At the beginning of Avowed, you face a crucial decision: whether to free a suspicious prisoner named Ilora from her cell at Fort Northreach or leave her behind, with the ultimate goal of using her boat to reach Paradis. Here's a detailed look at the implications of freeing or leaving Ilora in Avowed.

Should You Free or Leave Ilora?

In Avowed, while the freedom to role-play your character is paramount, freeing Ilora is highly recommended. This choice not only simplifies the challenges at Fort Northreach but also unlocks a valuable side quest later in the game.

What Happens If You Free Ilora in Avowed?

By choosing to free Ilora, you gain a powerful ally who assists in defeating the enemies on the island, including the formidable boss, Steadman Ralke. Early in Avowed, your character's strength and equipment are limited, making Ilora's help invaluable in easing the difficulty of the level. Moreover, freeing her is a morally rewarding decision.

Later in the game, the side quest "Escape Plan" becomes significantly easier if Ilora was saved, enhancing your overall gaming experience.

How to Free Ilora

To free Ilora, you need to retrieve the key from the Warden’s Room. Navigate to the end of the hallway, climb the crates, and jump to the adjacent platform. Enter the passageway above, break through the boards on your right to access the Warden’s Room, and grab the key beside the door. Use this key to unlock Ilora's cell and also the adjacent cell to obtain the Deerskin Gloves.

What Happens If You Don’t Free Ilora in Avowed?

Opting not to free Ilora makes Fort Northreach much more challenging, and the "Escape Plan" quest later in the game becomes more difficult. Additionally, Ilora won't remain imprisoned; you'll have to confront and fight her, complicating your escape from Fort Northreach. However, choosing this path allows you to loot Ilora's body afterward, providing you with additional items, albeit at the cost of a more arduous journey.

In conclusion, freeing Ilora in Avowed is the recommended choice for a smoother gameplay experience and additional benefits down the line.

Avowed is available now.