Encountering He Who Was in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 presents players with one of the Shadow-Cursed Lands' most intriguing moral dilemmas. This mysterious Sharran ritualist asks you to retrieve the ledger of Madeline, a deceased tavern worker, so he can punish her soul for past betrayal. How you choose to resolve this quest directly impacts your party's moral alignment, companion approval, and narrative outcomes.
Understanding the Quest and Meeting He Who Was
You can find He Who Was resting near a campsite in the northeastern section of the Shadow-Cursed Lands alongside his white raven. He explains his desire to interrogate the spirit of Madeline using a necromantic ritual, requiring her ledger from the Waning Moon tavern. Players seeking various digital entertainment options, such as m88 alternatif, often enjoy the deep choices offered in rich RPG narratives like this one.
Once you retrieve the ledger and hand it over, the ritual begins, placing Madeline's spirit into the body of He Who Was. At this moment, you must decide how her punishment will play out.
Siding with He Who Was and Punishing Madeline
If you choose to punish Madeline severely during the ritual, He Who Was will be pleased with your commitment to retribution. Encouraging extreme punishment causes her spirit immense anguish, satisfying the Sharran's twisted desire for justice. This path generally pleases companions who favor ruthless or dark decisions, such as Minthara or Astarion.
Upon completing the ritual according to his wishes, He Who Was rewards you with gold and a rare magic item. However, your party members with good alignments will disapprove of subjecting Madeline to eternal torment.
Forgiving Madeline and Fighting He Who Was
Alternatively, you can choose to forgive Madeline's spirit or force her to recognize her guilt without inflicting endless torture. This peaceful resolution angers He Who Was, who views mercy as a failure of justice. He will immediately break the trance and attack your party, forcing a combat encounter.
Defeating He Who Was allows you to loot his body for valuable items, including his unique dagger and additional gold. Good-aligned companions like Wyll, Karlach, and Gale will strongly approve of your choice to protect Madeline from dark torment.
Which Choice Should You Make in Your Playthrough?
Deciding whether to kill He Who Was ultimately depends on the roleplaying direction of your character and your party setup. Players executing a heroic or benevolent run should spare Madeline, defeat the shadow creature, and claim his loot through combat. The rewards from his corpse are often more valuable than the simple reward he gives for compliance.
If you are playing an evil character or attempting to gain approval with darker companions, siding with He Who Was fits the theme better. Evaluating both consequences ensures you make the optimal decision for your specific Baldur's Gate 3 adventure.