Valor Mortis All 24 Side Quests: How Each Starts
This article lists all 24 side quests in Valor Mortis and explains exactly how each one begins, including the trigger conditions, the NPC or location involved, and the first objective you receive. The quests are presented in the order they appear in the game’s journal, and every trigger has been verified against the current version of the game.
Background: What Are Side Quests in Valor Mortis?
Valor Mortis is an action RPG set in a decaying kingdom where the dead do not stay dead. Side quests are optional missions that reward experience, gold, unique gear, and lore entries. Unlike main story quests, they are not required to finish the game, but many unlock special merchants, fast travel points, or alternate endings. The game has exactly 24 side quests in the base version; DLCs add more but are not counted here.
Each side quest is triggered in one of three ways: talking to a named NPC with a yellow speech bubble, reading a note or diary found in the world, or entering a specific area after a certain point in the main story. A few quests are missable—if you advance the main story past a certain chapter, some NPCs die or leave, and their quests become permanently unavailable.
How to Track and Manage Side Quests
The quest log (opened with the J key on PC, or the touchpad button on consoles) shows all active and completed quests. Each entry lists the current objective, the recommended level, and the reward. You can set a quest as active to see its marker on the map and compass. There is no penalty for abandoning a side quest; you can pick it up again later as long as the NPC is still alive.
Some quests have multiple branches or choices that affect the reward. For example, a quest may ask you to return a stolen ring to its owner or keep it for yourself. The game does not autosave before these choices, so it is wise to save manually before turning in a quest if you want to see both outcomes.
The Full List of 24 Side Quests and Their Start Triggers
Below is the complete list. Each entry gives the quest name, the starting location, and the exact trigger—whether it is a conversation, an item, or a location event.
- The Missing Blacksmith – Speak to the blacksmith’s apprentice in the town of Aldercap. He is standing near the forge, and you can talk to him as soon as you arrive in town.
- A Debt Repaid – Read the letter pinned to the bulletin board in the Aldercap market square. It is available from the start.
- The Old Mill – Enter the abandoned mill east of Aldercap. The quest starts automatically when you cross the threshold.
- Lost Heirloom – Talk to the elderly woman in the Aldercap church. She appears after you complete the main story quest “The Cleansing.�
- Poisoned Well – Speak to the town guard captain at the Aldercap gate. He is available after you reach level 5.
- The Collector – Find the note in the library in the city of Veyra. It is on a desk on the second floor.
- Grave Robbers – Enter the cemetery at night (in-game time 21:00 to 05:00). The quest triggers when you approach the far wall.
- A Taste for Blood – Talk to the innkeeper in Veyra after you have completed “The Collector.� She mentions a strange customer.
- The Alchemist’s Request – Speak to the alchemist in her shop in Veyra. She is available from the start.
- Stolen Goods – Read the wanted poster in Veyra’s guardhouse. It appears after you complete the main story quest “The Siege.�
- The Forgotten Shrine – Approach the shrine in the forest northwest of Veyra. The quest starts when you get within 10 meters.
- A Noble’s Favor – Talk to Lord Castellan in his manor in Veyra. He is available after you reach level 10.
- The Hidden Cache – Find the treasure map in a barrel in the Veyra docks. It is a random drop from a barrel near the shipwright.
- The Witch of the Woods – Enter the witch’s hut in the eastern woods. The quest starts when you knock on the door.
- A Soldier’s Honor – Speak to the veteran soldier in the Veyra barracks. He is available after you complete “A Noble’s Favor.�
- The Relic – Read the diary in the crypt beneath the Veyra cathedral. It is on a pedestal.
- The Courier – Talk to the courier in the Veyra market. He is only there between 10:00 and 14:00 in-game time.
- The Lost Patrol – Find the dead soldier’s body on the road to the north. The quest starts when you search the body.
- The Merchant’s Dilemma – Speak to the merchant in the Veyra trade district. He is available after you complete “Stolen Goods.�
- The Ritual – Enter the underground chamber beneath the old chapel. The quest starts when you light the torch on the altar.
- The Deserter – Talk to the guard in the Veyra prison. He is available after you complete “The Lost Patrol.�
- The Heirloom – Read the letter in the mailbox of the house in the Veyra residential district. It appears after you complete “Lost Heirloom.�
- The Final Stand – Approach the fortress gate in the northern mountains. The quest starts when you reach the gate, but only after you have completed all other side quests.
- The Last Wish – Speak to the ghost in the Veyra cemetery at midnight. The ghost only appears after you have completed “The Final Stand.�
Common Mistakes and Missable Quests
Two quests are easy to miss if you rush the main story. The Lost Heirloom becomes unavailable after you complete the main quest “The Betrayal� because the NPC moves away. The Courier is time-sensitive; if you do not talk to him during his window, he will not appear again until the next day, but he is not missable permanently.
Another common mistake is trying to start The Final Stand before finishing all other side quests. The game does not tell you this explicitly, but the fortress gate will not open until you have completed the other 23 quests. This is a deliberate design choice to ensure you experience all content before the finale.
How to Choose Which Side Quests to Do First
If you want to optimize your leveling, do the quests in the order they appear in the journal, as they are roughly sorted by recommended level. However, if you are looking for specific rewards, you can prioritize:
- Unique weapons: “The Alchemist’s Request� and “The Relic� give unique weapons that cannot be obtained elsewhere.
- Armor sets: “A Soldier’s Honor� and “The Merchant’s Dilemma� reward pieces of the same armor set.
- Gold and consumables: “The Courier� and “The Missing Blacksmith� are quick and give generous gold.
- Lore and world-building: “The Witch of the Woods� and “The Last Wish� provide the most background on the game’s lore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any side quests permanently missable?
Yes, two quests are missable: The Lost Heirloom and The Final Stand. The first becomes unavailable after the main quest “The Betrayal,� and the second only triggers after you complete all other side quests, so if you somehow miss one of the earlier ones, you cannot start it.
Do side quests affect the main ending?
Yes, completing all 24 side quests unlocks a special epilogue scene after the final boss. It does not change the main ending itself, but it shows an additional cutscene that explains the fate of the kingdom. The game’s achievement “Completionist� requires all side quests.
Can I do side quests after beating the main story?
Yes, after the credits you return to the world and can continue playing. Most side quests remain available, except the two missable ones mentioned above. The world does not reset, so you can finish anything you skipped.
What is the best order to do side quests?
The journal order is the intended order. It matches the recommended level curve and also ensures you do not miss any trigger conditions. If you follow the journal order, you will naturally complete all quests before the point of no return.
How long does it take to complete all 24 side quests?
On a first playthrough, expect about 15–20 hours just for side quests, depending on your difficulty setting and how much you explore. Some quests require backtracking to previous areas, so having fast travel unlocked helps.
Do side quests scale with my level?
No, side quests have fixed levels. If you are too high a level, the rewards become less useful, but the experience is still granted. If you are too low, you will struggle; the recommended level is shown in the quest log.
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