Should You Let Sebastian Take the Relic in Hogwarts Legacy? A Deep Dive

The short answer? Yes, let Sebastian take the relic. In the grand scheme of Hogwarts Legacy, your choice during “In The Shadow Of Time” regarding whether Sebastian Sallow absconds with the relic is inconsequential to the overall narrative. He’s going to take it regardless of your dialogue option. While this might feel like a missed opportunity for player agency, understanding why this decision exists and the broader ramifications of your relationship with Sebastian is crucial for maximizing your enjoyment of the game.

The Illusion of Choice and Sebastian’s Arc

The core of the issue lies in the meticulously crafted, yet ultimately linear, arc of Sebastian Sallow. From a design perspective, Sebastian’s story needed to reach specific predetermined milestones: his growing fascination with dark magic, the accidental (or intentional) killing of his uncle Solomon, and the consequences of those actions. Allowing the player to significantly alter the relic quest would potentially derail those core plot points, creating branching narratives that the developers likely couldn’t accommodate within the game’s scope.

Therefore, your dialogue choices become a form of “illusion of choice”. You might feel like you’re influencing events, but the underlying structure remains constant. Sebastian needs the relic to fuel his increasingly desperate attempts to cure his sister Anne, driving him further down a dangerous path. Accepting this limitation allows you to focus on the elements of the game that do offer significant choice and impact, such as your own character development, spell learning, and moral decisions regarding reporting Sebastian’s actions later on.

Embracing Sebastian’s Narrative: A Path to Powerful Magic

While your agency over the relic is limited, embracing Sebastian’s narrative arc opens up crucial opportunities. Engaging with his quests allows you to learn some of the most powerful – and controversial – spells in the game: the Unforgivable Curses. Whether you choose to use them or not is entirely up to you, but having access to them expands your tactical options and provides a deeper understanding of the dark arts.

Furthermore, sticking with Sebastian offers a fascinating look at the moral complexities within the wizarding world. His motivations are driven by love and desperation, even if his methods are deeply flawed. By observing his descent, you gain valuable insight into the dangers of unchecked ambition and the seductive nature of dark magic. This exploration of grey areas contributes to the overall richness and maturity of Hogwarts Legacy‘s storytelling.

The Consequences of Your Choices: Beyond the Relic

The key decision regarding Sebastian isn’t about the relic itself, but whether you ultimately turn him in to the authorities for his actions, primarily the death of Solomon. This choice carries significant weight:

• Turning Sebastian In: He is expelled from Hogwarts, and you can no longer interact with him. This means you’ll miss out on any potential future quests or dialogue. More importantly, if he hasn’t already taught you the Unforgivable Curses, you’ll lose your chance to learn them in that playthrough.

• Not Turning Sebastian In: He remains at Hogwarts through the epilogue. You can continue to interact with him and potentially uncover more about his story and his sister Anne’s fate. He also remains a viable source for learning the Unforgivable Curses.

Weighing the Options: Roleplaying vs. Gameplay

Ultimately, your decision hinges on your roleplaying preferences and gameplay priorities.

• The Moral Compass: If you prioritize playing a strictly moral character who cannot condone the use of dark magic or the killing of Solomon, turning Sebastian in might align with your roleplaying goals.

• The Pragmatic Witch/Wizard: If you are more interested in maximizing your magical abilities and experiencing the full breadth of the game’s content, keeping Sebastian around to learn the Unforgivable Curses and explore his storyline further is the more pragmatic choice.

Conclusion: Make an Informed Decision

While the relic itself holds little significance in your immediate decision, the broader implications of your relationship with Sebastian Sallow are far-reaching. Understand the limitations of your control over his story, embrace the opportunity to learn powerful magic, and carefully consider the consequences of your ultimate choice regarding his fate. This approach will allow you to fully appreciate the nuances and complexities of Hogwarts Legacy. Remember to also check out resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for further insights into game design and narrative structures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Sebastian Sallow and related choices in Hogwarts Legacy:

1. What actually happens if you let Sebastian take the relic?

Nothing changes in the overall plot. He takes it regardless of your dialogue choice during the “In The Shadow of Time” quest.

2. Does telling Sebastian the truth matter?

No. Telling Sebastian the truth, or withholding information from him, does not affect the overarching story or your friendship.

3. Can you prevent Sebastian from killing Solomon?

No, the confrontation between Sebastian and Solomon is a fixed event in the story. Sebastian will always kill Solomon.

4. Should I side with Ominis or Sebastian about the relic?

As the choice about the relic is inconsequential, side with whomever aligns with your roleplaying preferences. The outcome remains the same: Sebastian takes the relic.

5. Should I betray Sebastian to the authorities?

This is a major decision. Turning him in results in his expulsion and the loss of any future interaction with him. Not turning him in allows you to continue his questline and potentially learn more about dark magic.

6. What happens if you betray Sebastian?

If you turn Sebastian in, he is expelled from Hogwarts and you will not be able to interact with him again in the game.

7. Can you romance Sebastian Sallow?

No, Hogwarts Legacy does not feature romance options with any of the characters, including Sebastian.

8. Does Sebastian Sallow become evil?

Sebastian doesn’t become inherently evil, but he does delve into dark magic out of desperation to save his sister. His actions have severe consequences, and he struggles to reconcile his intentions with the harm he causes.

9. What happens if I don’t turn Sebastian in?

He remains in Hogwarts, allowing you to continue his questline, learn more about the Unforgivable Curses (if you haven’t already), and see how his story concludes in the epilogue.

10. Can you stop Sebastian from using Unforgivable Curses?

You cannot directly stop him from using them. His actions are scripted to advance the story.

11. Can you get expelled from Hogwarts Legacy?

While you can get in trouble for certain actions, you cannot be permanently expelled from Hogwarts in Hogwarts Legacy.

12. Does Sebastian Sallow go to Azkaban?

If you turn him in, it is implied that he will face consequences for his actions, possibly including imprisonment, but the game does not explicitly show him going to Azkaban.

13. Are there multiple endings related to Sebastian?

While Hogwarts Legacy has three main endings, Sebastian’s storyline has its own concluding scenes that vary depending on your choices, particularly whether or not you turn him in.

14. Can Anne Sallow be cured?

Unfortunately, Anne Sallow’s condition remains unresolved in the game. There is no cure found within the main storyline.

15. Can you learn Avada Kedavra and still turn Sebastian in?

You must learn Avada Kedavra before turning him in. Once he’s gone, the opportunity to learn it from him is lost.