Baldurs Gate 3: Deal With Auntie Ethel walkthrough

Get Help from Auntie Ethel is a short quest in the first act of Baldur's Gate 3. The titular herbalist is one of the potential healers who might know a cure for the parasite in your head. On this page of the guide, you'll learn where to find Auntie Ethel and whether to let her remove the tadpole from your head.

• Where to find Auntie Ethel?
• Should you accept Auntie Ethel's help?

Where to find Auntie Ethel?

You will encounter Auntie Ethel at the entrance to the swamp, south of the Blighted Village. As you approach her, a conversation will automatically start between you, Ethel, Johl and Demir - two brothers accusing her of kidnapping their sister, Mayrina. You can intervene by siding with either Ethel or the brothers. If you side with Ethel, you will have to defeat the brothers. If you side with the brothers, Ethel will reveal herself as a witch and teleport deeper into the swamp. Regardless of your choice, you will automatically receive a new side quest - Save Mayrina.

Just after entering the swamp, you will have an automatic Investigation skill check (DC 20). If you pass it, you will see through the illusion covering the marshes - the surroundings will change to rotten and disgusting, the apples you find will reveal themselves as poisonous, and the sheep frolicking in the swamps will turn out to be Ethel's gnomes. Be cautious while exploring the area - the marshes are full of hidden traps that will inflict an open wounds status on you. This status worsens over time and turns into a disease unless you pass a difficult Constitution check or cure it.

You will find Ethel in her Teahouse on the western edge of the swamps. If you have allied with the brothers, you will also find their corpses at one of the entrances to the Teahouse. Upon entering the building, you will immediately engage in a conversation with Ethel and Mayrina. You can reveal to Mayrina that Ethel killed her brothers. Mayrina will then be more positively inclined towards you in her own quest, but Ethel will immediately set her gnomes on you, prematurely ending the quest - you will no longer be able to get help from her.

Should you accept Auntie Ethel's help?

If you do not provoke Ethel during the conversation, she will offer to help you remove the parasite. The price for her help is the permanent enchantment of one of your eyes. You can agree to the witch's help or refuse.

If you accept Ethel's help, she will pluck out your eye, enchant it, and then push it back into the socket. You will receive a permanent +1 to Intimidation, a disadvantage on Perception checks, and on all attacks against witches, which can significantly complicate any future fight with Auntie Ethel. Unfortunately, removing the parasite will be beyond the witch's abilities, so as compensation, you will receive a one-time amulet - using it will give you an advantage on all skill checks until your next long rest. This is a very powerful effect (for example, you can use it in the town of Reithwin in the second act to effortlessly eliminate three bosses without the need for combat), but it doesn't seem worth the permanent debuff.

Baldur's Gate 3

August 3, 2023

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