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Between a Rock and a Hard Place is Stone's rescue quest, available from Chapter 4 in the Old Camp dungeon. Freeing him moves the blacksmith to the Swamp Camp, where the Hero can claim a further reward and access the Ancient Ore Armor upgrade.
Reach the dungeon
The Old Camp castle is hostile territory at this stage. The routes include a Meatbug transformation through the abandoned house tunnel southeast of the camp, the cellar entrance obtained through Santino's Special Pieces deal, and the Teleport to the Fire Mages rune from Xardas's Sunken Tower.
The dungeon lies below the castle tavern. Clear the escape route before freeing Stone, since guards who see the escaping blacksmith attack him. A Meatbug can pass through the tunnel entrance, but cannot interact with the cell and can be trampled by guards.
Open Stone's cell
Method | Requirement |
|---|---|
Ask Darrion to forge the key | Take Stone's blueprint to the Swamp Camp blacksmith and wait one day. |
Pick the lock | The cell has a level 4 lock. |
Use Gomez's Master Key | Loot it after killing Gomez, or pickpocket it beforehand with Pickpocketing level 2 and sufficient Dexterity. |
Sparing Gomez does not automatically grant his key. If that is the intended outcome, obtain the key first or use another cell-opening method.
Escort Stone safely
After the cell opens, lead Stone out through Milten's secret tunnel or Santino's cellar passage. Check that he is still following, especially at turns and stairs. If Stone dies, the quest fails. The secret tunnel exits into the wilderness and avoids the outer camp guards.
Collect the rewards
The escape grants 1,000 XP. Visit Stone at the Swamp Camp smithy for another 1,000 XP and one item: Heavy Two-Hander, Ring of Lesser Invincibility, Ring of Greater Life, or Amulet of Enlightenment. The life ring grants 50 maximum Health; the amulet grants 40 maximum Health and 40 maximum Mana.
Bring the Ancient Ore Armor to Stone for its Improved Ore Armor upgrade. If he has not appeared after the rescue, leave and return after time passes. Armor covers the equipment progression; Side Quests lists the other optional tasks.