In *Avowed*, the 'Fires in the Mine' side quest presents players with a pivotal choice: whether to stop or support Darle in his plan to blow up the mine. Both options come with their own set of rewards, but when considering XP, money, loot, and narrative impact, one choice stands out as the best option.
If your goal is to maximize rewards in your *Avowed* playthrough, stopping Darle from blowing up the mine is the superior choice. While supporting Darle does provide a substantial amount of XP, the total rewards for thwarting his plan—including XP, money, extra loot, and the narrative implications—make stopping him the better decision overall.
By supporting Darle and allowing him to execute his plan in *Avowed’s* Fires in the Mine, you will receive 1026 XP upon completing the mission after speaking with Kada and Seyon. However, this choice means forfeiting any potential monetary reward since it jeopardizes the sulfur mining initiative, which was meant to defend against the Dreamthralls. You may attempt to deceive others about the explosion, but the outcome remains unchanged, further straining the relationship between the Aedyrans and Thirdborn.
Choosing to stop Darle in *Avowed’s* Fires in the Mine side quest yields immediate rewards. You'll earn 212 XP for defeating Darle, followed by an additional 879 XP after debriefing with the mining officials, totaling 1091 XP—65 more than supporting him. Additionally, Seyon and Kada will reward you with 900 coins for your efforts. Before leaving the mine, you can loot Darle’s corpse to obtain:
While the food items are minor, the Blackwood Branch is a significant bonus, useful for upgrading weapons and armor. Furthermore, stopping Darle maintains the positive relationship between the Thirdborn and the Aedyrans, adding depth to the game's narrative. From a gameplay perspective, stopping Darle is the most beneficial choice.
Now that you know the optimal decision for the 'Fires in the Mine' quest in *Avowed*, consider exploring all 12 Treasure Map locations to find exclusive gear. If you're focused on leveling up your godlike character, learn about the max level in *Avowed* to understand how powerful they can become.