A missing cartographer, a city locked behind its gates, and the wilds of Dawnshore teeming with secrets-Avowed’s “Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore” quest throws you into the heart of the Living Lands’ first region, where every clue leads deeper into uncharted territory and danger lurks just off the beaten path. Will you uncover Geirmund’s fate and complete the map, or get lost in the shadows of Paradis’ forgotten ruins?
In this Avowed guide, we’ll offer a full “Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore” walkthrough, including where to find Geirmund in Dawnshore.
How to start ’Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore’ in Avowed
To start the “Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore” quest in Avowed, head north from Claviger’s Landing until you find Sanza near Ivona’s Threshold Party Camp. Speak with Sanza, who will explain that his assistant cartographer, Geirmund, has gone missing somewhere in the eastern ruins of Dawnshore. Agree to help, and Sanza will give you Geirmund’s Dispatch letter, officially beginning the quest. From there, your next step is to search for Geirmund near a cavern on the eastern side of Dawnshore, specifically in an area called Usher’s Hand, just outside Paradis.
When you first reach Claviger’s Landing, complete your quest there and head outside. To your right, you’ll find the large city of Paradis, which you can’t enter just yet. To your left, you’ll find a crystal where you can set up camp. But straight ahead, next to a cart, you’ll find Sanza. Talk to him.
Sanza has directed his apprentices to map the world, but hasn’t heard back from them, and needs you to track them down. The problem is that he doesn’t exactly have a great idea of where they are outside of a general area and zone. Narrowing those locations down is your job.
Your first target is Geirmund, who is lost on the eastern side of Dawnshore.
Where to find Geirmund in Dawnshore
Geirmund, the missing cartographer for the “Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore” quest in Avowed, can be found in the area known as Usher’s Hand, which is directly east of Paradis on your map. To reach him, head toward the God’s Gate fast travel beacon; Geirmund’s body lies just south of this point, partially crushed beneath fallen ruins among stone columns. Next to his remains, you’ll find the quest item “Geirmund’s Map” on the ground, which you need to collect to progress the quest. Be aware that you may need to advance the main storyline and unlock access to Paradis before you can reach this area easily. Once you have the map, return it to Sanza in Paradis to complete this step of the quest.
Geirmund is lost in an area called Usher’s Hand, just east of Paradis. You’ll find him next to a grotto. See the map image above to pinpoint his exact location.
If you’ve progressed enough through the main quest that you’ve been able to enter Paradis, you can simply walk out of the east gate and you’ll find Geirmund and his map notes sitting among some rubble on the same level as the Paradis gate, directly south of the God’s Gate Beacon.
If you haven’t unlocked Paradis but still want to find Geirmund, travel east along the water from Sanza (south of the city, through the dock town) until you reach the Southern Embrace. Then follow the roads north up to the God’s Gate Beacon.
Both of these routes should keep you safe from high-level monsters. But be careful not to push too far south of where you find Geirmund, as you may be attacked by some undead who could out-level you if you’re not that far along in the main story.
Once you have Geirmund’s notes, the quest marker will direct you to Sanza’s shop in the Hightown district of Paradis, where you’ll turn in the quest. You will not be able to turn in this quest until you are able to get inside Paradis, so follow the main questline and complete “Message from Afar” if the gates are still locked for you.
When you finally get back to Sanza, he’ll compel you to continue your mission to find the other cartographers and take the map data from you, completing “Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore.”
How does the ’Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore’ quest reveal hidden secrets of Avowed’s world
How the ’Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore’ Quest Reveals Hidden Secrets in Avowed
Unveiling Forgotten Stories and Lore
The “Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore” quest immerses players in the untamed wilds east of Paradis, tasking them with tracking down Geirmund, a missing cartographer. This journey leads you through ruins and caverns, exposing remnants of lost civilizations and forgotten architecture, such as the collapsed structures at Usher’s Hand where Geirmund is found. These locations hint at the region’s turbulent history and the dangers that still linger, enriching your understanding of the Living Lands’ past.
Introducing Exploration and Environmental Storytelling
By searching for Geirmund and his map, players are encouraged to explore off the beaten path, discovering hidden areas, secret campsites, and environmental clues that flesh out Avowed’s world. The quest’s vague directions and reliance on environmental observation foster a sense of adventure and reward curiosity, often leading to encounters with unique enemies or unexpected narrative moments.
Connecting to Broader Mysteries and Side Content
Completing the quest not only uncovers Geirmund’s fate but also unlocks new objectives, such as searching for additional missing cartographers across the Living Lands. This structure gradually reveals more of the world’s map and its secrets, and ties into other side activities like treasure hunts, where cryptic clues and hidden loot further deepen the sense of discovery.
Summary
Through its blend of exploration, environmental storytelling, and interconnected side quests, “Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore” acts as a gateway to Avowed’s hidden lore, secret locations, and the broader mysteries of the Living Lands.
What hidden secrets about Dawnshore’s history does the quest reveal
Hidden Secrets About Dawnshore’s History Revealed by the Quest
Mapping the Living Lands: Dawnshore uncovers several hidden aspects of Dawnshore’s history through its exploration-focused objectives and the locations it leads players to:
-
Ancient Ruins and Lost Civilizations: The quest guides players to places like Usher’s Hand and other ruins scattered across Dawnshore, hinting at the remnants of older societies and the turbulent events that shaped the region. These sites often contain environmental storytelling elements-collapsed structures, forgotten artifacts, and cryptic inscriptions-that reveal the layers of history beneath the surface.
-
Political Tensions and Social Dynamics: As the first major zone and home to the city of Paradis, Dawnshore is depicted as a region on edge, with its residents navigating a delicate and crumbling political system. Interactions with various characters and factions during the quest expose the underlying tensions and the impact of recent upheavals on the population.
-
Hidden Lore and Godlike Powers: The quest can lead players to discover “Ancient Memories,” such as the one east of The Rise Party Camp, which not only provides deeper insight into key figures like Sapadal but also grants unique Godlike abilities tied to the region’s past. These memories serve as narrative anchors, connecting present-day events to ancient legacies.
-
Secret Caves and Treasure Caches: Exploring Dawnshore as part of the quest reveals secret caves, high vistas, and hidden caches like the Pargrun Cache, which require effort to access and often contain unique rewards or lore items. Treasure maps found in the region also point to concealed locations tied to historical figures or events, further enriching the backstory.
Through these discoveries, the quest transforms Dawnshore from a mere starting area into a landscape layered with mystery, conflict, and forgotten stories, inviting players to piece together the hidden history of Avowed’s world.
