Galawain's Tusks

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

   Galawain's Tusks Gatehouse

   Cross the northern boundary bridge from Shark's Teeth in Shatterscarp to wrap up prior encounters and gain passage during 'Our Dreams Divide Us Still'. Expect Level 18–25+ gear tier scaling across this harsh, ash-strewn volcanic landscape. Watch your footing immediately, as molten lava puddles will deal severe fire tick damage if stepped in.

   Key fight: Regional Encounters

   Tip: Break through heavy Warden Ironbreaker guards and Stone Beetles quickly using heavy power attacks, maces, or frost and corrosion spells instead of basic physical slashes.

2. 2

   The Sallow Steppe & Grakohr’s Cave

   Follow the opening trail past an ambushed caravan and venture into the nearby cavern to confront the afflicted ogre during 'A Cure for Rage'. You must choose whether to strike down Grakohr on the spot to rescue the merchant Gilyn and claim his weapon, or brew a soothing remedy that pacifies him into setting Gilyn free willingly. Silence any Xaurip Screamers or ranged casters in the area before they can complete buff cycles.

   Key fight: Regional Encounters
   Limb-Taker: Grakohr's CaveHow: Slay Grakohr immediately during A Cure for Rage and loot himMissable because: Brewing the cure for Grakohr in A Cure for Rage, or entering the final deep section of the Lava Tubes/The Garden during Our Dreams Divide Us Still Don't missStoneheart: Grakohr's CaveHow: Brew the cure and give it to Grakohr during A Cure for RageMissable because: Slaying Grakohr immediately in A Cure for Rage, or entering the final deep section of the Lava Tubes/The Garden during Our Dreams Divide Us Still Don't miss

   Tip: Use frost grimoire spells or ranger slow-time precision aiming to kite heavy ogre charges and keep beetle swarms funneled into tight choke points.

   Watch out: Slaying Grakohr yields the Limb-Taker greataxe but locks you out of the Stoneheart amulet, whereas brewing the cure awards the Stoneheart amulet but permanently costs you Limb-Taker.

3. 3

   Ash Forest & Amelia’s Camp

   Traverse the forested ash flats populated by dangerous predators and dwarven exiles, keeping an eye out for a Pargrun Cache tower. Scramble up the eastern rock ledges of this structure to hop through its damaged roof for armor, then investigate hidden containers among the nearby volcanic ruined complexes. Journey to the northernmost rim directly north of the forest to find a cave opening containing a chest.

   Key fight: Regional Encounters
   Umbral Needle: Northernmost rim directly north of the Ash Forest inside a cave openingHow: Found inside a chest (obtained via The Blade that Hungers treasure map bought from Bulti in Solace Keep)Missable because: Entering the final deep section of the Lava Tubes/The Garden during Our Dreams Divide Us Still Don't missSentinel Mail: Pargrun Cache towerHow: Climb rock ledges to the east side and jump in through the roof openingMissable because: Entering the final deep section of the Lava Tubes/The Garden during Our Dreams Divide Us Still Don't missBattletrance: Volcanic ruined complexesHow: Found in hidden containersMissable because: Entering the final deep section of the Lava Tubes/The Garden during Our Dreams Divide Us Still Don't miss

   Tip: Focus down priority casters like War Wizards and Screamers from a distance to prevent lethal ranged bombardment while melee champions tie down your frontline.

   Watch out: Opening the northern rim chest for the Umbral Needle requires buying The Blade that Hungers map from Bulti, and all items here become missable once you enter the final deep section of the Lava Tubes.

4. 4

   Southern Guard Tower & Drawbridge

   Advance toward the massive chasm guarding the approach to the fortress and explore the lower-level holding cells beneath the crossing. Locate the captured cartographer Renato locked away inside before moving across the bridge. Check the nearby wilderness southwest of the keep at the Shrine to Galawain to collect a core resting directly upon an altar.

   Key fight: Regional Encounters
   Totem Core (God Totem of Perseverance): Shrine to Galawain, southwest of Solace KeepHow: Resting on an altarMissable because: Entering the final deep section of the Lava Tubes/The Garden during Our Dreams Divide Us Still Don't miss

   Watch out: Venturing past the point of no return in the Lava Tubes will permanently lock you out of retrieving the Totem Core from the shrine.

5. 5

   Solace Keep

   Enter the cliffside stronghold to meet key figures including Chief Engineer Gabral, Warden Enunta, Councilor Mihala, and Councilor Kostya across the Council Chamber, Elevator, and Upper Shrines. Speak with Quartermaster Yorgu to purchase Fragment of the Spoils clues for the Totem of Perseverance, and visit Bulti on the upper floor to buy The Blade that Hungers treasure map. Ensure you complete all hub business and resolve local assignments before plunging into the depths.

   Tip: Buy The Blade that Hungers map from Bulti right away so you can loot the Umbral Needle cave to the north.

6. 6

   Slumbering Fields & Ekidan Workshop

   Trek through the rare surviving patch of flora around the Godless aqueducts to undertake 'Boundaries of Antiquity'. When dealing with the water supply, choose whether to ally with the Delemgan to peacefully free the captive Raluka, unblock the channels, and cleanse the corruption inside the workshop, or slay the Delemgan to manually force the water flow. Take down high-threat spellcasters first to prevent massive area-of-effect disruption.

   Key fight: Regional Encounters

   Tip: Target spellcasters casting lethal AoE disruption before dealing with shielded Champions who attempt to pin your party down.

7. 7

   The Living Archives

   Push past the aqueducts into the ancient dwarven library as it comes under direct enemy assault. Repel hostile contingents including Steel Garrote forces and corrupted Dreamthralls attempting to ransack the historical complex. Keep your distance from frontal cleaves and knockdowns unleashed by heavy frontline combatants.

   Key fight: Regional Encounters

   Tip: Group swarming enemies into choke points and apply frost magic to slow down their assault while eliminating priority targets.

8. 8

   Bridge to the Garden & The Lava Tubes

   Head into the southeastern volcanic depths toward the endgame crossing, making sure to drop off the right-hand ledge facing the Bridge to the Garden to grab a relic before heading down. Descend into the deep Lava Tubes during 'Our Dreams Divide Us Still', where you must decide the fate of Solace Keep: side with Mihala to raise the lava gates and save the keep and its dwarves, side with Kostya to destroy the winch gears and incinerate the keep, or abandon Kostya to watch the keep burn anyway.

   Key fight: Regional Encounters
   Antler of the Persevering Stag: Southeast area facing the Bridge to the GardenHow: Drop down off the ledge to the right side of the bridgeMissable because: Entering the final deep section of the Lava Tubes/The Garden during Our Dreams Divide Us Still Don't miss

   Tip: Siding with Mihala earns her gratitude along with direct quest rewards, while siding with Kostya or walking away yields zero reward and destroys the fortress hub.

   Watch out: Crossing into the final deep section of the Lava Tubes or The Garden locks out all uncollected regional unique items, and backing Kostya or abandoning him completely destroys Solace Keep.

What you decide here and what it leads to.