Diablo 4 has brought back its signature dark and gritty atmosphere, offering players a vast world filled with danger, intrigue, and mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Among the many side quests scattered across the game, Pilgrim's Footsteps stands out as a well-designed mission that blends exploration, combat, and lore into a cohesive experience. This guide will provide an in-depth look at the quest, how to complete it, and the rewards you can expect.

 

Introduction to Pilgrim's Footsteps

Pilgrim's Footsteps is a side quest in Diablo 4 that challenges players to follow the trail of a missing pilgrim named Torian, who has ventured off to seek a sacred shrine in the wilderness. The quest is simple in premise but rich in environmental storytelling and provides a great opportunity to explore the world of Sanctuary while uncovering hidden lore.

 

You'll encounter this quest early in your journey, most commonly in the Scosglen region, though it may appear in other areas as your journey progresses. The quest is designed for players at lower levels, generally around level 5 to 7, making it an excellent starting point for those who want to explore the more dangerous, less-travelled parts of the map.

 

How to Start the Pilgrim's Footsteps Quest

To begin the Pilgrim's Footsteps side quest, you'll need to track down the quest giver: Elara, a wandering NPC who is often found in villages or near crossroads. You'll recognize her by her lantern and the urgent look on her face as she stands at a campfire or a crossroads, waiting for someone to help.

 

Once you locate Elara, interact with her to initiate the dialogue. She will explain that a pilgrim named Torian, who was traveling to a sacred shrine in the area, has gone missing. Elara is deeply concerned because she believes that Torian is either lost or in grave danger. As the player, you'll agree to help her by finding Torian and either rescuing him or recovering his remains, depending on the situation.

 

Upon accepting the quest, your objective will be updated to "Follow Torian's trail and ensure his safety." From there, your journey to uncover Torian's fate begins.

 

Quest Objectives: Following the Trail

Once you accept the quest, the next step is to track down Torian. The world of Diablo 4 is expansive, and finding your way can be challenging, but Pilgrim's Footsteps provides visual clues to help you along the way.

 

The first part of the quest involves following a series of footprints and scattered lanterns that mark the pilgrim's path. These footprints are not always easy to spot, as they can blend into the environment, so make sure to adjust your camera angle if you're having trouble. Environmental clues like broken branches or disturbed earth may also give you an idea of where Torian has gone.

 

As you follow the trail, you'll eventually come to a small clearing where Torian's belongings are scattered. This is a critical moment in the quest, as it serves as the second part of the objective: Investigate the abandoned campsite.

 

Objective 1: Investigate the Abandoned Campsite

At the campsite, you'll find Torian's personal items, including a torn map, a staff, and a satchel. These items are vital to progressing further in the quest, as they offer clues about Torian's next destination and the challenges he faced. However, this area is also home to hostile creatures who have claimed the site as their own.

 

Expect to encounter enemies such as Corrupted Beasts, Rogue Bandits, or other monstrous entities that have made the clearing their base. Clearing the campsite of these threats is necessary to proceed with the quest and claim the next clue about Torian's journey. The enemies here are not too difficult to deal with, but be prepared for multiple waves of attackers.

 

Once the area is clear, loot the satchel and map. The map, which shows a rough layout of the region, reveals the direction Torian likely traveled after stopping at the campsite. Based on this, you'll be guided to either a cave system or a sacred shrine hidden deeper in the wilderness.

 

Objective 2: Enter the Cave or Reach the Shrine

The next step depends on the random encounter generated by the game. One of two scenarios can unfold:

 

Scenario 1: The Cave Encounter

If the quest leads you to a cave, you'll need to navigate through narrow passages and dark chambers. These caves are often inhabited by elite enemies or mini-bosses that guard valuable Diablo 4 Items or key quest items. As you venture deeper into the cave, watch out for traps like fire pits or spiked walls, which can make your journey even more treacherous.

 

In the cave, you may find Torian's journal or additional clues about his fate. If Torian is still alive, he'll be held captive by a group of corrupted creatures. You will need to defeat these enemies before freeing Torian and escorting him to safety.

 

Combat Tip: The cave environment can be claustrophobic, so be prepared for sudden ambushes. Using area-of-effect skills or crowd control is beneficial in these tight spaces.

 

Scenario 2: The Shrine Encounter

If the quest leads you to a sacred shrine, be prepared for a different set of challenges. Shrines are often the focal point of powerful enemies and environmental hazards, such as magical wards or enchanted traps. These shrines are usually surrounded by mystical energy, which can either empower or weaken you based on your character's abilities.

 

At the shrine, you might find Torian's holy amulet or other artifacts related to his journey. If Torian is dead, his amulet will be the primary item you need to retrieve before returning it to Elara. If Torian is alive, you'll find him injured but still holding onto some final words that may offer additional context on his pilgrimage.

 

Objective 3: Return to Elara

Once you've either rescued Torian or retrieved his remains, the final step is to return to Elara. Depending on the situation, she'll either thank you for rescuing Torian or mourn the loss of her companion.

 

If Torian was saved, he may offer some words of wisdom or even share part of his pilgrimage's deeper purpose, which ties into Diablo 4's overarching lore. In the event of Torian's death, Elara's grief is palpable, but she'll still thank you for recovering his remains and providing closure.

 

Optional Challenges and Additional Loot

While the core objectives are straightforward, there are optional challenges that can make this quest more rewarding:

 

Environmental Exploration: As you explore, you may stumble upon hidden caves or secret passages that contain rare items or additional lore related to Torian's pilgrimage.

 

Defeat All Enemies: Some players enjoy clearing every single enemy in the area, as this can unlock bonus loot or hidden treasures. You may also earn extra experience or crafting materials by defeating all enemies.

 

Puzzle Elements: In some versions of the quest, players may encounter environmental puzzles such as aligning stones or lighting torches in a certain order. Solving these puzzles could reward you with extra loot or unlock hidden areas.

 

Rewards for Completing Pilgrim's Footsteps

Upon completing the Pilgrim's Footsteps side quest, you'll be rewarded with several valuable items:

 

Experience Points: Completing this quest provides a solid chunk of experience, helping you level up your character. For lower-level players, this can make a significant difference in your progress.

 

Gold: Expect to receive around 50-100 gold, which can be used to buy Diablo 4 Items, potions, gear, or upgrade your inventory.

 

Quest Items or Artifacts: Depending on whether Torian is alive or dead, you'll receive items like Torian's Holy Amulet, which can provide minor stat boosts or even unlock future dialogue options.

 

Optional Loot: Mini-bosses and hidden treasure chests may drop rare crafting materials, potions, and high-tier loot.

 

Conclusion

The Pilgrim's Footsteps side quest in Diablo 4 is an excellent example of how side content can deepen the lore, reward exploration, and provide meaningful experiences. Whether you're following Torian's trail through forests and caves or rescuing him from dangerous enemies, the quest offers a rich narrative that enhances your journey through Sanctuary.

 

It's not just a simple fetch quest-it's a chance to explore the game's beautiful yet deadly world, uncover hidden secrets, and engage in combat with a variety of foes. As you progress through Diablo 4, Pilgrim's Footsteps serves as a reminder of the greater world outside the main campaign, filled with stories waiting to be told.

 

For players who are looking to get more out of their adventure, this quest provides valuable rewards, a chance to explore deeper lore, and an opportunity to improve your character's strength. Take the time to complete it and immerse yourself further in the dark world of Diablo 4.