The Iron Flail

Upon arriving in Stalwart, you will witness a meeting between villagers and Daryen.

Ask Daryen about the "Iron Flail" to learn they are an army from Readceras fortifying near the Battery and demanding the surrender of the White Forge. A delegation sent to negotiate has not returned.

Agree to help Daryen. He suggests you visit the Battery to check on the cannon readiness, initiating the quest Ready the Cannons.

Introduce yourself to Tarfos, the new mayor, located to the right of Yduran's Wagon.

Ask Tarfos about negotiations to learn that merchants from Defiance Bay seek a trade agreement. Agree to speak with their representative, Nesta, initiating the quest Risk Tolerance.

Go to the hot springs and speak with Royse, who reports her daughter Mylla is missing and often visits Hamond's Emporium. Agree to look for Mylla, initiating the quest Wild Mylla.

Visit Hamond's Emporium, located in Keydy's former house.

Ask Hamond about Mylla. He mentions Asca is the only one trying to discipline her and that he sells unique items, including the soulbound (a type of item that binds to your soul and can grow stronger with use) crossbow named Twin Sting.

Find Asca west of the fishery, in front of a round hut.

Ask Asca about Mylla. She says Mylla spends time at the temple and mentions trouble, which initiates Asca's first batch of bounties: The Terror of Whitestone Hollow and Magran's Faithful.

The Terror of Whitestone Hollow is an Ice Blight found in the southwest of Whitestone Hollow, accompanied by Greater Earth Blights, Greater Ice Blights, and Cean Gŵlas.

Magran's Faithful are brigands in Searing Falls, led by Roedwith, who drops the Magefolc Skull helmet.

Visit the Temple of Abydon and find a locked (level 9) chest containing three Durgan Iron Ingots. Taking them will result in a minor reputation hit.

Speak to Masca at one of the anvils. She is struggling to shape metal for a sword and fears expulsion.

Agree to help Masca, who needs a ritual to enchant a forge hammer. She requires the hammer to be blessed at the Shrine of Abydon in Crucible Keep and the Shrine of Magran in Magran's Fork. This initiates the quest Iron and Flame.

Speak to the priest Engrim about Mylla. He mentions she draws by the forge and seems lonely.

Search the table next to the forge to find Mylla's Drawing.

Show the drawing to Engrim, Royse, or Asca. They recognize the location as Whitestone Hollow.

Go to Gréf's Rest and speak with Nesta by the bar. Agree to meet her outside the fishery regarding trade negotiations.

Speak to Kern, who is in a land dispute with his neighbor Haddi. Kern admits to hiring Bleak Walker paladins to kill Haddi while drunk. Agree to ensure Haddi and his family's safety, initiating the quest Bleak Oath.

Return to the world map and travel to Crucible Keep in First Fires. Bless Masca's forge hammer at the Shrine of Abydon.

Travel to Searing Falls to confront Magran's Faithful. Roedwith, their leader, is accompanied by Priests, Soldiers, and Druids. Roedwith drops the Magefolc Skull helmet.

Go to Magran's Fork and place Masca's forge hammer on the shrine.

You will be attacked by five Greater Flame Blights and two Drakes.

Return to Stalwart and claim your bounty from Asca.

Give the forge hammer to Masca in the Temple of Abydon. You can advise her not to use it, but if she does, it may not produce the desired effect.

Engrim recognizes Talfir's Ritual and may be inclined to expel Masca. You can persuade him by reminding him of Abydon's affirmations.

Masca will reward you with the Unlabored Blade, a soulbound dagger that starts weak and becomes powerful after inflicting 1500 points of damage with a Terrible weapon.

Go to the newly reopened Stalwart Mines. You may need a Torch from Yduran.

Inside the Stalwart Mines, Foreman Ismey warns you that the tunnels are not yet cleared and informs you of a murder: a miner named Gamel was found next to the victim Sameth. Agree to investigate, initiating the quest Whispers in the Dark.

Find Gamel in the Foreman's Quarters to the west. He claims no memory of the event.