Thane: Stop Kolyat or Not
Thane Krios's loyalty mission, "Siding with Your Family," presents Shepard with a critical moral dilemma: whether to intervene in Thane's son Kolyat's attempt to assassinate a corrupt politician. This choice has significant ramifications for Thane's loyalty, his relationship with his son, and the overall narrative outcome.
The mission begins with Thane revealing that his son, Kolyat, has fallen in with a group of assassins and is planning to carry out a hit. Thane, despite his own past as an assassin, wants to prevent his son from following the same path. He asks Shepard to accompany him to the target location to intervene.
Upon arriving at the target location, a crowded marketplace, Shepard and Thane observe Kolyat preparing to make his move. At this point, Shepard is presented with a choice: either directly intervene and stop Kolyat, or allow him to proceed with the assassination and deal with the consequences later. This decision point is central to the mission's resolution.
Option 1: Stop Kolyat Immediately
If Shepard chooses to intervene, they will engage Kolyat and his associates. This leads to a combat sequence where Shepard and Thane must subdue Kolyat without killing him. The goal here is to incapacitate Kolyat and prevent the assassination, demonstrating to him that there is another way.
Following the combat, Shepard and Thane will have a conversation with Kolyat. Thane will attempt to reason with his son, offering him a chance to leave the assassin's life behind and join him. If Shepard has successfully prevented the assassination and handled the situation with minimal collateral damage, Kolyat is more likely to listen to Thane and potentially reconcile.
Option 2: Let Kolyat Proceed (and Intervene Later)
If Shepard chooses not to intervene directly in the marketplace, Kolyat will attempt the assassination. This will likely result in the death of the target and a chaotic scene. After the assassination attempt, Shepard and Thane will pursue Kolyat.
This path often leads to a more violent confrontation. Shepard and Thane might have to fight their way through more enemies to catch up to Kolyat. The outcome of this path can be more grim, with Kolyat potentially becoming more entrenched in his violent lifestyle or facing harsher repercussions.
Consequences for Loyalty:
- Stopping Kolyat: Generally leads to Thane remaining loyal. Thane is pleased that Shepard helped him prevent his son from fully embracing a life of assassination and offered him a chance at redemption. This outcome is seen as the more morally sound choice and als with Thane's desire for his son's well-being.
- Allowing Kolyat to Proceed: Can lead to Thane becoming disloyal, or at least make him more conflicted. While Thane might understand Kolyat's motivations, he will likely be disappointed that the assassination occurred and that his son is further down the path of violence. This choice can also lead to a less favorable outcome for Kolyat's future.
The choice ultimately boils down to whether Shepard prioritizes immediate intervention and a chance at redemption for Kolyat, or a more hands-off approach that might lead to a darker outcome but potentially a more direct confrontation with the corrupt elements involved.