With the beaver gone and the river gate now open, you’re ready to explore bigger waters, but there’s still a lot to do before reaching Sludge Bet town. We pick up right after opening the sluice gate to the Big Hollow.
This article continues our walkthrough of Dreadmoor, diving deeper into fishing and quest completion.
For additional details about Dreadmoor, refer to its Steam page for further insights.
Here’s what you need to complete next:
Catching Fish in the Big Hollow
Obtaining the Lockpick
The Drying House
Gathering Leeches for Donald
Completing Jacqueline’s Request
Learning Junior’s Fate
Catching Fish in the Big Hollow
The Baron, who can grant you access to Sludge Bet, has two tasks for you. First, track down the thief who snatched his Essence Recipe. Next, you’ll need to prepare another Essence Recipe for the city.
After your chat, make your way to the Trading Post ahead. Follow the waypoint, as you’ll find Gill and Bozur, John the Fifth, and the Dry Dock have already set up here.
Enter Betsy and talk to Gill and Bozur. He’ll provide you with the recipe for a First Aid Kit, essential for treating Fuel Larva. If you already have one in your inventory, feel free to use it for this task.
Your next objective is to catch two specific local fish: a Bellybulge and a Toadling. Both are Peaceful Fish that can be captured easily with a Wind-Up Tin. Hop back on your boat and start looking for fishing spots nearby.
You’ll find several Bellybulge fishing spots south of the Trading Post. For Toadlings, head northward just before reaching a small island. Both locations are marked in the image provided earlier.
Return to Gill and Bozur after catching the fish. During your discussion, you’ll gather more information about the thief. They will inform you that you need to access the Drying Dock Control Room.
Take a moment to head back to Gill and Bozur. Once you’re there, engage in a chat with them, and you’ll uncover some intriguing details about the troublesome thief. From them, you’ll find out that you’ll need to figure out how to unlock the door leading to the Drying Dock Control Room. It’s always nice to have a little guidance as you delve deeper into your adventure!
Obtaining the Lockpick
Return to your boat and set sail for Mad Nick’s Island. Use the waypoint to guide you there.
Now it’s time to hop back on your trusty boat and set your sights on Mad Nick’s Island. Make sure to keep an eye on your waypoint as you sail; it will guide you straight to your destination. The waters might have their mysteries, but just trust in the journey as you navigate toward this eccentric isle.
Speaking of Mad Nick, he lives up to his name and isn’t exactly the most sane character out there. When you first meet him, he’s not keen on lending you a hand. To win him over, you’ll need to catch 2 Cryptmaws. These peculiar fish are Mutant Fish that only make their appearance at night in the cursed Fishing Spot. So gear up for a fishing adventure under the moonlight!
However, before you set off to catch those slippery Cryptmaws, you might find that your fishing gear isn’t quite up to the challenge. To remedy this, you’ll need to upgrade your Fishing Line. Head back to Gill and Bozur and pick up the recipe for crafting the esteemed Braided Line. While you’re at it, try to snag the Baitcasting Reel too, if it’s available, to enhance your fishing prowess.
To get your hands on the Braided Line, you’ll need to fork over 300 Coins, and for the Baitcasting Reel, you’re looking at 600 Coins. Not to worry, you can easily catch some Bellybulge and Toadlings to sell at Gill and Bozur’s shop. A little bit of effort on the water will help you gather enough coins for those upgrades!
While you’re at it, why not take this chance to make some upgrades to your boat as well? I highly recommend adding at least two Medium Fish Holds and don’t forget to grab an Afterburner. These enhancements will not only make your fishing expeditions more fruitful but also enhance your overall sailing experience.
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary ingredients, head over to the Craft Table located inside the Dry Dock. This is where the magic happens, and you’ll be able to craft your Braided Line with ease. To make it, you’ll need to gather these specific items:
- 2x Chromatic Scales
- 2x Rope
- 1x Coral Fiber
Once you’ve got your new gear ready, make sure to swing by Gill and Bozur’s Store. There, you’ll want to utilize the Upgrades Table so you can attach your fresh equipment to your Fishing Rod before you embark on your fishing journey.
If you’re on the lookout for some unique catches, keep your eyes peeled for red smoke above the Fishing Spots near Mad Nick’s Island. This is a telltale sign that you can snag some Cryptmaws in the area, so don’t miss out!
Just a heads up, since Cryptmaws fall into the category of Predatory Fish, you’ll need to keep your reel moving to successfully catch them. It can be a bit tricky, but with some practice, you’ll have it down in no time!
Once you’ve managed to catch two Cryptmaws, make your way back to see Mad Nick. He’s got an exciting reward for you—the recipe for the Crude Lockpick. You can whip up a couple using the Craft Table nearby. To create a Crude Lockpick, you’ll need a Metal Plate and a Rubber.
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, why not try your hand at picking one of the padlocks on the practice stand? It’s a great opportunity to dive into the lockpicking tutorial. Once you’ve honed your skills and feel prepared to take the next step, head back to the boat. It’s time to set sail on your next adventure!
The Drying House
Keep an eye on your waypoint as you make your way to the control room located inside the Drying House. Just a heads up, the gate you encounter is locked tight. So, make sure to moor your boat at the nearby dock—it’ll make your journey a whole lot easier!
Enter the control room at the top of the area. The door is locked, but you can use the Crude Lockpick you crafted earlier to access it. Inside, you will find the control panel for the sluice gate.
As is customary, you need to solve a puzzle to open the river gate. Activate the symbols in the sequence displayed in the provided image to unlock the gate.
Return to your boat and sail past the gate into the Drying House. Dock at the designated area. Be ready—this place is crawling with Ghouls.
Advance and enter the cabin to your left to retrieve the Harpoon Gun. This will be your first ranged weapon, but honestly, it’s better to rely on your Axe to deal with the Ghouls here for now.
Proceed through the door on the opposite side of the cabin and eliminate the Ghoul that comes after you.
Stick to the path until you reach a house with red fumes seeping out. You might notice a segment of the pipe is missing.
Take the left path, moving past the house until you find the missing Pipe Segment. Pick it up and attach it to the main pipe system.
You’ll also need to repair the pump right next to the pipe system. For this, gather:
- 5x Metal Plates
- 3x Gears
- 1x Bug Slime
- 2x Machine Oil
- 5x Metal Plates
- 3x Gears
- 1x Bug Slime
- 2x Machine Oil
Once the pump is fixed, the blight inside the house will dissipate. Enter the house and follow the staircase back outside.
Be prepared to encounter more Ghouls ahead. Defeat them and keep moving towards the waypoint until you find Donald Bubtitsky, who is stuck in a pipe.
When you inquire about Junior, the thief, he’ll tell you that you need to collect six Leeches. Time to fish again; head back to your boat.
Gathering Leeches for Donald
Return to the Trading Post and wait until nighttime to speed up your progress. Sail off in pursuit of blighted Fishing Spots. I discovered a Cryptmaw Fishing Spot close to the Trading Post. Aim to catch at least three Mutated Fish.
At the Grinder, process your captured fish, yielding two Leeches from each.
Head back to Donald with six Leeches and chat with him to continue to the next quest. He’ll send you to Jacqueline’s Grotto, also known as Songbird’s Delight Grotto.
This grotto is situated directly north of the Trading Post. Follow the quest marker to reach it and dock your boat there.
Enter the cave and navigate towards the stage while maneuvering around the large fishing area.
Speak with Jacqueline, who is ensnared in coral. She’ll ask you to catch two Predator Fish and collect three Swamp Lillies.
To fulfill the first part of Jacqueline’s request, catch two Hornheads, a Predatory Fish found in the Big Hollow. You’ll need a Baitcasting Reel to catch them, so if you haven’t yet acquired it, purchase the recipe from Gill and Bozur, and craft it with:
- 1x Metal Plate
- 1x Rubber
- 2x Gears
- 1x Coral Fiber
Completing Jacqueline’s Request
You should find several Hornhead Fishing Spots near the Trading Post. Ensure you catch two to complete her request.
Gathering three Swamp Lillies can be tricky since these special flowers bloom only at night. Explore during the night for a chance to find them.
When you spot one, use your Hook Gun to reel them in, similar to how you collect Bug Slime.
Return to Jacqueline after collecting everything to speak with her. She will reward you with the keys to the Observatory.
When you spot one, don’t hesitate to reel it in using your trusty Hook Gun. It’s much like how you collect that amazing Bug Slime. Just think of it as a fun mini-game within your larger adventure!
Once you’ve gathered up all the required items, make your way back to Jacqueline and have a chat with her. She’s got the keys to the Observatory just waiting for you—can’t wait for you to unlock that next chapter!
Learning Junior’s Fate
Inside the cabin, you’ll find a person who has been harpooned to the wall.
At the end of the cabin, you’ll come across a damaged Electric Board. To fix it, you’ll need:
- 4x Metal Plates
- 3x Cables
- 1x Battery
Go back downstairs and break through the barricade near the exit. Doing so will bring you outside, where you’ll find Junior‘s body resting on a bench. Take the note placed on the bench and return to your boat.
Make your way back to the Trading Post and have a chat with Gill and Bozur. They will instruct you to catch more fish to prepare the Essence. We’ll continue that quest in the next segment of our walkthrough.
- 4x Metal Plates
- 3x Cables
- 1x Battery
Head down those stairs and smash through the barricade near the door! Once you break free from inside, you’ll find Junior‘s sadly lifeless body resting on a bench. Take a moment to grab the note that’s sitting on that bench and then make your way back to the boat. You’ll need to piece together the story, and this note might just help you out!
Now, let’s not waste any time! Head back over to the Trading Post and have a little chat with Gill and Bozur. They’re eager for you to catch some additional fish so you can whip up that essential Essence. We’ll dive deeper into that part in the next chapter of our walkthrough, so stay tuned for what’s to come!
Muhit Rahman lives off two things: gaming marathons and endless cups of tea. He writes guides, reviews, and occasionally forgets that real life doesn’t come with checkpoints. His favorite genres are Soulslike and Metroidvania, with Dark Souls III, Hollow Knight, and Dota 2 forever holding top spots on his all-time list.
Muhit Rahman is fueled by two key elements: epic gaming sessions and a steady stream of tea. He crafts guides, shares reviews, and sometimes forgets that real life doesn’t have handy checkpoints. His heart belongs to the Soulslike and Metroidvania genres, with Dark Souls III, Hollow Knight, and Dota 2 eternally snagging the top spots on his all-time favorites list.
