The pivotal moment when you face Captain Aelfyr in *Avowed* during "A Path to the Garden" presents players with a morally complex choice - take vengeance or show mercy. This decision carries significant gameplay consequences beyond mere roleplaying.
If you witnessed Aelfyr's ruthless destruction of Fior Mes Inverno earlier, her smug satisfaction at the town's destruction and Giata's visible fury might sway you toward violent retribution. Your choice here directly impacts whether you'll obtain exclusive high-tier equipment.
Should You Attack or Spare Captain Aelfyr in Avowed?
From a purely strategic standpoint, eliminating Captain Aelfyr proves the optimal decision in *Avowed*. This path unlocks access to valuable unique gear unavailable through any other means - most notably the powerful Death Knight Gloves.
Death Knight Gloves & Other Rewards for Attacking Aelfyr

In *Avowed*, the Death Knight gloves serve as particularly valuable armor for defensive-focused characters, offering two crucial bonuses: 10% reduced stamina consumption when blocking and a substantial 15% frost damage increase.
Upon defeating Aelfyr, thorough looting reveals these additional valuable items:
- Garnet (Gem)
- 26 Silver Fenning coins
- Exceptional Scale Armor (+0/3)
- Exceptional Great Sword (+0/3)
For players who've neglected equipment upgrades, these exceptional-quality items provide a significant power boost. Numerous Steel Garrote soldiers' corpses also contain additional loot for resourceful scavengers.
The Consequences of Sparing Aelfyr
Choosing mercy nets you no tangible rewards - the avoidance of a brutally difficult combat encounter serves as its own benefit. On standard difficulty, the battle against Aelfyr's forces proves exceptionally challenging, featuring relentless melee attackers supported by healing mages.
Should your character lack sufficient strength, temporarily lowering the difficulty presents a viable solution. While Giata's reactions differ slightly based on your choice, the narrative consequences remain minimal regardless of your decision.
Now that you understand the advantages of defeating Captain Aelfyr, consider exploring whether to surrender the Leviathan Heart during the "Heart of Valor" quest for additional valuable rewards. For comprehensive mission planning, consult *Avowed's* complete quest catalog to maximize your adventure.