In *Avowed*, the decision to attack or spare Captain Aelfyr during the mainline quest "A Path to the Garden" presents a pivotal moment that can significantly impact your gameplay. If Captain Aelfyr was involved in the burning of Fior Mes Inverno earlier in the game, her gloating over the town's destruction and Giata's subsequent anger might make the choice to seek revenge quite tempting. Moreover, your decision here will determine whether you can acquire a unique piece of loot.
When faced with the choice, attacking Captain Aelfyr is the recommended course of action in *Avowed*. This decision allows you to obtain a substantial amount of loot that would otherwise be inaccessible, including the coveted Death Knight Gloves.
If you haven't been focusing on gear upgrades throughout your *Avowed* playthrough, securing an Exceptional Quality piece of armor and weaponry is a great chance to bolster your equipment. Additionally, you'll find plenty of dead Steel Garrote soldiers whose bodies you can loot for further rewards.
Choosing to spare Captain Aelfyr yields no tangible rewards. On normal difficulty, the battle against Aelfyr and her Steel Garrote soldiers is notably challenging, involving aggressive melee fighters and healing mages. Thus, the primary benefit of sparing her is avoiding this tough fight. If your character is under-leveled, you can temporarily reduce the game's difficulty to ease the encounter.
Your decision to kill or spare Aelfyr will slightly affect Giata's mood, making her happier if you kill Aelfyr and more anxious if you spare her. However, the impact on the storyline remains minimal, limited to a few minor conversations.
Given the benefits, it's advisable to attack and kill Captain Aelfyr in *Avowed*. For further gameplay insights, consider whether you should give Keipo the Leviathan Heart during the "Heart of Valor" side quest, which offers significant additional loot. Also, explore the full list of *Avowed's* main and side missions to understand the scope of your adventure.