Starfield Shattered Space: A Guide to Choosing Vaeric’s Fate
In Starfield Shattered Space, players will face many tough choices, but one of the most compelling occurs in the quest “Conflict in Conviction”. This quest puts players in a difficult moral dilemma where they must decide whether to spare or kill Vaeric. Vaeric is a man with two factions fighting over his fate Viktor, who wants him dead for being a traitor, and his mother Vitoria, who is desperate to keep her son alive. With such conflicting motivations, it’s no wonder players feel torn. Let’s dive deeper into this quest, explore the choices, and determine which path is the best to take in this gripping storyline.
The Weight of Your Choices in Starfield
One of the key elements that make Starfield stand out is its ability to throw complex choices at the player. As a spacefarer in a massive universe, your actions ripple out across factions and planets. The quest “Conflict in Conviction” presents one of the more memorable decision-making moments early on, setting the tone for how your character will navigate the vast moral complexities of the game. So, what happens when you choose one path over the other? Let’s break down the consequences of each decision you can make in this pivotal quest.
What Happens If You Kill Vaeric?
If you decide to follow Viktor’s wishes and kill Vaeric, things will unfold quickly, but the aftermath might surprise you. Killing Vaeric during the quest feels straightforward either you attack him alone, or you can choose to take down both Vaeric and Tane, a character you’ve previously encountered. The fight is relatively easy, with or without Tane’s involvement, but it’s the post-battle consequences that pack a punch.
After you take Vaeric’s life, the next step is to return to Viktor. You’ll present him with the House Veth’aal signet ring, proof of Vaeric’s demise. Viktor will be pleased, but that satisfaction doesn’t last long. As the news reaches Vaeric’s mother, Vitoria, her heartbreak becomes evident. She places the blame squarely on Viktor for her son’s death, leading to tension and resentment between family members.
From a gameplay perspective, players receive basic rewards credits, XP, and some loot from Vaeric’s corpse. However, the narrative payoff is lacking. Killing Vaeric might please Viktor, but it doesn’t lead to any special bonuses or unlock hidden paths. Instead, you’re left with a haunting sense of regret as Vaeric’s family mourns his loss.
What Happens If You Spare Vaeric?
Choosing to spare Vaeric opens up a few different outcomes, offering more flexibility in how the story unfolds. If you decide to let him live, you’re presented with two primary options:
- Pretend Vaeric is Dead: You can ask Vaeric for his signet ring and lie to Viktor, making him believe that Vaeric is dead. In exchange for sparing his life, you can even demand 10,000 credits from Vaeric, which is a significant bonus. This deception will satisfy Viktor, who believes he’s gotten justice, while also sparing Vaeric’s life.
- Convince Vaeric to Return Home: The second, more morally sound option, is to persuade Vaeric to return home to his family. However, this path isn’t easy you’ll need to pass a persuasion check to convince him. If successful, Vaeric returns to the fold, and the family drama resolves with a much happier ending. While the rewards for sparing Vaeric are similar to those for killing him, sparing him brings a more satisfying conclusion for players invested in the narrative.
Why Sparing Vaeric is the Best Option
While killing Vaeric provides some immediate satisfaction for Viktor, sparing him offers both greater rewards and a more meaningful narrative. Pretending Vaeric is dead allows you to pocket an extra 10,000 credits while avoiding unnecessary bloodshed. However, persuading him to return home might be the most rewarding choice for players who prefer a peaceful resolution to conflict. This option not only keeps everyone happy, but it also aligns with the overarching theme of reconciling family tensions something that resonates throughout Starfield’s universe.
Additionally, from a gameplay perspective, persuading Vaeric offers a challenge in the form of a persuasion check, and succeeding feels far more gratifying than simply attacking and looting a character. You still receive the same base rewards, but without the blood on your hands.
Where to Find Vaeric: A Quick Guide
The journey to find Vaeric in the “Conflict in Conviction” quest will take you across multiple locations in Starfield. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you track him down efficiently:
- Start at Herald’s Rest: Vaeric is rumoured to frequent this location. Speak to Egbo Kazmi, who will point you in the direction of Tane.
- Head to the Abandoned Camp: Tane will guide you to the Abandoned Camp in the northwest of Dazra. Here, you’ll need to gather clues to figure out where Vaeric went next. Look for:
- Vaeric’s Camp Log (by the bed)
- Footprints (near the digging site)
- Bloodstains (under a tent)
These clues will lead you to your next destination.
- Irina’s Farm: Follow the mission marker to Irina’s Farm, where you’ll get a final lead on Vaeric’s whereabouts he’s at Apostate’s Farm.
- Confront Vaeric: You’ll find Vaeric at Apostate’s Farm, where you’ll be faced with the choice kill or spare him.
The Best Strategy for Completing “Conflict in Conviction”
While this quest presents a difficult moral choice, the best strategy for players looking to maximize both their rewards and narrative satisfaction is to spare Vaeric. Convincing him to return home provides a balanced outcome that keeps everyone happy, while also maintaining your character’s reputation as a skilled negotiator. However, if you’re roleplaying as a more ruthless character, pretending that Vaeric is dead and claiming his credits offers a lucrative, albeit morally questionable, outcome.
The Bigger Picture: How This Choice Affects Starfield’s Universe
As you progress through Starfield, the choices you make ripple through the galaxy. While the “Conflict in Conviction” quest might feel small in the grand scheme of things, it lays the groundwork for how you handle relationships and power struggles in the future. Each decision in the game is a step toward shaping your character’s identity, and quests like this one offer valuable opportunities to define your moral compass.
Final Thoughts: A Quest Worth Remembering
In the vast world of Starfield, the “Conflict in Conviction” quest stands out as one of the more engaging moral dilemmas. Whether you choose to kill Vaeric, spare him, or lie about his fate, the consequences of your actions will leave a lasting impact on your journey. For players looking to get the most out of the game, sparing Vaeric and convincing him to return home offers the best narrative and reward combination. But no matter which path you take, the quest ensures that your decisions feel weighty and significant, adding yet another layer to the richness of Starfield’s sprawling universe.
