In Avowed's "Fires in the Mine" side quest, the decision to stop or support Darle significantly impacts rewards. While both choices offer XP, stopping Darle yields superior overall benefits.
Supporting Darle: Results in 1026 XP. However, you forfeit any monetary reward and further strain relations between the Aedyrans and Thirdborn.
Stopping Darle: Provides a total of 1091 XP (212 XP for the kill + 879 XP for debriefing), exceeding the reward for supporting him. Additionally, you receive 900 coins and loot from Darle's corpse: a Blackwood Branch (a valuable upgrade material), Wild Mushroom Stew, and two Beetle Pies. This choice also maintains a positive relationship between the Aedyrans and Thirdborn.
From a gameplay perspective, stopping and killing Darle offers significantly more XP, coins, and valuable loot, making it the optimal choice. While the narrative consequences are noteworthy, the gameplay advantages are substantial. For players focused on maximizing rewards, stopping Darle is the clear winner.