After dozens of playthroughs and countless hours roaming the streets of Baldur’s Gate, I still find myself drawn back to one of the most gripping moments in Act 3: the Aid the Underduke quest. Stepping into the Guildhall for the first time, I could immediately sense the tension. Nine-Fingers Keene’s rule over the city's underworld was under threat, and the ruthless Zhentarim were making their move. Roah Moonglow—if she survived your earlier encounters—had gathered her agents and was ready to spill blood to seize power. It’s a classic RPG crossroads, but even in 2026, I see many players asking themselves the same question: should I support the established Guild or throw in with the Zhentarim mercenaries? The answer, I’ve come to believe, isn’t just about morals—it’s about tangible rewards and long-term roleplaying satisfaction.
Setting the Scene: Two Factions, One Choice
The conflict is tangled up with the Stone Lord narrative, which saw our favorite ranger Minsc manipulated by the Absolute. The Zhentarim, led by Roah (or Friol if matters went badly earlier), see an opening to crush the Guild. Meanwhile, Nine-Fingers and her network, while undeniably criminal, maintain a certain code—they care about the city’s stability. When I first faced this choice, I wondered: is there any real difference in what you get, or is it just a morality slider? As it turns out, the rewards are almost identical on the surface, but one side offers a crucial edge.
The Temptation of the Zhentarim
Siding with the Zhentarim is clearly the evil playthrough option. Roah Moonglow might be one of the game’s best merchants, but her organization thrives on violence and manipulation. If you help them take over the Guildhall, you gain their allegiance in the final battle against the Absolute. Specifically, you’ll be able to summon two elite assassin mercenaries from their ranks.
But is that promise enough? From my perspective, the Zhentarim’s support feels paper-thin. They took a massive bribe from the Absolute, which tells me they’d sell out anyone in a heartbeat. And the path to securing their aid is fraught with peril: if Minsc dies during the confrontation, or if Roah or Friol falls, the entire faction becomes hostile. Even keeping Minsc alive requires delicate handling—I learned the hard way that letting him speak to Nine-Fingers can trigger a disastrous brawl.
For a truly corrupt character, the Zhentarim might seem like a natural fit, but when I weigh the risks against the rewards, I can't shake the feeling that these mercenaries are just a token evil option, inserted so no playstyle feels left out.
Why Nine-Fingers Keene Deserves Your Blade
Choosing the Guild offers the same mechanical reward: two elite assassins to summon in the climactic battle. Yet there’s a game-changing bonus the Zhentarim simply can’t match. After defeating Roah or Friol, you can loot a staggering 10,000 gold from their corpse—a bribe straight from the Absolute itself. That kind of wealth can fund the best magical items in the city or, if you’re feeling honorable, complete the Return Rakath’s Gold quest without draining your own coffers.
Beyond the gold, the Guild represents the closest thing to a moral anchor in Baldur’s Gate’s underbelly. Nine-Fingers Keene runs a criminal empire, yes, but she has a genuine concern for the people. During my first good-aligned playthrough, I realized that backing her felt like safeguarding the city’s future—someone who wouldn’t sell out to the next Absolute that comes along. And let’s be honest: in a game that constantly tests your conscience, it’s refreshing to pick a side that doesn’t leave a bitter taste.
The Overlooked Third Option—And Why It Fails
I must mention the nuclear option: killing everyone in the Guildhall and taking only the Zhentarim leader’s loot. Yes, it’s technically possible, but it’s by far the worst choice. You lose both factions as potential allies in the final battle, and from a roleplaying angle, you’re just creating a power vacuum that some even more ruthless group will fill. It’s a lonely, shortsighted path that I can’t recommend to anyone.
My Final Verdict
After years of dissecting this quest, I stand firmly with the Guild. The 10,000 gold advantage, the safer handling of Minsc’s fate, and the satisfying narrative closure make this the superior route. Even if you’re playing a morally gray character, siding with Nine-Fingers Keene doesn’t demand sainthood—it just asks you to recognize that a stable underworld is better than a backstabber’s paradise. So, next time you descend into that tense Guildhall, ask yourself: do you want a short-term deal with treacherous mercenaries, or a lasting alliance with the city’s true rogues? I know which one I’ll always choose.
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