Chapter IV Dark Descent Chapter 4 of 11 · Caverns
- Journal steps
- 4
- Lanterns
- 5
- Chests
- 11
- Side Quests
- 1
- Methodology
- Data Methodology
- Author
- Dakota Chinnick
Chapter IV Dark Descent is chapter 4 of 11 in Valor Mortis, played in Caverns. Its journal has 4 steps; the region has 5 Lanterns, 11 chests and 4 letters, and one boss: Sphinx.
Chapter route, step by step
CalculatedOur recommended order through Caverns, Lantern by Lantern: what sits near each one, where the side quests start and how to prepare for the boss. Distances are straight-line metres from the map data.
- Enter at Last Sunlight (#401, internally 'CaveEntrance'). The Longing Wife Letter (30 m) starts Homesick and a Remnant's Return lies 30 m away. The Lucky Shot chest is the far one, about 111 m out.
- Push into the dark to Weeping Ledge (#402): the Lunatic's Grasp chest (79 m) and the Miner's Letter (45 m).
- Light Old Mine (#403), the busiest Lantern in the Caverns with six chests assigned to it: Perfectionism (63 m), Surplus (97 m), an Empty Ferrofluid Flask (41 m) and a Ferrofluid Flask Power Upgrade (115 m). The Mining Shaft Key is 23 m from the Lantern, and the altar that grants the motion power — Stasis — (journal step 3) is about 93 m away.
- Move on to Mine Cart Route (#404): the Limit Break chest (100 m), a Distilled Transmutation Material chest (70 m), a Cleansing Vial (94 m) and another Flask Power Upgrade (105 m).
- Rest at Ancient Lair (#405, internally 'BossCave') before the Sphinx — the arena is a long walk, about 368 m from the Lantern. Sphinx, Devourer of the Unworthy has 2,000 Health but only 350 Posture, and 5 of its 14 attacks are unblockable. It pays 20,000 Catalysts and Not a Cat Person.
Tips & missables
Homesick needs both letters — the Longing Wife Letter near Last Sunlight and the Death Notice about 118 m from it — and then a reading of the father's letter back at the family's camp. It pays Bottomless Well and 2,000 Catalysts.
The Sphinx has the lowest Posture of any boss that has a Posture bar (350), so posture pressure breaks it much sooner than its 2,000 Health suggests.
Beating the Sphinx doesn't open the sealed Egyptian door (journal step 4) — that is expected. The Cave Grotto Key from the hub opens a grotto path to the salt mine's back entrance. The Caverns keep fast travel.
Lanterns in order: what's nearby
| Lantern | Boss | Amber chests | Keys | Side quest clues | Also nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #401 Last Sunlight | — |  Lucky Shot | — | Homesick | 1 chest · 2 letters |
| #402 Weeping Ledge | — |  Lunatic's Grasp | — | — | 1 chest · 1 letter |
| #403 Old Mine | — |  Surplus Perfectionism | Mining Shaft Key | — | 6 chests · 1 letter · 2 ability altars |
| #404 Mine Cart Route | — |  Limit Break | — | — | 3 chests · 0 letters |
| #405 Ancient Lair | Sphinx ~368 m | — | — | — | 0 chests · 0 letters |
Full missables checklist →Every choice and the Mice friendship →
Chapter IV Dark Descent journal
Game dataWilliam's journal entries for this chapter, in order. They describe the story, so they are hidden until you open them.
SpoilerShow all 4 journal steps
- 1
At Louis's urging, I've made my way to the cave that was the source of his studies. He assured me that the object of his fascination will be immediately clear to me once I behold it.
- 2
The caves are a place of monumental nature overgrown with Nephtoglobin; it is clear that many refugees once sought shelter here. I must press onward until I uncover the object of Louis's fascination.
- 3
Once again, I have been granted power by one of the poor souls at the altar — an ability that seems to manipulate motion. I'll need training to truly understand the benefits of this gift.
- 4Final entry
Lucjan was right; these caverns hold secrets, but I never would have guessed what kind! I stumbled upon the strange entrance to a cave, adorned with symbols seemingly reminiscent of Egyptian ones. However, the entrance to this place was guarded by a monster straight out of nightmares. I managed to defeat it, but even then, the cave would not open its doors. There must be some other way to unseal it.
- 4 journal steps from the game's quest data.
- Played in Caverns
Lanterns in Caverns
Game dataThe region's Lanterns in the game's numbering order. Rest at each one you find; they are your respawn points.
#401Last SunlightOn the Lanterns listShow on map
#402Weeping LedgeOn the Lanterns listShow on map
#403Old MineOn the Lanterns listShow on map
#404Mine Cart RouteOn the Lanterns listShow on map
#405Ancient LairOn the Lanterns listShow on map
Boss of Chapter IV
Game dataCore numbers of the boss fought in this chapter. Open its page for every move and weakness.
| Boss | Health | Posture | Unblockable / attacks | Catalyst reward | Steam players beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sphinx, Devourer of the Unworthy | 2,000 | 350 | 5 / 14 | 20,000 | 3.5% |
Unblockable attacks cannot be stopped with a guard; dodge them.
Enemies in Chapter IV
Game data12 enemy types placed in Caverns.
Collectibles in Chapter IV
Game dataAmbers, keys and letters you can pick up in Caverns.
Ambers (7)
| Amber | How to get it here |
|---|---|
 Dominatus | Elite enemy drop |
| Limit Break | Treasure chest |
 Bottomless Well | Quest reward |
| Lunatic's Grasp | Treasure chest |
| Surplus | Treasure chest |
| Lucky Shot | Treasure chest |
| Perfectionism | Treasure chest |
- 11 chests (5 with Ambers), 1 key and 4 letters are placed in the region.
- Keys: Mining Shaft Key
Letters (4)
Data: Steam build 25907482 (1.0 launch). How we source this
Caverns map
Game dataWhere this chapter's Lanterns, chests, keys and letters are placed.
Everything placed in Caverns
Ability altars: 2
Bosses: 1 (Sphinx)
Chests: 11 (Lucky Shot, Lunatic's Grasp, Limit Break, Ferrofluid Flask Power Upgrade, Superior Firearm Parts, Surplus, Perfectionism, Empty Ferrofluid Flask, Distilled Transmutation Material, Pure Blade Material)
Keys: 1 (Mining Shaft Key)
Lanterns: 5 (Mine Cart Route, Old Mine, Weeping Ledge, Ancient Lair, Last Sunlight)
Letters: 4 (Longing Wife Letter, Death Notice, Miner's Letter, Saltmine Note)
Chapter IV collectible checklist
Tick things off as you go. Progress is saved in this browser and shared with the region page for Caverns.
Lanterns (5)
Chests (11)
Keys (1)
Letters (4)
Chapter navigation
Chapter IV Dark Descent is chapter 4 of 11, set in Caverns, with 4 journal steps and 5 Lanterns to rest at. Its boss is Sphinx; Sphinx has 2,000 HP, 5 unblockable attacks and pays 20,000 Catalysts. 3.5% of Steam players have beaten Sphinx. Explore it fully for 11 chests (5 with Ambers), 1 key and 4 letters. Ambers obtainable here: Dominatus, Limit Break, Bottomless Well, Lunatic's Grasp, Surplus, Lucky Shot, Perfectionism. Side quests in this region: Homesick. Next comes Chapter V Crime.
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Chapter IV Dark Descent FAQ
Where does Valor Mortis Chapter IV take place?
Chapter IV Dark Descent takes place in Caverns, region 4 of the campaign. Its first Lantern is Last Sunlight.
What is the boss of Chapter IV in Valor Mortis?
Sphinx. Sphinx has 2,000 HP and 5 unblockable attacks, and beating it pays 20,000 Catalysts. 3.5% of Steam players have beaten Sphinx.
How many Lanterns are in Chapter IV?
Caverns has 5 Lanterns: Last Sunlight, Weeping Ledge, Old Mine, Mine Cart Route, Ancient Lair.
What collectibles are in Chapter IV?
Caverns holds 11 chests (5 with Ambers), 1 key and 4 letters. The checklist on this page tracks them.
Which Ambers can you get in Chapter IV?
Dominatus (Elite enemy drop), Limit Break (Treasure chest), Bottomless Well (Quest reward), Lunatic's Grasp (Treasure chest), Surplus (Treasure chest), Lucky Shot (Treasure chest), Perfectionism (Treasure chest).
What side quests are in Chapter IV?
Homesick start in Caverns. Each has its own page with the steps and rewards.
What is the best route through Chapter IV Dark Descent in Valor Mortis?
Enter at Last Sunlight (#401, internally 'CaveEntrance'). The Longing Wife Letter (30 m) starts Homesick and a Remnant's Return lies 30 m away. The Lucky Shot chest is the far one, about 111 m out. Push into the dark to Weeping Ledge (#402): the Lunatic's Grasp chest (79 m) and the Miner's Letter (45 m).
What can you miss in Chapter IV Dark Descent?
Homesick needs both letters — the Longing Wife Letter near Last Sunlight and the Death Notice about 118 m from it — and then a reading of the father's letter back at the family's camp. It pays Bottomless Well and 2,000 Catalysts.
What comes after Chapter IV?
Chapter V Crime follows.