Overview
The road between Misty Village and the Ancient Library is no longer safe. Shadow Beasts — lean, smoke-shaped predators born from the slow seep of The Forgetting — have been pulling travellers off the path and into the deeper trees. Three caravans have vanished in a fortnight. Vara the Seer asks you to make an example of the pack.
This is the first true combat Side Quest in Avalon and the cheapest way to farm Shadow Essence, a crafting reagent needed for the Spirit Ward Potion and several Phase 2 upgrades. The objective is loose: three confirmed kills, anywhere on the map, in any order.
Most players complete this quest passively while travelling for MQ-2 — the encounters overlap and the kills count retroactively as long as Vara's quest is in your log when the beast dies.
Objectives
- Defeat Shadow Beasts (0/3).
Walkthrough
Step 1 — Accept the Hunt
Return to Portal Clearing and ask Vara about the missing travellers. The quest unlocks and three hunt zones glow on your map: the Glade, the Marsh outskirts, and the Library approach.
Step 2 — Whispering Glade Sweep
Walk a loop through the Glade tiles. Each move rolls a 45% encounter check. Shadow Beasts at this level have 50 HP and hit for 8–12. A Seer can stun them with Spirit Bolt; a Rogue can flank for double damage.
Step 3 — Marsh Outskirts
The first two Marsh tiles spawn Shadow Beasts at 55%. Carry Spirit Tonics — Wraith encounters can also trigger here and drain MP.
Step 4 — Return to Vara
Once the third kill resolves, Vara's marker turns gold. Return to Portal Clearing for 80 XP, 30 AC, and a Shadow Essence sample.
Rewards
| Reward | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | 80 XP | +~35 XP per Beast slain |
| Avalon Coin | 30 | |
| Shadow Essence | x1 guaranteed | Crafting reagent |
| Random Drops | 0–2 essences | From individual beasts |
Tips
- Stack this with MQ-2. Most kills will happen during your Marsh crossing.
- Rogues should attack from stealth — opening crit handles half a Beast's HP.
- Save extra Shadow Essence for Phase 2 weapon enchants.
- Avoid the Marsh interior until Level 4 — Wraiths are tougher than Beasts.
Related Lore
Shadow Beasts are profiled in the bestiary Codex. They are not native creatures: each is a remnant of a person whom The Forgetting has fully erased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do encounters during MQ-2 count for the Shadow Beast Hunt?
Yes. Any Shadow Beast you defeat after accepting the quest counts, including those killed during MQ-2 travel.
What is Shadow Essence used for?
Crafting the Spirit Ward Potion and upgrading Phase 1 weapons at the Misty Village forge in Phase 2.
Can I stealth past Shadow Beasts instead?
Rogues can avoid most encounters, but stealth does not count as a kill. You must defeat three to complete the quest.
Is there a time limit?
No. The quest remains open through all of Phase 1 and even Phase 2. Take your time.