The “Shadows of the Past” main quest in Avowed takes players on a journey into the ancient Godless site of Naku Kubel, a place believed to hold clues to the Garden and the origins of the Dreamscourge. Starting in Shark’s Teeth, Shatterscarp, players must first overcome a magical barrier blocking the entrance to Naku Kubel. This walkthrough provides a step-by-step guide through the trials within Naku Kubel, the difficult choices players must make regarding its fate, and the rewards they can earn based on their decisions.
How to Start the Shadows of the Past
This is a main quest that starts in Shark’s Teeth, Shatterscarp. Ryngrim gave Yatzli a magic book that can break down a magical barrier created by an archmage. This barrier was blocking the entrance to Naku Kubel, an old Godless place in Shatterscarp. Now that the path is open, you can go inside. Yatzli thinks you’ll find clues about the Garden and maybe even where the Dreamscourge came from.
Starting the Shadows of the Past
Okay, so from Shark’s Teeth, head northwest until you find a deserted plaza with a broken statue. Watch out for Dreamthralls and Xaurips patrolling the area. Go through the archway to the north and follow the path. You’ll unlock the Naku Kubel Beacon along the way.
Keep an eye out for chests and treasures as you go – they’ll have good stuff. Continue down the path, and you’ll eventually see a big, glowing green barrier to your right. There will be more Dreamthralls around, so be ready for a fight! Keep going, jumping across platforms and overcoming any obstacles until you reach a building with scaffolding. Climb the ladder, jump across to the other side, and when you reach the barrier, interact with it. Yatzli will tear it down, and you can enter Naku Kubel. Definitely make sure you’re healed up, have plenty of consumables, and a solid loadout before you go in!
Naku Kubel
Once you’re inside Naku Kubel, just keep going forward, fighting enemies as you go. You’ll come to a hall with a big Adra stone in the middle. Over on the right, you’ll see an Ekidan spirit named Numena. Talk to her to start your trial.
Trial of Strength
Go through the door behind Numena to begin the Trial of Strength. You’ll have to fight waves of enemies in three different areas, and each fight gets harder. Once you’ve beaten all the enemies in the last area, a door will open that leads back to the hall.
Trial of Wisdom
Okay, so on the left side, you’ll see a door covered in vines. Wait for them to disappear, then talk to Tanusa to start the next trial. Go into the room with the murky red water – be careful, standing in it hurts! Jump onto the ledge on the right and use it to get to the other side. Go through the door to exit outside.
Once you’re outside, you’ll have to cross some platforms while dodging swinging blades. After you make it across, climb up the ledges and unbar the door next to a chest. This will take you to the next area. Head up to a hallway, and watch out for the pressure plates on the floor. Stepping on them triggers swinging logs! You can actually trick the logs by stepping on a plate and quickly stepping back, letting them swing before you safely cross.
On the right, there’s a breakable wall. Smash it and hit the switch to turn off the fire trap above. Then, crouch and jump over the horizontal fire traps to keep going. Take the stairs up to a trap room. Run through the swinging blades when they’re down, and jump and crouch to avoid the arrow traps in the corridor. Go through the door to get back into Naku Kubel. Once inside, open the door to the balcony, jump down, and you’ll be back in the hall.
Final Trial
Go to the last unopened door in the north part of the hall and talk to Kutenrus to start your final trial. Go through the door and jump down into the water. Swim forward and climb onto the ledge on the left. Get ready, because the next room has a really tough fight! When you’re prepared, open the door to face the three Ekidan spirits. Beat them, and then interact with the blue Ekidan device. This will open a new path on the left side of the room. Follow that path and interact with the Adra stone to talk to Sapadal.
Escaping the Naku Kubel
After you’re done talking to Sapadal, the floor will rise up and you’ll be back in the hall. From there, just leave Naku Kubel the way you came in and head back to the Naku Kubel Beacon. When you get back to the Naku Kubel Beacon, talk to Ryngrim and Lodwyn. They’ll give you a choice: destroy Naku Kubel or sever the Adra from the Dreamscourge. It doesn’t matter which one you pick, make sure you talk to Ryngrim again after you make your decision.
Destroy the Ruins
At the end of your conversation with Ryngrim, choose the dialogue option, “Destroy the ruins, Inquisitor.” This will cause Lodwyn and the Steel Garote to blow up Naku Kubel. If you accepted Sapadal’s offer earlier, you will also receive the “Scion of the Immortal Land” ability.
Sever the Adra
If you choose “Sever the adra, Ryngrim,” she’ll do it, but it will unfortunately result in the loss of innocent lives. If you accepted Sapadal’s offer before, you’ll get the “Severed Branch” ability.
Rewards
Go back to Thirdborn and talk to Temertri at the Loading Docks to finish the quest. Your choices about Sapadal during the “Ancient Soil” main quest will determine which special ability you get after talking to Ryngrim and Lodwyn.
- If you accepted Sapadal’s offer and then destroyed the ruins, you’ll get “Scion of the Immortal Land.” This makes you do more damage and heals you for 12 seconds.
- If you accepted the offer and severed the Adra network, you’ll get “Severed Branch,” which gives you a big speed boost for 20 seconds.
- If you rejected Sapadal’s offer, you’ll get “Godlike’s Will,” which gives you an Ability Point to use in the Fighter, Ranger, or Wizard skill trees.
