Darle's Fate in 'Fires in the Mine': Stop or Support?

In Avowed, the side quest "Fires in the Mine" presents players with a pivotal decision: to stop or support Darle in his plan to blow up the mine. Both choices come with their own set of rewards, but one choice stands out as the optimal path for players looking to maximize their gains in terms of XP, money, loot, and narrative impact.

Should You Stop or Support Darle in Avowed 'Fires in the Mine' Quest?

Image Source: Obsidian Entertainment via The Escapist

For the best overall rewards in your Avowed playthrough, stopping Darle from blowing up the mine is the ideal choice. Although supporting Darle also yields a respectable amount of XP, the total package of rewards for thwarting his plan—comprising more XP, money, extra loot, and a favorable narrative outcome—makes stopping him the superior decision.

What You Get for Supporting Darle

If you choose to support Darle and allow him to carry out his explosive plan, you will receive 1026 XP upon completing the mission after speaking with Kada and Seyon. However, this choice will cost you financially, as supporting Darle's actions will undermine the mining initiative aimed at defending against the Dreamthralls, thus negating any potential monetary rewards. Additionally, attempting to manipulate the narrative around the explosion won't change the outcome, and it will further strain the relationship between the Aedyrans and Thirdborn.

Rewards for Stopping & Killing Darle

By choosing to stop Darle in the "Fires in the Mine" side quest, you will be rewarded with 212 XP for defeating him, followed by an additional 879 XP after debriefing with the mining officials, totaling 1091 XP—which is 65 XP more than supporting him. Moreover, Seynon and Kada will grant you 900 coins for stopping Darle. Before leaving the mine, you can also loot the following items from Darle's corpse:

• Blackwood Branch (Superb Upgrade Material)
• Wild Mushroom Stew (Prepared Food)
• Beetle Pie (Prepared Food) x2

While the food items are minor, the Blackwood Branch is a valuable asset for upgrading your weapons and armor, adding to the already superior rewards of stopping Darle.

From a narrative perspective, stopping Darle helps maintain a positive relationship between the Thirdborn and the Aedyrans, enhancing the world-affecting story elements of Avowed. However, from a gameplay standpoint, stopping Darle is unequivocally the best choice due to the higher XP, monetary rewards, and valuable loot.

Now that you understand the best decision to make at the end of "Fires in the Mine" in Avowed, consider exploring all 12 Treasure Map locations to find exclusive gear, or check out what the max level in Avowed is to gauge your character's potential strength.