Finding a Bard Assistant Quest in Enshrouded
To complete Finding a Bard Assistant in Enshrouded, speak to Valerie the Bard to start the Abardic Duet quest, then travel north of Starfish Shores to Cromwell. Follow the climbing path up the fortress wall using multiple grapple points, continue past enemies, and finally drop through a large hole into a locked cell. Use a lockpick to open the door and collect the Bard Assistant’s Soul, unlocking Chester Loft as an NPC.
Step 1 – Speak to Valerie the Bard to Begin the Quest
Start the quest by talking to Valerie the Bard at your home. Choose the dialogue option that begins the Abardic Duet quest. Valerie explains that her assistant has gone missing and is believed to be somewhere near Cromwell, a dangerous elevated settlement north of Starfish Shores. Make sure you are well-equipped, as this area contains tough enemies and tight traversal sections.
Step 2 – Travel to Cromwell North of Starfish Shores
Fast travel to Starfish Shores if you have an altar there, then head north toward the large stone structures in the distance. Or travel far north west from Veilwater Basin Spire.
Place a marker on the cliffside path leading up to Cromwell and travel to that location.
From here, follow the winding path upward until you reach the respawn point. Activate this point immediately—Cromwell is one of the more hazardous early-mid game areas.
Continue up the path toward the fortress, keeping an eye on enemies patrolling the area. Your goal is to reach the highest building in the area, but the main gate is locked, so you’ll need to take an alternate climbing path.
Step 3 – Bypass the Locked Gate and Climb the Outer Wall
When you reach the locked gate, take the path to the right. Follow the narrow walkway along the cliff until you reach a set of stairs leading you onto the outer wall of Cromwell.
Move along the wall, watching for ranged enemies, and look upward for your first grapple point. Hook up to the platform above and continue forward toward the next section.
Ahead, shoot the explosive shroud growth blocking the route, then use the next grapple point to climb even higher. Continue forward into a small courtyard area filled with enemies; dodge them or fight if needed, then head down a staircase to the next traversal zone.
Step 4 – Grapple Across the Ruins Toward the Assistant
At the bottom of the stairs, enter the small building and look for a red note. Grab this and the quest will update.
From this look for another grapple point overhead. Use it to climb into the crumbling upper structure.
Move forward and you’ll soon reach a gap with another grapple anchor directly across from you. Jump the gap, grapple across and ascend again. After climbing, you’ll reach the final platform that overlooks a massive broken floor with a hole in the center.
Jump into the large hole to drop into the chamber below. Immediately turn right and you’ll see a locked door requiring a lockpick.
Step 5 – Unlock the Cell and Recover the Bard Assistant
Use a lockpick to open the door. Inside the cell, you’ll find the Bard Assistant’s skeleton chained up.
Interact with it to collect the Bard Assistant Soul, which completes the main objective and unlocks Chester Loft, a new Bard-related NPC for your home base.
You may stay and fight the Fell Monstrosity boss in the area, or simply leave via fast travel.
Return home and speak with Valerie again to complete the quest fully.
More Enshrouded Guides
Here are helpful guides connected to this quest line and progression: