Shadows of Custodia

The quest begins in the Auburn Pub. Players have several options for reaching Auburnvale:

• Taking Renu to Auburnvale, then running south-west
• Using fairy ring AIS, then running north over the bridge
• Teleporting to Nemus Retreat with the Pendant of Ates (if the nearby statue has been unlocked), then running north into the town

Once inside the pub, read the notice board hanging on the wall. You notice that the board is covered entirely in missing person posters, and decide to try and look for the missing people.

After starting the quest, talk to Marcus nearby in the bar, who will tell you about a strange man by the sea claiming the missing people were abducted. The man that Marcus is referring to is Ictus, who is found north-east of the sawmill. Talk to Ictus, and he'll tell you that creatures walking on two legs have been scraping against the walls at night. Besides Marcus and Ictus, you can talk to Captain Ariadna, the bartender, and the shopkeeper for more information about what's happening. Speaking to at least one of them is required to continue. If you don't have a hammer and fishing rod yet, it is recommended to talk to the shopkeeper in the general store as you can buy both while you're there.

Next, go to the house west of the Auburn Pub and speak to Francis or Aemilia. If you haven't talked to Marcus and Ictus yet, the two will refuse to believe you want to help them. Once you've convinced them you genuinely want to help, they will mention that their boys vanished whilst playing upstairs one night. They also mention strange behaviour from the ents that night, who usually pass by their house on a regular path; on the night of the disappearance, however, the ents did not approach their house, as if the ents were avoiding something.

You will ask if you can search their house for clues, and they will allow you to look around. Go outside and investigate the scratched wall. You will notice strange claw marks and a puddle of mysterious liquid; follow the trail south-west outside the town (you don't need to inspect the puddles), until you reach a river with an item hanging on a plank. With a fishing rod (one spawns south-west of the log, and the general store nearby sells them as well), retrieve the wet fabric scrap and bring it to Francis or Amelia, who will confirm that it matches what one of their sons was likely wearing at the time.

After showing the scrap, head back out of town, and follow the path, which will loop around to the northern end of the Custodia Pass. South-east of the rowboat will be a cave; this is the Stalker Den, in which you will find the two boys. Speak to the injured boy deeper inside, and you will automatically bring them back to town, with Francis and Aemilia thanking you for saving them.

When you ask to speak to the boys about what happened to them, Aemilia and Francis will say that they're still recovering and refuse to let you. They'll ask you to inform Captain Ariadna of what happened, and when you ask if there's any other way you can help, they'll mention that the scratched wall needs to be reinforced so that the boys aren't abducted again. Use four maple logs and a hammer to reinforce the scratched wall on the ground floor (UK). Maple trees can be found around town, with a hammer spawn located just to the north, in the building with a furnace.

Next, talk to Captain Ariadna by the town gate, and she'll ask if you saw anyone else in the caves. You will then offer to help prepare the guards. Captain Ariadna will tell you that their fletcher, Antos, has gone missing and they are in need of bows; she will request four willow longbows for her team. You can grab them from the nearby bank, fletch them using the trees and flax in the area, or use the nearby quetzal to travel to Tal Teklan and buy them from Arcuani's Archery Supplies.

After giving Captain Ariadna the bows and reinforcing the scratched wall, Shas and Etz will be well enough to talk to you. Talk to them on the 1^st floor (UK) of Aemilia and Francis's house and they will tell you that Antos was also in the cave with them. After telling you that he was dragged deeper into the cave, they will ask you to rescue him.

Grab some combat gear and head back to the cave entrance from earlier. Inside, run east to a small chamber offshoot to find Antos; you will try to get him out, but three level 93 strange creatures will attack. Activate Protect from Melee to reduce almost all damage (note that this section of the cave is a multicombat area). The creatures will also occasionally inflict a bleed, but standing still will reduce the rate at which it deals damage.

After killing the last of the strange creatures, Antos will ask about the others, but you will sadly tell him that they were all dead. You will automatically bring him back to town; after the dialogue, inform Captain Ariadna of the monsters and that you found Antos, and she will thank you for your help.

Congratulations, quest complete!