampire spawn. The encounter presents a moral dilemma: do you protect Astarion and allow him to kill Gandrel, or do you intervene and potentially save the Gur hunter? The consequences of this choice are tied to Astarion's personal questline and your overall narrative.
To let Astarion kill Gandrel, you must first encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands. He will approach your party and ask if you have seen Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his desire to kill him. At this point, you have the option to either support Astarion or try to defuse the situation. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, you must allow the dialogue to proceed without intervening. Astarion will confront Gandrel, and after a brief exchange, he will attack and kill him. This action solidifies Astarion's trust in you, as he sees that you are willing to support his darker impulses.
One important consideration is the impact this choice has on your relationship with Astarion. Letting him kill Gandrel increases his approval of you, which is crucial if you are pursuing a romance or a close friendship with him. Astarion values actions that align with his self-serving and ruthless nature, and this decision demonstrates that you are willing to prioritize his desires over moral concerns. However, this choice also has broader implications for the story. The Gur are a nomadic people with a strong sense of justice, and killing Gandrel may lead to further conflict with them later in the game. This could result in additional encounters or challenges involving the Gur, as they seek revenge for Gandrel's death.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the long-term consequences of this decision. While it may seem like a minor choice in the moment, it can have lasting effects on the narrative and your relationships with other characters. For example, if you later encounter the Gur in Act 3, they may be hostile toward you if they learn of your involvement in Gandrel's death. Additionally, if you are playing a morally good character, allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel may conflict with your character's alignment and values, potentially leading to internal conflict within your party.
From a gameplay perspective, there are no immediate combat consequences to letting Astarion kill Gandrel, as the encounter is resolved through dialogue. However, it is worth noting that Astarion's actions in this scene are consistent with his character as a vampire spawn who is deeply mistrustful of others and willing to do whatever it takes to protect himself. This choice reinforces his character arc and sets the stage for future developments in his personal questline.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, this encounter reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the tabletop experience. Astarion's actions align with a chaotic or evil alignment, as he prioritizes his own survival and desires over the life of an innocent person. Allowing him to kill Gandrel is a decision that leans toward a darker, more self-serving path, which can influence the overall tone and direction of your campaign. It also highlights the importance of alignment and character motivations in shaping the story.
In summary, letting Astarion kill the Gur hunter Gandrel is a significant choice that affects your relationship with Astarion and the broader narrative of Baldur's Gate 3. It increases Astarion's approval of you and aligns with his character, but it may also lead to future conflicts with the Gur and challenge your character's moral compass. When making this decision, consider the long-term consequences and how it fits with your character's alignment and goals. This choice is a prime example of the complex moral dilemmas and branching storylines that make Baldur's Gate 3 a rich and immersive experience.
To let Astarion kill Gandrel, you must first encounter Gandrel in the Sunlit Wetlands. He will approach your party and ask if you have seen Astarion. If Astarion is in your party, he will immediately recognize Gandrel and express his desire to kill him. At this point, you have the option to either support Astarion or try to defuse the situation. If you choose to let Astarion kill Gandrel, you must allow the dialogue to proceed without intervening. Astarion will confront Gandrel, and after a brief exchange, he will attack and kill him. This action solidifies Astarion's trust in you, as he sees that you are willing to support his darker impulses.
One important consideration is the impact this choice has on your relationship with Astarion. Letting him kill Gandrel increases his approval of you, which is crucial if you are pursuing a romance or a close friendship with him. Astarion values actions that align with his self-serving and ruthless nature, and this decision demonstrates that you are willing to prioritize his desires over moral concerns. However, this choice also has broader implications for the story. The Gur are a nomadic people with a strong sense of justice, and killing Gandrel may lead to further conflict with them later in the game. This could result in additional encounters or challenges involving the Gur, as they seek revenge for Gandrel's death.
A common mistake players make is underestimating the long-term consequences of this decision. While it may seem like a minor choice in the moment, it can have lasting effects on the narrative and your relationships with other characters. For example, if you later encounter the Gur in Act 3, they may be hostile toward you if they learn of your involvement in Gandrel's death. Additionally, if you are playing a morally good character, allowing Astarion to kill Gandrel may conflict with your character's alignment and values, potentially leading to internal conflict within your party.
From a gameplay perspective, there are no immediate combat consequences to letting Astarion kill Gandrel, as the encounter is resolved through dialogue. However, it is worth noting that Astarion's actions in this scene are consistent with his character as a vampire spawn who is deeply mistrustful of others and willing to do whatever it takes to protect himself. This choice reinforces his character arc and sets the stage for future developments in his personal questline.
In terms of D&D 5E rules, this encounter reflects the alignment and moral choices that are central to the tabletop experience. Astarion's actions align with a chaotic or evil alignment, as he prioritizes his own survival and desires over the life of an innocent person. Allowing him to kill Gandrel is a decision that leans toward a darker, more self-serving path, which can influence the overall tone and direction of your campaign. It also highlights the importance of alignment and character motivations in shaping the story.
In summary, letting Astarion kill the Gur hunter Gandrel is a significant choice that affects your relationship with Astarion and the broader narrative of Baldur's Gate 3. It increases Astarion's approval of you and aligns with his character, but it may also lead to future conflicts with the Gur and challenge your character's moral compass. When making this decision, consider the long-term consequences and how it fits with your character's alignment and goals. This choice is a prime example of the complex moral dilemmas and branching storylines that make Baldur's Gate 3 a rich and immersive experience.