In the dark and dangerous world of Diablo 4, players face an unrelenting array of quests, challenges, and dungeons that require strength, skill, and strategy. Amidst these tasks, some quests stand out not just for their rewards but for their rich connection to the lore and traditions of the Diablo universe. One such quest is Keeping The Old Traditions, a captivating side quest that revolves around honoring the past and preserving ancient customs. This quest introduces players to new mechanics, puzzles, and combat scenarios, all while deepening the lore of Sanctuary.
In this guide, we will explore Keeping The Old Traditions, offering a comprehensive walkthrough of how to start and complete the quest, key objectives to achieve, and tips for overcoming some of the more difficult obstacles.
What is Keeping The Old Traditions?
Keeping The Old Traditions is a side quest in Diablo 4 Gold that delves into the history and rituals of the world of Sanctuary. This quest is available in certain regions of the game and provides players an opportunity to explore some of the older, forgotten practices of the people who once inhabited this realm.
At its core, Keeping The Old Traditions is a tribute to the ancient traditions of the Horadrim, the enigmatic order of scholars and warriors who once protected the world from the forces of darkness. The quest tasks you with restoring some of their lost practices by gathering key artifacts, performing rituals, and uncovering hidden knowledge.
How to Start the Quest
To begin the Keeping The Old Traditions quest, players must first venture into the Scosglen region, an area rich in both lore and dangerous creatures. The quest becomes available after you reach a certain point in the main story, often following significant progression in Act II. It is recommended that you have progressed at least halfway through the campaign to ensure you have access to the necessary areas and abilities.
Steps to Start the Quest:
Visit The Ancient Shrine: The quest begins when you locate an ancient shrine marked on your map. This shrine is located in the northern part of Scosglen, nestled between towering trees and old stone structures. As you approach the shrine, you’ll find a group of Horadrim scholars who have been investigating the shrine’s significance.
Speak with the Scholar: Upon approaching the shrine, you will encounter a scholar who will tell you about the rituals of the Horadrim and the importance of maintaining these old practices. They will explain that certain traditions have been lost over the years, and it is up to the adventurers of today to restore them. After the dialogue, you’ll receive a quest prompt to start your journey.
Accept the Quest: After speaking with the scholar, you will be given the option to accept the quest. The quest’s goal is to collect ancient relics, interpret forgotten symbols, and face challenges that the Horadrim themselves once overcame.
Quest Objectives
Once you accept Keeping The Old Traditions, your journey begins. The quest is divided into several stages, each with specific objectives that will take you through various areas of the game world. Below is a breakdown of the quest’s main objectives and what you need to do to complete them.
1. Investigate the First Relic
The first objective of the quest involves investigating a relic hidden deep within the heart of Scosglen. The relic is said to be the key to understanding the lost traditions of the Horadrim.
How to Proceed:
Location: The first relic can be found in a cave system south of the shrine you visited earlier. This cave, known as the Crypt of Lost Wisdom, is filled with traps and hostile enemies.
Combat: As you make your way through the cave, be prepared to fight against cursed spirits, undead creatures, and other fiendish entities that have taken residence in the cave. These enemies are much stronger than regular monsters, and their attacks can cause significant damage if you aren’t careful.
Collect the Relic: The relic is hidden in the deepest part of the cave, guarded by a mini-boss. Defeat the boss to claim the relic and return it to the shrine.
2. Decipher the Symbols
After returning with the first relic, you’ll be tasked with deciphering a set of ancient symbols that are inscribed on the relic. These symbols are key to understanding the next stage of the Horadrim rituals.
How to Proceed:
Symbols Puzzle: The puzzle itself isn’t overly complex but does require some attention to detail. The symbols represent the four elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Air), and you’ll need to rotate the relic in specific ways to align the symbols correctly.
Use Lore Books: To help with the puzzle, look for scattered lore books around the Scosglen area that explain the relationship between the elements. These books are often found near landmarks or old Horadrim ruins.
Activate the Mechanism: Once the symbols are aligned correctly, you will activate a hidden mechanism beneath the relic, which opens up a path leading to the next objective.
3. Complete the Rituals
The next stage of Keeping The Old Traditions takes you on a deeper journey into the heart of Scosglen and beyond. The Horadrim performed sacred rituals to protect the world from demonic forces, and it is now your task to replicate these rituals to prove your worthiness.
How to Proceed:
Find Ritual Sites: The map will point you toward various ritual sites, each located in different corners of the world. These locations are often hard to reach and require significant exploration.
Ritual Combat: At each ritual site, you’ll face a trial. This could include waves of enemies, time-based challenges, or environmental hazards. Completing these trials will grant you the power necessary to perform the ritual. Some rituals require you to use specific items like torches or relics found during your journey.
Activate the Shrines: Once you’ve gathered the necessary resources, you’ll need to activate the shrine at each location. Completing these rituals will allow you to unlock further stages of the quest and continue progressing toward the final objective.
4. Confront the Dark Force
As you complete the rituals, a dark and malevolent force begins to stir, threatening to undo all the Horadrim’s work. This powerful entity is drawn to the energy you’re unleashing, and it will stop at nothing to thwart your efforts.
How to Proceed:
Boss Fight: The climax of the quest is a fierce battle against a corrupted Horadrim guardian who has become possessed by a demonic force. This boss, known as the Guardian of the Old Ways, will summon waves of demonic minions and unleash devastating elemental attacks.
Combat Tips: The Guardian of the Old Ways is a challenging boss who cycles through various phases. Use defensive abilities to counter the elemental attacks and focus on dodging the boss’s AOE (area of effect) spells. The key to success is staying mobile and using your environment to block incoming attacks.
5. Restore the Traditions
After defeating the Guardian of the Old Ways, the final task is to restore the balance and complete the ancient ritual. You will return to the shrine and perform the ritual with the relic you’ve gathered. This act will restore the lost traditions of the Horadrim and ensure that their teachings are passed on to future generations.
How to Proceed:
Final Activation: Return to the shrine with the relic and the ritual items you’ve collected. Use the shrine’s ancient mechanisms to activate the final ritual. The shrine will glow with an ethereal light as you complete the process, signaling the restoration of the old ways.
Reward: After the ritual is completed, you will receive a special reward, including legendary items, new lore entries, and possibly even a unique ability related to the Horadrim traditions. This reward helps reinforce the importance of preserving the ancient ways and the legacy of those who came before.
Tips for Success
Prepare for Hard Fights: The trials in this quest are tough, and you’ll be dealing with strong enemies, including the final boss. Ensure that you have top-tier gear, potions, and buy Diablo 4 Items to face the challenges ahead.
Explore Thoroughly: Some of the ritual sites can be hidden or difficult to find. Make sure to thoroughly explore each region for clues and hidden paths that lead to these locations.
Use Your Map: The quest objectives will often appear on your map, but some of the most important locations can be hard to locate without the use of the map markers.
Conclusion
Keeping The Old Traditions is one of Diablo 4’s most engaging side quests, combining lore, exploration, and intense combat into a memorable experience. Through this quest, players are introduced to the rich history of the Horadrim and their noble efforts to protect Sanctuary. As you journey through Scosglen and beyond, you’ll not only uncover forgotten traditions but also face new challenges that will test your skill and resolve. Whether you’re a lore enthusiast or a seasoned adventurer, this quest offers a rewarding challenge and enriches your Diablo 4 experience.
