Exploring the Caves of Qud
The world of the Caves of Qud is rich with deep lore and history, as each settlement comes with its own intricate backstory. As you roam this vast landscape, you’ll encounter various characters who have complex relationships, along with different factions that share unique ties.
In your journeys, you will also have opportunities to build your own connections through quests and by participating in Water Rituals. But what exactly is this special ritual? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Water Ritual, including its significance and effects.
What Is the Water Ritual?
The Water Ritual involves the act of sharing a dram of water with a Legendary creature. These unique figures in the game are notable for their purple names. If you’re unsure whether an NPC is Legendary and can participate in the Water Ritual, just strike up a conversation with them. If the option for the Water Ritual is available, you’re good to go!
During the ritual, you can exchange information that will impact your standing with various factions, depending on your relationship with the person you are performing the ritual with.
Water Alternatives
To perform the Water Ritual, you’ll need at least one dram of water. However, there are exceptions, such as for cannibals, who require a dram of blood. Here’s a list of alternatives and the factions that utilize them:
| Water Alternative | Which Faction Uses This? |
|---|---|
| Blood | Cannibals, Children of Mamon, Glow-Wights |
| Cloning Draught | Girsh |
| Oil | Robots |
| Slime | Mollusks |
| Warm Static | Highly Entropic Beings |
Impact of the Water Ritual on Relationships
Once you commence the Water Ritual, you’ll gain or lose favor with different factions based on your connection with your partner. The favor gains and losses are categorized as follows:
| Relationship to Water Ritual Partner | Reputation Effect |
|---|---|
| Admired or Loved | +100 |
| Liked | +50 |
| Disliked | -50 |
| Hated | -100 |
Water Ritual Interactions
During the Water Ritual, you’ll be faced with various options, each impacting your favor differently. Some actions, like sharing a secret, will boost your favor, while others, such as requesting a recipe, may result in a loss of favor.
Here’s a look at some common choices that might come up during the ritual:
| Option | Favor Gained/Lost |
|---|---|
| Share a secret | +50 |
| Share some gossip | +100 |
| Ask for a secret | -50 |
| Ask for the NPC to join you | Varies by NPC level |
Depending on the specific NPC, there may also be unique interactions available, which are detailed below:
| Option | Favor Gained/Lost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Teach you their ways (one skill) | Lose favor equal to the skill points | Only available from NPCs who teach skills |
| Share dish of their people/teach signature dish | -50 | Only available from settlement NPCs |
| Give an item | Dependent on Commerce | Available from certain merchant NPCs |
| Teach a secret of aggregate mind | Dependent on Mutation Cost | Only from Seekers of the Sightless Ways |
| Teach how to craft an item | Dependent on Recipe Tier | Only from Daughters of Exile |
| Colonize fungi on you | -30 | Only from Fungi NPCs |
| Teach you to think like a child | -200 | Only from Newly Sentient Beings |
| Promise not to bother them | +100 | Unique to Hermit NPCs |
Can You Perform the Ritual Again?
Yes, you can repeat the Water Ritual; however, you won’t gain or lose favor for doing it a second time. If there are additional interactions available, you can still choose from those. For instance, if you complete the ritual and later learn a secret, you can return and share it with the same NPC.
Once you’ve performed the ritual with someone, you will be water-bonded with them. Checking the NPC will show you a summary, stating, "You are water-bonded with him/her."
If you possess the Tactful mutation, you can revisit NPCs with whom you’ve shared the Water Ritual to gain 25 favor on a second occasion. This mutation can be learned from randomly generated factions, so be on the lookout!
