As you venture beyond the relative safety of Claviger’s Landing in Dawnshore for the first time in Avowed, you are likely to encounter Sanza, a cartographer searching for his missing apprentices. Ironically, despite their expertise with maps, these cartographers have lost their way and require assistance. This encounter initiates the “Mapping the Living Lands” quest, beginning in Dawnshore.
Given the dangers of the wilderness, it’s unsurprising that these cartographers never made it back. In fact, they have long since perished—the Living Lands are unforgiving. However, their notes must still be recovered to complete the quest.
How to Begin Mapping the Living Lands Quest
After finishing Avowed’s prologue, you’ll arrive in Dawnshore with full access to the region. With this newfound freedom, it’s easy to overlook Sanza, the NPC who starts the Mapping the Living Lands quest. You can find him just north of the docks where you first enter Dawnshore, in an area known as Claviger’s Landing.
To formally begin the quest, head to Paradis Hightown and visit Sanza’s Emporium, conveniently located near the fast travel beacon. Sanza will explain that several of his cartographers have gone missing and will ask for help in finding them. This sets off a lengthy quest that can only be completed by locating the cartographer maps across Avowed’s four regions: Dawnshore, Emerald Stair, Shatterscarp, and Galawain’s Tusks.
Note: For those who enjoy exploration, it’s possible to discover these maps without ever officially starting the quest. In fact, it’s easy to come across the first cartographer map in Dawnshore without meeting Sanza.
Dawnshore Cartographer Location
The first cartographer can be found in the eastern region of Dawnshore, specifically in the Southern Embrace. Your destination is the Usher’s Hand POI, which also houses one of Woedica’s Totem pieces for the Totem Shrine at camp. Head to the northwest corner of Usher’s Hand, where a large tree is visible on the map. Look for a corpse on the ground with its head crushed by a massive stone pillar—this is Avowed’s first cartographer. The map document is lying nearby.
After collecting the map, return it to Sanza’s Emporium. While no reward is given until the second map, turning in the first one progresses the quest.
Emerald Stairs Cartographer Location
The second cartographer can be found on the grounds of the Naku Tedek temple. The best starting point is the Naku Tedek Party Camp. From there, head west down the hill until you reach a path running along the cliff’s edge. Follow it south until it ends, where you’ll find Fleecia’s Map next to her lifeless body. Returning the map to Sanza will earn you an Awakened Adra as a reward.
Shatterscarp Cartographer Location
The third cartographer in Avowed is found in the southeastern corner of Shatterscarp. Start at Twin Offerings Overlook and head south, where you’ll come across a long stretch of broken rock cliff extending into the ocean like a peninsula. Follow the rocky path south, jumping across ledges as you go. At the path’s end, you’ll find the cartographer’s body against a rock wall, with the map lying nearby.
Galawain’s Tusks
Acquiring the final map is a bit more complex. Begin by heading to the Ash Forest in the northwestern corner of Galawain’s Tusk. At the marked location, you’ll find a small abandoned camp. Look for a wooden post with a note attached. Reading it reveals that the cartographer was arrested and taken to Soreena’s Mercy.
Make your way to the upper level of Soreena’s Mercy, where Renato Varga—the fourth cartographer—is being held in a jail cell under guard. When speaking to the jailer, you can either leave Renato to serve his sentence or persuade them to release him. Regardless of your choice, you’ll receive the final map as a reward. Return to Sanza to turn in the last map and complete the Mapping the Living Lands quest chain.
