In Avowed's side quest Fires in the Mine, deciding whether to halt or back Darle's actions feels nuanced, shaped by the game's context. Each choice—allowing Darle to destroy the mine or stopping him—yields distinct rewards.
Considering XP, gold, loot, and narrative impact, here’s the optimal choice for the Fires in the Mine side quest in Avowed.
Should You Stop or Support Darle in Avowed’s ‘Fires in the Mine’ Quest?

For the best rewards in Avowed’s Fires in the Mine quest, preventing Darle from blowing up the mine is the superior option.
While supporting Darle’s plan grants decent XP, stopping him offers a better combination of XP, gold, extra loot, and narrative benefits, making it the stronger choice overall.
Rewards for Supporting Darle
If you back Darle in Avowed’s Fires in the Mine quest and allow his explosive plan, you’ll earn 1026 XP after speaking with Kada and Seyon. Typically, you’d also receive gold, but supporting their sulfur-mining defense against the Dreamthralls waives this reward.
You can try to deceive others about why you allowed the mine’s destruction, but the outcome remains unchanged. This choice further strains the relationship between the Aedyrans and Thirdborn.
Rewards for Stopping & Killing Darle
Choosing to stop Darle in Avowed’s Fires in the Mine quest grants 212 XP for defeating him, plus 879 XP after debriefing with mining officials, totaling 1091 XP—65 more than supporting him.
Unlike the minimal rewards for supporting Darle, stopping him earns you 900 coins from Seynon and Kada. You can also loot these items from Darle’s body after defeating him:
- Blackwood Branch (Superb Upgrade Material)
- Wild Mushroom Stew (Prepared Food)
- Beetle Pie (Prepared Food) x2
While the food items are minor, the Blackwood Branch for gear upgrades is a valuable bonus alongside the coins and higher XP total.
Preserving the Thirdborn-Aedyran relationship adds narrative depth in Avowed, but stopping Darle’s plan is the best gameplay choice overall.
Now that you know the optimal choice for Fires in the Mine in Avowed, explore all 12 Treasure Map locations for exclusive gear. If you’re leveling up your godlike, check the max level in Avowed to gauge their potential strength.