In Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming RPG Avowed, players are already buzzing about a key narrative dilemma: Ygwulf—Kill or Spare? This morally gray choice is one of the most anticipated moments in the game, showcasing Obsidian’s hallmark storytelling where decisions reverberate throughout the journey. Ygwulf is no ordinary NPC; he’s a figure steeped in mystery, betrayal, and power, and choosing his fate will dramatically influence the player’s path.
TL;DR
The Ygwulf decision in Avowed presents a branching moral conundrum that impacts character arcs and faction dynamics. Sparing Ygwulf grants access to deeper lore and potential future alliances, while killing him offers immediate tactical benefits and a path to justice for his past sins. Your choice shapes more than just your personal narrative—it echoes through the game’s larger political and philosophical themes. Choose wisely, because you may not be able to go back.
Who is Ygwulf?
Ygwulf is one of the most enigmatic characters introduced during the first act of Avowed. A former archmage of the Vaelian Arcanum, he turned rogue after a failed coup and has since wandered the realms causing disruption among both magical and political factions.
Rumors suggest that Ygwulf once sought to purify the world from what he saw as spiritual rot, but his methods became increasingly violent. Depending on your sources, he’s either a visionary rebel or a dangerous fanatic.
Players will encounter Ygwulf during a pivotal quest in the sub-region of Eanor’s Hollow, deep within the Dyrwoodan borderlands. By that point, you’ll have heard numerous conflicting accounts of his personality and motivations, leaving you to determine your stance before facing him in person.
The Encounter: Context and Consequences
Once you confront Ygwulf, you’re given a choice that doesn’t just rest on morality—it affects game systems, alliances, and questlines. Before making that call, it’s crucial to understand what both options entail.
Option 1: Kill Ygwulf
- Pros: Killing Ygwulf immediately ends his influence. You receive high-tier loot, such as the Soulfury Staff and a rare Sigil of the Withered Moon. Additionally, several factions—including the Shieldbearers of Stalwart—will reward you for removing a known threat.
- Faction Impact: The Priory of the Flame, a strictly lawful faction, increases their favor toward you. Your reputation as a “decisive hero” spreads across the realm.
- Narrative Result: With Ygwulf gone, certain side quests become unavailable, but others open up. The mage’s arc closes dramatically, leading to a sense of finality. His remaining disciples scatter or retaliate, creating branches in future events.
Option 2: Spare Ygwulf
- Pros: Sparing him gives players access to a chain of intricately written side quests exploring Ygwulf’s history, regrets, and forgotten truths about the spiritual decay plaguing Eora. He may become a powerful magical ally later—for those willing to trust him.
- Faction Impact: Factions like the Seekers of Aedyr admire your capacity for mercy and vision. However, factions favoring law and revenge—like the Brotherhood of the Alm—may believe you’ve erred.
- Narrative Result: Keeping Ygwulf alive enriches the game world, allowing insights into hidden arcane knowledge and potentially changing the ending of several narrative arcs, including the Council of Thorns decision point later in Act III.
Moral Dimensions: Is There a Right Answer?
Avowed thrives on moral ambiguity, and Ygwulf’s dilemma epitomizes that. Your decision reflects not only your character’s role-playing ethos but also your broader philosophy toward dealing with threats to the realm. Do you believe people can change, or is past trauma justification for immediate action?
Let’s break it down through a few moral lenses:
- Utilitarianism: Killing Ygwulf ends his threat, presumably saving lives downstream. This path favors the greater good.
- Redemption Ethics: Sparing Ygwulf offers a chance for transformation, making space for nuanced storytelling and character redemption.
- Karmic Justice: Executing Ygwulf satisfies the in-game legalistic views held by multiple ruling characters, maintaining balance and order.
This isn’t just a gameplay mechanic—it’s an invitation for philosophical reflection. Ygwulf is written to reflect the consequences of extreme ideals, giving players a rare chance to mediate between retribution and compassion.
Gameplay Mechanics Behind the Choice
Obsidian has masterfully embedded consequences into the game systems surrounding this choice. Whichever path you choose, multiple metrics are affected:
- Reputation Points: Each faction has a hidden point threshold. Choosing to kill or spare Ygwulf awards or deducts points accordingly, influencing political support later.
- Authority and Will Scores: These character traits determine how convincingly you can argue your choice in diplomatic scenarios. Sparing him may require a high Will score to calm detractors.
- Unique Perks: If spared, Ygwulf can teach high-level necromancer spells. If killed, you can extract his arcane essence through a rare Soul Forge ritual, unlocking custom enchantments.
Community Perspectives
In online forums and early gameplay previews, fans are already divided. Some liken Ygwulf to Kreia from Knights of the Old Republic II—complex, flawed, and hauntingly wise. Others see him as too dangerous to live, regardless of his more sympathetic moments.
Popular YouTubers and streamers covering Avowed have reacted differently based on the build they’re using:
- Paladin Builds: Tend to execute Ygwulf for the sake of justice and moral order.
- Mage Builds: Often spare him to learn rare spells and tap into elusive wisdom.
- Rogue Builds: Take a situational approach—choosing whichever outcome gives the best tactical gear or leverage.
As a result, there’s no consensus, and that’s precisely what makes it such a memorable moment within the game.
Final Thoughts: Choose Based on Your Character’s Ethos
Obsidian didn’t design the Ygwulf moment to test your knowledge of the game world—they designed it to test you. Your personal code, your role-playing decisions, and your moral compass will all come into play. There’s no obvious “right” choice, but rather an opportunity to shape the fiction in a way that’s uniquely yours.
After all, what’s more role-playing than a heart-wrenching dilemma with no easy answer?
Key Takeaways
- Ygwulf is a major character in Avowed whose fate has wide-ranging impact.
- Killing him yields immediate rewards and faction favor among law-abiding groups.
- Sparing him opens up deep lore, powerful alliances, and transformative spells.
- The choice affects world-state changes, narrative outcomes, and player reputation.
- Ultimately, the decision should align with your character’s moral code and build strategy.
When you eventually stand before Ygwulf, sword drawn or hand stayed, ask yourself: are you the executioner of a legacy, or the architect of a second chance?
