The Hag’s Bargain: What Happens When You Spare Auntie Ethel in Baldur’s Gate 3?
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The swamps of Baldur’s Gate 3 hold many dangers, but few are as deceptively charming and dangerously manipulative as Auntie Ethel, the hag. When confronted, players face a difficult choice: end her reign of terror, or strike a deal and let her live. But what truly happens when you spare Auntie Ethel? The answer is complex, with both immediate and far-reaching consequences that can dramatically impact your playthrough. Sparing Ethel opens a path to unique rewards, but it also comes with a dark cost that players must carefully consider.
The Immediate Aftermath of a Deal
If you manage to bring Ethel’s health low enough during the boss fight, she will stop the combat and offer you a bargain: leave her and Mayrina in peace, and she will grant you power. Accepting this deal grants you a permanent ability score increase by consuming a strand of her hair. This may sound like an easy way out of a tough fight, and a free stat boost is always tempting in Baldur’s Gate 3, but the reality is far more nuanced. You’re allowing a monstrous creature to continue her evil deeds, and Mayrina remains trapped in her web.
The Power of the Hair
The main immediate reward for sparing Ethel is “Ethel’s Hair.” This item permanently increases one of your Ability scores by +1. It is a very small bonus that allows you to boost an attribute. If your character’s strength is 16, you can use the hair and boost it to 17.
The Moral Cost
Perhaps the most significant consequence of sparing Auntie Ethel is the moral one. By letting her live, you are allowing her to continue her wicked practices. This has implications for your character’s alignment and may impact your relationships with your companions. Characters like Shadowheart, who lean toward good, may disapprove of your decision. Conversely, characters with more pragmatic or evil tendencies might see it as a smart move. This moral weight is a crucial factor to consider, as it can shape the overall narrative of your game.
Long-Term Implications
It is important to note that sparing Ethel does not mean you’re entirely done with her. She can potentially reappear later in the game, depending on your choices and actions. This potential return adds another layer of complexity to the decision, as you might have to face the consequences of your choice further down the line. This is especially true if you made deals that impact others, like Mayrina, as their stories could intersect with Ethel’s again.
The Alternatives: Killing Auntie Ethel
Before making a deal, it’s worth considering the alternative: defeating Ethel. Killing her will save the Masks and Mayrina, but prevent you from getting the hair. However, a closer look at the consequences reveals that killing Ethel is often the more rewarding path.
FAQs: Dealing with Auntie Ethel
Should I make a deal with Auntie Ethel?
Generally, no. While getting a permanent ability score increase sounds appealing, the moral cost and the knowledge that you’re allowing her to continue her evil deeds often outweigh the benefits. There are usually better, more morally sound ways to improve your character’s stats.
What happens if you let Auntie Ethel live?
She grants you “Ethel’s Hair,” which permanently increases one of your Ability scores by +1. She will continue to live and practice her evil deeds, with potential repercussions down the line.
Can you save Auntie Ethel’s victims?
Yes, it is possible to save the victims trapped in her lair. The key is to deal with the masks before removing them from the prisoners, which would otherwise lead to their deaths.
What happens if you let Auntie Ethel take your eye?
Do NOT do this. You’ll receive the “Paid the Price” condition, giving you +1 to Intimidation checks but disadvantage on Perception checks and attacks against Hags. It’s a terrible trade.
How do I save Mayrina from Auntie Ethel?
During the fight, extinguish the flames under her cage using water or the Create Water spell. Then, use the control orb to lower the cage. Ethel may try to disguise herself as Mayrina, so be vigilant!
Should I give Auntie Ethel my eye in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Absolutely not! As mentioned above, this results in a negative status effect that hinders your gameplay experience, especially when dealing with hags.
Can you befriend Auntie Ethel?
No, you cannot befriend her in the traditional sense. While you can pretend to be on her side to gain advantages, she is fundamentally an evil creature and not someone who can be genuinely befriended.
Does Auntie Ethel come back?
Yes, she can reappear later in the game depending on the choices you make. So be warned that even if she lives, she may not be gone for good.
How do you beat Auntie Ethel?
Focus on controlling the battlefield. Use spells and abilities to knock her off ledges (like Thunderwave), douse the flames under Mayrina’s cage, and prioritize eliminating her illusions. Keep a close watch on her summoned minions.
Is it worth killing Ethel?
Yes, it generally is. While you miss out on Ethel’s Hair, you save Mayrina and the Mask, and prevent further evil.
What level should I be to fight Auntie Ethel?
It’s recommended to be at least level 4 or 5 before taking on Auntie Ethel. Lower levels might struggle with the encounter’s complexity and Ethel’s abilities.
What do Auntie Ethel’s potions do?
Some of her potions are beneficial while others give you temporary strength or other bonuses, while others have terrible consequences.
How do you save Mayrina after killing Ethel?
Once Auntie Ethel is defeated, the cage will lower and Mayrina will be saved. If you decide to put out the fire with water, Auntie Ethel will teleport Mayrina out of the cage and disguise herself as Mayrina.
How can I help Mayrina with her husband?
After defeating Ethel, you can use the wand found in her lair on Connor’s coffin. This will bring him back as a zombie. You can then give the wand to Mayrina, allowing her to take her zombie husband in search of a cure.
Should I tell Auntie Ethel about the parasite?
Telling her you have an illithid parasite will trigger a questline where she offers to “help,” but this involves a terrible deal (taking your eye). It’s best to explore other options for removing the parasite.
Making the Right Choice
Ultimately, the decision to spare or kill Auntie Ethel depends on your playstyle, your character’s alignment, and your tolerance for moral ambiguity. While the immediate reward of an ability score increase might seem tempting, the long-term consequences and the moral implications of letting a hag continue her evil deeds should be carefully considered. For many players, ending Ethel’s reign of terror and saving her victims is the more satisfying and rewarding path.
Understanding the nuances of choices and consequences is paramount in games like Baldur’s Gate 3, and this ties directly to how we learn and grow. Just as in-game decisions have repercussions, so too do the decisions we make in our own lives. Exploring these connections between gameplay and real-world learning is part of what makes gaming such a powerful tool. For more insights into how games can influence learning and development, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.