You have to take Mercedes and Rowland to the Shadow Fort.
The Shadow Fort is located to the northwest of the Pawn Encampment. If you are heading north from the Pawn Encampment there is a split in the path. Going west sends you through a ravine and there is a boulder waiting for you there at the top. Now you are in a brand new swath of land comprising Witchwood, Vested Hills, Bloodwater Beach, The Shadow Fort, Bandit Hangout, and more. Mercedes is weak as eff so to take the path of least resistance stick along the edge of the woods as you head west. There is a Chimera lurking in the woods. Eventually you’ll have to start turning inward but with enough sprinting you can avoid the Chimera if it’s around. Once you start heading north stick to the east side as much as possible. Going northwest can lead you to this super dangerous dragon, going straight north will toss you into a goblin battle with a cyclops, but most eastern way leads to a protected camp for you to rest and stock up on items. There is a lake right behind the camp and it prevents you making a bee line for the Fort. Stick to the edge of the lake as you continue heading north then west to avoid combat with saurians and goblins (going along the south part of the lake might lead to the Dragon). The Shadow Fort is at the northwest corner of all of this and you’ll know that you are there because of the clearing of trees and boars.
If you find yourself VERY low on health before getting to the camp continue west (but not north through the section of map with the dragon and camp) there is a healing spring. It’s in the woods and surrounded by goblins but run past them and fight from the water. It continually heals you.
Speaking of the water temple. I just ‘undertook’ that mission and I’m about to meat the research team. Can’t wait to tell them that I already cleared the place out and got all the slates hahaha.
You can also cut out a lot of time getting to the shadow fort if you undertake the ancient quarry quest. The exit to the mine will allow you to pretty much make a beeline to the fort. Only problem with that is that you have to take out three orges for the quest. Once you finish it, however, you get a safe passage way to southern grandsys. I would suggest doing this even without the fort quests in mind. Your stamina doesn’t even run out in the quarry once you clear it, so, it’ll take you 2 minutes tops to run through it again. You can buy all the Berserk in the quarry, btw.
Goddamn that Shadow Fort. There were so many damn quests that involved it. I didn’t know about the Ancient Quarry until afterwards so it was a pain in the ass making that long ass trek around the mountains every single time.
But I gotta say that Fortress Besieged quest was pretty awesome.
SRK: Divinus
PSN ID: Fefe41
Main: Raia
My pawn is an Azn looking chick wearing a skirt. Since SRK loves Azn girls I expect to see all those gifts pouring in.
Here are the Story Quests. I believe that these are in order. If they are not, then someone let me know.
Story Quests
[details=Spoiler] 1. Upon A Pawn
2. Call of the Arisen
3. Strength in Numbers
4. A Rude Awakening
5. Off With Its Head
6. A Matter of Myrmidons
7. Lure of the Abyss
8. The Cypher (Quests 8, 9, 10, and 11 can be completed in any order and are optional Story Quests)
9. A Fortress Besieged
10a. Seeking Salvation
10b. Justice Done
11. The Watergod’s Altar
12. Come to Court (Quests 8, 9, 10, and 11 are no longer be available after starting this quest)
13. Griffin’s Bane
14. Trials and Tribulations
15. The Wyrmking’s Ring
16. Pride Before a Fall
17. Honor and Treachery
18. Reward and Responsibility
19. Deny Salvation
20. The Final Battle
[/details]
Post-Game Story Quests
[details=Spoiler] 1. A Warm Welcome (Finishing this quest makes it impossible to travel through the Noble Quarter of Gran Soren)
2. Fathom Deep
3. Final Judgement
[/details]
I started a new character. I just didn’t like how my first character was turning out (and my pawn sucked). I doubt anyone is going to want my pawn since it is level 2, but here’s my info (also, I haven’t slept at an inn since I got my pawn this game…so it probably won’t even be available).
XBL
SRK: Spooty Whiteboy
GT: Spootz
main pawn: Rhaegal
Thanks for the quest list, Spooty. I’m only 3 away from the end.
I feel weak as hell. I’ve maxed out fighter, and mystic knight. I’m working on warrior. I hit for practically nothing while my pawn mages blow up all mini bosses in a couple of hits.
Mystic Knight is easily the best class in the game. It does everything well: good melee (sword/mace skills, sigils), good defense (op shield abilities), good ranged (magic/mystic cannon is ridiculous), good utility (enchantments galore).
Warrior is probably the opposite, the worst class. You do damage quite slowly, you’re very vulnerable to attacks when attacking or charging, and you have no defensive options aside from Escape/Exodus Slash. I only went through it to get the max vocation and to get the reduced phys. dmg augment. I found just about every other class more useful.
Only pro I can see with the class is that it is GAR as fuck.
I’ve got a question about the Seeking Salvation quest.
at the end
Spoiler
How much of a difference does your choice ultimately make? If you spare the guy, you lose some quest options, what consequences are there if you decide to kill him?
My Pawn is a Mage (will be turned to a Sorcerer eventually, then back to a Mage at the end for support). My character started as a Strider, but I’m going to switch to Fighter as soon as I get to Gran Soren. The extra Stamina augment is just too good to pass up at the start of the game.
You can change EVERYTHING with a bunch of DCP anyway and all the 1st skills are cheap as fuck… No need to make a new character…
Can’t wait until I get to rank 10 assassin, get the right skills and start questing solo without a team, with sneaking and shit.
The game is amazing so far but the escort missions are a pain in the ass. Stupid NPCs keep dying.
Advice for you striders- Buy Ensnare(+the improved) and roll, and make sure to save 7000 DCP for leg muscle. Totally worth it. It lowers the weight level, so if you are “light” it puts you on the usually impractical “very light” and you can run A LOT before your stamina drains.
i love the escort quests! it teaches you to avoid battles or take the path of least resistance and that your team is only as strong as it’s weakest member. it’s also one of the only few challenges left for ppl who feel they are slightly on the op side.
yep ensnare is pretty awesome. i used it in tandem w/ instant reset and hundred kisses. basically ensnare enemy then run up and do hundred kisses(keep mashing on weak atk to lengthen the flurry of dagger strikes) while panning your camera around your character to spot atk’s from all sides. soon as you see you’re gonna get hit, cancel and repeat. you can also do hundred kisses while you’re grappling a giant foe.