- "I'm going to clear out the Bristlebacks. And when I'm done, this valley is going to get moving."
- ―Aloy
The Bristlebacks is a side quest in Horizon Forbidden West.
Synopsis[]
Aloy meets with Javad the Willing, the Carja magistrate overseeing the Daunt, regarding the recent Bristleback infestation. The beleaguered Javad explains that Ulvund is accusing the Carja of letting the Bristlebacks into the valley to intimidate the Oseram workers, as part of his efforts to force the passing of a concession degree. It remains unclear how the Bristlebacks entered the Daunt in the first place, although they were first sighted west of the quarry. Javad offers to reward Aloy if she can determine the true cause of the incident.
At the west of the quarry, Aloy starts by investigating the back of the valley. She quickly finds a dead Bristleback and signs of a stampede coming from a nearby mine. Within the mine, she finds two more Bristlebacks, a massive stockpile of Blaze and signs of a recent tunnel collapse. Most importantly, however, is a shipping manifest addressed to Ulvund, revealing that he was illegally blasting in the condemned mine.
Aloy returns to Chainscrape and informs Javad. The magistrate suggests that Ulvund's blasting may have opened up an underground passageway, but he needs confirmation. After the Embassy, Aloy notes how some of Regalla's Rebels rode on Brislebacks, and investigates to the north of Barren Light. There she finds a rebel camp with a small group of overridden machines: investigating the nearby cave, she finds a sinkhole with a dead Bristleback inside, confirming her suspicions that Ulvund was the one most responsible for the Bristlebacks in the Daunt.
Once Javad is informed, he summons both Ulvund and Petra. In front of the entire town, he reveals Aloy's findings, including the proof that Ulvund was directly responsible. When Ulvund demands an investigation, Javad agrees, adding that he will investigate Ulvund's entire business history while he's at it. At this, Ulvund meekly offers to return to the Claim in order to avoid such an inquiry. Javad agrees, and Ulvund leaves the town as Chainscrape's residents boo and jeer him. A relieved Javad thanks Aloy for her help and gives her the promised reward, and then makes arrangements to have Petra take up Ulvund's responsibilities.
Objectives[]
- Talk to the Carja Magistrate
- Search West of the Quarry for the Bristlebacks
- Follow the Trail to the Back of the Valley
- Enter the Mine
- Investigate the Mine
- Kill the Machines
- Investigate the Smoking Tunnel
- Examine the Note
- Return to Javad the Willing
- Search North of Barren Light for the Rebel Camp
- Find an Entrance to the Rebel Machine Pens
- Kill the Rebels and Their Machines
- Investigate the Cave
- Return to Javad the Willing
Walkthrough[]
Trivia[]
- Depending on which side quests within the Daunt are completed, Javad will bring them up during his threat to investigate Ulvund's activities.
- While this side quest is automatically started during To The Brink, it cannot be completed until the conclusion of The Embassy.