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"Is Freeing Ilora in Avowed Worth It?"

by Harper Apr 03,2025

At the beginning of Avowed, you face a pivotal decision regarding Ilora, a suspicious prisoner held at Fort Northreach. Your ultimate goal is to use her boat to reach Paradis, but the choice to free or leave Ilora has significant consequences throughout the game.

Should You Free or Leave Ilora?

In Avowed, it's highly recommended to free Ilora. This choice not only aligns with a more compassionate approach but also simplifies your journey through Fort Northreach and unlocks a beneficial side quest later on.

What Happens If You Free Ilora in Avowed?

An image showing Garryck and Ilora talking in Avowed as part of a guide on whether or not you should free her.

Freeing Ilora in Avowed proves to be a wise decision. She assists you in defeating the enemies on the island, including the formidable boss, Steadman Ralke. Given your character's initial lack of strength and subpar equipment at the start of the game, Ilora's help significantly eases the challenge. Moreover, freeing her sets the stage for the "Escape Plan" side quest later in the game, making it much more manageable.

How to Free Ilora

An image showing the Warden's Room in Avowed. There's a bookshelf on the right and the key to the prison cells directly in front of the player.

To free Ilora, you need to retrieve the key from the Warden’s Room. Head to the end of the hallway, climb the crates, and jump to the opposite platform. Enter the passageway above, break through the boards on your right, and descend into the Warden’s Room. The key is right next to the door. Use it to unlock Ilora's cell and also the adjacent cell to obtain the Deerskin Gloves.

What Happens If You Don’t Free Ilora in Avowed?

Choosing not to free Ilora makes Fort Northreach much more challenging. You'll face a tougher battle during your escape, and the "Escape Plan" side quest later in the game will be more difficult. Additionally, Ilora won't remain imprisoned; you'll have to confront and fight her, complicating your escape further. On the upside, defeating her allows you to loot her body, gaining some valuable items.

In conclusion, freeing Ilora in Avowed is the recommended choice for a smoother gameplay experience and additional benefits down the line.

Avowed is available now.