Can you Avoid Hunwald’s Death?
Direct Answer to the Question
Unfortunately, it is not possible to avoid Hunwald’s death. His fate is fixed and predetermined in the storyline, regardless of the player’s actions throughout the game.
Why is Hunwald’s Death Inevitable?
Hunwald’s death is a culmination of the game’s lore and storyline. His association with the Raven Clan’s plot and his own conflicts make his demise a inevitability. The characters themselves react emotionally towards their outcomes, and Hunwald is no exception.
Early Indicators of Hunwald’s Fate
There are hints throughout the game pointing to Hunwald’s inescapable fate:
- Choosing Aelfgar: Selecting Hunwald as your ally changes Soma’s quest journey without preventing his death.
- Lif’s Character Interaction: Talking to Life during the investigation reveals someone took yellow paint from under the floorboards, linking back to Galinn. Despite this, Hunwald’s death remains unchanged.
- Galinn as the Traitor: Disposing of Galinn results in Soma executing the wrong person, further showing the futility of manipulating the story.
Impractical Attempts to Redirect Hunwald’s Fate
While it is frustrating that Hunwald’s destiny is set, there isn’t a way to substantially change his outcome. Unrealistically, attempting to adjust these storyline indicators involves disrupting in-game events and character logic:
- Changing Plot Course: Altering primary objectives or character relationships undermines the game’s narrative arc. This would require inconsistent narrative decisions, which affects player immersion.
- Subverting Character Actions: Taking control of character destinies by manipulating events will also disrupt the story while altering the player’s connections to the characters.
Conclusion
Since Hunwald’s death remains irreversible, it is a set piece in the plot that cannot be altered under normal circumstances. While alternatives are theoretically possible, significant adjustments to the game story or character actions would deviate from the intended course and undermine the player experience.