The “Fires in the Mine” quest in Avowed’s Shatterscarp region presents players with a classic moral dilemma, wrapped in a web of spider-infested danger. Beyond the initial task of clearing out pesky arachnid nests, you’ll face a pivotal decision that impacts the fate of the region and its inhabitants. This guide will walk you through the mine’s dangerous tunnels, outline how to address the spider hazard, and above all, reveal the repercussions of letting or hindering the destruction of the mine. Prepare to walk not only through a hazardous mine, but also through a difficult decision that challenges your critical thinking.
How to Start the Fires in the Mine Quest
Okay, so you just entered the Shatterscarp region in Avowed and you have this side quest entitled “Fires in the Mine.” Essentially, you have a spider infestation and you’re the pest control agent. Your objective? Locate and destroy two horrible spider nests concealed deep within the mine.
Now, this mine can be a bit of a maze, but don’t worry, the game will give you quest markers to point you in the right direction. Just keep an eye on your map. Of course, those spider nests aren’t going to be unguarded. You’ll have to deal with a whole bunch of spiders before you can even think about touching the nests.
Once you’ve cleared the creepy crawlies, look up! The nests are stuck high on the walls, all wrapped up in webs. To get rid of them, you’ll need some fire. Either chuck a Magran’s Fury grenade right at the center of the nest, or if you’re feeling fancy, use a fire spell from a Grimoire of the Elements. Boom! Do that twice, and you’re golden.
After you’ve torched those nests, you can just head back out the way you came in, following the quest marker. But hey, if you’re adventurous, the mine has a few secrets. There are a few chests lying about, and even a few special items tucked away in the nooks and crannies. So, if you’ve got the time and the guts, go ahead and explore a bit before you head back out.
Should you blow up the mine
Okay, so you’re making your way out of the spider-infested mine, feeling quite good about yourself, huh? Hold on. Right before you hit the exit, a soldier grabs you. His name is Darle, and he’s got a rather large request.
It turns out Darle’s objective is to blow the entire establishment sky-high. He believes it’s the only means to prevent an all-out war between the Thirdborn and the Aedyrans. See, this mine is packed with stuff that can make really powerful explosives. Darle figures if either side gets their hands on it, they’ll have a massive advantage, and the war will be a total bloodbath. So, his logic is, if nobody can have it, nobody wins.
Now, Darle lays it all out for you, and then he gives you a choice. You can either let him go ahead and blow up the mine, preventing that potential war, or you can stop him, which means you’d have to, well, you know… deal with him. It’s a tough call, right? Do you risk a war to save the mine, or blow it up to keep the peace?
Blow up the mine
Okay, so you decide to let Darle go through with his plan. You and your crew haul tail out of that mine as fast as you can, and just as you get clear, BOOM! The whole place goes up. Darle gives his life to make sure that mine’s nothing but rubble.
Now, you’ve got to face the music. You head back to Ilena and Seyon, and they’re not happy campers. They want to know why you let Darle blow up the mine. You can try to smooth things over with a lie, or just tell them the truth, but honestly, it doesn’t really matter. They’re both going to be seriously ticked off that you let the mine get destroyed.
Even though they’re angry, that’s the end of the “Fires in the Mine” quest. You get a little over 1,000 XP for your trouble, even if no one’s exactly thrilled with your decision.
Don’t Blow up the mine
Alternatively, if you’re not keen on seeing the mine turned to rubble, you can stop Darle permanently. Yep, that means taking him out. Then, you just stroll out of the mine like nothing happened.
Once you’re outside, you’ll run into Ilena and Seyon again. They’ll want to know what went down. Now, you’ve got a choice: tell them the honest-to-goodness truth, or spin them a yarn. Trust me, honesty is the way to go here. If you tell them what really happened with Darle, they’ll believe you, and everyone will part ways on decent terms. Plus, you’ll get a nice reward – almost 1,000 XP and 900 Skeyt. But if you try to pull a fast one and lie to them, you’ll walk away empty-handed.
