The Heart of Darkness - Question about the gifts and when to use them

[[FGF] Chicago Ted]

First things first, I got a question about a later part of Paul's storyline, so while I'll hide the spoilery bits you better don't read this if you haven't reached that part yet ^^

So, I am currently at the expedition to the Heart of Darkness and I have repeatedly restarted the game from the last checkpoint there because I was unhappy with my decisions. In my current try, I have discovered something interesting and would like to ask if anyone knows an alternative solution I haven't found yet.

In my first try, I used my grace to free Paul's daughter from her curse, which seemed like a fitting use for my grace and I was quite happy with it. Unfortunately, it also led to Paul offering himself to Oberon , so I restarted the chapter to try and find another solution.

This time, I kept my grace and noticed that I get options to use it on every encounter during the Heart of Darkness, including the final one, where I got the option to use it in order to save Paul from Oberon while still taking Ariadne with me. It still didn't feel right not to use it during the first encounter, as it led to a really heartwarming scene between Paul and his daughter . Furthermore, I unfortunately messed up in a different storyline a bit later where I actually got Paul and Grayson Black killed , so a third retry it was.

This time I used my grace during the first encounter once again. I also used my companions' gifts during the other encounters at random during these tries. To my surprise, during the third encounter, I noticed that if I give Rosalind's hairpin to Medusa , I get an alternative and arguably better solution to that encounter, one that, I can only presume, is the same as if I would have used my grace during this particular encounter.

This makes me wonder, if I choose specific gifts during the other encounters, will I be able to reach alternative outcomes as if I spend my grace on them, similar to what I managed to do in the third encounter? Or will I at least be able to reach alternative solutions if I pick the right gifts during these encounters? If yes, could I kindly request a list of which gift to choose at which point, so that I can save my grace for the final encounter? I got no problem with trial and error and restarting the season, but after my third retry, I would like to at least know if my efforts can lead to a better outcome for the other encounters or if I am wasting my time trying. My prefered ending to that storyline, if possible, would be to break Lilith's curse, befriend the Minotaur (and possibly break his curse if he is indeed a cursed being like Medusa and Lilith), break Medusa's curse (which I already know how to do) and free Ariadne without giving Paul or Wolf up to Oberon, essentially taking everyone with me from that place . Is this actually a possible outcome to this quest without spending my grace, or at least without spending it before the final encounter?

[Man Of Nottingham]

Hello, Chicago Ted,

Short answer — Yes! Your chosen outcomes are possible; and the gifts given by your allies can offer different opportunities.

As with much of Nocked, paths are often alternate stories as opposed to good/bad, but I’ll PM you with my favorite path. Other readers can feel free to weigh in with their own stories. :)

[mh150205]

Hi Man of Nottingham,

I would also be curious to see your favorite path. I've tried several times to figure out the gifts needed to clear the Heart of Darkness, but have come up short each time.

Thanks,

Matt

[Man Of Nottingham]

Hi mh150205 - I’ve PMed you my thoughts on Heart of Darkness. I hope it’s satisfying. :)
That’s 2 requests. 1 more HoD walkthrough request and I’ll post in the Game Guide itself...

[ahnkra]

I remember being very worried about this quest as i was finishing it up / leaving. I had managed to rescue Paul and his daughter, killed the medusa (never crossed my mind to try saving her, hmmmm) and i vaguely remember making the minotaur friendly but I dont remember him leaving with me, i think he kind of wandered off on his own (shame I think he would have made a fun merry man ; p) But something didnt quiet go right with that thing waitting at the end. I think i was out of gifts and out of favor at that point. What i do remember was that Wolf got me out of there, and i was totally scared I was going to lose him forever. But strangely he just shows up later, grumpy and tired as ever and the whole ordeal never gets mentioned again.
Glad to hear that there is a better route / way to get through that though. I didnt like Wolf having to save me that way and having to worry about him, and I never even considered trying to help the medusa (bad of me I know) Perhaps on my next play through Ill try to take the time to rescue everyone!

[Man Of Nottingham]

Thanks ahnkra,
Be assured that it’s entirely possible to lose Wolf in a variety of ways, but there are also actions that mitigate that loss. :( — In either case, glad he stuck with you. I tried to catch all the corner case character comments in various situations...but I guess one or two slipped through the cracks. (Makes notes for future updates)

Thanks again for playing Nocked, and I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed it.

[Zena]

I chose Mistletoe and Give forgiveness to Pau's Daughter,Give hair to Minotaur to befriend with him , Give Shield to Medusa instead kill her with Shield, use grace with Ariadne and give Amarant scale to Oberon and TItania . This choice I can save everyone ^^ But It's up to you want

[Gongom]

Am I late? Would really appreciate the gift/outcome guide because I'm dreading screwing up and having to retry

[Man Of Nottingham]

HI Gongom! Thanks for asking about this. It’s both one of my favorite sections of the game, and also one of the more complicated ones…

It’s been a while since I wrote this, though. Remember, you can always trigger a manual checkpoint at the bulletin board, so at least if you feel like you’ve messed up, you can reload right before heading in (just don’t finish the full quest and overwrite the checkpoint… :)

So, here’s what I remember for my preferred ending to this section (though all endings are valid): You must gather items from as many allies as possible before starting - you’ll receive items like a hairpin from Rosalind or a Rosary from Friar Tuck. Pay attention to what they tell you about these items — each represents something, like friendship or defense, and these will help you with the area.
In general, you want to try and support Paul.
For the harpies: I think you must give them something, but ask for nothing in return; it can be any item.
For the minotaur: He can be defeated or befriended in several ways, but i believe a gift of friendship - either Tuck’s Rosary or Rosalind’s hairpin (and maybe the Tankard) will break his curse. For the medusa: She can be killed, bypassed (by trusting Paul), or you can break her curse with at least the Rosary or the Hairpin I beileve (and possibly Grace?).
There are a number of interactions after that, but generosity and Grace can see you through those challenges. Also, it’ll be easier if you have a good relationship with Oberon and Titania (and you’ve helped their daughter)…
Then, on your way out…don’t look back!

Some of what I just wrote might be wrong, so I apologize. But I think this should get you through with everyone.
Thanks for playing Nocked, and let me now how it goes!