Baldur's Gate 3 lets you meet tons of individuals with a questionable past and quest alike. "He Who Was" definitely is one of them and strikes at least as unusual and unique. Here you'll learn more about him and his quest line!
In Baldur's Gate 3 you'll meet an individual called "He Who Was" in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. He needs you to judge the deceased woman called Madeline for mysterious reasons.
Apparently, she committed multiple crimes in the tavern nearby, and "He Who Was" was looking for evidence to justify his vengeance on her. With this dark entrance, the quest "Punish the Wicked" will start.
Let us venture forth to another bloody quest line, and this is one of the most gruesome I witnessed so far, besides dealing with the Healing Hall.
Baldur's Gate 3: Visiting The Waning Moon
After you found "He Who Was" east of the Last Light Inn, you need to go to "The Waning Moon" and pay bartender Thisobald Thorm a visit. As you need to overcome this encounter first, I recommend you our Thisobald Thorm: Fight Or Drink guide. It'll help you avoid any difficulties.
After your encounter, you need to pass a Perception Check to notice a loose plank behind the bar and take "Madeline's Ledger" with you. Take a look inside, as you need to judge her in a short while.
Baldur's Gate 3: Justice Shall Befall You
With your return, "He Who Was" will call upon Madeline and let her soul dive into his body, so she may speak once more – hearing her voice with this dangerous look was sure something else.
After the scenes unfold before you, you have multiple options to choose from to judge Madeline once and for all. If you pass the Charisma check, all leads to the inevitable: Tell Madeline to stab herself (so stab "He Who Was"). With following options:
- Tell Madeline to proceed with the stabbing;
- Stop Madeline as she showed resolve – Lead to a fight with "He Who Was";
- Tell her to continue stabbing herself – Leads to a fight with "He Who Was" as he won't kill himself with this action;
- Stop Madeline and receive "Raven Gloves" – Now you can summon your own raven;
If you don't like the idea of letting anyone stab themselves in the stomach – I surely enjoyed it in a grotesque manner (I'm shocked of myself, don't judge me). You can also call her a "Coward" and get the Raven Gloves and gold as reward, as "He Who Was" is very pleased with the broken Madeline.
And if you don't feel any of the options and would rather forgive her, you need to fight "He Who Was" and find a note on him, as he was ordered back to Shadowfell (Gauntlet of Shar). Making him a fellow Justiciar, just like the path Shadowheart is following.