The air in Naku Tedek tasted like forgotten prophecies as the Watcher descended into its depths, each footstep echoing through corridors older than empires. Partnered with the wary-eyed Giatta, this quest represented more than just another mission in the Living Lands—it was a spiritual cataract where the Dreamscourge's origins intertwined with the Watcher's own fractured identity. Ancient Soil stood as Avowed's ultimate point of no return, a labyrinthine trial where combat prowess and moral choices would ripple across Fior Mes Iverno's future like stones cast into a poisoned well. Behind every frozen waterfall and spectral encounter lay revelations that could either elevate the Watcher to godhood or leave them forever questioning their place in Eora's delicate balance.

⚠️ Critical Preparations Before Descent

Like a sailor checking rigging before a maelstrom, wise Watchers completed essential tasks:

• Unfinished quests automatically fail: Scofflaw’s Vase, Elder Offerings, Nature vs. Nurture, Steel Resolve

• Debt of Blood availability: Only triggers if Fior burns

• Spy intelligence: Giatta delivers letters if spies monitored Steel Garrote

• Essential consumables: Stockpile Eyes of Rymrgand

• Gear upgrades: Prioritize Exceptional quality equipment

🗺️ Journey to the Hidden Temple

From River Fork Beacon, the path wound:

1. Cross river to Belderreno’s Lair

2. Ascend leftward rock ledges past Xaurip ambushes

3. Activate generator behind collapsed wall

4. Loot purple chest then climb scaffolding to Naku Tedek Grounds

Key stops:

• Unlock Naku Tedek Party Camp for fast travel

• Visit Merchant Alyssa for Awakened Adras and Warmage's Robe

• Consult Priestess of Berath for lore insights

🕯️ Navigating the Adra-Lit Depths

The temple unfolded like a stone lotus blooming in reverse:

• Initial chambers: Loot left room (Lock Box/Healing Potion) and right room (Fine Bow/Dignity of the Deceased)

• Tree root descent: Collect Eye of Rymrgand on ledges

• Water hazards: Freeze electrified pools using Frost spells or Eyes

• Combat zones: Prioritize Scourge Skeleton Priests in mural room

• Generator puzzles: Shock three devices to unlock treasure rooms

Treasure highlights:

• Effigy Necklace (Totem Fragment) near Fine Dagger

• Hylea’s Talons in shielded chamber

• The Packmule's Burden (+25 carry capacity)

💥 The Cylia Confrontation

At the chamber's heart, the giant Sporeling danced before the Adra like a demented marionette. Combat strategy:

Target Priority	Reason	Tactics
Xaurip Shaman	Buffs allies	Focus fire immediately
Delemgan Scourge	High damage	Kite around pillars
Cylia	Low HP last	Avoid poison volleys/wall slams

Cylia's frost resistance made fire attacks ideal, though its health pool vanished quicker than smoke in a hurricane.

⚡ The Godhood Dilemma

Touching the Adra unveiled Sapadal—the voice haunting the Watcher's dreams. The choice:

• ✅ Accept Power: Gain Thorn of Sapadal (piercing root ability)

• ❌ Reject Power: Receive +1 Attribute Point

This decision floated in narrative limbo—neither path altered the ending, only the Watcher's combat rhythm.

🔥 Fior's Fate: Ashes or Salvation

Burned Scenario:

• Steel Garrote razed Fior unchecked

• Survivors huddled at Abandoned Farms

• Debt of Blood quest available

• Permanent loss of Fior locations

Saved Scenario:

• Encounter Lieutenant Bodcg

• Optimal choice: Spare for intelligence/companion approval

• Loot fallen Garrote forces

🌿 Survivor Relocation: Thirdborn vs Paradis

Destination	Advocate	Pros	Cons
Thirdborn	Quilicci	Animancy practice continues	Shadows victims may die
Paradis	Vidarro	500g reward/safety	Animancy forbidden

Paradis choices echoed through later quests like seismic aftershocks—survivors became ghosts among Aedyran society.

❓ People Also Ask

• Does accepting Sapadal's power affect companion stories?

No—the choice solely impacts combat mechanics, not relationships.

• Can you return to Naku Tedek post-quest?

The temple seals permanently after Cylia's defeat.

• What happens if you never find the Steel Garrote camp?

Fior's destruction becomes inevitable, locking out merchants and quests.

💎 Uncommon Metaphors

1. The Sporelings' spores drifted through Naku Tedek's chambers like drunken fireflies in a wine cellar.

2. Ancient Soil's choices clung to the Watcher like burrs on a wanderer's cloak—small but persistently irritating.

3. Paradis' safety for animancers was gilded cage, beautiful but fundamentally a prison.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I complete Ancient Soil without Frost spells?

A: Yes, but stockpile 10+ Eyes of Rymrgand for freezing waterways.

Q: Does sparing Lieutenant Bodcg yield later benefits?

A: Yes—he provides Steel Garrote intelligence in Siege of Paradis.

Q: What's the optimal gear setup for Cylia?

A: Exceptional fire-based weapons; frost resistance is useless here.

Q: How long does Ancient Soil take to complete?

A: 2-3 hours average, longer with full exploration.

Q: Can I romance Giatta during this quest?

A: No—relationship development occurs in earlier companion quests.

Q: Is Packmule's Burden missable?

A: Yes—it's in gold sarcophagus behind deep water section.

Q: What happens if I don't choose Thirdborn/Paradis?

A: The game forces decision before leaving Fior's ruins.