In Avowed's opening moments, the Envoy is assassinated. Solving this murder reveals Ygwulf, a Paradisan Rebel, as the culprit. The player then faces a choice: mercy or vengeance. This guide explores the consequences of each decision.
Recommended Videos: Understanding Ygwulf's Motives
After investigating with Kai and Marius in Paradis, the Envoy uncovers Ygwulf's identity. A member of the Paradisan Rebels, he targeted the Envoy, a high-value imperial target, as part of their resistance against Aedyr's influence.
The Envoy confronts Ygwulf in his underground hideout, navigating enemies and obstacles. Optional documents reveal Ygwulf's remorse and misguided belief in divine justification for his actions. Regardless of finding these documents, Ygwulf expresses regret during the confrontation.
The Consequences of Sparing Ygwulf
Surrendering Ygwulf to the Inquisitor Lödwyn proves the least favorable outcome, resulting in a brutal, implied death. This yields fewer rewards than either sparing him or killing him.
Choosing mercy grants 625 Copper Skeyt and some Adra, a modest reward. However, Ygwulf's death is predetermined, occurring later in the story regardless of the player's choice.
Why Killing Ygwulf is the Optimal Choice
Given Ygwulf's inevitable demise, killing him offers the best outcome. The ensuing boss fight provides valuable combat practice. More importantly, defeating Ygwulf yields superior loot: currency, Adra, and the unique Blackwing armor. This armor boasts a significant +30% damage boost during stealth attacks and a 25% movement speed increase while crouching.
Ygwulf's Fate and its Impact on the Story (Spoiler Warning)
Despite being an early-game encounter, Ygwulf's fate subtly influences Avowed's ending. Post-game epilogues illustrate the consequences of the player's choices on Eora. Ygwulf's death, regardless of the player's actions, radicalizes the Paradisan Rebellion, ensuring their continued violent resistance even after the credits roll, hindering efforts to bring peace to the Living Lands.
