Fort Northreach

Walkthrough

The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.

1. 1

   Shipwreck Shore

   When you awaken on the sand, speak with the blue-furred Orlan sailor Garryck to establish your roleplay background and uncover imperial context regarding the cannon fire. Search the beach and the crates beside Garryck to gather your initial supplies, and wade into the shallows near the coast's outskirts to find a hidden cache. Then, proceed inland toward the stone ruins.

   Common Sword: Shore next to crates and GarryckHow: Picked up from the ground/cratesMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missDagger: Shore next to crates and GarryckHow: Picked up from the ground/cratesMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missGrog: Shore next to crates and GarryckHow: Picked up from the ground/cratesMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missHealth Potion: Shore next to crates and GarryckHow: Picked up from the ground/cratesMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missSubmerged chest located in the shallows near the initial beach/outskirts.

   Tip: Pick up the Grog right away so you have a quick-slotted method to cure poison later on.

   Watch out: Warning: Everything in this starting zone becomes permanently missable once you take the skiff to Dawnshore.

2. 2

   Ruins Ascent to the Fort Interior

   Advance through the crumbled stone ruins and scramble up the wooden ladders and scaffolding to reach an upper drop point into the fort interior. Inside, bypass the locked storage room near the castle entrance for now, loot the fort quarters containers for gear, and continue toward the large Adra crystal chamber. Beware of hostile Xaurips lurking within the halls; counter their fragile health with parries or charged strikes, and dodge-step away from Bruisers when they swing their unblockable heavy weapons.

   Key fight: Xaurip
   Deerskin Boots: Fort quartersHow: Looting containersMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missDeerskin Gloves: Fort quartersHow: Looting containersMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't miss

   Tip: You can detonate hanging Magran's Fury plants using fire spells or arrows to torch groups of lizard-folk.

3. 3

   The Adra Crystal Chamber & Hidden Room

   Head through the blasted-open gate near the large Adra crystal and search the corpse of a dead soldier resting against a tree or wall. Backtrack to the side room accessible via the destroyed wall entryway and press the hidden switch on the right-hand wall to reveal a secret alcove. Eliminate the spitting creature inside, collect the items, and return to the entrance to open the locked storage door.

   Key fight: Dreamthrall Swarmer
   Vambraces: Side room off the large Adra crystal room behind an interactive hidden wall switchHow: Looting the lockbox inside the secret roomMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missKith Meat: Side room off the large Adra crystal room behind an interactive hidden wall switchHow: Picked up from the groundMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missFort Northreach Storage Key: Near the Adra crystal, through the blasted-open gate on a dead soldier propped against a tree/wallHow: Looting the dead soldierMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missCommon Round Shield: Near the Adra crystal, through the blasted-open gate on a dead soldier propped against a tree/wallHow: Looting the dead soldierMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missCommon Breastplate: Inside the locked storage room at the entrance of the castleHow: Unlocking the door with the Fort Northreach Storage Key and opening the chestMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missIn the large interior room with the massive Adra crystal, going through a destroyed wall entryway into a side room leads to an interactive hidden wall switch on the right wall, opening a room with a Dreamthrall Swarmer, a lockbox containing Vambraces, Kith Meat on the ground, and unlocking the Hawkeye achievement.

   Tip: Put on the Vambraces found in the secret room to gain a 15% bonus to Stun damage.

   Watch out: The Dreamthrall Swarmer spits poison; drink your Grog immediately if afflicted to clear the status.

4. 4

   Jail Cells & Upper Scaffolding

   Walk into the cell area to find the imprisoned smuggler Ilora, note the bramble obstruction, and climb the surrounding upper scaffolding. Drop through the breakable floorboards behind her cell into a locked chamber to grab the key ring and notes hanging by the barred door. Climb to the upper ledges and ramparts above the flammable brambles to collect ranged weapons and armor, then unlock Ilora's cell so she aids you as an ally.

   Fort Northreach Jail Key: Locked side room accessed via upper scaffolding and breakable floorboards behind Ilora's cellHow: Looting the wall hook next to the barred doorMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missInterrogation Log: Locked side room accessed via upper scaffolding and breakable floorboards behind Ilora's cellHow: Looting next to the barred doorMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missSenior Officer's Reprimand: Locked side room accessed via upper scaffolding and breakable floorboards behind Ilora's cellHow: Looting next to the barred doorMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missCommon Bow: Upper ramparts overlooking the flammable bramblesHow: Looting a fallen archer corpseMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missCommon Wand: Near the upper ledge on the wizard/pathwayHow: Looting the path/wizardMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missGrimoire: Near the upper ledge on the wizard/pathwayHow: Looting the path/wizardMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't miss

   Tip: Unlocking Ilora's cell prevents her from turning hostile later and allows her to assist you during the quest Escape Plan in Dawnshore.

   Watch out: If you abandon Ilora in her cell, she escapes anyway, forces you to kill her during the upcoming boss battle, and permanently disappears from future quests.

5. 5

   Bramble Clearing to the Docks

   Use fire magic or Magran's Fury to incinerate the bramble gate, then follow the waterlogged riverbed path descending past the waterfall caves. Grab the weapons and armor laying along the lower trail, and dive into the water near the waterfall path to discover a concealed chest. Follow the trail out to the smuggler's boat docks.

   Common Mail Hauberk: Lower trail past the bramblesHow: Looting along the trailMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missGreat Hammer: Lower trail past the bramblesHow: Looting along the trailMissable because: Boarding the boat to Dawnshore/Paradis Don't missUnderwater chest located near the waterfall cave path.
6. 6

   The Smuggler's Boat Docks

   Approach Steadman Ralke on the docks, who has succumbed entirely to the Dreamscourge and cannot be reasoned with. Consume your Kith Meat beforehand to increase your damage against humanoids, evade his stagger-inducing hammer smashes, and let Ilora pull his attention while you land charged heavy strikes to fill his stagger gauge. Once Steadman falls, board the escape skiff to depart for Paradis in Dawnshore.

   Key fight: Steadman Ralke

   Tip: Backpedal or circle around Steadman when he winds up his ground slams to avoid guard breaks.

   Watch out: Boarding the boat triggers the journey to Dawnshore and permanently locks you out of Fort Northreach.

What you decide here and what it leads to.