In the early stages of Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, you’ll come across Jacob Lynde, a young man seeking refuge in a makeshift shelter in the woods. Engage in conversation with him, and he’ll appear somewhat bewildered, explaining that his friend Ben went off to hunt for game and that he feared he would hinder the duo if he accompanied Jacob.
This encounter marks the first of many Haunting Cases you’ll encounter in Banishers, and given its significance as the initial one, the decision you must make at its conclusion—whether to blame Jacob, banish Ben, or allow Ben to ascend—lacks a full explanation of its consequences. Here’s the breakdown:
Explanation of “The Flesh Is Weak” decision in Banishers:
At the conclusion of each Haunting Case, you’re tasked with either assigning blame to a living settler, banishing a ghost, or facilitating a ghost’s ascension through a release ritual. This decision essentially hinges on determining who is accountable for the haunting situation, as there’s always a backstory explaining why the ghost is tormenting the living settler(s) involved.
In this particular scenario, following an investigation by Red and Antea into Ben’s disappearance, they discover his skeletal remains. Subsequently, it’s revealed that Jacob, in a state of delirium induced by weeks of troubled sleep, inadvertently caused Ben’s death by pushing him off a cliff when Ben refused to give up. It’s disclosed that Jacob has been surviving by consuming flesh carved from Ben’s body with a knife.
This particular quest presents a weighty decision at its conclusion.
While it might initially appear to be a straightforward case, there are nuances to consider. Jacob’s mental state was severely affected by sleep deprivation, and Ben was the primary provider of sustenance for the duo. Thus, once Jacob was left alone, he lacked the skills to procure food elsewhere, especially given the scarcity of animals due to the curse from The Nightmare.
When communicating with Ben’s ghost, he expresses forgiveness towards Jacob, describing him as a “kind and godly man, pure and true always,” stating that he harbors no animosity towards him.
Ben also admits to contemplating killing Jacob as a last resort to survive before the tragic incident occurred. Despite attempting to communicate with Jacob, Ben’s efforts were misinterpreted in Jacob’s delirious state, leading to the fatal confrontation. As Ben succinctly puts it when confronting Jacob: “We both faced a choice, simple and awful: to kill, or to die.”
This brings us to the decision at hand: blame Jacob Lynde, facilitate Benedict Stoughton’s ascension, or banish Benedict Stoughton?
Blaming Jacob essentially equates to condemning him to death, as explained in our guide on whether to resurrect or ascend Antea—another decision you must make shortly after resolving the situation involving Ben and Jacob. However, if you opt for Antea’s ascension, you have the choice to either banish or facilitate Ben’s ascension.
Will you assign blame to Jacob or opt to either banish or facilitate Ben’s ascension?
While this Haunting Case may seem relatively straightforward, given Jacob’s delirium, subsequent cases may present more ambiguous moral dilemmas, requiring you to make decisions that may not align with your personal convictions depending on the oath you pledge. Regardless, “The Flesh Is Weak” serves as a precursor to the challenges that lie ahead.
Be sure to consult our guides on breaking destructible walls and clearing creeping ivy to maximize your exploration of New Eden. Additionally, we offer a guide on optimizing Banishers skills as you accumulate new skill points.
