Should You Side With He Who Was or Madeline in BG3: He Or In

Decide whether to side with He Who Was or Madeline in Baldur's Gate 3. Learn the rewards, consequences, and how to get the ledger.

Alright, let's talk about a tough choice you'll face in the Shadow-Cursed Lands: siding with He Who Was or Madeline. This isn't just about picking a side; it's about what rewards you'll get and who you'll have to fight. To even get to this point, you'll first need to grab the Moonlantern, which is super important for navigating the curse. If you haven't already, check out our guide on how to get it.

Once you've got the Moonlantern, your next step is to find He Who Was. He's chilling northeast of the Shadowed Battlefield, or you can head straight to coordinates X: 127 and Y: 111. He's got a bone to pick with Madeline, believing she committed a murder, and he needs proof. That proof is a ledger hidden away in the Moonrise Towers, specifically at The Waning Moon.

Getting to that ledger involves dealing with Thisobald Thorm. You'll need to pass a few checks to get past him. We've got a whole guide on how to handle Thisobald Thorm without a fight, so give that a look if you want to avoid unnecessary combat. After you've sorted things out with Thisobald, look for a floorboard to his left. That's where you'll find the ledger. Once you've got it, head back to He Who Was, hand it over, and then you'll finally have the choice: save Madeline or side with He Who Was.

What’s The Reward For Siding With He Who Was in BG3?

If you decide to back He Who Was, you'll snag the Raven Gloves. These are pretty neat because they give you a level 3 Conjuration Spell, letting you summon a Raven. This is a lifesaver if you don't have the Find Familiar spell already. Plus, the best part? You don't have to fight He Who Was at all, which is a nice break.

What’s The Reward For Siding With Madeline in BG3?

Choosing to side with Madeline means you'll have to fight He Who Was. After you defeat him, the quest is complete. There's also a dialogue option where you can tell him to 'hurt yourself as Ben and Marc did - stab yourself.' This actually deals some damage to him before the fight even kicks off. However, the rewards for siding with Madeline are a bit less exciting: just the Arrow of Roaring Thunder and a Scroll of Vampiric Touch.