In *Avowed*, as you navigate through the mainline quest "A Path to the Garden," you'll encounter a critical decision: whether to attack or spare Captain Aelfyr. This choice becomes particularly poignant if Aelfyr was involved in the destruction of Fior Mes Inverno, fueling your desire for vengeance due to her callous celebration of the massacre and Giata's evident anger. Moreover, your decision directly impacts your ability to acquire exclusive loot.
Should You Attack or Spare Captain Aelfyr in Avowed?
When faced with the choice, attacking Captain Aelfyr is highly recommended in *Avowed*. This action allows you to secure a significant amount of loot that you wouldn't otherwise obtain, including the unique Death Knight Gloves.
Death Knight Gloves & Other Rewards for Attacking Aelfyr
Image Source: Obsidian Entertainment via The Escapist
In *Avowed*, the Death Knight Gloves are a valuable asset for defenders and elemental fighters, providing a -10% Stamina cost reduction while Blocking, and a 15% increase to Frost Damage. Upon defeating Aelfyr, you can loot her corpse to acquire not only the Death Knight Gloves but also:
- Garnet (Gem)
- Silver Fenning coins x26
- Exceptional Scale Armor (+0/3)
- Exceptional Great Sword (+0/3)
If you've been neglecting gear upgrades throughout your *Avowed* playthrough, seizing an Exceptional Quality piece of armor and weaponry presents a prime opportunity to enhance your arsenal. Additionally, you'll have the chance to loot the bodies of fallen Steel Garrote soldiers for further gains.
What If You Spare Aelfyr?
Choosing to spare Aelfyr yields no tangible rewards. This decision might be appealing if you're looking to avoid a tough battle, especially on normal difficulty, where facing Aelfyr and her Steel Garrote allies can be daunting due to their aggressive melee tactics and the presence of healing mages. If your character is under-leveled, you can adjust the game's difficulty to ease the challenge.
The choice to kill or spare Aelfyr also slightly affects Giata's mood, making her either happier or more anxious, though the impact remains minimal, limited to a few minor dialogues.
Given these considerations, attacking and killing Captain Aelfyr in *Avowed* is the optimal path. As you progress, you'll encounter other crucial decisions, such as whether to give Keipo the Leviathan Heart during the "Heart of Valor" side quest, which can yield significant loot. To plan your journey, check out the complete list of *Avowed's* main and side missions to see what lies ahead.
