I think this is another one of the times where the realistic course of action is hampered by a hesitancy to take any narrative agency away from the player. Wyl can be allowed to accept Spikes condition, he can be told not to, and Tav can decide to attack Spike and interrogate him, but Wyll, who seems like someone who would absolutely do that, can't
I really think this should be revised. It does seem outside even Wyll’s changeable character to just go straight for torturing Liam, especially given his high charisma. I can see that he’s too angry and scared to be able to manage persuasion or deception, but surely he’d have a go at intimidating Spike. If handed control of the conversation I think he should at least try to intimidate Spike (getting a roll) and only move to torture if that fails.
Even so, giving Wyll control of the situation should mean he would act Independently.
I agree, when we let companions take control, they should act as they would without our interference, and we should be able to draw conclusions about who they are from their behaviour in these situations.
The windmill scene is a bit disturbing but plausible given what we’re shown about Wyll, and I think most main characters could find some degree of sympathy. His treatment of Liam if we don’t give him an alternative is beyond any decent bounds, though. I think it would do plenty to illustrate the darkness in his character that he’s willing to entertain the idea of torturing an innocent, and can be persuaded to do that or will resort to it if intimidation fails, without going as far as the game currently does.
