There are two potential companions to find in Gilded Vale: Eder the fighter and Aloth the Wizard. Both are very useful party members early on in the game, and provide you with a tank to absorb damage, and area-of-effect spells, both of which will prove vital against enemies in the field and early boss encounters.

There are also a number of simple tasks and side quests which will give you some much-needed experience points for levelling up your party.

Against the Grain

In Gilded Vale, head east past Ingroed's home and then head up two sets of stairs towards the windmill. The task - Against the Grain - will trigger as you do so and begin a cut-scene. In the windmill, speak with Trumbel, then either convince Trumbel to change his mind, tell him you'll speak with Sweynur, or fight him. For the purposes of this guide, we chose to speak with Sweynur.

Leave the windmill and head to the Black Hound Inn on the far south-west section of the map. Speak to Pasca, then buy the farmers drinks, before speaking with Sweynur and convincing him to back off from Trumbel's family.

Return to the windmill when you're done and speak with Trumbel to complete the task.

The Smith's Shipment

When you're in Gilded Vale, head to the Black Hammer Smithery. To get there, walk east around the hanging tree, then south past Ingroed's Home. Speak to Tuatanu to find out about the missing shipment.

Head east towards the exit and then go to Esternwood on the World Map. Travel along the road until you come to a gap in the fence to the south. Exit the map and travel to Black Meadow, but be aware you'll have to fight a number of Forest Trolls and Wood Beetles alnog the way. In the north, to the west of the path, you'll find a Bandit Camp. Kill the four bandits and then search them, the barrels and the crates to find the missing shipment.

Return to Gilded Vale and the Black Hammer Smithery when you're done, then speak with Tuatanu again and return his shipment to complete the quest.