Choices do count in "Avowed," and one of the more interesting side quests, "A Cure for Rage," is a difficult moral dilemma. While exploring Galawain's Tusks, you will find an ogre named Grakohr who has butchered a caravan and kidnapped a merchant. It looks like a clear-cut case of a murderous beast that must be killed at first glance.
But things are more complicated than that, and your choice might have far-reaching implications.
Who is Grakohr? His Side of the Story
Grakohr is not merely another mindless thug. When you talk to him, he insists that he slaughtered the caravan in self-defense. Interestingly, his captive, a merchant named Gilyn, also verifies his account despite the fact that she is technically his hostage. This instantly undermines the notion that Grakohr is a simple villain. The game dares you to judge the truth versus appearances.
If you opt to listen to Grakohr, he explains that he is afflicted with a fatal illness and is on the hunt for a cure. This adds an additional dimension to the decision-making process: do you end a life that perhaps doesn't deserve to be ended, or do you assist an errant beast in distress?
Option 1: Kill Grakohr For Instant Rewards, But What's the Price?
If you choose to attack Grakohr, you will immediately fight a boss battle. When you kill him, you are able to loot his corpse for the following items:
- 47 Golden Scellings (currency)
- Ogre Blood (crafting material)
- Stew (food item)
- Limb-Taker (two-handed ax)
The Limb-Taker is a Superb rank weapon with one step towards Legendary status. Its primary ability applies Bleed Accumulation to enemies, making it attractive to players using a two-handed weapon build. But Bleed damage is less effective in Avowed's latter stages since most high-level enemies are immune.
Killing Grakohr is the easiest path to completing the quest but robs you of future rewards and eliminates a possible ally.
Option 2: Assist Grakohr For An Investment for the Long Haul
If you choose to assist Grakohr, the mission is altered. Grakohr tells you that he requires certain ingredients to brew a cure. Gilyn tells you that the recipe is located among the wreckage of the caravan that was destroyed. After you obtain the necessary parts and return, Grakohr consumes the cure, recovers, and frees Gilyn without harm.
As a gift, he gives you the Stoneheart Amulet, which gives you the power to call upon a Ruinous Blight to help you fight. Unlike the Limb-Taker, this is an item that will aid you throughout the game, as having an additional ally can make a difference in tough battles.
Aside from the direct reward, Grakohr's survival has another significant consequence: he comes back to assist you during the final fight in Paradis. Although he doesn't join the final battle against Inquisitor Lödwyn, his availability can facilitate previous confrontations.
The Best Choice: Why Rescuing Grakohr is the Better Option
Both from a role-playing and gameplay point of view, assisting Grakohr is the best choice. ScreenRant explains why:
Grakohr was defending himself. Gilyn verifies his account even when Grakohr is not present, demonstrating that she is not merely saying what he desires.
The Stoneheart Amulet offers superior long-term value. Calling a Ruinous Blight is superior to Limb-Taker since Bleed damage does not work well in later battles.
Grakohr assists you in the final fight. Although he doesn't help you fight Lödwyn, it's helpful to have another supporting character during the previous battles.
The Dexterity dialogue option is a mislead. The game provides you with a Dexterity option to sneak Gilyn away, but she does not comply, so it's an illusory choice. Your actual options are either murdering Grakohr or healing him.
Make the Right Choice in 'A Cure for Rage'
While "Avowed" encourages players to forge their own paths, some decisions are clearly better than others. In "A Cure for Rage," helping Grakohr is the superior choice, offering better rewards, a more engaging story arc, and an additional ally in a key battle. Killing him may provide a powerful weapon, but its limited usefulness makes it the lesser option.
If you desire to get the most out of your gameplay experience and have a legitimate impact on the world, helping Grakohr is the route to take. And also, we would like to remind you that your "Avowed" character is locked forever. You can't change its appearance anymore, but you can change its armor.
