Talk:Mutual of Beauclair's Wild Kingdom/@comment-85.27.138.6-20171205145115

This was a difficult decision. Even if you spare the beast, Borhis di Salvaress makes the comment that he hopes she will lay new eggs---which Geralt frowns upon, as he knows this decision eventually just spawned more basilisks which will just fly out into the world and pose new threats. And while Borhis tries to be a sympathic character, the way he deals with the consequences of his obsession by paying off family members of victims paints him as a man with very little regard for human life.

On the other hand, one of the redeeming qualities of Geralt is this understanding that monsters are part of the world too and it's not his job to just senselessly butcher them at every opportunity. Many other quests challenge your decision to kill monsters, such as Skellige's most wanted. And once you've slain Iocaste, it becomes very apparent you didn't really save the day but just slew a magnificent treasured beast as a ruthless hunter.

And both parties use their power and wealth to push their agenda here---no matter what you do, someone will label you as the villain. The merchant guild just want more convinient roads choose to pay mercenaries to slay the beast rather than heeding the warnings.

In the end, I choose to spare the beast. Because of one important remark Geralt makes on the decision. "The basilisk lives *for now*"---implying if it ever becomes a threat again, he will do what's necessary and that's a responsibility Borhis is willing to accept.