The barrier between Axiom and Umbral is at its weakest point all year, and the witching hour is close at hand… Happy Halloween!
This time last year, we released our very first post-launch content drop: The Season of the Bleak. A new holiday-themed questline, it tasked daring Dark Crusaders to seek out six hidden pumpkins across Mournstead before overcoming a new seasonal boss… the Spirit of the Bleak! Those that triumphed were rewarded with an exclusive ‘Pumpskin’ helm, the ‘Eerie Armour’ tinct, and an ammunition satchel that provided additional inventory space.
But where were the pumpkins hidden? An ancient bard’s song provided the way forward…
One dwells amidst the company of the celebrated dead,
Another in a lonely hamlet where the streets ran red.
One's to be found where the bitter sacrificed dwell,
Another in a place where an innocent girl fell.
One demands from you a head for heights,
Only then can you face a shadow by beacon's light.
Steel yourself in the garb of one who speaks not,
And hope in that bleak ground your bones do not rot.
As for those of you yet to complete the quest, we’ve put together a handy how-to guide...
Step 1: Defeat the Hushed Saint
To start, you must defeat the Hushed Saint, a challenging boss found in the Forsaken Fen. You’ll return to this location later, so take note. Defeating the Hushed Saint is necessary to reveal the pumpkins across the game world.
Step 2: Locate the Six Pumpkins
Each pumpkin only appears after defeating the Hushed Saint and can be found by switching to the Umbral realm:
1st Pumpkin - Skyrest Bridge: Found near where the Tortured Prisoner is held. Go down the spiral staircase and switch to the Umbral to pass a metal gate on the right. Continue down and take a right to find the pumpkin.
2nd Pumpkin - Abandoned Redcopse: Start from the Vestige of Marco the Axe. Head to the village square with a large tree and hanging bodies, then take a left toward a ruined house. Defeat the two enemies, break the crates, and find the pumpkin behind them.
3rd Pumpkin - Forsaken Fen: From the Vestige of Valade, go through the door on the right to reach a bridge guarded by a Shuja warrior. Defeat the enemy, enter Umbral, and find a ladder on the left. Climb up, proceed to the area with a bonfire, defeat the enemies, and Soul Flay the pumpkin.
4th Pumpkin - Pilgrim's Perch: Starting at the Vestige of Ferrers the Charred, take the lift down to the perch. Head toward the ladder on the left to access a wooden bridge and find the pumpkin underneath one of the platforms.
5th Pumpkin - Fief of the Chill Curse: From the Vestige of Loash, go through the arena and down the ladder to the Fief beacon tower. Climb down and move toward the river. Enter Umbral, walk to the left along the riverbed, Soul Flay the barrier, and turn right to find the pumpkin.
6th Pumpkin - Hushed Saint’s Arena: Equip the Hushed Saint’s full armor set. Return to the Hushed Saint’s boss arena, and the pumpkin will be visible within a wooden fence. Soul Flay it to summon the Spirit of the Bleak Season.
Step 3: Defeat the Spirit of the Bleak Season Boss
Boss Behaviour: The Spirit of the Bleak Season has a series of melee attacks and a curse effect that can prevent healing temporarily.
Battle Tips: Keep a safe distance to bait out attacks, then chip away at its health. Adding Holy Salts to your weapon will increase damage.
Rewards: Once you defeat the Spirit of the Bleak Season, your Halloween treats will be unlocked, including a the Pumpskin Helm that boosts item discovery rate, the Eerie Armour Tinct, and an Ammunition Satchel that adds to your supply storage.
If you enjoyed revisiting the Season of the Bleak, why not explore the last year of Lords of the Fallen and read our ‘12 Months of Mournstead’ post, let us know what your favourite post-launch content is, or even leave a Steam review?
In light, we walk
The HEXWORKS Team
