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The Scary Box
Pathfinder: Kingmaker

The Scary Box

Follow our detailed walkthrough for 'The Scary Box' side quest in Pathfinder: Kingmaker, including enemy strategies, loot locations, and sarcophagus puzzle solutions.

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Follow our detailed walkthrough for 'The Scary Box' side quest in Pathfinder: Kingmaker, including enemy strategies, loot locations, and sarcophagus puzzle solutions.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Enter the Lake Silverstep Cave. Loot the initial chamber, finding scrolls, potions, lesser treasures, and 621 GP in a large chest (Trickery 18). Find a 'Pile of Notes' on a pillar's western edge to learn about the cave's menace.
  2. 2
    Venture northwest into a watery chamber. Loot a chest containing treasure, including a 'Taldan Warrior’s Dog Tag'. Return to the entry chamber.
  3. 3
    Prepare for combat by casting longer-lasting buffs (e.g., _Bless_, _Blur_, _Stoneskin_, _Shield of Faith_) and shorter buffs (e.g., _Haste_, _Prayer_).
  4. 4
    Enter the northern chamber and defeat the bandits. Prioritize the Bandit Necromancer to prevent _Enervation_ spells that inflict Negative Energy Levels. Then, focus on the greatsword-wielding bandit barbarian and any other threats.
  5. 5
    After the bandits are dead, examine the large sarcophagus. Ensure only your tank is near it.
  6. 6
    Interact with the sarcophagus. Options include:
    • Pass a [Lore (Religion) 26] check for insight.
  7. 7
    Pass a [Detect Magic] check to identify magic.
  8. 8
    Force it open (takes ~4 hours).
  9. 9
    Pass an [Athletics 22] check with a crowbar.
  10. 10
    Pass a [Knowledge (Arcana) 21] check to open it elegantly.
  11. 11
    Opening the sarcophagus triggers an 'Ancient Curse' (requiring a [Will 18] check to avoid fear) and reanimates nearby bandits as zombies.
  12. 12
    Battle - Dread Zombie Cyclops:
  13. 13
    The Dread Zombie Cyclops is the main threat with high HP, AC, and damage.
  14. 14
    The reanimated bandits serve as distractions.
  15. 15
    Cast _Haste_ again if it wore off.
  16. 16
    Charge the Dread Zombie Cyclops with your party.
  17. 17
    After defeating the Cyclops, clean up the remaining zombies.
  18. 18
    Loot the Dread Zombie Cyclops for the weapon “Slicer”.
  19. 19
    Loot the area for the artifact “Cypress Queen’s Quill”.
Tips
  • Use longer-lasting buffs before engaging the bandits in the northern chamber.
  • Isolate your tank when interacting with the sarcophagus to minimize the impact of the 'Ancient Curse'.
  • Focus fire on the Bandit Necromancer first to prevent debilitating debuffs.
  • The reanimated bandits are secondary threats; prioritize the Dread Zombie Cyclops.
  • 621 GP
  • Scrolls, Potions, Lesser Treasures
  • Taldan Warrior’s Dog Tag
  • “Slicer” weapon
  • “Cypress Queen’s Quill” artifact

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