A Small Grave Matter

A Small Grave Matter

Embark on the 'A Small Grave Matter' side quest in The Outer Worlds, a poant and often humorous mission that explores themes of loss and legacy within the settlement of Edgewater. This quest offers a unique opportunity to interact with the town's inhabitants and their personal struggles.

'A Small Grave Matter' is a memorable side quest found in the Emerald Vale region, specifically within the settlement of Edgewater on Terra 2. This questline often begins by speaking with a distraught individual who has recently lost a loved one. It delves into the personal lives of Edgewater's residents, offering a glimpse into their relationships and the often-harsh realities of life in Halcyon.

Quest Giver and Initial Steps:

The quest typically starts with a character named Gladys. You'll find her in Edgewater, often near the graveyard or a place of mourning. She will express her grief and her desire to fulfill a final wish for the deceased, usually involving the retrieval of a personal item or the delivery of a message. The deceased is often someone who played a role in the town, making their passing felt by the community.

The Objective: Retrieval or Delivery

The core of 'A Small Grave Matter' involves a task that requires you to venture out from Edgewater. This could be:

• Retrieving a Lost Item: The deceased may have left behind a cherished possession that was lost or stolen. This might involve searching a nearby abandoned building, a dangerous wilderness area, or even confronting the individual who took it.
• Delivering a Message or Item: The deceased may have had a final message or a small gift intended for someone else. This could involve traveling to another part of Edgewater or even a nearby location to find the recipient.

Navigating Edgewater and its Surroundings:

The quest will often lead you through various parts of Edgewater, allowing you to interact with more of its residents and learn about their lives. You might need to speak with the town's blacksmith, the bartender, or even the Superintendent for information or assistance. The wilderness areas surrounding Edgewater can be populated with hostile creatures or opportunistic scavengers, so be prepared for combat.

Potential Complications and Choices:

As with many quests in The Outer Worlds, 'A Small Grave Matter' can present you with choices:

• Moral Dilemmas: You might discover that the deceased had secrets, or that the item you're retrieving has a darker purpose. You may have to decide whether to fulfill the original request or act on new information.
• Factional Interference: If other factions are involved in Edgewater, their interests might clash with your quest objectives, forcing you to navigate their influence.
• Encountering Obstacles: The person or creature holding the item you need might be unwilling to part with it, requiring persuasion, intimidation, or combat.

Rewards:

Upon successful completion of 'A Small Grave Matter,' you can expect to receive:

• Experience Points (XP): Crucial for leveling up your character.
• Bits: The in-game currency, useful for purchasing supplies and upgrades.
• Reputation: Completing the quest can improve your standing with the residents of Edgewater.
• Unique Items: Sometimes, a specific item related to the deceased or the quest's resolution can be obtained.

Example Scenario:

Gladys asks you to retrieve a locket belonging to her late husband, who died in a mining accident. The locket was reportedly lost in the Abandoned Processing Plant. You'll need to navigate the plant, which is infested with Raptidons, defeat them, and find the locket. Upon returning it, Gladys might reveal that her husband was planning to leave Edgewater, and the locket was a symbol of his desire for freedom, adding a layer of bittersweetness to the resolution.