The “Confrontation Looks Like Hope” quest in Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon is one of the more complex and enigmatic side quests you’ll be doing. Although it may look like another run-of-the-mill quest at first glance, its developing story, branching decisions, and secret rewards make it a pivotal part of your adventure. Depending on what you choose, this quest can take you to great rewards—or give you nothing.
Starting the Quest: Discovering Broc
To start this quest, you have to find an unusual NPC named Broc. He resides in the north of the map. Just go straight north from the Ruined Market Square, and you will find him standing by a bridge eventually.
When you meet Broc, talk to him. He has some interesting dialogue options like:
“What Queen? What are you on about?”
“Your outfit is quite. unusual.”
“Who’s that?”
Be sure to use up all these options for dialogue. This is mandatory, as this opens the subsequent stage of the quest and provides you with access to Broc’s inventory as a merchant.
Swarmed by the Bees: Venturing Into the Wild
After speaking with Broc, cross the bridge he guards and continue northward. Soon you’ll pass The All-Mother’s Shrine—take a moment to step inside and collect the blessing available there. It may come in handy for the battles ahead.
Proceed into the swampy ground until you see an ominous, glowing hive with four ancient obelisk stones surrounding it. This is your target. When you near the hive, an unseen swarm of bees will assault you. While you can’t see them, you can still strike them with your melee weapons—just swing into the air until you hit them.
Defeating the swarm will initiate a confrontation with the spectral figure The Ghost of Broc Meala. He’ll give you an item called the Bee Queen Invitation, which allows you entry into the next phase of the quest.
Before you leave the location, make sure to loot everything. Take 10 Cobwebs from inside the hive and look around the big skull for a locked treasure chest. Open it with your lockpicks if you have them to get 23 coins and the Winter Prism, a highly sought-after magical resource.
Going back to Broc: XP and Gear Gathering
With the Bee Queen Invitation, head southwest back to Broc. Talk to him once more and let him know about the invitation. He will respond with an odd combination of excitement and paranoia before finally offering you a duplicate set of his armor and 500 experience points.
Skipping this will cause you to miss out on this XP bonus and the second armor set permanently—though you can still pick up Broc’s original equipment.
Journey to the Queen: Locating the Hive’s Heart
With Broc talked to, your next task is to locate the Bee Queen herself. From the bridge where you talked to Broc, head northwest. Along the way, you will cross a weird, old, rotting bridge. Continue onward until you reach a dead body lying in your way. Loot the corpse to acquire the Forlorn Frostbitten Bow, an effective ranged weapon.
Proceed further into the ruined village, eventually coming upon the center of the hive. There, you will find the Ghost of Broc Maela again, now acting as the Queen’s envoy. Speak with him to initiate a bizarre reality distortion that brings you into a different version of the hive town.
The Queen’s Offer: A Challenging Decision
Inside this modified town, head into the hive building at its center. Here, finally, you will encounter the enigmatic Bee Queen. In talking with her, she will ask of you something astonishing: she requests that you murder Broc.
From here, the quest splits into two quite disparate branches. Both offer different rewards and repercussions.
Option 1: Murder Broc and Ally with the Queen
If you go back to Broc and slay him, then return to the Queen, she will give you the following:
- 1,000 experience points
- The Sting sword
- A key for the Gifts to the Queen quest, which contains a strong summoning spell and a great helmet
This is a good route for players who want to get the most rewards. It also adds new quest material that can make your overall experience better.
Option 2: Betray the Queen and Join Broc
You can also betray the Queen and eliminate her. This is the harder fight option since the Queen is much stronger than Broc. But if you win, go back to Broc and he will give you:
- 1,000 experience points
- The Sting sword
- Ten jars of the Queen’s Honey, a consumable resource
Although you acquire the same XP and the same weapon, you forfeit the Gifts for the Queen questline. This entails missing some of the best magical equipment in the game.
