I'll never forget the moment I stumbled upon Maxim's Claim while exploring west of Coastal Farms. The wind howled through skeletal structures of what was once a settlement, now devoured by a gaping maw in the earth. As I edged toward that terrifying sinkhole, a blood-curdling scream pierced the silence from below - raw desperation echoing through ancient stone. My heart hammered against my ribs as the quest notification flashed: The Sinkhole Stroll. Little did I know this accidental discovery would plunge me into one of Avowed's most intense adventures.

Navigating Nature's Death Trap

Getting down felt like negotiating with gravity itself. Those twisted roots were deathtraps disguised as pathways! I remember one heart-stopping slip where my boot skidded on moss-covered stone - pure terror flooded my veins as I grabbed a crumbling ledge. The descent became a gauntlet:

• Sporelings erupting from shadowy crevices 🍄

• A hulking Bruiser shaking the ground with every roar 💥

• Jagged drops requiring pixel-perfect jumps

My knuckles turned white gripping my staff during that first ambush. Magic bolts illuminated the cavern as I fought back-to-wall against fungal horrors. Each victory felt earned through sheer adrenaline.

The Mad Researcher Below

At the bottom sat Old Felipe - a man so consumed by academia he'd forgotten survival instincts. Covered in grime yet eyes blazing with scholarly fervor, he refused rescue until I retrieved his 'century-defining squirrel research'. Part of me wanted to shake him! Who prioritizes rodents over rescue? But his trembling hands clutching empty notebooks softened my frustration.

Treasure Among Terror

The research hunt led up the eastern root where more sporelings lurked. Finding that journal felt anticlimactic until I spotted the rusty key beneath cobwebs in an open coffin. My curiosity ignited! Behind the locked door awaited glorious loot:

Item Found	Reaction
Sun and Moon Shield	Gasped at its celestial engravings ✨
Treasure Chest	Did a little victory dance 💃
Felipe's Research	Rolled my eyes at squirrel diagrams 🐿️

Felipe's teary gratitude almost made the fungal battles worthwhile. Almost. That climb out through the newly unbarred passage? Pure relief washing over me like sunlight after rain.

Why This Quest Sticks With Me

The Sinkhole Stroll isn't just XP and coins (though 3,085 XP + 550 cp is delicious!). It's about:

1. Avowed's genius environmental storytelling

2. That perfect balance of tension and reward

3. How a random scream can lead to unforgettable narratives

I still hear Felipe's voice in my dreams: "My squirrels! Have you found them?!"

FAQ

❓ How do I start this quest?

You must physically discover the sinkhole west of Coastal Farms near Fior mes Iverno - no NPC gives this mission!

❓ Any platforming tips?

Pretend every surface is coated in butter 🧈 - move deliberately and save jump stamina

❓ Is the treasure missable?

YES! Don't leave without burning the coffin cobwebs for the Rusty Key 🔑

❓ Worst moment?

Facing the Bruiser mid-descent with nowhere to dodge - I still have nightmare fungus...

❓ Was Felipe's research worth it?

Scientifically? Doubtful. But that Sun and Moon Shield? Absolute perfection 👌