In *Avowed*, the side quest "Fires in the Mine" presents players with a pivotal decision: should you stop or support Darle's plan to blow up the mine? Both choices offer unique rewards, but one stands out as the optimal choice for maximizing your gains.

Should You Stop or Support Darle in Avowed 'Fires in the Mine' Quest?

Image Source: Obsidian Entertainment via The Escapist

For the best overall rewards in your *Avowed* playthrough at the end of "Fires in the Mine," stopping Darle from blowing up the mine is the superior choice. While supporting Darle can still net you a significant amount of XP, the combined rewards of XP, money, extra loot, and the narrative impact make thwarting his plan the better option by a wide margin.

What You Get for Supporting Darle

If you choose to support Darle in *Avowed's* "Fires in the Mine" and allow him to execute his explosive plan, you will receive 1026 XP upon mission completion after discussing the outcome with Kada and Seyon. However, this choice means forfeiting potential monetary rewards as it jeopardizes their sulfur mining efforts against the Dreamthralls. You may attempt to lie about the circumstances, but the end result remains the same, further straining the relationship between the Aedyrans and Thirdborn.

Rewards for Stopping & Killing Darle

Opting to stop Darle in *Avowed's* "Fires in the Mine" side quest yields immediate rewards. You earn 212 XP for defeating him, followed by an additional 879 XP after debriefing with the mining officials, totaling 1091 XP, which is 65 XP more than supporting him. Additionally, Seynon and Kada will reward you with 900 coins for your efforts. Before departing the mine, you can also loot the following items from Darle's corpse:

• Blackwood Branch (Superb Upgrade Material)
• Wild Mushroom Stew (Prepared Food)
• Beetle Pie (Prepared Food) x2

While the food items are minor, the Blackwood Branch is a significant bonus, perfect for weapon and armor upgrades. Moreover, stopping Darle maintains the relationship between Thirdborn and the Aedyrans, adding depth to the game's world-affecting narrative. From a gameplay perspective, stopping Darle is unequivocally the best choice.

Now that you're equipped with the knowledge to make the best decision at the end of "Fires in the Mine" in *Avowed*, consider exploring all 12 Treasure Map locations to find exclusive gear. Additionally, if you've been diligently grinding XP for your godlike, discover what the max level in *Avowed* is to understand their full potential.