So you've just picked up Avowed and you're diving into the Living Lands, when you hit the early quest 'Precious Light.' You've got this glowing Luminous Adra in your inventory, and now you're stuck with that classic RPG dilemma: who do you give it to? 🤔 On one hand, there's Captain Bardatto of the powerful Vailian Trading Company, demanding their 'asset' back. On the other, there's Sapiento, the alchemist who believes this Adra can be the key to brewing a potion against the terrifying Dreamscourge. It's not just a simple fetch quest, hun—it's your first real taste of the game's core conflict: law and order versus morality and helping the little guy. Let's break down this choice, because trust me, it's more impactful than it seems!
The Bardatto Route: Playing by the Rules (and Getting Paid) 💰
If you decide to be a law-abiding citizen of Aedyr and return the stolen goods to their 'rightful' owner, Captain Bardatto, here's the tea:
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The Immediate Payoff: You'll get a cool 500 gold and a bit of XP. Straightforward cash money.
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The Hidden Cost: This is the major catch. Bardatto makes it clear her crew is going to hunt down and kill the smugglers who stole the Adra. So, you're essentially signing their death warrant. Yikes. 😬
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The Roleplay Vibe: You're siding with the establishment, the big corporation. It's the 'safe' choice, but it feels kinda... corporate soulless, you know?
The Sapiento Route: For the Greater Good (and Better Loot!) 🧪✨
Now, let's talk about helping the quirky alchemist. This is where things get interesting, both for your conscience and your inventory!
Option A: The Peaceful Handover
Just take the Adra straight back to Sapiento. You'll get:
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300 gold and quest completion XP.
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The Fantastic Alembic – a unique accessory that's lowkey OP. It clears all your Accumulations when you drink a potion. Major for managing those debuffs in tough fights!
Option B: The Heroic Confrontation (This is the move, IMO 🙌)
Before seeing Sapiento, go tell Bardatto you're keeping the Adra. She won't take no for an answer, so get ready for a fight against her, her crew, and... a bear? Because Avowed, that's why. 🐻
Winning this scuffle nets you:
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More XP than the peaceful route.
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A Bloodstone worth 180 gold looted from Bardatto.
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The smugglers get to live! You're a lifesaver.
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You still get the 300 gold and The Fantastic Alembic from Sapiento afterward.
Let's do the math, bestie:
| Item | Gold Value |
|---|---|
| Sapiento's Reward | 300 |
| Bloodstone (from fight) | 180 |
| Total Raw Gold | 480 |
| + The Fantastic Alembic (est. value 150) | 630 |
So even financially, choosing Sapiento and fighting Bardatto nets you more value (480-630g) than her flat 500g offer. It's a no-brainer!
Why Sapiento is THE Canon Choice (Spoiler: It Pays Off Later!) 🎭
Beyond the immediate loot, siding with Sapiento has some seriously cool long-term benefits that make your playthrough more rewarding.
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It Sets a Precedent for Your Character: Avowed is all about these gray-area choices. Picking the moral path over the strictly legal one early on defines your journey. It's like telling the world, 'I'm here to help people, not just follow orders.'
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Unlocks a Future Peaceful Resolution: This is the big one! Later in the main story, during the quest 'An Untimely End,' you'll meet a woman named Elowe who is protecting Ygwulf (yeah, that guy who tried to kill you). If you tell her how you helped Sapiento, she'll see you as someone who operates on compassion, not just blind law. She'll then give you the key to Ygwulf's hideout and tell you where he is, allowing for a potentially non-violent solution. Major W for diplomacy! 🕊️
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The Game Rewards You for Challenging Authority: This isn't a one-off. Throughout Avowed, the game often gives better rewards—more XP, unique gear, interesting story branches—when you side against the rigid interests of Aedyr and the established law. It's like the game is winking at you, encouraging you to think for yourself.
The Final Verdict: Go with Your Gut (But Also Go with Sapiento) 😉
Look, RPGs are about choices, and you should play how you want. But if you're asking for the optimal path in 'Precious Light'—considering roleplay depth, mechanical rewards, and future story impact—handing the Luminous Adra to Sapiento is the definitive choice.
You get:
✅ Better total rewards (gold + a killer accessory)
✅ More combat and XP
✅ You save lives
✅ You establish your character as a principled agent
✅ You unlock a crucial dialogue option later that can prevent more bloodshed
Choosing Bardatto might be the 'legal' thing, but in the Living Lands, sometimes you gotta color outside the lines to make a real difference. So, be a legend, help the alchemist, stand up to the corporate captain, and secure that sweet, sweet Alembic. Your future self will thank you! 💖
