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Save Mayrina: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Save Mayrina Quest.jpg|thumb|Eat up, Mayrina.]] | | description = Save Mayrina is a quest in Act One of Baldur's Gate 3. The quest is acquired by running into an argument between Auntie Ethel and Mayrina's brothers - Johl and Demir, south of the Blighted Village. | ||
| image = Save Mayrina Quest.jpg | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Save Mayrina Quest.jpg|thumb|{{noexcerpt|Eat up, Mayrina.}}]] | |||
'''Save Mayrina''' is a [[Quest]] in [[Act One]] of [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. The quest is acquired by running into an argument between {{CharLink|Auntie Ethel}} and {{CharLink|Mayrina|Mayrina's}} brothers - {{CharLink|Johl}} and {{CharLink|Demir}}, south of the [[Blighted Village]]. | |||
== Objectives == | == Objectives == | ||
''Objectives and journal entries may vary pending | ''Objectives and journal entries may vary pending story decisions and outcomes.'' | ||
{{Quest objective|Question Auntie Ethel.| | |||
* Two brothers said that their sister Mayrina is being held against her will at Ethel's house - something the old woman denied. | * Two brothers said that their sister Mayrina is being held against her will at Ethel's house - something the old woman denied. | ||
* After Auntie Ethel vanished, two brothers set off after her - determined to find their sister Mayrina. Something isn't right here. | * After Auntie Ethel vanished, two brothers set off after her - determined to find their sister Mayrina. Something isn't right here. | ||
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* When we told Mayrina her brothers were dead, she was devastated. Ethel wasn't very pleased either. | * When we told Mayrina her brothers were dead, she was devastated. Ethel wasn't very pleased either. | ||
* We saw through the illusion that hid the area, revealing a stinking, nightmarish place. | * We saw through the illusion that hid the area, revealing a stinking, nightmarish place. | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Rescue Mayrina.| | |||
* Auntie Ethel waved her hand and Mayrina vanished. What happened to her? | * Auntie Ethel waved her hand and Mayrina vanished. What happened to her? | ||
* Auntie Ethel, the Green Hag, disappeared through her fireplace. If we follow her, perhaps we'll find Mayrina. | * Auntie Ethel, the Green Hag, disappeared through her fireplace. If we follow her, perhaps we'll find Mayrina. | ||
* The fireplace revealed a hidden passage under Auntie Ethel's home - leading to a dark, twisted lair. | * The fireplace revealed a hidden passage under Auntie Ethel's home - leading to a dark, twisted lair. | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Defeat the Hag.| | |||
* We found Auntie Ethel in the heart of her lair. She is furious with us. We're in for a fight. | * We found Auntie Ethel in the heart of her lair. She is furious with us. We're in for a fight. | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Speak with Mayrina.| | |||
* We persuaded Auntie Ethel to both give us the great power and release Mayrina. | * We persuaded Auntie Ethel to both give us the great power and release Mayrina. | ||
* We made a deal with the hag. We let her live in exchange for Mayrina's life. | * We made a deal with the hag. We let her live in exchange for Mayrina's life. | ||
* Auntie Ethel is finally dead. We should see if Mayrina is all right. | * Auntie Ethel is finally dead. We should see if Mayrina is all right. | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Search the lair for a way to help Mayrina.| | |||
* We saved Mayrina, but she was in a bad way. She left to say goodbye to her husband at his grave - perhaps we can help her somehow? | * We saved Mayrina, but she was in a bad way. She left to say goodbye to her husband at his grave - perhaps we can help her somehow? | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Bring the wand to Mayrina.| | |||
* We found a wand with Connor's name on it. Could this resurrect Mayrina's husband? | * We found a wand with Connor's name on it. Could this resurrect Mayrina's husband? | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Decide Connor's fate.| | |||
* With our help, Mayrina's husband was resurrected - but Connor is a broken shell of who he once was. Would it be right to keep him alive like this? | * With our help, Mayrina's husband was resurrected - but Connor is a broken shell of who he once was. Would it be right to keep him alive like this? | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Slay Connor.| | |||
* The creature that was once Mayrina's husband is an abomination. We have no choice but to destroy it. | * The creature that was once Mayrina's husband is an abomination. We have no choice but to destroy it. | ||
}} | |||
{{Quest objective|Quest Complete| | |||
* We made a deal with Auntie Ethel for great power. She left - and took Mayrina with her. | * We made a deal with Auntie Ethel for great power. She left - and took Mayrina with her. | ||
* Mayrina's husband died at our hands. | * Mayrina's husband died at our hands. | ||
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* We destroyed the wand that could bring Mayrina's husband back to life. She was distraught. | * We destroyed the wand that could bring Mayrina's husband back to life. She was distraught. | ||
* We knocked Mayrina out. | * We knocked Mayrina out. | ||
* We left before we could save the unfortunate | * We left before we could save the unfortunate Mayrina | ||
}} | |||
==Walkthrough== | ==Walkthrough== | ||
=== Meeting Ethel === | === Meeting Ethel === | ||
Ethel can be | {{CharLink|Auntie Ethel}} can be first encountered in [[The Hollow]] in the [[Emerald Grove]] at {{Coords|192|544}}. She runs a small shop selling lotions and potions. Ethel notices that the party looks ill, prompting the option to reveal that they were infected with a mindflayer tadpole. Ethel states that she can help, but that she doesn't have supplies at the Grove. She invites the party to visit her in the wetlands. | ||
Ethel can also be encountered southwest of the [[Blighted Village]], just after entering the Sunlit Wetlands | Ethel can also be first encountered southwest of the [[Blighted Village]] at {{Coords|45|313}}, just after entering the Sunlit Wetlands. Johl and Demir are accusing Ethel of kidnapping their sister, Mayrina. In the initial confrontation with Auntie Ethel and the brothers, the party can choose to side with Auntie Ethel, the brothers, or refuse to get involved. If the party side with the brothers, Ethel reveals her true nature and departs for her teahouse. If the party side with Ethel, the brothers attack immediately. If the party do not fight with the brothers, they leave for Ethel's teahouse, where the party can later discover their bodies. If the party refuse to involve themselves in the situation, Ethel tells them they were supposed to rush to her defense. She kills the two men with a poison spell, then departs for her teahouse. In both cases where the party side with the brothers or refuse to get involved, Ethel warns them that if they come to her teahouse, they'd best come bearing an apology. If the party side with Auntie Ethel, she asks the party to come to her teahouse so she can thank them properly. | ||
=== Ethel's | === Ethel's teahouse === | ||
Ethel's house | Auntie Ethel's house is at {{Coords|-47|266}} in the southwestern area of the Sunlit Wetlands/Putrid Bog. She greets the party and, regardless of if she was told or not, states she's well aware of the tadpole in their heads. In the teahouse, Auntie Ethel berates a young woman for not finishing her pie, who is revealed to be {{CharLink|Mayrina}}. If Ethel is not yet hostile, the party can initiate {{Quest|Get Help from Auntie Ethel}}. Regardless of the conversation choices, Ethel transports Mayrina further into her lair, done with her complaints about being full. | ||
<!-- I tried this, and Mayrina simply returned when she couldn't find the thief. I'm guessing it was a bug that got fixed. | |||
It is possible to rescue Mayrina by stealing the locket from her while she is sitting at the table. She then claims, that Auntie Ethel stole it and runs off. She waits close to the mushroom circle in the South-East of the Wetlands. | |||
--> | |||
Most actions after this point lead to Ethel revealing her true form and retreating into her hearth. The | Most actions after this point lead to Ethel revealing her true form and retreating into her hearth. The party can pursue her through the [[Overgrown Tunnel]]. If Ethel is not yet hostile, moving close to the hearth causes an automatic Investigation check. On success, an illusory passage is revealed, which the party can walk through to proceed into the tunnels. If the illusion has not yet been broken, entering the tunnel will cause the Sunlit Wetlands to reveal its true form as the Putrid Bog. While pursuing Ethel through her lair, the party cannot return to camp but is able to short rest. | ||
[[File:Overgrown Tunnel Door Quest.jpg|thumb|The overgrown tunnel's door is a former victim of Ethel's.]] | [[File:Overgrown Tunnel Door Quest.jpg|thumb|The overgrown tunnel's door is a former victim of Ethel's.]] | ||
If Ethel | If Ethel is not yet hostile, she appears within the first part of the tunnel to warn the party away. Regardless of the response, she disappears. The first hurdle is a door of vines. Attempting to open the door causes it to telepathically share its story with the party to warn them from proceeding further. | ||
An Arcana check reveals that the door is an illusion and can simply be walked through. Otherwise, persuading the door causes it to share its secrets: | |||
* {{Dialogue option|I can see through you. I can just walk right in.}} (if investigation check passed) | |||
* {{Dialogue option|I will kill here today. It can be you, or it can be the hag.|tags=Dark Urge|roll=Intimidation|dc=10}} {{Approval|Astarion|+1}} {{Approval|Lae'zel|+1}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|+1}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|Open up, or I'll burn you to ashes.|roll=Intimidation|dc=10}} {{Approval|Astarion|+1}} {{Approval|Lae'zel|+1}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|+1}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|If I kill the hag, you'll be free.|tags=Persuasion|dc=10}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|I will strike the hag down with the full force of my fury - I swear it.|tags=Oath of Vengeance|roll=Persuasion|dc=10}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|If you let me through, I will do all I can to free you from your torment - I swear it.|tags=Oath of Devotion|roll=Persuasion|dc=10}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|The hag is perversion of nature, and I am sworn to strike her down - you have nothing to fear from me.|tags=Oath of the Ancients|roll=Persuasion|dc=10}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|'''''ROAR.'''''|tags=Berserker|roll=Intimidation|dc=10|advantage=y}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|Open. '''Now.'''|tags=Barbarian|roll=Intimidation|dc=10|advantage=y}} | |||
Through the door are four servants of Ethel's | Through the door are four servants of Ethel's: {{CharLink|Mask of Regret (Overgrown Tunnel)|Mask of Regret}}, {{CharLink|Mask of Servitude (Overgrown Tunnel)|Mask of Servitude}}, {{CharLink|Mask of Terror (Overgrown Tunnel)|Mask of Terror}}, and {{CharLink|Mask of Vengeance (Overgrown Tunnel)|Mask of Vengeance}}. They become hostile upon detecting the party. They cannot be spared except by avoiding them entirely before defeating Ethel - non-lethal attacks result in them never becoming conscious again. | ||
On the table next to the door are | On the table next to the door are {{SmRarityItem|Whispering Mask|Whispering Masks}}. If a party member wears it, they must make a {{SavingThrow|WIS}} every turn. If failed, they become a Hag's Pawn (controlled by Auntie Ethel) and will attack the party; if all party members equip the mask, the Game Over screen appears. The negative effects of this mask can be prevented by casting {{SAI|Protection from Evil and Good}} before equipping the mask. Only one party member needs to successfully wear a mask to let the full party pass through the door. The masks also prevent the hag servants from becoming hostile, but only towards the masked character(s). Any others need to sneak past to avoid confrontation. | ||
Past the Hag Servants is a waterfall and a winding path filled with noxious fumes and explosive traps. The vents can be covered with any item - including the Whispering Masks on the table. Another option is to simply jump over the fumes | Past the Hag Servants is a waterfall and a winding path filled with noxious fumes and explosive traps. The vents can be covered with any item - including the Whispering Masks on the table. Another option is to simply jump over the fumes. {{SAI|Enhance Leap}} and {{SAI|Feather Fall}} are immensely helpful. Once the party reaches the bottom of the path, they'll see Mayrina in a cage, and Ethel. However, it is possible to avoid the fight by staying on the path to the right. The party can enter the last chamber and even leave via the Mushroom Circle (and take a Long Rest outside). After that the party can return, and run up to the cage to trigger the fight with Ethel. | ||
=== Facing Ethel === | === Facing Ethel === | ||
After making their way through the [[Overgrown Tunnel]], the | After making their way through the [[Overgrown Tunnel]], the party will find {{CharLink|Mayrina}} in a burning wooden cage suspended over a pit. If the cage is destroyed by fire or other means, Mayrina will die. The spell {{SAI|Create Water}} or a thrown container of water can put out the fire, as well as a simple {{SAI|Ray of Frost}} cantrip or {{SmRarityItem|Arrow of Ice}}. Ethel will start at full health, regardless of how much damage was done to her upstairs, and will summon illusory copies of herself that have all of her regular spells and abilities, but are destroyed after taking any damage. The real Ethel keeps her place in the initiative order, and may be distinguishable by that. Ethel will also summon the masked victims from the Overgrown Tunnel and set them on the party if they are still alive and conscious. | ||
Ethel may teleport Mayrina out of the cage, then assume her form, attempting to trick the | Ethel may teleport Mayrina out of the cage, then assume her form, attempting to trick the party into killing Mayrina, as there are now two seemingly identical copies. The Mayrina in the previous position of Ethel CAN be the real Mayrina, so use caution. Generally, the most obvious way to determine if the target is Mayrina is by seeing if the character model is visibly pregnant - the real Mayrina has a belly; Ethel's clones do not. Examining the stat blocks also reveals the truth, as Mayrina remains Level 1, while the clone is Level 5 like Ethel herself. The spell also doesn't affect [[Initiative]], so Ethel and Mayrina will retain their positions in the turn queue. | ||
[[File:Mask of Regret Quest.jpg|thumb|The Mask of Regret is able to be saved.]] | [[File:Mask of Regret Quest.jpg|thumb|The Mask of Regret is able to be saved.]] | ||
Once Auntie Ethel is reduced to below 20% of her life | Once Auntie Ethel is reduced to below 20% of her life and has a turn to act, she offers the party a chance to make a series of persuasion or intimidation checks. | ||
Depending on the results of the skill checks and subsequent decisions, the party can either free Mayrina: {{Approval|Astarion|-5}} {{Approval|Gale|+1}} {{Approval|Lae'zel|-1}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|-1}} {{Approval|Karlach|+1}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|No good can come of this. Let Mayrina go.}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|In the name of Eilistraee, release the girl and leave this place - never to return.|tags=Cleric of Eilistraee, Drow}} | |||
Let Ethel keep Mayrina in exchange for the {{SmRarityItem|Auntie Ethel's Hair}}, a special single use item that can increase any [[Ability Score]] of any character by 1 permanently: {{Approval|Astarion|+5}} {{Approval|Gale|-5}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|-1}} {{Approval|Wyll|-5}} {{Approval|Karlach|-1}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|Keep the girl. I'll take the power.}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|Such power will let me better serve the Spider Queen. Give it to me.|tags=Lolth-Sworn}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|The human means nothing to me. Give me the power.|tags=Seladrine}} | |||
Free Mayrina *and* keep the Hag's Hair both. {{Approval|Astarion|+5}} {{Approval|Lae'zel|+5}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|+5}} {{Approval|Karlach|+5}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|If you want to live, hand over Mayrina ''and'' this power. Right now.|roll=Intimidation|dc=20}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|My reinforcements are nearly here. Give me the girl and the power and they'll spare you.|roll=Deception|dc=20}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|Girl, power, everything. '''OR I TURN YOUR SKULL INTO A PISSPOT.'''|tags=Berserker|roll=Intimidation|dc=15|advantage=y}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|I'll have it all. Or I'll just settle for '''your life.'''|tags=Barbarian|roll=Intimidation|dc=15|advantage=y}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|I know a beaten opponent when I see one. Give me the power and the girl, and I'll let you live.|tags=Fighter|roll=Intimidation|dc=15|advantage=y}} | |||
...or simply kill Ethel: {{Approval|Astarion|-5}} {{Approval|Gale|+1}} {{Approval|Lae'zel|+1}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|+5}} {{Approval|Wyll|+1}} {{Approval|Karlach|+1}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|I think a dead hag is the answer here.}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|Neither. But a hag's head would make an excellent trophy.}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|You're a vile, monstrous creature. There is no bargain for you but death.|tags=Oath of the Ancients, Oathbreaker, Good Cleric}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|There's no choice to make. A corrupting force like you has to be destroyed.|tags=Oath of the Ancients}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|I'll bathe in your blood as I offer your death up in prayer.|tags=Evil Cleric}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|You're a stain upon this land, but I will cleanse it.|tags=Druid}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|You have nothing that could tempt me.|tags=Monk}} | |||
* {{Dialogue option|Hags are the scourge of the natural world. I'm going to kill you - as many times as needed.|tags=Ranger}} | |||
If a deal is struck with Ethel, she disappears, but all her thralls remain hostile. If Ethel is killed, the thralls are freed, although all but the Mask of Regret are too far gone to truly be saved. Note that the cutscene to trigger Ethel's deal can be missed if she is killed too quickly - when intending to obtain her hair it's necessary to skip turns to give her a chance to speak once she is brought to low HP. Additionally, Ethel will initiate conversation with whoever is closest to her so it may be beneficial to shuffle party members around in preparation for any ability checks the party may want to make in the conversation. | |||
The Acrid Workshop area here has some treasure, some writings that provide more context and background information, and a Mushroom Circle that teleports the party back outside, to the back of the house. Behind the teahouse is the body of Mayrina's husband, {{CharLink|Connor Vinderblad}} at {{Coords|-69|224}}. The wand {{SmRarityItem|Bitter Divorce}}, found in the Workshop, can be used to raise Connor as a zombie. The party can then choose whether to give the wand to Mayrina to take her ex-husband with her, or keep it for themselves. If kept, it changes to {{SmRarityItem|Second Marriage}} and can be used at any time to summon Connor as a zombie follower. | |||
== Quest rewards == | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Auntie Ethel's Hair}} if a deal is made with Ethel. | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Second Marriage}} if choose to keep the wand. | |||
* {{MdRarityItem|Staff of Crones}} | |||
== | ==Companion approval== | ||
On meeting Auntie Ethel and Mayrina's brothers for the first time, on the outskirts of the swamp: | |||
* | *Refuse to aid Mayrina's brothers - "''You're on your own. I have enough problems.''" {{Approval|Wyll|-1}} {{Approval|Astarion|+1}} {{Approval|Lae'zel|+1}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|+5}} | ||
* | * Agree to find Mayrina - "''Let me - I'll bring Mayrina home.''" {{Approval|Lae'zel|-1}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|-1}} {{Approval|Gale|+1}} {{Approval|Karlach|+1}} {{Approval|Wyll|+1}} | ||
* [WIZARD, RANGER, or SORCERER] Warn the brothers about the hags, then agree to help find Mayrina - "''Trust a more experienced soul. I'll find your sister.''" {{Approval|Wyll|-1}} {{Approval|Astarion|+1}} {{Approval|Lae'zel|+1}} {{Approval|Shadowheart|+5}} | |||
* ''Give Mayrina the Wand.'' (After using {{SmRarityItem|Bitter Divorce}} to raise Connor from the dead.) {{Approval|Karlach|+1}} {{Approval|Wyll|+1}} | |||
<!-- Approvals confirmed in game data files. --> | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
{{notebegin}} | |||
* Mayrina's brothers can technically be saved by knocking them out with non-lethal attacks. However, this is somewhat glitchy and part of the dialogue states that the brothers are dead. | * Mayrina's brothers can technically be saved by knocking them out with non-lethal attacks. However, this is somewhat glitchy and part of the dialogue states that the brothers are dead. | ||
* Using non-lethal damage on the Hag's Pawns will knock them out | * Using non-lethal damage on the Hag's Pawns will knock them out in order to save one of them. Returning to them after Ethel is dead and they have regained consciousness will reveal that {{CharLink|Mask of Regret (Overgrown Tunnel)|Mask of Regret}} has regained her sanity even though the others have not. She can later appear as part of {{Quest|Help the Hag Survivors}} in [[Act Three]]. | ||
* Using non-lethal damage on the Hag will not trigger her surrender cutscene | * Using non-lethal damage on the Hag will not trigger her surrender cutscene and will instead knock her out, ending the fight. | ||
* Using the wand Bitter Divorce to resurrect Connor will cause the Oath of the Ancients Paladin to become an Oath Breaker. | |||
* When the fight with the Hag begins, Auntie Ethel will summon the masked pawn enemies if they were not previously killed or knocked unconscious. | |||
* It is possible to spawn the Hag without entering combat immediately by {{SAI|Fly|flying}} or {{SAI|Misty Step|teleporting}} to the orb, using the orb to lower the cage and releasing Mayrina, and then talking to Mayrina to make the Hag spawn. The party can hide and sneak down the right path and when they get close to the orb jump to it to avoid alerting Ethel as well. Ethel's red cone of sight can be seen whilst hiding even when she herself is invisible; all hiding or invisible creatures in the game have red cones of sight making it very easy to determine their location. | |||
{{noteend}} | |||
{{NavQuests}} | {{NavQuests}} | ||
[[Category:Quests]] | [[Category:Quests]] |
Latest revision as of 19:00, 3 December 2024
Save Mayrina is a Quest in Act One of Baldur's Gate 3. The quest is acquired by running into an argument between Auntie Ethel and Mayrina's brothers - Johl and Demir, south of the Blighted Village.
Objectives[edit | edit source]
Objectives and journal entries may vary pending story decisions and outcomes.
Walkthrough[edit | edit source]
Meeting Ethel[edit | edit source]
Auntie Ethel can be first encountered in The Hollow in the Emerald Grove at X: 192 Y: 544. She runs a small shop selling lotions and potions. Ethel notices that the party looks ill, prompting the option to reveal that they were infected with a mindflayer tadpole. Ethel states that she can help, but that she doesn't have supplies at the Grove. She invites the party to visit her in the wetlands.
Ethel can also be first encountered southwest of the Blighted Village at X: 45 Y: 313, just after entering the Sunlit Wetlands. Johl and Demir are accusing Ethel of kidnapping their sister, Mayrina. In the initial confrontation with Auntie Ethel and the brothers, the party can choose to side with Auntie Ethel, the brothers, or refuse to get involved. If the party side with the brothers, Ethel reveals her true nature and departs for her teahouse. If the party side with Ethel, the brothers attack immediately. If the party do not fight with the brothers, they leave for Ethel's teahouse, where the party can later discover their bodies. If the party refuse to involve themselves in the situation, Ethel tells them they were supposed to rush to her defense. She kills the two men with a poison spell, then departs for her teahouse. In both cases where the party side with the brothers or refuse to get involved, Ethel warns them that if they come to her teahouse, they'd best come bearing an apology. If the party side with Auntie Ethel, she asks the party to come to her teahouse so she can thank them properly.
Ethel's teahouse[edit | edit source]
Auntie Ethel's house is at X: -47 Y: 266 in the southwestern area of the Sunlit Wetlands/Putrid Bog. She greets the party and, regardless of if she was told or not, states she's well aware of the tadpole in their heads. In the teahouse, Auntie Ethel berates a young woman for not finishing her pie, who is revealed to be Mayrina. If Ethel is not yet hostile, the party can initiate . Regardless of the conversation choices, Ethel transports Mayrina further into her lair, done with her complaints about being full.
Most actions after this point lead to Ethel revealing her true form and retreating into her hearth. The party can pursue her through the Overgrown Tunnel. If Ethel is not yet hostile, moving close to the hearth causes an automatic Investigation check. On success, an illusory passage is revealed, which the party can walk through to proceed into the tunnels. If the illusion has not yet been broken, entering the tunnel will cause the Sunlit Wetlands to reveal its true form as the Putrid Bog. While pursuing Ethel through her lair, the party cannot return to camp but is able to short rest.
If Ethel is not yet hostile, she appears within the first part of the tunnel to warn the party away. Regardless of the response, she disappears. The first hurdle is a door of vines. Attempting to open the door causes it to telepathically share its story with the party to warn them from proceeding further.
An Arcana check reveals that the door is an illusion and can simply be walked through. Otherwise, persuading the door causes it to share its secrets:
- I can see through you. I can just walk right in. (if investigation check passed)
- [DARK URGE] [INTIMIDATION] I will kill here today. It can be you, or it can be the hag. (DC 10) +1 +1 +1
- [INTIMIDATION] Open up, or I'll burn you to ashes. (DC 10) +1 +1 +1
- [PERSUASION] If I kill the hag, you'll be free. (DC 10)
- [OATH OF VENGEANCE] [PERSUASION] I will strike the hag down with the full force of my fury - I swear it. (DC 10)
- [OATH OF DEVOTION] [PERSUASION] If you let me through, I will do all I can to free you from your torment - I swear it. (DC 10)
- [OATH OF THE ANCIENTS] [PERSUASION] The hag is perversion of nature, and I am sworn to strike her down - you have nothing to fear from me. (DC 10)
- [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] ROAR. (DC 10 )
- [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] Open. Now. (DC 10 )
Through the door are four servants of Ethel's: Mask of Regret, Mask of Servitude, Mask of Terror, and Mask of Vengeance. They become hostile upon detecting the party. They cannot be spared except by avoiding them entirely before defeating Ethel - non-lethal attacks result in them never becoming conscious again.
On the table next to the door are Whispering Masks. If a party member wears it, they must make a Wisdom saving throw every turn. If failed, they become a Hag's Pawn (controlled by Auntie Ethel) and will attack the party; if all party members equip the mask, the Game Over screen appears. The negative effects of this mask can be prevented by casting before equipping the mask. Only one party member needs to successfully wear a mask to let the full party pass through the door. The masks also prevent the hag servants from becoming hostile, but only towards the masked character(s). Any others need to sneak past to avoid confrontation.
Past the Hag Servants is a waterfall and a winding path filled with noxious fumes and explosive traps. The vents can be covered with any item - including the Whispering Masks on the table. Another option is to simply jump over the fumes.
and are immensely helpful. Once the party reaches the bottom of the path, they'll see Mayrina in a cage, and Ethel. However, it is possible to avoid the fight by staying on the path to the right. The party can enter the last chamber and even leave via the Mushroom Circle (and take a Long Rest outside). After that the party can return, and run up to the cage to trigger the fight with Ethel.Facing Ethel[edit | edit source]
After making their way through the Overgrown Tunnel, the party will find Mayrina in a burning wooden cage suspended over a pit. If the cage is destroyed by fire or other means, Mayrina will die. The spell or a thrown container of water can put out the fire, as well as a simple cantrip or Arrow of Ice. Ethel will start at full health, regardless of how much damage was done to her upstairs, and will summon illusory copies of herself that have all of her regular spells and abilities, but are destroyed after taking any damage. The real Ethel keeps her place in the initiative order, and may be distinguishable by that. Ethel will also summon the masked victims from the Overgrown Tunnel and set them on the party if they are still alive and conscious.
Ethel may teleport Mayrina out of the cage, then assume her form, attempting to trick the party into killing Mayrina, as there are now two seemingly identical copies. The Mayrina in the previous position of Ethel CAN be the real Mayrina, so use caution. Generally, the most obvious way to determine if the target is Mayrina is by seeing if the character model is visibly pregnant - the real Mayrina has a belly; Ethel's clones do not. Examining the stat blocks also reveals the truth, as Mayrina remains Level 1, while the clone is Level 5 like Ethel herself. The spell also doesn't affect Initiative, so Ethel and Mayrina will retain their positions in the turn queue.
Once Auntie Ethel is reduced to below 20% of her life and has a turn to act, she offers the party a chance to make a series of persuasion or intimidation checks.
Depending on the results of the skill checks and subsequent decisions, the party can either free Mayrina: -5 +1 -1 -1 +1
- No good can come of this. Let Mayrina go.
- [CLERIC OF EILISTRAEE] [DROW] In the name of Eilistraee, release the girl and leave this place - never to return.
Let Ethel keep Mayrina in exchange for the Auntie Ethel's Hair, a special single use item that can increase any Ability Score of any character by 1 permanently: +5 -5 -1 -5 -1
- Keep the girl. I'll take the power.
- [LOLTH-SWORN] Such power will let me better serve the Spider Queen. Give it to me.
- [SELADRINE] The human means nothing to me. Give me the power.
Free Mayrina *and* keep the Hag's Hair both. +5 +5 +5 +5
- [INTIMIDATION] If you want to live, hand over Mayrina and this power. Right now. (DC 20)
- [DECEPTION] My reinforcements are nearly here. Give me the girl and the power and they'll spare you. (DC 20)
- [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] Girl, power, everything. OR I TURN YOUR SKULL INTO A PISSPOT. (DC 15 )
- [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] I'll have it all. Or I'll just settle for your life. (DC 15 )
- [FIGHTER] [INTIMIDATION] I know a beaten opponent when I see one. Give me the power and the girl, and I'll let you live. (DC 15 )
...or simply kill Ethel: -5 +1 +1 +5 +1 +1
- I think a dead hag is the answer here.
- Neither. But a hag's head would make an excellent trophy.
- [OATH OF THE ANCIENTS] [OATHBREAKER] [GOOD CLERIC] You're a vile, monstrous creature. There is no bargain for you but death.
- [OATH OF THE ANCIENTS] There's no choice to make. A corrupting force like you has to be destroyed.
- [EVIL CLERIC] I'll bathe in your blood as I offer your death up in prayer.
- [DRUID] You're a stain upon this land, but I will cleanse it.
- [MONK] You have nothing that could tempt me.
- [RANGER] Hags are the scourge of the natural world. I'm going to kill you - as many times as needed.
If a deal is struck with Ethel, she disappears, but all her thralls remain hostile. If Ethel is killed, the thralls are freed, although all but the Mask of Regret are too far gone to truly be saved. Note that the cutscene to trigger Ethel's deal can be missed if she is killed too quickly - when intending to obtain her hair it's necessary to skip turns to give her a chance to speak once she is brought to low HP. Additionally, Ethel will initiate conversation with whoever is closest to her so it may be beneficial to shuffle party members around in preparation for any ability checks the party may want to make in the conversation.
The Acrid Workshop area here has some treasure, some writings that provide more context and background information, and a Mushroom Circle that teleports the party back outside, to the back of the house. Behind the teahouse is the body of Mayrina's husband, Connor Vinderblad at X: -69 Y: 224. The wand Bitter Divorce, found in the Workshop, can be used to raise Connor as a zombie. The party can then choose whether to give the wand to Mayrina to take her ex-husband with her, or keep it for themselves. If kept, it changes to Second Marriage and can be used at any time to summon Connor as a zombie follower.
Quest rewards[edit | edit source]
- Auntie Ethel's Hair if a deal is made with Ethel.
- Second Marriage if choose to keep the wand.
- Staff of Crones
Companion approval[edit | edit source]
On meeting Auntie Ethel and Mayrina's brothers for the first time, on the outskirts of the swamp:
- Refuse to aid Mayrina's brothers - "You're on your own. I have enough problems." -1 +1 +1 +5
- Agree to find Mayrina - "Let me - I'll bring Mayrina home." -1 -1 +1 +1 +1
- [WIZARD, RANGER, or SORCERER] Warn the brothers about the hags, then agree to help find Mayrina - "Trust a more experienced soul. I'll find your sister." -1 +1 +1 +5
- Give Mayrina the Wand. (After using Bitter Divorce to raise Connor from the dead.) +1 +1
Notes[edit | edit source]
- Mayrina's brothers can technically be saved by knocking them out with non-lethal attacks. However, this is somewhat glitchy and part of the dialogue states that the brothers are dead.
- Using non-lethal damage on the Hag's Pawns will knock them out in order to save one of them. Returning to them after Ethel is dead and they have regained consciousness will reveal that Mask of Regret has regained her sanity even though the others have not. She can later appear as part of in Act Three.
- Using non-lethal damage on the Hag will not trigger her surrender cutscene and will instead knock her out, ending the fight.
- Using the wand Bitter Divorce to resurrect Connor will cause the Oath of the Ancients Paladin to become an Oath Breaker.
- When the fight with the Hag begins, Auntie Ethel will summon the masked pawn enemies if they were not previously killed or knocked unconscious.
- It is possible to spawn the Hag without entering combat immediately by or to the orb, using the orb to lower the cage and releasing Mayrina, and then talking to Mayrina to make the Hag spawn. The party can hide and sneak down the right path and when they get close to the orb jump to it to avoid alerting Ethel as well. Ethel's red cone of sight can be seen whilst hiding even when she herself is invisible; all hiding or invisible creatures in the game have red cones of sight making it very easy to determine their location.