Diablo 4's vast and treacherous world of Sanctuary is filled with quests that challenge players both in combat and strategy. One such memorable quest is "Of Lambs and Lions," a dark and gripping story that forces players to confront moral dilemmas, fierce enemies, and a mystery that unfolds in a land plagued by chaos. This guide will provide a step-by-step walkthrough to help you complete this quest while uncovering its secrets and making the most of the rewards it offers.

Overview of "Of Lambs and Lions"

Quest Type: Side Quest

Location: Hawezar (a swampy, dangerous region known for its dark magic and treacherous enemies)

Recommended Level: 35+

Main Objective: Investigate a mysterious cult that claims to serve the light but harbors dark secrets.

This quest challenges players with a mix of exploration, combat, and moral choices, making it one of the standout side quests in D4 Gold. It ties into the game's overarching themes of light and shadow, forcing players to question the intentions of those who claim righteousness.

Starting the Quest

To begin "Of Lambs and Lions," players must travel to the village of Faith's Edge, located in Hawezar. The area is marked by its murky swamps, eerie ambiance, and corrupted creatures lurking in every shadow.

Find the NPC Initiator: The quest starts with Priestess Zariha, a devout follower of the Light who expresses concern about a faction called the Children of Akarat. She believes their leader, Lorias, is manipulating the faith for personal gain and asks for your help in investigating their practices.

Initial Objective: Your first task is to infiltrate the Children of Akarat by posing as a new recruit. Head to the cult's hideout in Black Hollow, an area teeming with aggressive swamp beasts and traps.

Step 1: Entering the Cult's Hideout

Upon reaching Black Hollow, you'll find the entrance to the cult's gathering place guarded by loyal followers. To gain entry:

 Speak with the Guard Captain: Pretend to be a believer and answer a series of questions about Akarat. The answers are straightforward if you've been paying attention to the lore, but here's the correct sequence:

"Akarat's teachings bring unity."

"Through sacrifice, we find salvation."

"The Light shines even in darkness."

Combat Alternative: If you fail the dialogue checks, you'll have to fight your way through the guards. Be prepared for waves of enemies, including Fanatical Sentries and Blessed Zealots, who buff nearby allies and deal holy damage.

Step 2: Investigate the Cult's Activities

Once inside the hideout, your objective is to uncover the cult's true purpose. This step involves exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.

Key Tasks:

Search for Clues: Investigate the area for items like journals, rituals in progress, and overheard conversations. These will provide insight into Lorias's plans and his manipulation of Akarat's teachings.

Look for Akarat's Tome in the central altar room, which reveals forbidden rituals being performed under the guise of holy rites.

Speak to nervous cultists, who may hint at their doubts about Lorias.

Complete the Ritual Puzzle: To access the inner sanctum, you must solve a light-based puzzle. The puzzle involves aligning mirrors to reflect beams of light onto specific runes. Here's the solution:

Rotate the central mirror clockwise.

Move the left mirror to align with the eastern rune.

Tilt the right mirror slightly upward to connect the beams.

Defeat the Guardian Construct: After solving the puzzle, a Guardian Construct will spawn. This mini-boss has high resistance to magic attacks and uses AOE knockback abilities, so focus on melee damage and evade its Holy Smite attack.

Step 3: Confront Lorias

With the sanctum unlocked, you'll finally come face-to-face with Lorias, the cult leader. However, the encounter takes a dramatic turn as Lorias reveals the true nature of his mission:

Moral Choice: Lorias claims his actions are meant to prepare Sanctuary for a greater demonic threat, using extreme methods to build a united army. He argues that his sacrifices, while brutal, are necessary.

Option 1: Side with Lorias. Choosing this path allows him to continue his work, and you will assist in defeating the dissenters in the cult.

Option 2: Oppose Lorias. Reject his philosophy and prepare for a fight to dismantle the cult.

Step 4: The Battle Against Lorias (if Opposed)

If you choose to oppose Lorias, he transforms into a Holy Abomination, drawing power from corrupted Light. The boss fight has two phases:

Phase One: Lorias attacks with holy magic, including Light Spears (piercing projectiles) and Sanctified Ground (an area that deals damage over time to players). Dodge his attacks and focus on ranged damage.

Phase Two: At 50% health, Lorias summons Fanatic Spirits, spectral followers who heal him if not quickly defeated. Use AOE attacks to clear them while avoiding Lorias's Radiant Burst, a powerful explosion that deals massive damage.

Step 5: Aftermath

After defeating Lorias (or siding with him), return to Priestess Zariha in Faith's Edge to complete the quest. The outcome of the quest varies based on your choice:

If You Opposed Lorias: Zariha thanks you for exposing the cult and defeating Lorias, though she mourns the loss of the misguided followers. She rewards you with gold, experience, and the Lamb's Amulet, which increases holy resistance and critical hit chance.

If You Sided with Lorias: Zariha condemns your decision and warns of consequences, but Lorias rewards you with the Lion's Talisman, an offensive item that boosts attack speed and provides bonuses when fighting demons.

Key Tips for Success

Prepare Your Build: The enemies in this quest deal heavy holy damage, so equip gear that enhances holy resistance. For offense, AOE attacks and crowd control abilities are crucial for handling waves of cultists and spirits.

Stock Up on Potions: The battles, especially the boss fight with Lorias, are intense and require good health management. Keep a stock of healing potions and consider equipping items that provide life regeneration.

Explore Thoroughly: Don't rush through the quest area. Many hidden journals and side dialogues provide additional lore and context, enriching your understanding of the cult and its motivations.

Choose Wisely: The moral choice at the end has implications for your character and may affect future interactions with certain NPCs or factions in Sanctuary.

Rewards for Completing "Of Lambs and Lions"

Regardless of your choice, completing this quest offers significant rewards:

Experience Points: A substantial boost to your leveling progress.

Gold: A generous amount of gold, useful for upgrading gear or cheap Diablo 4 Items.

Unique Items: Either the Lamb's Amulet or Lion's Talisman, depending on your decision.

Lore Insights: Gain a deeper understanding of the balance between light and shadow in Sanctuary.

Conclusion

"Of Lambs and Lions" is more than just a side quest—it's a thought-provoking journey into the moral gray areas that define the Diablo universe. With its challenging combat, intriguing puzzles, and impactful narrative choices, it's a standout experience in Diablo 4. By following this guide, you'll not only complete the quest with ease but also immerse yourself in one of the game's most memorable stories.

Prepare your weapons, steel your resolve, and venture into the swampy depths of Hawezar to uncover the truth behind the Children of Akarat. Sanctuary awaits your judgment!