You’ve just stepped out of the smoke and ruin of Fior mes Iverno. Your ears are still ringing from the clash of steel, and then you see her. Captain Aelfyr. She’s standing there at the gateway to Shatterscarp, looking entirely too smug for someone who just helped burn a city to the ground.
Most people playing Avowed hit a wall right here. Do you let her talk? Do you take the letter she’s shoving in your face? Or do you just draw your sword and end it?
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Honestly, attacking Captain Aelfyr is one of those "moral test" moments Obsidian loves to throw at us. It’s not just about being a "good guy" or a "bad guy." It’s about whether you can stomach the Steel Garrote and their brand of "order." If you’re wondering what happens if you pull the trigger on that boss fight early—or what you miss if you don't—you're in the right place.
The Steel Garrote Problem: Who is Aelfyr Anyway?
Aelfyr isn't some random grunt. She’s a high-ranking officer in the Steel Garrote, an order of paladins dedicated to the goddess Woedica. If you know your Pillars of Eternity lore, you know that Woedica is all about hierarchy, law, and "rightful" rule. In the Living Lands, that basically translates to "we do what we want because the Empire said so."
By the time you hit the quest A Path to the Garden, Aelfyr has already made herself plenty of enemies. She led the assault on Fior mes Iverno. She’s smug. She’s condescending. And she basically tells you that your friends are collateral damage.
Why You Should Probably Attack Captain Aelfyr Right Now
Look, I’m not going to tell you how to roleplay your Envoy. But if we’re talking about gameplay benefits, there is a very strong argument for attacking her the moment you see her at the gatehouse.
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First off, there's the loot. If you kill her here, she drops the Death Knight Gloves. These things are a godsend for specific builds. They give you a -10% Stamina cost while blocking, which is "fine," but the real kicker is Rymgrand’s Touch. That adds +15% Frost Damage to your attacks. If you’re running a Wizard build with spells like Blizzard, or even a melee build using frost-enchanted weapons, these gloves are Best-in-Slot for a huge chunk of the mid-game.
Then there’s Giatta. Your companion Giatta is practically vibrating with rage at this point. Fior was her home. Seeing Aelfyr stand there acting like she did you a favor by "clearing the path" (by murdering the local Rangers, mind you) is a bitter pill to swallow. Killing Aelfyr here feels like actual justice. It’s a satisfying conclusion to the Emerald Stair chapter.
What Happens if You Spare Her?
Maybe you're playing a diplomat. Or maybe you're actually trying to side with the Aedyran Empire and Inquisitor Lodwyn.
If you let her live, she gives you Inquisitor Lodwyn’s Missive. You take this to Temerti in Thirdborn. It opens up a path where you can actually work with the Steel Garrote. You can even eventually be knighted as a member of the order (there's an achievement called Tyranny for this, which tells you everything you need to know about the vibe).
But here is the catch: if you spare her now, you don't just get a "happily ever after." Aelfyr shows up later in the Galawain’s Tusks region. By then, she’s usually been infected by the Dream Scourge. She’s lost her mind, lost her god, and becomes a much less "dignified" kill.
The Fight: How Not to Get Wrecked
If you decide to attack, don't expect a walk in the park. Aelfyr is a tank. She’s got Steel Garrote soldiers with her, and they love to crowd you.
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- Crowd Control is King: Use Kai to Taunt the smaller adds while you focus on Aelfyr. If you have Yatzli, her Essence Explosion can keep the group staggered.
- Watch the Stamina: Aelfyr hits hard. If you’re playing on Path of the Damned, one or two unblocked hits will send you back to your last save.
- Ice is Nice (But maybe not here): Since she drops frost-themed gear, she has decent resistance to it. Switch to Fire or Raw damage if you can.
Basically, keep moving. The gatehouse area is cramped, and it’s easy to get pinned against the portcullis.
The "Roleplay" vs. "Meta" Dilemma
There's a lot of chatter on Reddit and the Obsidian forums about whether this choice actually matters. Some players feel like the game "railroads" you into being an enemy of the Steel Garrote anyway because your companions complain so much if you side with them.
But honestly? That’s part of the charm. Playing an Envoy who is a total imperialist bootlicker while Kai and Giatta roll their eyes in the background is a valid way to play. It makes the world feel reactive, even if the main quest beats stay relatively similar.
That said, most people kill her. The satisfaction of avenging the Rangers and getting those Frost damage gloves usually outweighs the desire to see what Lodwyn’s long-term plan is.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
If you’re standing in front of Aelfyr right now, here is what you should do:
- Check your build. Are you using Frost damage? If yes, kill her. Those gloves are too good to pass up for another 15 hours of gameplay.
- Talk to your companions. If you care about your "relationship" stats (though they aren't as rigid as some other RPGs), killing Aelfyr is the "pro-companion" move.
- Manual Save. Seriously. The fight can go south fast if the adds get behind you.
- Decide your ending. If you want the Tyranny achievement, you must spare her and follow the Imperial path. You can always kill her on a second playthrough.
Whatever you choose, don't let her talk down to you. The Living Lands are wild for a reason, and sometimes the best way to deal with a "Captain" is a well-placed fireball.