Unlocking Varyana: Diablo 4 Slayer's Retribution Quest Guide 2025

I finally tackled the 'Slayer's Retribution' quest in Diablo 4's Vessel of Hatred expansion, and let me tell you, unlocking Varyana the Berserker Crone was an adventure worthy of its own epic poem. It's not just about adding another name to your mercenary roster—it's a full-blown revenge saga that takes you deep into the cannibal-infested heart of Nahantu. The journey felt like navigating a clockwork puzzle where every gear had to click into place before the mechanism of vengeance could even start turning. 🩸⚔️

🗺️ How To Start The Quest

First things first—you need to get to The Den in Nahantu. Once there, keep your eyes peeled for the Brutal Note. Interacting with it is like finding the first thread in a tangled web; it adds the quest to your log, but you can't pull on it just yet.

Your real starting point is clearing the Temple of Rot Stronghold. You'll find it north of the Jirandai Waypoint in Hawezar. Here's your to-do list for the Stronghold:

• Find and slay the Cannibal Champions lurking inside.

• Locate Molqarth's Lair and take down the boss. He has two phases, but his attacks are more annoying than deadly—think of him as a grumpy old bear, loud and intimidating but predictable.

• Rekindle the Wanderer's Statue to officially claim the Stronghold.

Only after this cleansing ritual are you deemed worthy to begin Varyana's personal crusade.

🩸 The Quest Proper: Blood and Chains

With the Temple of Rot purified, head to its southern entrance. You'll find a Blood-Scribed Sign there—reading it is your official trigger. Now, backtrack out of the Stronghold and look immediately to the left of the entrance. You'll find the Fetid Larder. Stepping inside is like opening a larder full of rotten memories; the stench of old violence is almost tangible.

Inside the Fetid Larder:

1. Eliminate the cannibals guarding the place.

2. Locate Varyana. She'll be held captive.

3. Destroy the chain pillars that bind her. This isn't a gentle rescue—freeing her unleashes a storm.

4. Prepare to fight! She attacks you immediately. You need to deal enough damage to make her yield, not kill her. Think of it as a barbaric handshake, establishing strength through combat.

5. Once she yields, speak to her.

Leave the Larder and speak to Varyana again outside. Her rage is now your mission: help her take down two Cannibal Chieftains.

🔪 Part 1: Hunting Grelkar

Your first target is Chieftain Grelkar. Head northeast to the marked quest area. Don't just stand there—wander around until the Herald of Grelkar spawns. Slay him to collect the Hand of Invitation, your bloody ticket to the next stage.

A short trip later, you'll arrive at Grelkar's Feast Hall.

Inside the Feast Hall:

• Kill Grelkar and all his followers. Clear the room.

• Find and burn the effigy. This act reveals the location of your second target, Zolmog.

• Watch the cutscene that plays, then exit and debrief with Varyana.

⛵ Part 2: The Final Confrontation with Zolmog

Zolmog is hiding in Guulrhan. You have two travel options:

1. Head northeast from Grelkar's area to find a rowboat.

2. Use the Fate's Retreat Waypoint and travel southwest.

If you go for the rowboat, move to the eastern part of the search zone. Interacting with the boat transports you directly to the Arena of Guulrhan.

This is a linear dungeon crawl. Fight your way through the cannibal guards until you hit the Cannibal Gate. Speak to Varyana here for a final pep talk, then smash the gate down.

Inside awaits Zolmog. Another cutscene sets the stage for the ultimate showdown. Kill Zolmog and his remaining followers. This fight is the crescendo, the final thunderclap after a long-building storm.

🎉 Quest Complete & Rewards

With Zolmog defeated, 'Slayer's Retribution' concludes. The screen will notify you of your success. Varyana, her debt of vengeance paid, is now officially unlocked as a Mercenary.

To recruit her:

• Return to The Den in Nahantu.

• Find Varyana and speak to her.

• You can now enlist her as a permanent Mercenary or call her as a Reinforcement during your adventures.

✨ Why Varyana is Worth the Fight

She's not just another hired sword. As a Berserker Crone, her abilities are tailored for carnage:

• Excels at dealing high area-of-effect (AoE) damage.

• Specializes in inflicting the Bleeding status on groups of enemies, making her perfect for whittling down large packs.

• She brings a unique, aggressive playstyle to your companion choices.

Completing this quest felt like calibrating a complex instrument of war—each step, from reading the note to breaking the chains, tuned another string until the final note of vengeance rang clear and true. It's a deeply satisfying side story that adds real weight to your growing alliance in Nahantu. Now, go get your Crone! 💀