At the end of A Fury from the Sea, after defeating Rued, you’ll have the choice to kill or spare him. The decision you make can have a significant impact on how the story proceeds, so you’ll want to pay close attention to the outcomes shown below.

What Happens if You Kill or Spare Rued?¶

The choice to kill or spare Rued may turn out to be more difficult than anticipated. To spare him will please Oswald and provide a potentially more satisfying end to the story arc, while killing him will please not only the vision of Odin, but also Finnr.

Kill Rued¶

If you choose to kill Rued, you are guaranteed to recruit Finnr to your longship crew, but Oswald won’t be pleased. In truth, this has no real impact on the broader story, but it does mean that you won’t be able to see Oswald kill Rued later, or have the chance to finish him off yourself later. Note that you will still be able to recruit Finnr if you choose to fight Rued later.

Spare Rued¶

If you allow Rued to live, to be put on trial by Oswald and his God, this will lead to a satisfying end in the next quest, during which Oswald eventually fights Rued. If this transpires, Finnr will pledge himself to Oswald. If you choose to kill Rued later instead of Oswald, Finnr will join your crew and Oswald will accept Rued’s death at your hands.