Despite your mini-map suggesting otherwise, there’s little to see at Headsman’s Hill currently. You can raid the chest at the end of the short path leading west for a Flame Augmentation, but that’s your lot. All other goodies—a Silver Key, Silver Key Chest, and Demon Door—lie below, in an area that’s inaccessible at present. For now, whip out your Guild Seal and teleport over to Barrow Fields. Next, make a dash north for Darkwood Lake to begin the Darkwood Disturbance quest.
Darkwood Disturbance
At the entrance to Darkwood Lake, you’re greeted by Briar Rose. You need to escort her to the nearby shrine, keeping her safe from Minion attacks. Enemies attack in groups of two at first, making for a relatively sedate start to the quest. However, things get a little more challenging once you reach the shrine. As Briar Rose begins chanting, a bar appears at the side of the screen; your job is to hold back the enemy forces until it’s full.
Melee specialists should stay close to Briar, using Slow Time to make the influx of opponents more manageable. Ranged combatants, meanwhile, can find a great vantage spot near the centre of the lake to lay on some pain. Once the quest is complete, Briar Rose offers her thanks and goes on her merry way. Don’t worry, though; you’ll see her again soon.
The Mayor’s Invitation
Next, make your way to Bowerstone North, where the formidable Lady Grey awaits your arrival. Head along the north-eastern path and say hello. Mayor Grey’s proposal is simple: woo her sufficiently and wedding bells could ring in the not-too-distant future. Be prepared, however; she’s not that easy to please.
Before you start your courtship, there are a number of things to consider. Firstly, you can bypass this lengthy quest by speaking to the man currently held in the cell to the north-west. This begins the secondary Investigate the Mayor quest, allowing you to reveal Lady Grey’s terrible secret.
Be aware that several different outcomes and rewards exist, depending on the path you choose. Satisfy Lady Grey’s demands in the Mayor’s Invitation quest and you can marry her. Alternatively, claim her hand in marriage (much more quickly) by blackmailing her once you discover her secret during Investigate the Mayor. This latter quest also offers you the chance to expose Lady Grey and become Mayor of Bowerstone yourself. Regardless of your decision, you always gain access to Bowerstone Manor and the treasures within. However, only marriage permits you to open the Grey House Demon Door, and access the Silver Key and Silver Key Chest at Headsman’s Hill.
Wooing Lady Grey
If your heart is set on marriage, your first task is to find the Mayor a suitable gift. There’s a girl near the fountain in the north-west who’s just full of great ideas. She suggests that you buy Lady Grey a beautiful—and exceedingly rare—Black Rose, here in Bowerstone North. Once it’s in your possession, return to Lady Grey and hand it over. Of course, that’s far from the end of your trials—next, you need to show your devotion by purchasing some property. Anywhere will do, but there’s a lovely abode available right next door in Bowerstone South—assuming you haven’t bought it already. Once the deed is done, speak to the Mayor again.
Next, a Heroic display is required to satisfy the Lady’s demands. It seems her necklace has gone missing and she’s keen to see it returned. Speak with the woman by the fountain again and she suggests that you talk to the locals. Use the green dots on your mini-map as a guide to their whereabouts, and, eventually, you learn that the necklace was last seen in Oakvale. Take this valuable piece of information back to the Mayor to continue.
Unsurprisingly, Lady Grey flutters her lashes and hints, with little subtlety, that a trip to Oakvale might be in order. Teleport over and make your way to the Memorial Garden in the north-east. Just inside the entrance, two Traders whisper conspiratorially. Unfortunately, you won’t get much out of them while they think you’re listening in. Sneak round to the other side of the wall behind them and wait for the information you need. The necklace, it transpires, is buried between two boats on Oakvale’s western beach. Make your way there and use your Spade to dig it up. With the necklace finally lost no more, return to Bowerstone and give the good Lady that which she desires.
Lady Grey’s last request is quite the shocker. It appears that Thunder, Whisper’s brother, also seeks her hand in marriage. Who is the worthier suitor? Only a duel to the death can decide....
Investigating the Mayor
Of course, you can save yourself some significant palaver, simply by talking to the man behind bars to the north-west of Bowerstone North. He suspects the good Lady of murder most foul and suggests that you visit her sister’s sweetheart to find out more. Rhodri resides in Barrow Fields, so teleport over when you’re ready.
Speak to Rhodri in the ruins to the south-east of Barrow Fields then make your way to Grey House. If you paid attention to Rhodri’s tale, you should know exactly what to do next—stand inside the stables near the area entrance and flash your Lamp three times. Once done, the cellar doors along the side of the house swing open. Brace yourself for a ghostly encounter and step into the gloom.
