Revision 1

The Firebrand introduces the search for the Manumits through Vlad's disappearance and Mert's imprisonment. The mill encounter and the deadline after speaking to Renna decide which rescue route remains available.

Starting the quest

Vlad and the mill

Inside Vlad's hut, inspect the flour sack with Focus Mode, including the silver arrowhead inside and the cross on its exterior. Continue to Mert's Mill southeast of Laslea Glen Shrine.

During the day, play along with Renna and repair the cart to speak privately. At night, the soldiers turn Coen away unless he confronts them. Killing the mill soldiers keeps Renna alive; leaving them there results in her death while Coen is away. Once Renna asks for Mert's rescue, the four-day timer begins.

Entering Stoneward Post

Travel southeast from the mill. During the day, say you want to enlist and question how a soldier can serve without a weapon to keep your equipment. Handing the weapons over creates the recovery opportunity described below. At night, the entrance guards attack.

Find Friedo in the eastern tower. Access to Mert can be obtained with a 300-Denarii bribe or by defeating Cerbus in a fistfight. Another route begins with the angry woman outside: question the merchant, threaten to report the scam, then tell the commander at the southwestern tent. Return to Friedo with the commander's knowledge.

Mert and the deadline

At the cell, the reply that Mert is going to be sick dismisses the guard and spends two segments. The conversation leads into Under Watchful Eyes, whether you choose to rescue him immediately or return later. A violent confrontation also starts the rescue route.

If the deadline passes, Mert has been hanged. Find his corpse behind the tower, collect his Wedding Ring from the sack in the nearby tent and use Compel Soul with the ring. This continues the search through Shadows in the Woods instead of rescuing him.

Taking Back What's Mine

If you enlisted, surrendered your equipment and then entered combat, recover the confiscated weapons before leaving. Climb the ladder north of the main gate into the room above it and open the weapons chest. Taking them finishes Taking Back What's Mine with no time cost.

The Firebrand lists 75 XP for completion, with additional 75-XP awards for speaking to Renna and for killing the mill soldiers.