Mordin: Old Blood

Mordin Solus's loyalty mission, 'Old Blood,' delves deep into his past as a scientist and his role in the Krogan genophage. This mission is a pivotal moment for Mordin, forcing him to confront the ethical implications of his work and the consequences it has had. Completing it successfully is crucial for his loyalty and understanding his character.

Mordin's loyalty mission, 'Old Blood,' is a critical quest that explores his past as a Salarian scientist and his involvement in the Krogan genophage. This mission takes Shepard and Mordin back to Tuchanka, the Krogan homeworld, where they must investigate a new, virulent strain of the genophage that is killing Krogan infants. This quest is not just about combat; it's a deep dive into Mordin's moral compass and his regrets.

Starting the Mission:

To initiate 'Old Blood,' you must first recruit Mordin Solus and have him as a squadmate. Speak with him on the Normandy; he will eventually express his concern about the genophage situation and ask for Shepard's help. The mission begins with a trip to Tuchanka.

Key Objectives and Choices:

Investigate the Outbreak: Upon arriving on Tuchanka, you'll need to find the source of the new genophage strain. This will involve navigating through Krogan territory, dealing with hostile creatures, and gathering information from local Krogan.
Confronting the Source: You will discover that the new strain was developed by a rogue Salarian scientist named Dr. Maelon, who believes the genophage is too cruel and has been trying to find a cure. Maelon is Mordin's former colleague.
The Ethical Dilemma: This is where the core of the mission lies. You will find Maelon's research notes and evidence of his work. Mordin is torn between his duty to the Salarian government and his growing empathy for the Krogan. You will have to make a critical decision regarding Maelon's research and his fate.

The Decision Point:

You will be presented with two primary choices regarding Maelon's research:

Destroy Maelon's Research: If you choose to destroy Maelon's research, Mordin will agree with this decision, believing that interfering with the genophage would have catastrophic galactic consequences. This choice will grant Mordin loyalty.
Preserve Maelon's Research: If you choose to preserve Maelon's research, Mordin will be deeply conflicted. He will express his disagreement with your choice, and you will not gain his loyalty. This path suggests that Mordin, despite his initial stance, is beginning to question the genophage's morality.

Combat Encounters:

Throughout the mission, you will face combat. Expect to fight Krogan warriors, as well as various hostile wildlife native to Tuchanka. Ensure your squad is well-equipped and that you utilize cover effectively. Mordin's biotic and tech abilities can be very useful in these encounters, especially his Incinerate power for dealing with armor.

Gaining Mordin's Loyalty:

To gain Mordin's loyalty, you must make the choice that als with his core beliefs, which at this point in the story, is to destroy Maelon's research. This decision reflects his understanding of the broader galactic implications and the Salarian perspective on the Krogan issue. If you choose to preserve the research, Mordin will remain unloyal, and his effectiveness in combat will be reduced, potentially impacting the Suicide Mission.

Completing 'Old Blood' not only solidifies Mordin's loyalty but also provides significant insight into the complex political and ethical landscape of the Mass Effect universe. It's a mission that showcases the depth of character development and the weight of the choices Shepard must make.