Hunter, Brother

Part 1: O Brother

Hearthsong

Passage of the Six

While in Hearthsong, enter the Passage of the Six (1), the large building in the middle of the map. Once inside, head to the back of the long, single passageway. Rídaí (2) stops you before you can make it through the arch midway through the structure. He is ready to throw you out of the building, but his Huntress companion stops him. Curious about his anger, you can ask him, “What happened to your brother,” “Tell me about your tribe,” or “Goodbye” (leave). Ask him about his brother. He says his brother, Fíorm, is the greatest hunter in the tribe, but has not come back from a hunt. He fears that something bad has happened or that Arthwn (his Blood Hunt competitor) has done something to him. Agree to help him.

New Quest: Hunter, Brother

Objective: Travel to the Northweald Wilderness

Part 2: Where Art Thou?

Northweald

If you have not yet traveled to Northweald, you must go to Oldsong and exit via the northeast exit “Oldsong’s Pass.” From there, you can select Northweald from the World Map. You start your journey along the southwestern path (3). Your objective updates as soon as you enter this mountainous region.

New Quest: Hunter, Brother

Objective: Search the Northweald for clues to Fíorm’s fate

As you can see from the bestiary, there are many dangerous creatures in Northweald. There’s no need to hunt them all down unless you want the experience. All the clues you are looking for follow the stream that runs through the middle of the land. The first clue is found just across the stream from the starting point. The broken spear (4) shows signs of dents stained with green moss. If it bounced along the river rocks, then it must have started its journey upstream.

Follow the stream and you’ll reach a leather pack (5) beside the stream and three Swamp Lurkers and a Forest Lurker nearby. Defeat the enemy and continue a little farther north. Battle the Rain Blights and Greater Rain Blights around a small island, where you also find a boot (6) half buried in the mud. Things are not looking good for Fíorm.

Follow the stream north until you reach the waterfall. Here, slumped over dead, half submerged in the stream, is the body of Fíorm (7). Interact with it and you will hear the voices tell you what transpired. The hunter hit his prey, but the Stelgaer had enough in him to finish off the hunter before it lay down.

Quest Updated

Objective: Search the Sentinel Ridge for clues to the giant Stelgaer’s fate

The dead Stelgaer (8) is only a short distance away to the north; however, it might as well be miles, because you cannot scale the waterfall. You must find the shortest route to the east or west. Either pathway brings its own difficulties, as you will run into at least two different groups of resistance. Once you reach the dead beast, you must fight off the pride it ran with. You will face four Stelgaers and three Elder Stelgaers. Defeat them, then check the corpse of the large Stelgaer beast Fíorm slayed. Read the soul of the dead Stelgaer to learn its side of the hunting story.

Quest Updated

Objective: Speak with Rídaí in the Passage of the Six

Part 3: Conclusion—the Hearing

Hearthsong

Passage of the Six

Return to the Passage of the Six in Hearthsong and speak to Rídaí again (2). Tell him you have concluded your task and that it’s time to speak to the Anamenfath. No more information is shared. It’s time for the hearing.

Quest Updated

Objective: Share your findings with the Anamenfath

Head deeper into the building until you come to Anamenfath Bethwl (9). Tell Bethwl that you have been investigating Fíorm’s disappearance. The hearing begins. Bethwl makes clear that Arthwn’s and Rídaí’s fate and the names of their tribes depend on what you reveal to them. You have three choices to make. You can incriminate Arthwn or Rídaí or you can blame both and gain a much better outcome. The first conversation selection is:

• [Honest] “Fíorm is dead.”
• [Lie] “Fíorm exiled himself.”

This first round of conversation choices is not a deal breaker. Being honest will lead to the preferred outcome, where both tribes are implicated. Answer however you like and you are presented with the next choice when asked how the beast was killed:

• [Honest] “Fíorm killed the giant beast”
  • This answer leads to your only follow-up option: “Fíorm tricked Arthwn and fought the giant Stelgaer himself. They killed each other in the fight. Arthwn tried to cover Fíorm’s shame, but lied about besting the creature.” If you chose this route, then your next objective is to speak to the Anamenfath (standing before you). She admits a shame on both tribes is not ideal, but she gifts you with Sheathed in Autumn (a very powerful one-handed greatsword with Superb, Guarding, and Freezing Lash).
• [Lie] “Arthwn killed the giant beast” [Deceptive]
• This answer leads to your only follow-up option: “Fíorm tricked Arthwn and fought the giant Stelgaer himself. He died in the battle against the giant creature. Arthwn avenged Fíorm and then tried to cover his shameful actions.” [Deceptive] If you chose this, then your next objective is to speak with Arthwn (standing before you). He thanks you with the item Lenas Êr (a powerful, two-handed hunting bow).

Lastly, if you lied and said, “Fíorm exiled himself,” in the beginning and then was honest with the next round, answering, “Fíorm killed the giant beast,” then you are directed to the automatic lie response: “The giant beast died by Fíorm’s hand just as the creature was stalking Arthwn for an easy kill. Fíorm exiled himself in shame for having risked Arthwn’s life needlessly.” [Deceptive] Your next objective is to speak to Rídaí (standing before you). He thanks you for this outcome by awarding you Delem Rawdha (a powerful, one-handed spear with Accurate, Superb, and Slaying (Primordial) enchantment).