Ancient Abode

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

   The Abode Threshold

   When you descend into the cavern basin at X: -392, Y: 563, pass the automatic passive Perception check to spot the ambush waiting in the shadows. Look across the bottomless chasm to locate Mayrina suspended in a wooden cage over the abyss, along with the Control Orb on the nearby upper ledge. Ready your party for combat, as stepping forward into the cavern triggers the hag immediately.

   The Ever-Seeing Eye: from the entrance of the Acrid Workshop at X: -419, Y: 585, walk east to the table clutter at X: -414, Y: 600How: pick up the amulet resting directly on the table New

   Tip: Split your party and send a ranged attacker to a high ledge before triggering the encounter so you can immediately target the Control Orb.

   Watch out: You cannot fast travel or return to camp while Ethel is alive in this area.

2. 2

   The Hag's Ambush

   Auntie Ethel initiates combat by setting Mayrina's cage on fire, turning invisible, and summoning three illusory duplicates around the arena. If you bypassed the four masked thralls earlier without incapacitating them, Ethel summons them into the cavern now to overwhelm you. Douse the burning cage with a water bottle or spell, or shoot the Control Orb immediately to lower Mayrina to safety before the cage burns away and drops her into the chasm.

   Key fight: Auntie Ethel (The Hag)

   Tip: Striking an illusory Ethel clone once with any source of damage dispels it instantly, so use Magic Missile to pop multiple clones in a single action.

   Watch out: If you shove Ethel into the chasm, she falls into the abyss: you will instantly lose her body's loot and permanently forfeit Auntie Ethel's Hair.

3. 3

   Ethel's Deception

   As the battle progresses, Ethel teleports Mayrina out of the cage and magically disguises herself as an identical copy of the girl. Inspect both copies through the Examine interface to spot Ethel's higher level and stats, or throw water onto the pair to wash away the illusion. Focus down the hag while keeping Mayrina unharmed, and beware of pushing Ethel below 20% hit points too quickly if you intend to negotiate.

   Tip: If you throw water at both Mayrinas, the wet condition washes over Ethel's illusion, revealing the hag immediately.

   Watch out: Do not use area-of-effect spells near the copies until you identify the real Mayrina, or you risk killing the girl.

4. 4

   The Hag's Bargain

   Once you reduce Auntie Ethel below 20% HP (under roughly 22 HP), hold your attacks until her next turn arrives so she initiates dialogue to beg for her life in exchange for Auntie Ethel's Hair. Pass a DC 20 Intimidation or Deception check (DC 15 Intimidation with Advantage for Barbarians) to force her to surrender both the hair and Mayrina. If you refuse the deal or fail the roll and reject her terms, slay her to conclude the encounter.

   Auntie Ethel's Hair: Obtained directly through dialogue with Auntie Ethel if spared at low health Don't miss

   Tip: Bringing a character with high Charisma or the Guidance cantrip into dialogue ensures you can hit the DC 20 check to gain both rewards.

   Watch out: Ethel will not surrender if she is Silenced, knocked out, or killed in a single turn from above 20% HP, permanently locking you out of Auntie Ethel's Hair.

5. 5

   The Acrid Workshop

   After Ethel flees or dies, head through the unlocked wooden door at X: -419, Y: 585 into the Acrid Workshop. Pick up the Staff of the Crones standing at X: -416, Y: 599 and take the wand Bitter Divorce off the table at X: -417, Y: 604. Speak with the distraught Mayrina inside, loot the remaining shelves, and step into the Fairy Ring at X: -412, Y: 606 to teleport out directly to Connor's grave behind the teahouse.

   Staff of the Crones: Found resting on the ground in the Acrid Workshop behind the final boss arenaBitter Divorce: Found on the table inside the Acrid WorkshopAuntie Ethel's Experimental Potions: from the entrance of the Acrid Workshop at X: -419, Y: 585, look to the stone shelving unit along the east wall at X: -413, Y: 597How: loot the bottles directly from the shelves New

   Tip: Pick up the wand Bitter Divorce before leaving through the Fairy Ring, as it is required to resolve Mayrina's quest at the grave site outside.

What you decide here and what it leads to.