In Avowed, the decision to attack or spare Captain Aelfyr during the "A Path to the Garden" quest presents a strategic dilemma. This guide analyzes the consequences of each choice.
Attacking Captain Aelfyr yields significant rewards, most notably the unique Death Knight Gloves. These gloves offer a 10% reduction in stamina cost while blocking and a 15% boost to frost damage—highly beneficial for defenders and elemental fighters.
Beyond the gloves, players also acquire additional loot: a Garnet gem, 26 Silver Fenning coins, Exceptional Scale Armor, and an Exceptional Great Sword. These items provide a substantial gear upgrade, particularly for players who haven't prioritized equipment enhancements. Furthermore, the fallen Steel Garrote soldiers offer additional plunder.
Conversely, sparing Aelfyr provides no tangible rewards. The challenge of the encounter itself—involving melee fighters and healing mages—might be considered the implicit reward, especially for under-leveled characters. The impact on Giatta's disposition is minimal, resulting in only minor conversational differences.
In conclusion, attacking Captain Aelfyr is the strategically superior option due to the substantial loot acquired. However, players facing a difficult challenge can adjust the game's difficulty setting before engaging. This decision also subtly affects Giatta's attitude, though the differences are inconsequential.