Valor Mortis Side Quests Guide: Finding Keys and Rewards

Understanding Side Quests in Valor Mortis

When diving into One More Level's first-person Soulslike Valor Mortis, the experience often feels heavily linear, pushing you through levels and locations in a strict chronological sequence. However, community reports and developer design show that the game is not without optional content. As you journey across the various levels, your protagonist William will frequently cross paths with NPCs who require assistance, initiating optional tasks that expand the game's world.

Unlike your main weapon upgrades or primary story progression, these side activities are tucked away from the main critical route. According to player experiences, managing your exploration effectively is the key to discovering these hidden objectives without constantly backtracking through dangerous territory.

How to Locate Side Quests and Hidden Keys

Most optional tasks in the game revolve around completing specific favors for NPCs or investigating anomalies nearby. When you accept one of these tasks, it is recorded in your quest log for later reference. However, a common community hurdle is that the log typically provides only a vague photograph or minimal details of the location rather than an exact map marker.

To ensure you do not miss anything, keep these spatial rules in mind during your playthrough:

• Check the immediate vicinity: The majority of quest objectives and the keys required to unlock behind-the-door areas are found within the same level zone and close to the quest giver.
• Watch for branching paths: Critical story routes are often marked by lit lanterns, while side branches lead to loot and optional objectives.
• Don't rush to the next checkpoint: If you reach a rekindled lantern save point without completing the active side objective, you have likely bypassed a branching path or missed a hidden key. Always explore side rooms before pushing forward.

If you happen to miss an objective and progress too far, you do not need to walk all the way back. After defeating the first boss, General Lothaire, you will unlock a base of operations known as the Abandoned Church. This hub grants you the ability to fast travel between previously activated lanterns, allowing you to return to earlier regions and mop up missed side content.

Rewards and Why Side Quests Matter

Players frequently ask whether taking the time to explore optional paths is worth the risk, especially given the game's steep difficulty spikes. While side objectives will not reward you with brand-new weapons or spells—those are typically tied to major milestones and progression—they offer vital character-building resources.

Completing these tasks yields amber and rare upgrade materials, which are essential for character progression and gear enhancement. Amber acts as a core component for leveling up and unlocking passive bonuses like the Indestructible Shell (which reduces explosive damage). Therefore, investing time into exploring side areas pays off directly by making William more resilient against tougher foes later in the campaign.

Integrating Side Exploration with Fast Travel

Balancing critical path progression with optional exploration requires a disciplined approach to your resources and time. Because levels feature multiple routes, using environmental storytelling cues—such as observing which direction lanterns point—helps you distinguish the main story path from rewarding side branches.

If you want to dive deeper into the mechanics of the game, check out the official Valor Mortis Steam Page for platform updates and community discussions. By combining careful visual observation with the fast travel capabilities unlocked at the Abandoned Church, you can efficiently tackle every hidden objective Valor Mortis has to offer without losing your place in the main narrative.