Auntie Ethel: The Unforgettable Villain of Baldur's Gate 3 🧙‍♀️✨

In the pantheon of memorable villains that Baldur's Gate 3 offers, from the theatrical Raphael to the terrifying Cazador Szarr, one antagonist stands out not for her grandiosity, but for her lingering, unsettling presence in the game's optional corners. Auntie Ethel, the deceptive hag, proves that the most fascinating foes are often those who blend dark comedy with genuine menace. She isn't just an obstacle; she's a mirror, forcing players to confront the twisted bargains and moral compromises of Faerûn. Years after its release, Ethel remains a character players love to hate, and dread, across every new playthrough.

🎭 The Kindly Old Woman... Or Is She?

Auntie Ethel first presents herself as a sympathetic, elderly woman offering an easy solution to the party's parasite problem. But, as they say, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. The moment players arrive at the seemingly idyllic Riverside Teahouse, the kind mask slips, revealing the horrifying truth. She is a hag, an ancient fey creature whose power stems from striking dark bargains and preying on the desperate. Don't you just love it when a friendly NPC turns out to be your worst nightmare?

⚔️ A Persistent Problem: Acts 1 & 3

What makes Auntie Ethel so uniquely troublesome? She's a recurring, optional threat. Think you've dealt with her in the Sunlit Wetlands of Act 1? Think again. She returns in Act 3, more ruthless and powerful than ever, proving that ignoring a hag's problems never makes them go away. Her story is tied to key quests:

• Save Mayrina (Act 1): Rescue a pregnant woman from Ethel's clutches.

• Avenge the Hag Survivors (Act 3): Help a group of her past victims seek justice.

🔀 How To Deal With The Hag: Your Choices

Baldur's Gate 3 is all about player agency, and your approach to Auntie Ethel is a perfect example. Here are your main options:

Choice	Consequence	Recommended For...
Ignore Her Entirely ❌	Miss a major side story and potential rewards.	Players who love to live with regret (or are speedrunning!).
Fail the Quests (Accidentally) 😬	Mayrina dies; survivors go unaided. A hollow outcome.	Anyone who finds her lair too tricky!
Side With Ethel (Purposefully) 🤝	Give her Mayrina in Act 1, leave her be in Act 3. She becomes a creepy ally against the Absolute and sends a cursed epilogue letter.	Chaotic or Evil-aligned characters (Durge, this is your moment!).
Defeat The Hag ⚔️✅	Free her victims, earn great loot (including Legendary gear), and achieve a narratively satisfying, good-aligned conclusion.	Heroes, do-gooders, and anyone who values a hard-won victory.

💀 The Universal Truth: Hag Bargains Always Cost

Even playing as a Lawful Evil character who entertained deals with Gortash and Raphael, one truth felt absolute: siding with a hag is always a mistake. Their bargains are poison wrapped in promise. There are no happy endings when a hag is involved—only different flavors of suffering. The most rewarding path, both for your conscience and your inventory, is to take her down.

🏆 Why Defeating Ethel is Worth the Struggle

Defeating Auntie Ethel is one of the game's toughest early challenges, but oh, is it satisfying. It's not just about winning a fight; it's about:

• Breaking the Cycle: Freeing victims like Mayrina and the Hag Survivors from a lifetime of torment.

• Epic Loot: Claiming powerful rewards that can define your build for acts to come.

• Earned Victory: That feeling of overcoming a cunning, difficult foe is unmatched by many other side encounters.

You might need to reload a save or two (no shame in that!), but the triumph feels genuinely earned.

😈 The Dark Path: When Siding With Evil Has Value

Of course, Baldur's Gate 3 thrives on letting you make terrible choices. For a truly Chaotic Evil or Dark Urge playthrough, keeping Ethel alive has a perverse value. She becomes a powerful, sinister ally in the final battle. It's a dark road, one that few in Faerûn would walk—even those of evil alignment know hags are bad news. But isn't that the point of role-playing? To explore the darkest corners the game allows?

✨ Final Verdict

Auntie Ethel remains, years later, a masterclass in video game villainy. She is grotesquely captivating, a challenge that tests both your combat skills and your moral compass. Whether you choose to be her hero, her victim, or her unlikely partner in crime, her story is unforgettable. So, on your next playthrough in 2026, will you break the hag's curse, or will you embrace the darkness of her bargain? The choice, as always, is yours. 🎮