How to Find All Knee Deep in Earth Chests Through Completing Of Ash and Steel

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Many side quests are available in “Of Ash And Steel,” so talking to every NPC you encounter is helpful. One such character is Mix, a calm-sounding guy who hangs out in the forests inhabited by wolves and giant rats.

Mix is among the first NPCs you meet on your way to the city. He offers a quest that involves a treasure hunt, digging into the ground for gold and resources. Here’s everything you need to know to complete the “Knee-Deep In Earth” quest.

How to Complete the Knee-Deep In Earth Quest

Before heading out from Nerest to find Mix, thoroughly search Nerest’s house for items you can pick up. Since the quest requires shovels, make sure to take any available in Nerest’s house, camps, and other buildings during your exploration.

You can find Mix down the path from Nerest’s house. Head straight, pass a large puddle, then take a left. Mix will be leaning against a stone wall among the ruins on the left side of the trail. Explore the nearby ruins for additional resources and useful items, such as a claymore sword.

Tip: If you’re attacked by giant rats or wolves, lead them to the nearest NPC, who can easily defeat them.

Mix will tell you about three buried chests he wants you to find. Two are easy to locate, while one might be a bit tricky:

One is inside a cave in a hollow.
Another is near the windmill by the abandoned village.
The last is in the ruins close to the Woodcutter’s Camp.

Be sure to bring at least three shovels. When you reach each location, dig in the bare dirt spot; the chest should appear. If not, try digging nearby spots until you find it.

Chest Location 1: Cave in a Hollow

This chest is guarded by a large woodwalker insect. You can fight it or lure it away. The cave is near Mix’s location: from facing Mix, go left along the path, then inside the hollow. Inside, you’ll find the woodwalker attacking on sight. Lead it to Mix to defeat it, or fight it yourself. Inside the cave, you’ll see a pile of human bones. Dig in the bare patch of earth nearby to find the chest, containing 30 gold, some torches, and camp supplies.

Chest Location 2: Near the Abandoned Village

From Mix, face him and then head to the right along the trail. Cross the wooden bridge into the village, move straight ahead, then left past the hut with purple light until you reach the windmill. Defeat any bugs or wolves you encounter. Behind the windmill, near the cliff edge, find a bare patch of earth and dig to uncover the chest. Inside are two lockpicks and 50 gold.

Chest Location 3: Ruins Near the Woodcutter’s Camp

This final chest is more challenging due to nearby creatures. It’s located in the ruins to the left of the woodcutter’s camp, guarded by a large creature and a few giant rats. From the windmill, follow the path to the right, then left at the fishing spot, crossing a wooden bridge, and continue along the trail until you reach a boardwalk. Cross it, then jump to the other side, and follow the path to the woodcutter’s vicinity.

Head left from the camp to the ruins. Here, you’ll meet Rover, a large beast that charges and headbutts you. You can’t take him down alone, so lure him back to the woodcutter’s camp. Help the woodcutters defeat Rover, and deal the final blow for extra experience and rewards, including 10 raw meat.

Back in the ruins, defeat any giant rats present. Near Rover’s area, the dig spot is commonly found, often with a rat nearby. Dig at this spot to find the last chest, which contains 5 Peasant Lass and 100 gold. Returning to Mix after this quest grants you 300 experience points and an additional 90 gold.