Can You Save Will’s Dad Without Mizora?

Yes, you can save Grand Duke Ravengard, Will’s father, without making a deal with Mizora in Baldur’s Gate 3. However, it’s a challenging path that requires specific choices and actions to be taken at critical moments throughout Act 2 and Act 3 of the game. The key lies in breaking Mizora’s pact with Wyll and finding alternative methods to access and rescue Ravengard before he is completely lost to the Absolute or manipulated into serving its dark purpose.

Understanding the Stakes: Ravengard’s Fate

Grand Duke Ravengard’s fate is intrinsically tied to the overarching narrative of Baldur’s Gate 3. He is a pivotal figure in the politics of Baldur’s Gate and a potential ally against the Absolute. His capture and subsequent corruption pose a significant threat to the city and the player’s quest. Mizora, as always, presents herself as the only solution, dangling a pact with Wyll as the key to saving his father. Refusing this pact necessitates finding another way, which relies on careful planning and strategic alliances.

The Path to Saving Ravengard Without a Pact

Saving Ravengard without Mizora’s intervention is a multi-step process:

1. Refuse Mizora’s Deal: The first and most crucial step is to reject any offers Mizora makes to solidify her control over Wyll in exchange for saving Ravengard. This may involve difficult conversations and challenging her assertions, but it’s essential to keep Wyll independent. This usually occurs at the end of Act 2 and/or the beginning of Act 3.

2. Prioritize Investigating the Absolute: Dedicate time to unraveling the mysteries of the Absolute cult and identifying their strongholds. This will lead you to understanding the cult’s plan for Ravengard. This is primarily done in Act 2 and early Act 3. Focus on uncovering the cult’s true leaders and how they plan to utilize the Grand Duke.

3. Seek Allies: Build alliances with powerful factions who oppose the Absolute. The Flaming Fist, the Gondians, and other resistance groups within Baldur’s Gate can provide valuable information and resources for locating and rescuing Ravengard. Their knowledge of the city’s underbelly and the cult’s operations is invaluable.

4. Locate Ravengard: Following the clues gathered from your investigation and alliances, you’ll eventually pinpoint Ravengard’s location. This usually involves infiltrating a stronghold or engaging in a dangerous rescue mission.

5. Break the Absolute’s Control: Once you locate Ravengard, you’ll likely find him under the influence of the Absolute. This could manifest as mind control, physical corruption, or a combination of both. Utilize your party’s skills and resources (spells, potions, and dialogue options) to break the Absolute’s influence over him. This could involve defeating powerful enemies, solving intricate puzzles, or succeeding in difficult skill checks.

6. Understand Orin’s connection: Orin, the shapeshifter, plays a crucial role. When she takes a hostage, you need to decide who to save. This affects the timing of Ravengard’s rescue and can increase the difficulty if left too late.

7. Consider Using Gortash’s Netherstone: If you choose to ally with Gortash, you can potentially acquire his Netherstone. This gives you a degree of control over the Netherbrain, and can indirectly influence Ravengard’s fate. However, this path comes with its own significant moral and political costs.

8. The Iron Throne: Rescuing Ravengard from the Iron Throne is a crucial point. You need to move quickly as the location is set to explode. Being prepared with dimension door spells and other mobility options is vital.

Risks and Rewards

Saving Ravengard without Mizora’s help is inherently riskier. You’ll face greater challenges and potentially lose valuable resources. However, the rewards are significant. You’ll preserve Wyll’s independence, earn the trust and gratitude of the people of Baldur’s Gate, and secure a powerful ally in the fight against the Absolute. Furthermore, it allows for unique story outcomes and character development that would be inaccessible if you succumb to Mizora’s bargain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I completely ignore Ravengard’s situation?

Ignoring Ravengard’s situation can lead to dire consequences. He may fall completely under the Absolute’s control, becoming a powerful and dangerous enemy. This can significantly impact the final battle and the overall outcome of the game.

2. Is there a ‘best’ way to save Ravengard without Mizora?

There isn’t a single “best” way, as the optimal approach depends on your party composition, play style, and moral choices. However, prioritizing investigation, building alliances, and utilizing your party’s unique skills are consistently beneficial strategies.

3. Can I save Ravengard if Wyll has already made a deal with Mizora?

Yes, but it becomes significantly more difficult. You may still be able to break the pact later in the game, but you’ll need to contend with the consequences of Wyll’s servitude.

4. What skills and abilities are most useful for saving Ravengard?

Persuasion, Deception, and Intimidation are crucial for navigating dialogue options and influencing key characters. Skills like Arcana and Investigation are invaluable for uncovering clues and solving puzzles. Spells like Dimension Door, Misty Step, and Freedom of Movement are essential for mobility and escaping dangerous situations.

5. Will saving Ravengard affect my relationship with Wyll?

Yes, significantly. Saving his father without resorting to Mizora’s help will strengthen your bond with Wyll and earn his unwavering loyalty. Conversely, choosing Mizora’s pact will strain your relationship and potentially lead to conflict.

6. Is it possible for Ravengard to die permanently?

Yes. If you fail to rescue him in time, or if he’s killed during the rescue attempt, he can die permanently. This will have significant consequences for the story.

7. Where is Ravengard located in Act 3 if I don’t make a deal with Mizora?

Without making a deal with Mizora, Ravengard is most likely found being held captive somewhere within Baldur’s Gate. More specifically, the Iron Throne during Act 3.

8. What are the main differences in the story if Ravengard is saved vs. not saved?

If Ravengard is saved, he can become a valuable ally in the final battle, providing strategic support and leadership. If he is not saved, Baldur’s Gate may fall under the Absolute’s control, leading to a darker and more challenging ending.

9. Are there any specific items that can help me save Ravengard?

Potions that grant resistance to specific damage types, scrolls of powerful spells, and items that enhance skill checks can all be valuable assets. Specifically, having the means to deal with psychic damage or charm effects will be useful.

10. Does my character’s class or background affect my ability to save Ravengard?

Certain classes and backgrounds, such as Paladins, Clerics, and characters with strong ties to Baldur’s Gate, may have unique dialogue options and abilities that can aid in the rescue.

11. How does the difficulty level affect the Ravengard rescue mission?

On higher difficulty levels, enemies will be tougher, skill checks will be harder to pass, and resources will be scarcer. This makes the rescue mission significantly more challenging.

12. Can I save Ravengard if I allied with Minthara and the goblins in Act 1?

Yes, it is still possible, though it might be more difficult to establish alliances with other factions later in the game.

13. If Ravengard is under the Absolute’s control, can I reverse it later?

Yes, it’s possible to break the Absolute’s control over Ravengard, but it will require significant effort and potentially powerful spells or abilities.

14. What happens if I choose to save the Gondians instead of Ravengard at the Iron Throne?

Choosing to save the Gondians will result in Ravengard’s death, as you will not have enough time to save everyone.

15. Is there a moral consequence to prioritizing Ravengard over other potential victims?

Yes. During the course of the game you might be required to choose between saving Ravengard or other NPCs. There is no completely ‘good’ choice in this scenario, as each decision comes with its own set of moral consequences. The optimal decision will be determined by your individual playthrough goals and moral alignment.