Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings Walkthrough

Rumors of another Arisen send you north into a region that can overwhelm an underprepared party. Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings opens the Norgan storyline, making it the quest to follow when you want to enter the expansion’s new region. This Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings walkthrough takes you from Captain Brant’s nighttime conversation to the fallen monster, the opening battle, and your arrival at the Norgandian Settlement.

The main obstacles are straightforward: finding Brant at the right time, following the trail southwest of Melve, and preparing for Norgan’s tougher enemies.

Before You Start: Quest Access and Recommended Level

Chilling Tidings becomes available after you reach Vernworth during the early main story, around Seat of the Sovran. Visit Captain Brant at the Stardrop Inn to begin the investigation into a second Arisen.

Although you can pick up the quest early, level 40 is the recommended starting point for Norgan. That recommendation is separate from the quest’s unlock conditions. You can begin below that level, but the region’s enemies hit hard, and weak equipment makes the opening encounters considerably more punishing.

Quest detail	What to know
Starting location	Stardrop Inn, Vernworth
Quest giver	Captain Brant
Starting dialogue	“About the new Arisen...”
Time to find Brant	Night
Recommended level for Norgan	40
Next main quest	Rumbles in the North

For Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings, prepare your vocation and equipment before agreeing to leave with Pekdre. Level alone does not replace upgraded weapons, armor, and a well-trained vocation.

Before departing:

• Upgrade the weapons and armor you intend to use in Norgan.
• Train your current vocation rather than entering with an unfamiliar, undeveloped setup.
• Bring healing supplies for the journey and the opening fights.
• Check your Pawns’ equipment before committing to the trip.

Can You Start From the Unmoored World?

You cannot begin Dark Arisen while the Unmoored World endgame event is active. Continue into New Game+ to access the expansion’s opening quests again.

New Game+ retains your level and equipment while restarting the story from the prologue. You will need to reach Vernworth again before returning to Brant. Keep that story restart in mind when deciding whether to finish your current run before heading north.

Official page: Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen (dragonsdogma.com)

Start Chilling Tidings With Captain Brant

The opening portion stays within Vernworth. Follow the conversations and inn stay in order; leaving for the wilderness immediately after your first meeting skips the setup that points you toward the fallen creature.

Image: Steam / CAPCOM Co., Ltd.

Speak to Brant at the Stardrop Inn at Night

Enter the Stardrop Inn after nightfall and speak with Captain Brant. Choose “About the new Arisen...” to hear about the rival claimant in Norgan and start Chilling Tidings.

Brant also offers “About the uncovered ruins...”, which starts the separate Lost Rites questline. Select the new Arisen topic when your goal is the Norgan story.

If Brant is absent, advance time until night and return. His nighttime schedule matters both for starting the quest and for the follow-up conversation.

Rest at Shakir’s Inn

After accepting the investigation, head to Shakir’s Inn, above the Vocation Guild. Brant has arranged and paid for your stay.

Speak with Shakir and choose “Rest till morning.” Sleeping triggers a nightmare involving an attack on Vernworth. This cinematic advances the quest, so the inn stay is part of the required sequence.

After waking, return to the Stardrop Inn to speak with Brant again. Since he appears there at night, advance time as needed before looking for him.

He explains that soldiers are preparing to investigate Norgan and directs you toward their gathering place.

Visit Waldhar for an Optional Reward

Before leaving town, speak with Magistrate Waldhar if you want additional background on Norgan and a Regenerative Elixir.

His location depends on your progress in The Caged Magistrate:

Your progress	Where to find Waldhar
You have freed him through The Caged Magistrate	Underground archives at The Gracious Hand’s Vaults, beneath Vernworth’s slums
You have not freed him	His cell in the Vernworth Castle Gaol Tower

Waldhar’s conversation is optional. You can continue toward the soldiers without visiting him, but make the detour if you want the extra restorative item before facing Norgan’s enemies.

The opening of Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings therefore has three required beats before the field investigation: accept Brant’s request, complete the arranged inn stay, and speak with him again.

Find the Fallen Monster Southwest of Melve

The next objective moves you out of Vernworth, but first you need to overhear the soldiers discussing their expedition.

Go to the marked gathering area near Vernworth’s Merchant Quarter. Their conversation reveals that a creature from Norgan crashed near a waterfall southwest of Melve.

That waterfall is your destination. You are looking for a clearing containing the fallen creature and Pekdre, the man who enables your journey north.

Walking Route Through Malachite Forest

From Vernworth, follow the road toward Trevo Mine, then cross the river toward Malachite Forest.

Once you reach the forest, follow the eastern shoreline toward the clearing beside the large waterfall. Use the active quest marker to keep the destination in view as you navigate.

Route stage	Your next action
Vernworth	Overhear the soldiers at the marked gathering area
Road toward Trevo Mine	Follow the road out toward the forest approach
River crossing	Cross toward Malachite Forest
Eastern shoreline	Continue toward the waterfall clearing
Fallen monster	Find Pekdre and speak with him

Travel during daylight if you want an easier time reading the terrain. Keep your party ready for encounters along the way rather than treating the route as an uninterrupted walk.

Oxcart Alternative

You can also take an oxcart bound for Checkpoint Rest Town, get dropped off at Arboreal Walkway, and finish the remaining distance on foot.

This option shortens part of the approach. You still need to reach the waterfall clearing yourself, so keep Chilling Tidings active and follow its marker after leaving the cart.

Speak With Pekdre When You Are Ready

At the destination, speak with Pekdre beside the creature. He warns you about traveling to Norgan and asks whether you are prepared.

Choose “I am ready” to proceed. A cutscene transports you to the new region.

This is the preparation checkpoint in Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings. Finish your equipment upgrades and party checks before accepting. The next playable stretch leads directly into dangerous territory.

Do not confuse finding the monster with completing the quest. The investigation continues after you reach Norgan, and you still need to meet the settlement’s inhabitants.

Handle the Opening Norgan Battle and Reach the Settlement

Once you arrive in Norgan, continue along the path toward the north and northeast. You will encounter powerful enemies, including Beorcan marauders, before reaching the settlement.

These opening fights introduce the region’s difficulty immediately. Expect enemies that can put heavy pressure on both you and your Pawns, especially if you entered with equipment suited to earlier areas.

Use your trained vocation’s familiar skills, keep track of your party, and use the healing supplies you brought. Avoid rushing deeper into the encounter while your Pawns are already struggling.

What Happens if Your Party Is Defeated?

Defeat during this opening sequence does not stop the story from progressing. If you and your Pawns fall, a cutscene moves the quest forward and brings you into the settlement sequence.

You do not need to keep retrying the fight solely to advance the introduction. Play the encounter seriously, but let the cinematic continue if your party is overwhelmed.

That progression is specific to the opening battle in Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings. Keep preparing for later fights; this introductory outcome does not make Norgan’s other encounters harmless.

Follow Dorin and Speak With Jiera

If you push through the enemies, continue toward the wooden fort at the Norgandian Settlement. The arrival sequence introduces the people who will help you begin your investigation.

Follow Dorin into the settlement and speak with Jiera. Their conversations establish your next steps concerning the Arisen in Norgan and bring Chilling Tidings to a close.

The important endpoint is the settlement dialogue. Reaching Norgan alone is only part of the objective, and surviving the opening encounter is not the final requirement.

If you are unsure what remains, check the active objective for the direction to follow Dorin or continue the conversation. Finish those introductions before moving on to exploration.

Chilling Tidings Rewards and What to Do Next

Completing the quest grants 5,000 XP, 10,000 gold, and a Norgan Portcrystal.

Completion reward	Amount or item
Experience	5,000 XP
Gold	10,000 G
Portcrystal	Norgan Portcrystal

The optional Regenerative Elixir from Waldhar is separate from these completion rewards. Visiting him adds that item to your preparations without changing the required route to Norgan.

After Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings, the next main quest is Rumbles in the North. The side quest Relics of the Past also becomes available after completing the introduction.

Learn the Relic System Early

Dark Arisen introduces relics, loot that must be appraised before revealing its reward. Appraisal can produce weapons, armor, or skills, and the resulting rewards can have random parameters.

Take relics back for appraisal instead of expecting them to function as finished equipment immediately. Their value comes from what the appraisal reveals.

Powerful enemies drop relics, giving you a reason to return to demanding fights as your party grows stronger. Upgrade your current setup before chasing those drops; a potential reward is only useful if you can handle the enemy guarding it.

Keep Lost Rites Separate From the Norgan Introduction

The expansion also includes 12 Lost Rites dungeons. Their difficulty varies, so do not assume every dungeon presents the same challenge.

You can start that questline through Brant’s “About the uncovered ruins...” dialogue. It is separate from the conversation that begins Chilling Tidings, allowing you to choose which content to pursue.

If a dungeon overwhelms you, back out, develop your vocation, and improve your equipment before returning. Apply the same preparation to Norgan’s harder encounters rather than relying entirely on the level recommendation.

With the introduction complete, follow Rumbles in the North when you want to continue investigating the second Arisen, or begin Relics of the Past to get acquainted with the expansion’s new loot.

FAQ

How Do You Start Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Chilling Tidings?

Reach Vernworth during the early main story, then visit Captain Brant at the Stardrop Inn at night. Select “About the new Arisen...” to begin. Complete the arranged stay at Shakir’s Inn and speak with Brant again to continue.

What Level Should You Be Before Going to Norgan?

Level 40 is recommended. It is a starting recommendation rather than an entry requirement. Upgrade your equipment and train your vocation before traveling, particularly if you are playing on Hard mode.

Where Is the Fallen Monster in Chilling Tidings?

The monster is beside a large waterfall southwest of Melve, near Malachite Forest. Follow the road toward Trevo Mine from Vernworth, cross the river toward the forest, and follow its eastern shoreline to the clearing.

Do You Have to Win the Opening Fight in Norgan?

No. If you and your Pawns are defeated during the opening encounter, a cutscene advances the story into the settlement sequence. Continue the introductions involving Dorin and Jiera to finish the quest.