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!! FULL SPOILERS AHEAD — READ AT YOUR OWN RISK !!
This article covers the route I personally chose and the outcomes I was able to confirm. Branches resulting from other choices are still being tested.
Buried Past Overview
After entering an abandoned house in St. Tyna’s Grove, Coen meets a blind old man named Volk.
Volk claims that he once travelled alongside Coen’s father, Pieter.
As Coen spends more time with Volk, more and more of Pieter’s past gradually comes to light.
How to Start and Where to Find It
Investigate the hut at the Ruined Hut Shrine in St. Tyna’s Grove to trigger a conversation event with Volk.
During the event, ask Volk to tell you about his past adventures with Pieter to start the quest.
Time Cost and Deadline
There is no deadline.
Time Cost Required to Progress the Quest
During the conversation on Day 2, choosing “So, no stories about my father today?” costs 1 Time Segment.
On Day 3, asking Volk to tell you about his final adventure costs 1 Time Segment.
Time Cost of Optional Actions
- Chopping firewood for Volk costs 1 Time Segment.
- Killing the wolves for Volk costs 1 Time Segment.
- Gathering ingredients for Volk’s back pain medicine costs 2 Time Segments, and preparing the medicine and giving it to him costs another 1 Time Segment.
- Boarding up Volk’s window costs 1 Time Segment.
Letting a Day Pass
As mentioned in the Quest Progression section below, there are several points where you need to “let a day pass” before the quest can continue.
In this case, “a day” does not simply mean letting time advance from night to day. A full in-game day needs to pass.
I plan to test again on my next playthrough whether this is exactly 8 Time Segments.
Rewards
Main Quest Rewards
- On Day 3, spar with Volk and refuse to search for the treasure to receive 250 XP and the Artery Strike Manual.
- Completing the quest awards 250 XP, 1 Skill Point, and Infamy regardless of whether you fight Volk.
Volk’s Sword
If you choose an option that leads to a fight with Volk, you can loot Volk’s Sword from his body after the battle.
In my playthrough, it was an Epic Lv.20 Greatsword with the following effects:
- +21.6% Maximum Human Health
- +11.5% Damage against Supernatural Enemies
- -7.2% Witchcraft Ability Cooldown
Optional Rewards
- Give the chopped firewood to Volk to receive 75 XP.
- Report back after killing the wolves to receive 75 XP.
Optional Rewards I Have Not Yet Confirmed
- Reward for preparing and giving Volk the medicine for his back pain
- Reward for boarding up the window
Quest Progression
Day 1
During your first conversation with Volk, the optional objective to chop firewood for him becomes available.
Investigating the snare behind Volk’s hut also unlocks the optional objective to kill the wolves troubling him.
After finishing the conversation, you need to let a full day pass so that Volk can rest.
Day 2
During the conversation, you receive the optional objective to gather ingredients for Volk’s back pain medicine.
Completing this objective leads to another optional objective to prepare the medicine and give it to Volk.
After finishing the conversation, you once again need to let a full day pass so that Volk can rest.
Day 3
In front of Volk’s house, Coen notices the same silver particles he saw when entering the Laslea Silver Mine drifting through the air.
(The quest never addresses this again.)
During the conversation, the optional objective to board up Volk’s window becomes available.
Separately from this, progressing the main conversation costs 1 Time Segment and gives you the option to ask him about his final adventure.
Choosing it leads to a conversation in which Coen reacts to the violent life of fighting and taking from others that Volk and Pieter once lived.
Choices
→ “Sounds like robbery to me.”
(I chose this option.)
→ “I always wanted a life full of adventures like that.”
Afterward, Volk becomes fired up and says he wants to do something.
Choices
→ “Gladly. Lead the way.”
(I chose this option.)
→ “Maybe another time.”
If you agree to go with him, Volk challenges Coen to a sparring match, followed by another conversation event.
Volk then suggests searching together for the treasure Pieter supposedly hid.
Choices
→ “All right. Let’s look for it.”
→ “Absolutely not. I’m not looking for blood money.”
(I chose this option.)
As a result of my choice, I received 250 XP and the Artery Strike Manual.
You then need to let another full day pass.
Day 4
Brencis’s soldiers emerge from Volk’s house and attack Coen.
After defeating them, you speak with Volk and receive the following choices:
- “You’re going to die for this.” → Leads to a fight with Volk.
- “Then why did you sell me out?” → Continues the conversation.
If you continue the conversation, another set of choices appears:
- “You’re going to pay for this.” → Leads to a fight with Volk.
- “I’m not going to fight you.” → No fight occurs.
The quest is completed regardless of which option you choose, and you receive the completion rewards.
If you kill Volk, you can also loot the unique weapon Volk’s Sword from his body.
About My Playthrough
I completed every optional objective, so I currently do not have data on what happens if you skip them.
I plan to test the quest again on my second playthrough.
Things Still to Test
- Do any events change depending on whether you complete the optional objectives?
- Exactly how many Time Segments must pass when the quest tells you to wait “a day”?
Related NPCs
Related Locations
Related Monsters
Brencis’s Soldiers
