Central Hub NPCs
The central hub in Darkwood is the floating island of Haven. This is where you will find most of the game's important NPCs. The Governor resides in the central manor and gives you your primary quests. He is the main quest giver for the game's critical path. Talk to him after every major story event for new objectives and rewards.
The Quartermaster is located near the airship dock. He sells weapons, ammunition, and basic supplies. His inventory expands as you complete quests for the Governor. The Herbalist lives in a small hut on the eastern edge of Haven. She sells sanity-restoring items and potions. She also buys herbs and alchemical ingredients at fair prices.
The Engineer works in the airship hangar. He upgrades your airship for a fee, improving its speed, fuel efficiency, and cargo capacity. He also sells fuel and repair kits. The Librarian is in the Grand Library. She provides lore about the world and hints about hidden locations. She also gives you the "Mapping the Unknown" quest.
Island NPCs & Quest Givers
Each major island has its own set of NPCs. On Scarlet Island, you will find the Rebel Leader hiding in the caves. He gives you quests to sabotage the Governor's operations. Completing his questline unlocks a unique weapon and an alternate ending. The Mad Prophet is found on Void Island, ranting about the end of the world. He gives cryptic hints about the true nature of the cataclysm.
On Crystal Island, the Miner Foreman gives you quests to clear out monster-infested mines. The rewards include rare upgrade materials. The Hermit lives on a small, unmarked island. He teaches you the meditation ability, which restores sanity over time. Finding him requires careful exploration and a keen eye for unusual landmarks.
Traveling Merchants & Special Shops
Darkwood has several traveling merchants who move between islands. The Wandering Trader appears randomly at airship docks. He sells rare items, including unique weapons and armor pieces. His inventory changes each time you encounter him. The Black Market Dealer is found in a hidden cave on Scarlet Island. He sells illegal goods, including cursed items and contraband.
The Enchanter lives in a tower on Crystal Island. He can enchant your weapons and armor with elemental properties for a fee. Each enchantment requires specific materials. The Alchemist is on Void Island. He crafts powerful potions and elixirs if you bring him the right ingredients. His most valuable creation is the Elixir of Sanity, which fully restores your sanity meter.
Faction NPCs & Reputation
Darkwood has three main factions: the Governor's Authority, the Rebel Alliance, and the Void Cult. Each faction has its own NPCs and questlines. Your reputation with each faction affects which quests are available and what rewards you can earn. The Governor's Authority rewards you with standard gear and supplies. The Rebel Alliance offers unique weapons and the alternate ending path. The Void Cult teaches powerful but dangerous void magic.
You can raise your reputation with a faction by completing their quests and making choices that align with their interests. Some quests require you to choose between factions, so plan your playthrough accordingly. It is possible to max out reputation with two factions in a single playthrough, but not all three. Choose wisely based on the rewards you want.
NPC Interaction Tips
Always exhaust dialogue options with every NPC. Many have hidden dialogue that only triggers after certain conditions are met. Some NPCs give hints about secret locations or items. If an NPC mentions a specific island or landmark, make a note of it. Darkwood does not hold your hand, and these hints are often the only clues you get.
Be careful about attacking NPCs. While you can kill most NPCs, doing so often locks you out of quests and rewards. Some NPCs are essential to the main story and cannot be killed. If you accidentally anger an NPC, you can sometimes apologize or pay a fine to restore their goodwill. Save often and keep multiple save f
iles to avoid getting stuck.