First some background. During the main story we get to learn that the Captain of the keep which serves as the main settlement, Horns of the South, didn't in fact close himself in his room and ordered lockdown as soldiers are led to believe. We're informed by Fearghas, the keep's quartermaster who's in charge in the Captain's absence, that it's just something he came up with to prevent panic. The reality is that the Captain has left the keep and was taken hostage by Dal Riata (or so Fearghas believes).
Why rescuing the Captain should be a priority should be obvious, but even then, there's a second incentive, and a very strong one at that.
Enter Sir Galahad.
Now, the Sir Galahad in question is far from the one we know from the legends, or Monty Python for that matter. In Fall of Avalon, Galahad is a title held by the knight serving as Kamelot's representative to the South. It just so happens that the current Galahad earns his title "the Pure" by purifying every land he steps on so thoroughly, that there's nothing left to be corrupted.
So now we're on the clock to get Captain back so that everything appears at least somewhat in order when Galahad pays the visit. The temple Captain is being held in is in the back of Dal Riata camp. You can get access to it in two ways - either gain Dal Riata favor by doing quests for them and impressing their "camp leader" (different from overall leader) or just fight your way in. Regardless of the choosen method, once you enter the temple, you get to witness a scene you likely didn't except. The Captain isn't a prisoner, but rather discusses alliance with the Dal Riata leader, One-Eye. He assures you there's a good reason for his betrayal of Kamelot, and together with One-Eye they give you directions and a special key to a hidden crypt. There you can find out that the beloved by everyone Arthur was so obsessed with gaining immortality that he was willing to take his most trusted friends' lives (and deaths) to achieve it.
When you leave the crypt, you're confronted by the Captain and after briefly discussing what you've just seen, he informs you that the current crisis can't be solved without anyone dying and you need to make the big choice. You can
- Agree to kill Sir Galahad and go along with Captain's plan for independent South in alliance with Dal Riata.
- Agree to kill One-Eye.
- The Captain did say someone needs to die, and it might as well be him. Kill the Captain for betraying Kamelot.
Now, killing Galahad might seem like the obvious "good" option here. Everyone says he's terrible, people call him "Royal Butcher". Just get rid of him and the South can live happily ever after, independent and in friendship with Dal Riata, right?
Sure, the "ending slides" that come after this path might make you believe that, but what's actually great is that you get a lot of different information about Galahad, Kamelot's power and Captain's personality when playing each of the paths. For example, when you decide to kill Galahad, you get to talk with him quite a lot before the inevitable duel. He's clearly violent, but he's not stupid. He recognizes the fighting prowess of Dal Riata, but calls them out on inexperience in dealing with the terrors of the island. Even though he's annoyed at how much gold is being poured into the South, he mentions clearly that united Kamelot and Horns of the South is the only way for humans to survive. In any case, killing Galahad results in a talk between the Captain and Fearghas. The latter can't quite believe the plot and is shaken by what's happened. He mentions that despite Dal Riata's fighting spirit, their way of conducting combat is no match for Kamelot's advanced tactics. He eventually leaves to process what just happened and cool off. The ending slides tell of the inevitable consequences of killing a Knight of the Round Table, but also potential hope for a better, independent South.
Then you have the second option. Killing One-Eye. This results in Galahad coming to the Horns and having a chat with Captain, Fearghas and eventually you.
He's unhappy with what he sees. He planned to visit the Temple, but is informed that it's being held by Dal Riata. Thankfully, you arrive to save the day and inform him that One-Eye is dead. This largely satisfies him and he leaves. What's interesting in this route is what we learn of the Captain from the ending slides.
Throwing random people under the bus just to save his own skin? Not quite the noble person you probably thought him to be, eh? Hell, when you tell him you're going to kill One-Eye back at the crypt, he outright tells you that should you ever try to rat him out, he'll drag you down with him.
As for what happens to Dal Riata with their leader deposed?
And now we arrive at the third option, killing the Captain. What follows is talk with Fearghas, who informs us that treason is inexcusable and we did the right thing. He also says that Galahad will appoint a new Captain. We don't actually get to meet the Knight in this route, but I imagine it will change with future updates. The ending slides give us a good idea of his actions, though (love the art of those slides btw).
When you actually look at the state South is in, and the Horns by extension, Galahad's actions doesn't seem that unjustified anymore. He goes overboard, sure, but not without reason. The keep's gate """guard""" is literally asleep most of the time, with the excuse being "everyone needs some kind of job, regardless of their ability". He's supposed to be a soldier, whip him into shape ffs. Then everywhere outside the keep is just swarming with bandits and monsters. The Captain claims he came up with the project of building a second lighthouse, which he knew would be approved by Kamelot for historical/symbolic reasons, but was actually using the funds for other, important things. But my question is, what things? The whole place is in fucking shambles, where did all the money go?
As for all the big talk about independent South, it seems like Fearghas was right. All it took was Galahad and a few Kamelot knights to dispose of the Dal Riata.
Also, our favorite quartermaster got a promotion.
So there you have it. Three options, with vastly different outcomes, but with no clear winner. You can either opt for an idealistic vision of independent South that seems to be lacking power to actually achieve that and might end up victim of Kamelot's retribution, a status quo that largely spares non-Dal Riata population from any terror, or strengthening of ties between Kamelot and Horns at the cost of Kamelot's corruption being left unattended and Galahad's "purification" of the land.
I went with the third option as my "main" (mostly because I'm a sucker for "bad" guys as long as they're cool looking), but I totally view all of them as viable and logical (the second one probably being the least appealing), which was a rather nice surprise for me.
Thanks for reading my blog, I guess.
