Heart of Valor is a side quest in Avowed where you must retrieve a Leviathan’s heart for Keipo, a renowned slayer. Quests serve as tasks and missions that players undertake to achieve various objectives, including progressing through the story, developing their character, unlocking new features, uncovering secrets, and earning unique rewards. In Avowed, quests are categorised into different types, such as Main Quests, Side Quests, Bounties, and Treasure Hunting.
This guide will provide you with essential information and step-by-step instructions to help you complete the Heart of Valor quest with ease.
How to Begin the Heart of Valor Quest in Avowed
Speak with Chiko in the Residential District of Thirdborn, and he will reveal that Keipo once slew a Leviathan long ago. Hoping to show Keipo that his experience is still valuable, Chiko asks you to visit him at his house, located northeast of Thirdborn. This will initiate the Heart of Valor quest.
After beginning Heart of Valor, head to Keipo’s House on the northeastern side of Thirdborn. Open the door to find Keipo sitting by the entrance. Speak with him, and he will mention that his nekai sent you. As old acquaintances, Keipo and Kai will have a brief conversation.
You can then ask Keipo about the time he slew a leviathan. He will express a desire to relive the memory and request that you retrieve a Leviathan Heart from the Sand Sea Ruins along the coast. However, he will caution you about the traps he set to deter thieves.
Retrieving the Leviathan Heart
After speaking with Keipo, travel to the Sand Sea Ruins, located on the northeastern side of the Great Sand Sea. The entrance is at the top of the ruins—climb up and enter through the opening. Descend through the structure, and while exploring the second level, be sure to pick up the Agate Eye from a desk on the eastern side for the Totem of Revelations quest.
Next, jump down to the lower floor and unbar the gate to create a shortcut to the ruins. From there, head east to find the entrance to the dungeon.
Exploring the Dungeon
Upon entering, follow the northern path until you come across a warning that advises against pulling a lever. If you choose to do so, a swinging totem trap will activate, dealing damage. Continue north to find a lift—pull the lever to summon it, then use another lever to descend.
At the bottom, you will enter a scaffolding-filled area with two locked doors. To the south of the doors, destroy the barricades to reveal a mechanism. Use any Shock-based ability or command to activate it, unlocking the doors while also triggering swinging totems.
Beyond the doors, you will face multiple Arisen Skeleton enemies. Defeat them, then return up the ramp, where you’ll find that the totems have become stepping stones. Use them to cross to the next section.
Here, two paths lead to the same location:
- Scaffolding Path – Climb the scaffolding and cross the beams to the east. Destroy the barricade ahead to encounter more Arisen Skeletons.
- Trap Path – Enter through the archway to find saw traps on the right and a dead end on the left. Carefully time your movements to pass the traps, leading to the same area as the scaffolding path.
Obtaining Key Items
From here, head south and ascend the stairs. Look for a switch with a triangle graffiti on the eastern side—activating it will unlock a room containing The Desert’s Bounty.
Next, move towards the sunken southern section and enter a small room with loot. Inside, you will find a locked chest containing:
- Silver Fenning (46)
- Bloodstone
- Admeth’s Wyrt (2)
- White Steel Chunk (2)
- Petrified Wood Branch (2)
- Stelgaer Leather (2)
- Common Mail Hauberk
Additionally, you will find a Dirty Brown Key on the southern side of the room.
Reaching the Leviathan Heart
Return to the previous area and climb the scaffolding on the west side to access the upper level. Be mindful of traps as you navigate this section. Follow the scaffolding south until you reach a cavern on the eastern side. Inside, you’ll find a locked door with switches on either side. Activate the left switch to open the door, revealing a chest with:
- Silver Fenning (47)
- Petrified Wood Branch (2)
- Spirit Residue
- Stelgaer Leather (2)
After looting, exit the room and continue south, where you will encounter an Elder Grizzly Bear. Defeat it, then head west to find a gate. Use the winch on the right side to open it, then proceed through. Near the gate, you will find the Umpara’s Promise amulet atop a wooden plank, along with various consumables.
Finally, proceed southwest to find the Heart of the Leviathan resting on a pedestal.
Deciding Keipo’s Fate
At this point, you will meet Chiko, who warns you against giving the heart to Keipo. He reveals that when ground and mixed with wine, the heart becomes a deadly poison. Chiko urges you to speak with Keipo and stop his plan.
Before leaving, examine the pedestal again to find a hidden switch on the stone. Activating it will reveal a secret room containing Keipo’s Weathered Journal, which details the true events surrounding the leviathan’s death.
What Should You Do With the Heart of the Leviathan?
After you exit the dungeon and return to Keipo, he will confess that he has been afflicted with the Dreamscourge, which is why he sought the Leviathan Heart. At this point, you must make a choice:
- Give him the heart, allowing him to proceed with his plan.
- Refuse and intervene, stopping him from using it.
Your decision will determine Keipo’s fate and the outcome of the quest.
What Happens if You Give Keipo the Heart
If you choose to give Keipo the heart, he will express his gratitude and reward you with Umpara’s Spear +1. You can then bGivering up the Weathered Journal, prompting Keipo to admit to his past wrongdoings and apologise. At this point, you have the choice to either reveal the truth to Thirdborn or keep his secret.
As you leave, you will encounter Chiko with Hajime, who asks if you gave Keipo the heart. When you confirm, Chiko becomes deeply upset and refuses to listen, even if you explain that Keipo had the Dreamscourge.
Here, you have another decision to make—whether to give Hajime the Weathered Journal, exposing Keipo’s deception to Thirdborn, or remain silent. If you choose to reveal the truth, Chiko will be devastated, realising that Keipo was not the hero he claimed to be.
What Happens if You Refuse to Give Keipo the Heart
If you choose not to give Keipo the Heart of the Leviathan and mention the Weathered Journal, he will refuse to reward you with the weapon and will dismiss you, regardless of whether you sympathise with his situation.
When Chiko and Hajime arrive, you can decide to keep the Heart of the Leviathan or give it away. Chiko will be relieved that you withheld the heart from Keipo and will reward you with the Stormdancer Set, a unique medium armour.
Once again, as the Envoy, you have the choice to either reveal the truth about Keipo’s past using the Weathered Journal or keep his secret.
The Best Decision
The best choice is to withhold the Heart of the Leviathan while keeping the truth hidden, allowing players to obtain all possible rewards without giving the heart to Keipo. To achieve this, speak with Keipo and acknowledge that you know he intends to end his life, then refuse to give him the heart and apologise. After refusing, mention the Weathered Journal and Umpara, then assure him that you will keep his secret. This will earn you Umpara’s Spear +1. If you do not have the Weathered Journal, you can lie and claim you never found the heart to obtain the weapon.
After speaking with Keipo, talk to Chiko and Hajime. When asked about the heart, choose to keep it by saying, “Let me hold onto it. I’ll take it far away and keep it safe.” This will allow you to keep the Heart of the Leviathan as a Trinket. When prompted if there’s anything else, lie and say, “No, that was all.” Then, reveal that Keipo has the Dreamscourge to receive the Stormdancer Set. By following this approach, players can secure all possible rewards while ensuring Thirdborn remains unaware of their hero’s true nature. Even Kai will agree that this is the best possible outcome.
