Auntie Ethel: The Moral Quagmire of Baldur’s Gate 3
Is Auntie Ethel evil? Unequivocally, yes. While the shades of morality in Baldur’s Gate 3 are often complex and nuanced, Auntie Ethel presents a clear case of malevolence. Her actions, motivated by selfish aims, fueled by manipulation, lies, and torture, paint a picture of a being deeply entrenched in evil. She exploits the desires and fears of others for personal gain, making her a threat to anyone who crosses her path.
Unpacking Auntie Ethel’s Villainy
Auntie Ethel isn’t simply mischievous; she’s a predator. She preys on the vulnerable, luring them with promises of help or fulfilling their deepest longings, only to ensnare them in her web of deceit and cruelty. Her lair is littered with the remnants of her victims, a testament to her disregard for life and her insatiable hunger for power.
Here’s a breakdown of the elements that solidify her evil nature:
- Deception: Ethel relies heavily on illusions and trickery. She masks her true form and intentions, presenting a façade of benevolence to lure unsuspecting individuals. This deliberate attempt to mislead and manipulate demonstrates a fundamental lack of integrity.
- Exploitation: Her deals are always skewed in her favor. She offers seemingly beneficial services, but the fine print always reveals a hidden cost that ultimately benefits her at the expense of her victims. This transactional exploitation highlights her predatory nature.
- Torture and Murder: Ethel doesn’t shy away from violence. She uses torture as a means of control and punishment. She enslaves individuals by forcing them to wear masks that rob them of their free will.
- Necromancy: Raising the dead and manipulating corpses are considered abhorrent acts in most societies, and Ethel engages in them freely.
Navigating the Auntie Ethel Encounter
The encounter with Auntie Ethel is a moral crossroads. Players must decide whether to confront her, bargain with her, or even assist her. Each choice has consequences, shaping the narrative and influencing the fate of those caught in her grasp. However, choosing to “help” her does not negate her evil nature; it simply means aligning with it for a temporary benefit.
The Allure of Power
The temptation to accept Ethel’s offers stems from the desire for power. She dangles potential rewards, such as ability boosts or knowledge about the parasite, enticing players to compromise their morals. However, these gains often come at a steep price, leaving players with lingering regrets and a tarnished conscience.
Consequences of Choices
It’s important to consider the long-term ramifications of your decisions regarding Auntie Ethel. Saving Mayrina and her brothers or freeing Ethel’s other victims, while morally righteous, might close off certain paths to power or knowledge. However, these sacrifices often lead to greater rewards in the form of character development and a sense of justice served.
The Cycle of Evil
Auntie Ethel is not an isolated case of evil. She represents a broader threat, a type of being that thrives on the suffering of others. By confronting and defeating her, players not only save lives but also break the cycle of evil that she perpetuates.
FAQs: Understanding Auntie Ethel
1. Should you help Auntie Ethel?
No, ethically you shouldn’t. While there are immediate benefits like entry to her teahouse, the long-term drawbacks, including enabling her evil deeds, typically outweigh the advantages.
2. What happens if you let Ethel live?
If you allow Ethel to live, she will offer you a deal: leave Mayrina to her in exchange for an ability boost. This decision lets her continue her evil practices, but you gain some power.
3. Should you let Auntie Ethel remove the parasite?
No, allowing Ethel to attempt removing the parasite is a bad idea. She fails and breaks her deal, harming you in the process, though you might get Auntie Ethel’s Charm if you complain.
4. What happens if you take Auntie Ethel’s deal?
Taking Auntie Ethel’s deal usually results in a significant debuff that isn’t worth the small amount of knowledge you gain about your condition.
5. Can you save Auntie Ethel’s victims?
Yes, it is possible to save most of Auntie Ethel’s victims. Saving them often requires strategy and careful planning during the combat encounter.
6. How do I save Mayrina from Auntie Ethel?
To save Mayrina, prioritize extinguishing the fire around her cage and then use the control orb to lower the cage. Be cautious, as Ethel may attempt to disguise herself as Mayrina.
7. What happens if you let the hag kiss your eye?
If you let Ethel take your eye, you will suffer a permanent decrease in Perception and Disadvantage on attacks against her, making her more challenging to defeat later.
8. Is it worth killing Ethel?
Yes, killing Ethel is generally worth it. It saves Mayrina and her brothers and freeing Ethel’s other victims.
9. Does Auntie Ethel ever come back?
Yes, even if you kill her in Act One, Auntie Ethel returns in Act Three in Lower City, posing as Captain Grisly in The Blushing Mermaid. She’s involved in quests like “Help the Hag Survivors”.
10. What kind of Hag is Auntie Ethel?
Auntie Ethel is a Green Hag. She’s incredibly powerful, possessing both a Lair and a Region, granting her legendary effects.
11. What do Auntie Ethel’s potions do?
Auntie Ethel’s potions have varying effects:
- A Mother’s Loathing: Grants the Bite attack.
- Broken Promises: Grants +2 Strength but takes 1 Strength away after every lost rest.
- Faltering Will: Applies disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws.
12. What happens if you let the hag remove the tadpole?
The hag cannot remove the tadpole. She realizes that yours is special and refuses to work with it, leaving you with a magical green eye instead.
13. How can you tell a real Mayrina?
Examine each “Mayrina” to determine which one is wet. The real Mayrina, having been rescued from the burning cage, will be wet.
14. Where is Auntie Ethel’s wand?
The wand is located on the table in her room where all the letters to Mayrina are, in her lair.
15. What is the impact of morally ambiguous characters like Auntie Ethel in gaming?
Characters like Auntie Ethel allow for rich and complex interactions within a game. These decisions and the resulting ethical quandaries can be further studied through organizations like the Games Learning Society, which examines how games can affect society. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion
Auntie Ethel embodies a clear and present evil in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3. Her actions, driven by selfishness and cruelty, leave no room for ambiguity. While the game presents choices with potential rewards for siding with her, these gains are ultimately overshadowed by the moral compromises required. By understanding the full extent of her villainy, players can make informed decisions that align with their own values and shape the fate of those caught in her wicked web.