The choice to save the mayor, leave him, or banish him occurs during the Shadow's Crossing quest in Dragon Age: the Veilguard. See the consequences of each choice and see if you should save the mayor, leave him, or banish him in this guide!

Should You Save the Mayor or Leave Him?

Leaving the Mayor is Recommended

Overall, leaving the mayor is recommended for most players as it increases Rook's approval with two companions versus one - ideal for players wanting to Romance either Bellara or Harding.

This choice is also recommended for completionists as it is the only choice that gives access to the A Growing Corruption side quest later in the game. However, if players want to prioritize romancing Neve, then saving him would be their best option.

Romance Guide and All Romance Options

Outcomes and Consequences of Saving the Mayor or Leaving Him

Summary of Choice Outcomes

Prompt
Harding: Rook? or Neve: Rook, you're a Gray Warden. You could pack him off to Weisshaupt as punishment. (Grey Wardens Exclusive)
Choice	Consequence
Save the mayor from the blight: Save him.	・Increased Approval with Neve ・Decreased Approval with Bellara and Harding ・The mayor joins the Venatori
Leave the mayor to his fate: Leave him here.	・Increased Approval with Bellara and Harding ・Decreased Approval with Neve ・Unlocks A Growing Corruption Side Quest
The mayor will seek redemption by helping the Grey Wardens: Banish him to Grey Wardens. (Grey Wardens Exclusive)	・Greatly increased Approval with Neve ・Decreased Approval with Bellara and Harding

Above is a summary of the outcomes and consequences of all choices.

Save the Mayor

Saving the mayor results in Rook increasing their approval with Neve, while also decreasing their approval with Bellara and Harding.

The Mayor Joins the Venatori

During the Blood of Arlathan quest, you will encounter the mayor again inside the Temple of the Sun as a member of Venatori. This means that even if you spared the mayor, he still could not resist the will of the gods.

Leave Him

Meanwhile, leaving him results in Rook increasing their approval with Bellara and Harding instead of Neve.

Additionally, players will be able to receive the A Growing Corruption side quest later on, in which they will be tasked with defeating the Mayor Julius, who has turned into a strong blighted boss.

Banish Him

If players chose the Grey Wardens faction at the start of the game, then they will have the option to Banish Mayor Julius to Grey Wardens, Doing so greatly increases Rook's approval with Neve while decreasing their approval with Harding and Bellara.

Grey Wardens Faction Guide

Choice Does Not Affect the Ending

Choosing to save the mayor and the other choices will not affect the ending of the story. The ending to be acquired will heavily depend on the choices made during The Last Gambit quest, which does not specifically require either companions to be available.

List of All Major Choices and Consequences

When Does the Choice Appear?

During the Shadows Crossing Quest

Saving the mayor and the other choices during the latter part of Shadows Crossing main quest, after the team meets the mayor Julius, trapped in blighted vines.

Shadows Crossing Quest Guide

Dragon Age The Veilguard Related Guides

All Major Choices and Consequences

All Choices with Minor Consequences