Strolling into Shatterscarp after witnessing the Steel Garrotte's fiery handiwork at Fior Mes Iverno is like walking into a lion's den with a steak tied to your back—you're already starting on the back foot. Temerti, the local authority figure, is about as trusting of a newcomer as a cat is of a bubble bath. The game presents you with a seemingly pivotal choice: hand over a purloined letter from the Steel Garrotte to Temerti or keep it to yourself. At first glance, this decision feels as perplexing as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, leaving many players scratching their heads. The good news? No matter which path you choose, you won't find yourself unceremoniously booted from Thirdborn. The choice is yours, but the ripple effects are subtler than a ghost's whisper.

What Happens If You Play Postman for the Steel Garrotte?

Choosing to deliver the letter is like handing Temerti a completed jigsaw puzzle piece she was desperately searching for. You're essentially giving her vital intelligence on the Steel Garrotte's nefarious plans. This act of apparent goodwill does have its immediate perks:

• Faster Trust Buildup: Temerti's frosty demeanor thaws a touch quicker. She's more receptive to forming a joint strategy against the common enemy.

• Streamlined Planning: The conversation about confronting the Steel Garrotte progresses more swiftly, as if you've oiled the gears of cooperation.

• Potential Bonus Points?: There's a whisper of a chance this action could earn you some favor with Lödywn, the character who originally wanted the letter delivered. Think of it as a diplomatic side-quest that might pay off later, like planting a seed in a magical garden and hoping for a friendly, talking tree.

However, don't expect a parade in your honor. This choice isn't a magic wand. If you later decide to side with the controversial figure Ryngrim, Temerti's newfound trust will evaporate faster than a puddle in the desert sun. She'll still assign you a side quest regardless, proving that in the Living Lands, business and personal feelings are as intertwined as the roots of an ancient, gnarled tree.

What Happens If You Become a Letter Hoarder?

Choosing to pocket the letter turns the interaction into a delicate dance of dialogue, where every step counts. Temerti's final stance becomes less about the single withheld item and more about the cumulative impression you make through your conversation choices.

• The Trust Puzzle: Withholding the letter is just one piece of the "Temerti's Trust" puzzle. It's not the cornerstone, but its absence makes fitting the other pieces—your tone, your honesty, your stated intentions—slightly more cumbersome.

• Slower Buildup: The path to a collaborative plan, particularly one involving a visit to Ryngrim, often feels more meandering, like navigating a river delta instead of taking a straight canal.

• Dialog-Dependent Outcomes: If you compound this secrecy with suspicious or evasive dialogue options, you might fail to reach a productive understanding altogether. The conversation could dead-end, leaving you with a cold shoulder and fewer allies.

The long-term consequences of either choice are as elusive as a shadow in twilight. It's entirely possible that this early decision subtly colors every future interaction with Temerti in Shatterscarp, influencing side-quest availability or the fervor of her support. It's a classic Obsidian Entertainment move: a choice that feels small but has tentacles that might reach deep into your playthrough, much like a seemingly minor adjustment to a spell's incantation that later determines whether you summon a kitten or a catastrophe.

The Bigger Picture in Avowed's Living Lands

This letter dilemma is a perfect microcosm of Avowed's approach to role-playing. Choices are rarely binary good vs. evil; they're shades of gray, pragmatic decisions, or role-playing commitments. The game doesn't punish you for one "wrong" move but instead weaves your decisions into the fabric of your relationships. Whether you're a transparent ally or a cautiously independent agent shapes the world's reaction to you in subtle, often surprising ways.

So, What's a Player to Do?

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide based on your desired role-play style:

Your Character's Vibe	Recommended Choice	Likely Immediate Outcome
The Straight-Shooting Ally	Give the Letter	Smoother cooperation, faster trust from Temerti.
The Cautious Independent	Keep the Letter	More nuanced dialogue challenge, slower relationship building.
The Secretive Schemer	Keep the Letter	Risky, but aligns with a distrustful persona. Requires careful dialogue management.
The People-Pleaser	Give the Letter	Attempts to satisfy both Lödywn's initial request and Temerti's need for info.

Ultimately, there's no definitively "correct" answer. The beauty lies in living with your choice and discovering how it quietly echoes through the crumbling ruins and vibrant glens of the Living Lands. Will your decision be a forgotten footnote or the first stitch in a larger tapestry of consequence? Only your journey through Avowed will tell. Remember, in a land where magic is wild and loyalties are fluid, sometimes a piece of paper can weigh as much as a mountain.