In *Avowed*, the choice between attacking or sparing Captain Aelfyr during the main quest "A Path to the Garden" presents a critical decision point. This moment comes after Aelfyr, a fervent disciple of Lodwyn, may have played a role in the devastating fire at Fior Mes Inverno. Her gloating over the town's destruction and Giata's subsequent fury can make the option of revenge quite appealing. Additionally, your decision here influences your access to exclusive loot.
When faced with the choice, the optimal decision in *Avowed* is to attack Captain Aelfyr. Opting to engage her in combat rewards you with valuable loot that you wouldn't otherwise obtain, including the unique Death Knight Gloves.
Image Source: Obsidian Entertainment via The Escapist
In *Avowed*, the Death Knight Gloves are particularly beneficial for defenders and elemental fighters, providing a -10% Stamina cost reduction while Blocking and a 15% increase in Frost Damage. By looting Aelfyr's corpse after defeating her, you can also acquire the following items to bolster your inventory:
If you haven't been regularly upgrading your gear throughout your *Avowed* journey, securing these Exceptional Quality items provides a great chance to enhance your equipment. Moreover, you can scavenge additional loot from the fallen Steel Garrote soldiers scattered around.
Choosing to spare Aelfyr yields no tangible rewards. This choice might be appealing if you're looking to avoid a tough fight, especially on normal difficulty where battling Aelfyr and her Steel Garrote troops can be daunting due to aggressive melee combatants and healing mages. If your character is under-leveled, you can temporarily adjust the game's difficulty to make the encounter more manageable.
The decision to kill or spare Aelfyr slightly affects Giata's mood, making her happier if Aelfyr is spared and more anxious if she's killed. However, these effects are minimal and mostly limited to a few brief conversations.
Given the significant loot advantage, it's advisable to attack and kill Captain Aelfyr in *Avowed*. For further guidance, consider whether to give Keipo the Leviathan Heart during the "Heart of Valor" side quest, where you can secure additional crucial items. Also, explore the full list of *Avowed's* main and side missions to get a sense of the adventure that lies ahead.