Bran’s disappearance is a key quest in the New Camp’s initiation as completing the quest will gain trust of the Rice Lord who can later put in a good word for you if you decide to join the New Camp. The Rice Lord tasks you with locating his missing foreman, Bran. This guide shows how to start the Up to the Neck quest, where to find Bran and the consecutive steps to complete the quest successfully.
Up to the Neck Quest
Initially after reaching New Camp, you need to gain reputation to join their camp which includes completing a few quests. After you help the NPC with a Lurker situation at the New Camp’s dam you can speak with the rice lord and he’ll give you a task to find his foreman Bran. You can talk to the farmers at the rice fields to gather information about Bran and you’ll learn about his buddies at the tavern.
Finding Bran
Go around the tavern and into the water. Dive underwater and you’ll notice an underground opening below the tavern that leads to the tavern’s basement. You can swim along the water currents inside for guidance and after passing the barrels you’ll reach a room with stairs that ascend into the tavern’s basement.
You’ll find Bran’s corpse at the top of the stairs, inspect the body and you’ll learn about his plans to steal Silas’s stash which may indicate that Bran was killed by Silas.
Unlocking Silas’s Chest
There’s also a locked chest in the basement that you need to unlock and collect evidence for Bran’s death. Inside the chest you’ll find loot along with Bran’s Axe.
Note : If you’re stuck at lockpicking the chest, check our guide for lockpick combinations at New Camp Tavern Chest.
Interrogating Silas
Go back to Silas and you can interrogate him about Bran’s disappearance, if you’ve inspected the evidence that you collected from the basement, you’ll unlock new dialog options as you interrogate him. After you check-mate him with the evidence, he will try to bribe you offering 50 ores and experience. You can either take up his deal or turn it down.
Reporting to Rice Lord
Return to Rice Lord and submit your report on Bran’s disappearance. You can either tell the rice lord the truth that Silas killed him or you can save Silas by not revealing his name to the rice lord. If you reveal Silas to the rice lord, he will reward you with 50 ore and experience and if you decide to not reveal then you gain only experience.
If you ask me, take Silas’s deal and you get 50 ore and experience. Then don’t reveal it to the rice lord and you’ll still get experience from completing the quest. I personally prefer saving Silas because he is a trader and I thought I might need him later.
