Should I Tell Sebastian the Truth in Hogwarts Legacy? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of whether to tell Sebastian Sallow the truth in Hogwarts Legacy is one that plagues many players. It’s a pivotal point in his complex and often morally ambiguous questline, leaving you wondering how your choice impacts the narrative and your relationship with the enigmatic Slytherin. The simple, and perhaps somewhat frustrating, answer is this: it doesn’t significantly affect the overarching story. Your choice, in the grand scheme of Hogwarts Legacy, is more of a personal, character-driven decision than a plot-altering one.
However, while the big picture might remain unchanged, the finer details of your interaction with Sebastian, and the availability of certain gameplay features, do hinge on your decision. This article will break down what happens with each path, helping you make the most informed choice for your gameplay experience, and clarify any uncertainties you may have regarding this pivotal decision.
The Truth About Telling the Truth (or Not)
The central choice regarding Sebastian often revolves around his increasingly dark path and his use of the Unforgivable Curses. Regardless of whether you ‘tell on’ Sebastian, several key events remain constant:
- Solomon Sallow’s death: Sebastian will inevitably confront and kill his uncle, Solomon, using the Killing Curse, Avada Kedavra. This event cannot be prevented, irrespective of your decisions.
- Anne Sallow’s fate: Unfortunately, Anne’s condition remains unchanged throughout the game. Despite Sebastian’s desperate attempts, a cure is never found, and she does not recover.
- Sebastian’s personal turmoil: Sebastian will grapple with the consequences of his actions and his descent into the darker aspects of magic, regardless of your intervention. His path is largely set.
However, your decision on whether to report Sebastian impacts the immediate aftermath and your ongoing relationship with him:
Option 1: Turning Sebastian In
If you choose to betray Sebastian and report him to the authorities, he will be expelled from Hogwarts and incarcerated. This effectively removes him from the game entirely. You will not be able to interact with him further, and any ongoing questlines involving him will end abruptly.
This means:
- You will not be able to learn the Unforgivable Curses from him if you haven’t already done so.
- You will miss out on additional interactions and dialogue that explore Sebastian’s character and motivations.
- His storyline, from your perspective, ends with his expulsion.
Option 2: Protecting Sebastian
Choosing not to turn Sebastian in, allowing him to remain at Hogwarts, means he avoids expulsion, and the story continues. This choice allows:
- You can learn the Unforgivable Curses from him if you choose to. If you had previously refused the offer, you can still do so.
- You can continue interacting with him, witnessing his internal conflict and his justifications for his actions.
- You maintain access to his character quest line and additional dialogue options.
The Unforgivable Curses: A Key Consideration
A major factor influencing many players’ choices is the availability of the Unforgivable Curses—Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra. Sebastian is the primary, and arguably only, source of these spells. Choosing to turn Sebastian in early prevents you from acquiring these curses. This could be a significant loss for those who want to master all spells, or those who simply want to experience the full breadth of dark magic in the game.
Choosing to learn the curses later
If you previously declined to learn the curses during the questlines, choosing not to report Sebastian will give you another opportunity. After some time has passed in the game, Sebastian will once again approach you about learning them. This can be especially beneficial if you’re exploring a “darker” path for your character.
The Moral Dilemma and Character Choice
While the mechanical consequences are relatively minor, the moral dilemma surrounding Sebastian is very real for many players. Do you choose to uphold the law and report his actions, even though they are born from trauma and grief? Or do you prioritize your friendship and potential access to forbidden magic, overlooking his descent into darkness?
- Reporting Sebastian: This aligns with a more lawful or “good” path, and might be appealing for characters who are morally rigid or believe in adhering to rules and consequences.
- Protecting Sebastian: This resonates more with characters who have a different moral compass, value friendship over rules, or are willing to explore the darker aspects of magic.
Ultimately, the “right” choice is the one that feels most authentic to your character and how you are approaching your playthrough.
Side Quests and The Wider Narrative
It is important to note that neither choice truly changes the main ending of Hogwarts Legacy. The central narrative revolving around ancient magic and your character’s destiny proceeds mostly independent of your choices surrounding Sebastian. The most significant changes in story arise from a choice at the end of the game.
The Good and Bad Endings
The endings are defined by your choice when presented with the power of ancient magic:
- Good Ending: Sealing the ancient magic away forever and keeping it contained.
- Bad Ending: Taking the ancient magic for your own.
The decision about Sebastian does not impact your path to either ending.
Conclusion
In the end, whether you tell Sebastian the truth in Hogwarts Legacy is a matter of personal preference. There is no major benefit or consequence for the grand scheme of the narrative. Consider your character’s moral alignment and your gameplay objectives. Do you want to wield all the magic available? Are you bothered by Sebastian’s methods, or do you see the hurt he’s carrying? Make your choice knowing it won’t drastically change the world, but that it will significantly shape your character’s experience with this fascinating and troubled wizard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Sebastian Sallow truly evil in Hogwarts Legacy?
Sebastian’s character is nuanced. He begins with good intentions, trying to cure his sister, but his methods become increasingly dark and desperate. While he commits heinous acts, such as killing his uncle, he doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a purely evil character. He is driven by grief, desperation, and a misguided belief in the righteousness of his cause.
2. Does siding with Sebastian give a “bad ending”?
No. Your relationship with Sebastian and the choices you make regarding him do not impact the main ending of the game. The game’s endings are based on your final decision regarding the ancient magic.
3. Can I romance Sebastian in Hogwarts Legacy?
No, Hogwarts Legacy does not have any romance options, and Sebastian is not a romanceable character.
4. What happens if I turn Sebastian in?
Sebastian will be immediately expelled from Hogwarts and sent to Azkaban. You will lose the ability to interact with him, and further questlines involving him will be unavailable.
5. Can I still learn Unforgivable Curses if I report Sebastian?
No. If you turn Sebastian in, you will not be able to learn the Unforgivable Curses later on, if you have not already done so previously.
6. Can I save Sebastian’s Uncle Solomon?
No. The showdown between Sebastian and his uncle is a fixed event in the story, and you cannot prevent Solomon’s death.
7. Does my choice affect how others view my character?
Your choice regarding Sebastian does not have long lasting consequences from other NPCs, nor does it impact the ending. How they react to you is primarily influenced by other choices you make and your actions throughout the game.
8. What happens if I agree with Sebastian?
If you choose to agree with Sebastian’s actions, he will continue down his dark path, and you may have further dialogue options with him about these choices. You will also still have the opportunity to learn the unforgivable curses if you have not already done so.
9. Does Sebastian get any redemption in the end?
Sebastian’s fate is left somewhat ambiguous. While he expresses some regret, he never fully atones for his actions. Your decision about whether to turn him in can influence your final interaction with him.
10. Is there any advantage to turning Sebastian in?
The only advantage of turning Sebastian in is from a moral standpoint if your character feels very strongly about following the law. There are no specific rewards for doing so.
11. What does the “In The Shadow of Time” choice mean?
This refers to a specific quest with Sebastian where he wants to take a relic. It does not matter if you let him take the relic as the narrative outcome remains the same regardless.
12. How do I get the “good” ending in Hogwarts Legacy?
The good ending requires you to choose to contain the ancient magic at the end of the game.
13. Can I play the game after finishing the main story?
Yes. There is plenty of post-game content in Hogwarts Legacy to enjoy after completing the main storyline.
14. Can I use unforgivable curses and still get a good ending?
Yes, using the Unforgivable Curses throughout the game has no bearing on whether you can achieve the good ending. These spells are just tools for your character to use.
15. Does Sebastian’s sister, Anne, ever get cured?
No. Despite Sebastian’s efforts, Anne never recovers from her illness. Her fate remains tragic no matter what you do in the game.