Players diving into Chapter 4 of the dark action title Valor Mortis, developed by One More Level and Lyrical Games, will find themselves facing not only relentless hordes of undead soldiers but also haunting emotional mysteries hidden deep within the game’s treacherous environments. Among the notable optional objectives introduced in this leg of the journey is the "Homesick" side quest, a brief narrative puzzle that tasks players with investigating the tragic fate of a missing father who never managed to reunite with his family.
Successfully completing the quest requires sharp observation, tactical awareness in combat, and careful navigation of a easily overlooked subterranean cavern. For players looking to unravel the mystery and claim the substantial rewards tied to the objective, understanding the layout of the underground region and the specific hazards it conceals is critical.
How to Start ‘Homesick’ in Valor Mortis
The "Homesick" mission becomes available during Chapter 4 of Valor Mortis. The narrative thread opens shortly after players achieve a major milestone in the campaign: defeating the formidable Iron Marshall boss, rescuing Louis, and returning to the safety of the Abandoned Church. Following these events, the path forward leads players into a striking and perilous new region known simply as The Caverns.
As explorers venture into the first tunnel system located just behind the Last Sunlight Lantern and adjacent to a flickering campfire, they will encounter the ghostly apparition of a grieving woman. Interacting with the area reveals the "Longing Wife Letter" resting directly behind the specter. Retrieving this document officially initiates the "Homesick" side quest, framing the player’s primary objective: discovering why the woman’s husband failed to return home from the depths below.
Navigating the Caverns and Locating the Objective
The journey to find the necessary evidence takes players deeper into the cavernous network, specifically toward a hidden and entirely optional branching path. Entering the expansive main chamber reveals a familiar mix of adversaries, primarily consisting of reanimated zombie farmers. However, players must exercise caution, as an elite combatant rests dangerously close to a campfire on the left side of the room. Additionally, a hazardous poison-spouting enemy clings to the ceiling, posing a significant threat to careless explorers. To mitigate this danger, players are advised to target and shoot the creature precisely while it is occupied with forming its toxic projectile.
Throughout the chamber, several structural gaps and holes break up the rocky terrain. While most of these openings lead to dead ends or hazardous falls, players must locate the final gap situated in the far left corner of the room. This specific opening is distinguished by the faint, guiding flicker of torchlight glowing from the depths below, signaling the correct route to the secondary area.
Uncovering the Truth and Overcoming Underground Resistance
Dropping down through the illuminated gap brings players to an underground quay littered with wandering undead clustered around a collection of decaying boats. Navigating this area requires tactical restraint; developers have placed a deceptive grappling point nearby that serves as a lethal trap for unwary adventurers. Instead of engaging with the grapple, players should scale the elevated ledge to the right. From this vantage point, shooting a strategically placed red explosive barrel instantly eliminates a large group of minor foes, leaving the remaining threats vulnerable to careful sniper fire.
Further into the subterranean dock, players will encounter a Risen Grenadier positioned on the left. Rather than engaging the heavily armed foe in a direct confrontation, players can exploit the environment by waiting until the enemy positions himself beneath a glowing, volatile orb attached to the cavern ceiling. Striking the orb brings it crashing down, neutralizing the Grenadier efficiently without expending excessive resources.
With the immediate area secured, players can finally investigate the boats lining the dock. Searching the designated vessel yields the "Death Notice," the crucial item needed to solve the mystery of the missing father. Additionally, explorers should thoroughly search the nearby treasure chest to secure the "Lucky Shot" amber, a valuable upgrade material.
Concluding the Quest and Reaping the Rewards
Armed with the tragic details of the father’s final moments, players must retrace their steps back to the surface level, returning to the campfire where the ghostly woman’s apparition first appeared. By reading the recovered Death Notice aloud at the site, the "Homesick" side quest is officially completed.
The resolution of the narrative yields generous compensation for the player’s investigative efforts. Upon completing the quest, players are awarded 2,000 catalysts to aid in their ongoing progression through the harsh world of Valor Mortis, alongside the "Bottomless Well" amber, further enhancing their arsenal as they press forward into the remainder of Chapter 4.
