Not all in Dune: Awakening is accomplished by violence. The “Test of Cunning” quest, presented by the House Atreides faction, is a deviation from combat and much more in tune with sneaking, persuading, and being virtuous. The quest is testing your capability to move around unseen, gather information, and gain political influence without shedding blood.
Beginning the Quest
Your mission starts in Vermillius Gap, a politically charged area frequently torn between the factions’ influence. Find Lieutenant Anton Tolliver, an Atreides fighter guarding a field camp or trade route from destruction. Talk to him to get your assignment.
Tolliver charges you with the task of following and retrieving information from Lanov, a man traveling to and fro from the enemy’s aligned ground. The catch? You can’t be seen while doing it. This isn’t an attack mission—this is a stealth test.
Locating Lanov
Lanov is not on your mind as much. He’s generally to be found somewhere within or adjacent to Harkonnen-occupied land, and he never travels in single company. You’ll have to navigate through a maze of turning streets and corridors guarded by unfriendly NPCs. The terrain—ruinous, broken-down buildings, and narrow tunnels—is perfect for sneaking if you’re clever enough to stay ahead.
To avoid detection, stick to shadowed routes, wait for patrols to pass, and take advantage of natural cover. If you’ve invested in stealth gear or Mentat abilities, now’s the time to use them. Camouflage suits or cloaking fields make movement much safer.
Interacting With the Target
Don’t assault Lanov if you encounter him. Get up next to him and initiate a conversation. Success or failure of the encounter is highly dependent on what word you use and any social abilities or Charisma-type skills your character possesses.
If he’s not willing to speak, look around him. He might have lost something during the process—i.e., a datapad, message log, or evidence—that could be used to complete the task in his place.
Back to Tolliver
With what you now know, your task is to make your way back to Lieutenant Tolliver on whatever route you believe you initially entered. The terrain may have altered—patrol routes alter—so do not assume the route is accessible. In case of capture, do not attempt to escape. Compromise of your cover of surprise would destroy the route of future Atreides operations.
