Early game

What to do first

Early game covers your first Pact selection through completing The Torment Stag fable. Your primary goals are recruiting Tuvalkane the Blacksmith, increasing your Bond with her, and preparing for the first major boss.

• Complete Rise Envoy (tutorial) — follow the Sparrow to your first objectives and reach the Nightfold
• Talk to every NPC in the starting zone
• Recruit Tuvalkane — head east from the start to a crater, clear enemies, collect the helmet, follow the Sparrow to the forge
• Start crafting immediately to build Bond with Tuvalkane; Bond Level 3 is required for Pact crafting

Priority order

1. Recruit Tuvalkane and begin crafting to reach Bond Level 1
2. Complete The Last Pensive quest — find and recruit Ancestor Orlick at the Pensive Tower
3. Farm Gossamer Quartz — use Crypts of the Circade (Crypt Keys required) or rare chests in dungeons; repair broken statues in the world for guaranteed drops
4. Unlock the Nightfold weapon swap — equip a second weapon before attempting The Torment Stag
5. Complete The Torment Stag fable — this is the first major boss and unlocks Garren Rood and Faction access

Common mistakes

• Skipping Tuvalkane — without the Blacksmith you cannot craft weapons, armour, or Pacts; recruit her as early as possible
• Ignoring NPC dialogue — some NPCs give permanent passive bonuses or unlock quests; exhaust all dialogue before leaving an area
• Spending Gossamer Quartz carelessly — it is rare early; prioritise weapon crafting over armour or cosmetics
• Entering The Torment Stag underprepared — the fight begins immediately after Lady Deora with no rest; ensure your Pact Arcanics are unlocked and you have a weapon with short recovery animation

What unlocks next

Completing The Torment Stag grants the Garren Rood Fragment and allows you to join one of the three Enclaves (Factions). Mid-game begins once you have chosen a Faction and started accumulating Faction Standing.