In the treacherous world of Baldur’s Gate 3, players face a chilling choice: should you trade one of your eyes to Auntie Ethel, the enigmatic Green Witch, in exchange for removing a Mindflayer parasite? This seemingly innocent offer quickly unravels into a web of deception, as Ethel’s true nature as a manipulative hag comes to light. With the stakes high and the consequences dire, players must weigh the allure of immediate relief against the potential for lasting debuffs and unforeseen challenges. Will you sacrifice your sight for a fleeting chance at freedom, or will you resist the witch’s sinister bargain?
When passing through the southern areas of the map, you can find yourself in the vicinity of the tea house. There you’ll meet an old woman – Aunt Ethel – arguing with two brothers. As soon as you get close to them, a conversation starts, after which the woman disappears. If you go deep into the swamp, you’ll find her home.
If you decide to confront the woman, she will turn out to be a witch. She’ll offer you to remove the parasite in exchange for one eye. If you agree to such a deal, you will still have the parasite, and on top of that, the character talking to Ethel will get a permanent status that reduces her chance of passing the perception test. In addition, the hero will not be able to inflict critical damage. Therefore, this solution is not cost-effective. Your problem will not be solved and one of your team members will be permanently crippled.
What are the consequences of giving Auntie Ethel your eye
Giving Auntie Ethel your eye in Baldur’s Gate 3 comes with significant and detrimental consequences. Here’s a breakdown of what happens:
- Permanent Debuff: Accepting Ethel’s offer results in a status effect called Paid the Price. This debuff grants a +1 bonus to Intimidation checks but imposes a disadvantage on Perception checks and attacks against hags for the remainder of the game.
- Failure to Remove the Parasite: Despite the initial promise, Ethel will not successfully remove the Mindflayer parasite. She realizes that it is imbued with Netherese shadow magic, which prevents her from completing the procedure. Thus, you remain afflicted by the parasite while also suffering from the debuff.
- Visual Change: Your character will visually appear with a whited-out eye, marking the physical consequence of this choice.
Overall, giving your eye to Auntie Ethel is generally considered a poor decision due to the combination of an unresolved health issue and significant penalties that can hinder gameplay, especially in encounters involving hags or situations requiring keen perception.
What happens to Mayrina after Auntie Ethel banishes her
After Auntie Ethel banishes Mayrina, her fate takes a dark turn. Initially, Mayrina is left furious and heartbroken because Ethel had promised to revive her deceased husband, Connor, in exchange for her unborn child. Following the confrontation with Ethel, Mayrina storms off to her husband’s grave, believing she will never see him again.
Once outside, she is found crying near Connor’s grave, grappling with the loss and the burden of her situation. Players have the option to show her a wand labeled “Bitter Divorce,” which can resurrect Connor. However, this resurrection comes at a cost: Connor returns as a mindless zombie, controlled by the wand. Mayrina then takes Connor with her to Baldur’s Gate in search of a cure for his condition.
Notably, if players allow Auntie Ethel to keep Mayrina during the encounter, she does not appear in Act 3 of the game. This absence suggests that her storyline may end abruptly, leaving players without closure regarding her fate or that of her child.
