AIGameGuides.com v4/27/2025

This walkthrough reflects Avowed’s state as of February 18, 2025, aligning with its recent release and current player experiences.

Context and Prerequisites

1.Unlocking the Quest: "Ancient Soil" becomes available immediately after completing "The Animancy Method," where you assist Giatta, an animancer from Fior mes Iverno, in retrieving the Phantasmal Focus. This item allows her to join your party as a companion, setting the stage for this quest.

2.Objective: Travel with Giatta to Naku Tedek, an ancient ruin in the Emerald Stair region, to investigate the Dreamscourge’s source using an Adra pillar. This quest deepens your understanding of animancy and introduces a significant choice affecting the survivors of Fior mes Iverno.

3.Recommended Level: Around Level 6-8, depending on side quest completion. You’ll face moderate combat challenges.

4.Companions: Giatta is mandatory for this quest. You can bring one additional companion (e.g., Kai or Marius), as party size is limited to two companions at once.

Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation in Fior mes Iverno

1.After "The Animancy Method," Giatta joins your party. Ensure she’s equipped (she excels as a support caster with shock-based abilities and healing auras).

2.Visit the Fior mes Iverno merchants to stock up on Health Potions, Essence Potions, and lockpicks. Upgrade your gear if possible—crafting materials like Softwood Branches and Pelts are abundant in Dawnshore.

3.Fast-travel to the Naku Tedek Party Camp if unlocked. If not, exit Fior mes Iverno via the south entrance and head southwest through the wilderness of Emerald Stair.

Travel to Naku Tedek

1.Follow the quest marker southwest from Fior mes Iverno. The path winds through dense forests and rocky terrain.

2.Encounter random enemies like Xaurips or wildlife (e.g., bears). Use stealth in tall grass or Giatta’s shock abilities to clear them efficiently.

3.Reach the grey double doors with spiral designs marking the entrance to Naku Tedek. Interact to enter.

Initial Exploration and Animancy Equipment

1.Inside Naku Tedek, you’ll see an Adra pillar—a large, glowing crystal structure. Head toward it with Giatta.

2.Interact with the Animancy Equipment on the right side of the pillar. A dialogue cutscene triggers:

3.Giatta asks what you want to learn about (e.g., Dreamscourge origins, animancy history). All options provide lore but don’t affect progression—choose based on curiosity.

4.She inserts the Phantasmal Focus, activating the equipment and unlocking a hidden door.

5.Objective Update: Explore the depths of Naku Tedek with Giatta.

Navigating the Ruins

1.Proceed through the newly opened path. Watch for traps (e.g., pressure plates marked by faint glows—disarm with lockpicks or avoid).

2.Fight a group of Xaurips guarding the corridor. Giatta’s electrified wall switches can stun them—activate these by having her target them (companion command).

3.Loot a side room for crafting materials and a possible Backpack with currency.

Optional Encounter: Giant’s Slumber

1.In a chamber with a corpse pinned by a weapon, you’ll find the Giant’s Slumber, a unique one-handed melee weapon (high damage, slow attack speed).

Choice:

•Take the Weapon: Triggers two waves of enemies (spectres, blights, scourges). Defeat them using area abilities (e.g., Fan of Flames if you’ve specced into Wizard) and Giatta’s barriers.

•Leave It: Proceed without combat, conserving resources.

•Tip: Take it if you’re melee-focused; the weapon’s worth the fight.

Boss Fight: Miniboss Mushroom and Xaurips

1.Reach a large room with fungal growths. A Mushroom Miniboss (likely a fungal beast) and several Xaurips attack.

2.Stats: The miniboss has AoE poison clouds (red circles—dodge out) and melee slams. Xaurips flank with quick strikes.

Strategy:

1.Prioritize Xaurips with Giatta’s shock attacks or your ranged abilities.

2.Dodge the miniboss’s telegraphed moves and strike during recovery animations.

3.Use a Health Potion if poisoned (status effect lingers).

4.Loot: Crafting materials, possible minor gear upgrade (e.g., Common Shield).

Base of the Adra Pillar

1.After the fight, follow Giatta to the Adra pillar’s base. Interact with it for another cutscene:

2.Giatta communes with the pillar, revealing Dreamscourge insights tied to Sapadal, a mysterious entity.

3.Objective Update: Return to Fior mes Iverno.

Return to Fior mes Iverno

1.Exit Naku Tedek via the same route or a newly unlocked shortcut (check your map). Fast-travel if available.

2.Upon arrival, Fior mes Iverno is in chaos—burning from a Steel Garrote attack while you were away. Giatta runs off to find survivors near the farms.

Search for Survivors

1.Follow Giatta to the farms outside the city. Speak to Governor Ignasi and Quilicci, who are debating evacuation options due to the destruction and Dreamscourge threat.

2.Dialogue reveals two destinations:

3.Thirdborn: In Shatterscarp, where animancy is practiced openly but faces future peril tied to your choices (e.g., severing Adra later in "Shadows of the Past").

4.Paradis: In Dawnshore, safer from Dreamscourge but restrictive under Aedyran rule, banning animancy.

Major Choice: Where to Send Survivors

Options:

1.Suggest Thirdborn: Quilicci agrees to fight with Thirdborn’s people. Kai (if present) supports this. Aligns with animancy freedom but risks later deaths.

2.Suggest Paradis: Governor Ignasi rewards you with 500 currency later (check near Paradis gates). Safer short-term but stifles animancy.

3.Ask Companions: Giatta abstains; Kai favors Thirdborn. Defaults to your final say.

Outcome:

1.Thirdborn sets up a future alliance but potential tragedy in Shatterscarp.

2.Paradis offers immediate safety and a tangible reward, preserving lives longer.

3.Choose based on your Envoy’s values (e.g., freedom vs. safety).

Conclusion

After choosing, Yatzli mentions the Garden’s location in Naku Kubel, Shatterscarp, tied to Sapadal. This ends "Ancient Soil" and begins "A Path to the Garden."

Cutscene: The group plans their next move as the Living Lands’ mysteries deepen.

Rewards

•Experience: Levels you to around 8-10, depending on kills and exploration.

•Items: Giant’s Slumber (optional), crafting materials, minor gear from enemies.

•Companion: Giatta’s loyalty strengthens if you align with her animancy goals (e.g., Thirdborn).

•Narrative Progression: Unlocks "A Path to the Garden" and advances the Dreamscourge investigation.

Tips

•Explore Naku Tedek thoroughly—glowing blue objects yield loot (e.g., currency, potions).

•Use Giatta’s abilities strategically; her shock powers control crowds.

•Save before the survivor choice—it impacts later quests ("Shadows of the Past").

•If stuck (e.g., unable to enter Fior mes Iverno), speak to Giatta immediately upon exiting Naku Tedek to trigger the next step, avoiding a known progression bug.

Notes

If you meant "Message from Afar" (the true second quest), it involves exploring Dawnshore, meeting Kai, and finding an ambassador in Strangleroot. Let me know if that’s the intended target!

Enjoy your journey in the Living Lands! Let me know if you need further assistance.