Find Rat Nest North of the Spider Encounter
Rat Nest is reached by following the deeper tunnel path north after passing the spider encounter. Rat Cave is a separate approach from the northern route through early Fangroot Forest toward Hollowgrave Tunnels, so the names do not identify the same entrance.
Distinguish Rat Cave from Rat Nest
| Area | Approach and Landmark |
|---|---|
| Rat Cave | Entered from the northern route through early Fangroot Forest. It provides another way toward Hollowgrave Tunnels. |
| Rat Nest | An underground branch reached by taking the deeper tunnel path north after the spider encounter. |
Use your current surroundings to choose which approach you need. From Fangroot Forest, the northern route identifies the Rat Cave approach. From the deeper tunnels, use the spider-area junction to find the north branch into Rat Nest.
Reach Rat Nest Through the Deeper Tunnels
- Use the early tunnel pickaxe on rubble to clear passageways as you work through the underground route.
- Continue past the spider encounter to reach the junction that serves as your landmark for the Rat Nest branch.
- Follow the north branch from the spider-area junction to enter the Rat Nest route.
- Explore Rat Nest for its groups of rats, chests and loot, checking the branch before choosing your onward route.
- Collect keys when enemies drop them so you can use those pickups to open local treasure.
What to Expect Inside Rat Nest
Rat Nest contains groups of rats alongside chests and other loot. Some enemies drop keys that open local treasure. Check those pickups while exploring, and keep the Silver Key in mind as the separate objective for the village route.
The connecting path returns to the eastern starting side of Fangroot Forest. That familiar forest return helps you orient yourself, but it is not the Silver Key-controlled western exit. If your goal is to progress toward the village, head back into the deeper tunnels.
Take the Village Route After Exploring Rat Nest
- Return to the deeper tunnels after exploring Rat Nest to reach the branches used for onward progress.
- Take the southern branch toward Orc Fortress to follow the route associated with securing the Silver Key.
- Look for the Keep Out board to recognize the southern exit near the Orc Fortress route.
- Secure the Silver Key on the Orc Fortress branch so you can unlock the onward tunnel exit.
- Use the Silver Key to unlock the northwestern tunnel exit and continue toward the village.
Check Your Landmark When the Route Feels Wrong
If you emerge on the eastern starting side of Fangroot Forest, you have followed the forest return connection. Use that location to recover your bearings. For village progress, retrace your way into the deeper tunnels and look for the southern Orc Fortress branch.
If rubble blocks a tunnel passage, check whether you have the early pickaxe. It is the tool used to remove rubble and clear passageways. Once you can continue, return your attention to the spider-area junction and the direction of the branch you need.
At the beginning dungeon's metal gate, inspect the lock on the side wall. That gate needs a key, and the wall torches are not its solution. Keep exploring for the key instead of spending time testing a torch order.
Keep Tunnel Fights from Interrupting Your Search
Pull back into the tunnels to limit how many enemies fight you at once. Between fights, backtrack to a corner without enemies so you can rest. Give yourself that recovery time before resuming the search for the junction or exit.
Check that your back-row characters have weapons they can use from their position. A quarterstaff has reach, allowing its wielder to contribute from the back row. Review that equipment before another tunnel fight if some characters have been unable to attack.