- The Crucible

Fable 2 Guide - The Crucible

We must win it to gain access to Lucien's army and so also to the spire, where Garth, the Hero of Will was presumably taken after being captured.

Head through Brightwood along the golden trail to meet Hammer under the bridge over Westcliff Road. The next area is even more bandit-ridden than the last, so it's fortunate that the invincible Hammer is by your side. Head under the bridge and onto the Bandit Coast. Bandits have numerous bases along this coastline so be aware that you will have to fight off a fair number. You may also meet Thag-like bandit leaders before reaching their main base.

Eventually, after about an in-game day of fighting scores of enemies you'll reach their main base – blocking the route to Westcliff. Hammer will hammer the door down, at which point you need to defeat yet more bandits and highwaymen.  Highwaymen are more evil-looking and sport guns as well as swords and incredible agility meaning the usual close-up bandit-killing melee attacks can be countered in groups with Highwaymen by their ranged attacks. Stay quick, dodge regularly and try to take out the Highwaymen first. If surrounded by bandits perform surround Will spells to knock them down and run to take on the Highwaymen.

There is a fair amount of treasure in the camp as well as a bed to sleep on and regenerate your health in the shack near where you entered. You'll need it, as the next area is even tougher. Head down the path through a few more bandits and to the right of the building and aqueduct to exit the Bandit Coast and join Westcliff.

Not far into this area you are introduced to the next new enemy in the game and certainly one of the hardest to defend against, the Balverine. They jump in an incredibly agile manner and can deal massive damage with unblockable flurry attacks. Quick melee combos are effective, as is Inferno magic. Slowing time also helps if you do it once they jump into mid-air, giving you more time to dodge and counter. Force them into jumping with fast melee combat, then dodge and attack as their swiping attack misses. Beware not to attack after they have jumped unless you dodge and their attack misses first, as it's unblockable and they can do it as you are attacking, forcing you back and unavoidably taking off a large slice of health.

Along the trail you'll meet a woman whose family has been attacked by Balverines. Her son has been carried off, she believes to the Howling Halls, a building located nearby. Head across the bridge, through the camp, past more Balverines that must be defeated, and into the lowland swamp area. Climb the hill on the other side, then fight across the bridge until your attention is drawn to Balverines guarding the edge of the building. Push on inside the walls and down into the halls through the crypt-like door. The Balverines don't actually attack you at the moment, it's all for suspense!

Hammer and the woman will lead you through the tunnels into the main hall where the first enemies actually fight you. The treacherous woman appears to find her son then jumps into the air, turning into a stronger-than-your-average Balverine before hordes of the things attack. There is no option but to fight off the masses until Hammer finds a way out.

After fighting an already impressive number of them, Hammer needs protection while she works on knocking over a pillar to create a bridge over the Balverine's spike pits to manufacture a way out. Use potion after potion and spell after spell, particularly Raise Undead and Inferno to divert attention from yourself and singe your enemies' fur. Defeat the giant Balverine and its accomplices and escape over Hammer's bridge, following the path out of the Howling Halls and back to what now seems like relative-safety, in Westcliff.

Fortunately there shouldn't be any more enemies until you enter the village of Westcliff. Just head up the path and through the main gate. Stock up on food, potions and equipment, then head up the main steps of the mammoth building that is the Crucible and talk to mad-dog to enter. You may need more renown if you haven't done every side-quest mentioned so far or made use of the sculptor and bard regularly. Below are few more side-quests that have recently been unlocked – do them all to get up to date.