Avowed's Tago's Tower Dilemma: To Kill or to Reason with Haiako and Katoa?

So, you've finally reached the peak of Tago's Tower in Avowed, after navigating a gauntlet of traps that seemed to have a personal vendetta against your ankles. And who's there to greet you? Not a friendly face with a cup of tea, but two very grumpy Thirdborn locals named Haiako and Katoa. Let's just say their welcome wagon is armed and loaded, convinced your Aedyrn head on a pike would make a lovely 'Keep Out' sign for their empire. Old Moapo, that sneaky fellow who sent you here, definitely knew what he was doing, didn't he? This tower isn't just a scenic viewpoint; it's a key trade outpost, and these two are dead-set on keeping it out of Aedyrn hands. They might not be best buds with Moapo, but they're perfectly happy to be his unwitting pawns in your potential demise.

What Happens If You Go Full Murder-Hobo?

Alright, let's talk loot. If your patience is thinner than a skeleton's hairline and diplomacy sounds about as fun as a root canal, you can always just start swinging. Haiako and Katoa aren't exactly offering a peaceful dialogue tree—they're basically screaming 'your death would send a strong message.' You can cut the chatter short or humor them for a second before introducing them to your blade. Either way, they drop the good stuff:

• Exceptional quality loot (because of course the jerks have nice things).

• A tidy pile of gold scellings.

• Some decent crafting materials for your tinkering pleasure.

The fight itself? If you're geared up, it's a Tuesday. But here's the fun part—if you've got something like the Izmalt's Meteoric Apparatus (that fancy unique arquebus), you can literally send them flying over the ledge. Talk about making an exit! Once they're gone, they're gone for good, wiped from the narrative slate. Don't forget to snag the Thirdborn Brigandine Jack armor from a chest up there before you take the express route down—a leap of faith into the pool below. For the completionists, you can even go back and turn Moapo into a pincushion for some extra goodies. Brutal, but efficient.

What Happens If You Play Nice (Well, Nicer)?

Now, for those who like their RPGs with a side of conscience. If you want to stay in Kai and Giatta's good books—and let's be real, having allies in the Living Lands is never a bad idea—you'll need to show some restraint. Bring Kai along for this chat; he's got history with these two. To talk them down from their murderous ledge, you'll need to present two pieces of evidence that you're not just another Aedyrn bully. Did you spare the mine? Stop the Steel Garrote from torching Fior? Kai will back you up, and your past good deeds become your bargaining chips.

Succeed, and Kai and Giatta will be grateful that you showed restraint. You'll unlock unique, warmer dialogue with them back at camp. The kicker? You still get to loot that Thirdborn Brigandine Jack from the chest—the prime loot isn't on their bodies, it's in the box! Haiako and Katoa live to scowl another day and will pop up in future story beats. The trade-off? You miss out on the direct loot from their corpses. So, it's a choice between instant gratification and long-term... well, not friendship, but less outright hostility.

The Real Tea: Why Sparing Them Might Be the Move

Let's lay it out straight. The loot from icing Haiako and Katoa? It's good, but it ain't 'haunt-your-dreams' good. Yeah, they're jerks with a hefty dose of prejudice against Aedyrns, but killing them is a bit permanent for what you get. Chat with Kai and Giatta later, and they'll tell you that while these two knuckleheads went about it all wrong, their anger isn't completely unfounded. The best loot is chilling in that chest at the top of Tago's Tower regardless of your body count.

The real weight of this decision hits later, in Shatterscarp. After the Naku Kubel trials, you've got a big choice: back Lodwyn or Ryngrim. Here's the spicy bit:

• Siding with Ryngrim to sever the connection? You're basically signing Haiako and Katoa's death warrant anyway. Sparing them now becomes a bit... pointless, like bringing a umbrella to a volcano.

• Siding with Lodwyn, ironically, is their best shot. The hope is that the envoy will (hopefully) cure the Dreamscourge, which could finally give the Thirdborn the freedom they're screaming for.

So, what's it gonna be? It boils down to your playstyle. Are you a roleplay purist weaving a narrative, or a loot gremlin who wants every last scelling? The game doesn't judge, but your conscience (and Kai's side-eye) might.

A Quick Peek at the Living Lands

The world of Avowed is wild, folks. Don't believe me? Check out these snapshots from the frontier:

In the end, the standoff at Tago's Tower is a classic Avowed moment. It's not just about combat stats or inventory slots; it's about the story you're telling in the Living Lands. Do you leave a trail of bodies to make a point, or do you swallow your pride, deal with the awkwardness, and maybe—just maybe—leave a door open for a less bloody tomorrow? The tower's peak holds more than just loot; it holds a reflection of your envoy. Choose wisely, or don't. It's your adventure, after all. Just maybe don't tell Kai if you chose the 'yeet them off the ledge' option.