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Ilora's Fate in Avowed: To Free or Not?

by Elijah Mar 28,2025

At the beginning of Avowed, you're faced with a crucial decision: whether to free a suspicious prisoner named Ilora from her cell at Fort Northreach or leave her behind, with the ultimate goal of using her boat to reach Paradis. Here's a detailed look at the implications of freeing or leaving Ilora in Avowed.

Should You Free or Leave Ilora?

In Avowed, while the freedom to role-play your character is paramount, it's highly recommended to free Ilora. This choice not only simplifies the challenges at Fort Northreach but also unlocks a valuable side quest later in the game.

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 beneficial in multiple ways. She assists you in combating the enemies on the island, including the formidable boss, Steadman Ralke. Given that you start Avowed with limited strength and subpar weapons and armor, Ilora's help significantly eases the difficulty of the level. Moreover, freeing her is a morally rewarding choice.

Later in the game, freeing Ilora facilitates the "Escape Plan" side quest, making it much easier to navigate.

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 adjacent platform. Enter the passageway above, break through the boards on your right to access the Warden’s Room, and grab the key beside the door. Use this key 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 significantly more challenging. You'll face increased difficulty during the "Escape Plan" quest later on. Additionally, Ilora won't remain imprisoned; you'll have to confront her in battle, complicating your escape from Fort Northreach. On the upside, defeating her allows you to loot her body, gaining various items as a result of your harsh decision.

In conclusion, freeing Ilora in Avowed is the recommended choice for a smoother gameplay experience and additional quest opportunities.

Avowed is available now.