A Monk and a Saint Quest: The Sword of the Patron

The Svartrau Cathedral has a sword. Not a display piece, not a relic behind glass. A working blade, hidden somewhere in the cathedral’s bones, waiting for someone to remember it exists.

This quest is about remembering.

How to Unlock A Monk and a Saint

This quest has two possible trigger paths:

Path 1 (Primary): Complete Between the Words and Echoes of Silent Bells — both part of Anca’s questline. Once both are done, A Monk and a Saint begins automatically.

Path 2 (Alternate): Complete Night Terrors — a separate quest unlocked by entering the Svartrau Cathedral courtyard at night and approaching the well on the northern flank.

Either path works. The primary path ties the quest to Anca’s story. The alternate path lets you access it independently.

A Monk and a Saint: Step by Step

Step	Objective	Notes
1	Speak with the monk at the cathedral	Located near the main altar; listen to the story
2	Learn of the sword of the Patron	The monk tells you of a blade blessed by the cathedral’s founder
3	Search the cathedral for clues	Use Focus Mode near the altar, the crypt entrance, and the bell tower
4	Find the hidden chamber	The entrance is concealed behind a movable panel near the crypt
5	Recover the sword	Combat encounter; expect spectral guardians
6	Return the sword to the monk	Choose: give it to the church, or keep it

Critical: The choice at the end matters. Giving the sword to the church earns one reward. Keeping it earns another — and affects how the cathedral treats you in subsequent visits.

Rewards

• XP: 200
• Denarii: 50-75
• Choice-dependent: The sword itself (if kept) or a blessing and vendor discount (if returned)
• Unlock: Access to the cathedral’s hidden areas for future exploration

The Sword of the Patron

If you keep the sword, you receive a blessed blade — a mid-tier weapon with holy damage effective against vampiric enemies. It is not the best weapon in the game (that honor belongs to the Imbued Sword of St. Mihai), but it is significantly better than standard steel and available much earlier.

If you return it, the monk blesses you. The blessing is a passive buff — minor health regeneration near holy sites — and the cathedral’s vendors offer you a permanent discount.

How This Fits Your Run

A Monk and a Saint is a side quest with no ending impact. It exists to flesh out the world — the cathedral, its history, and the people who maintain it. If you are doing Anca’s chain, it triggers naturally. If you are exploring Svartrau City at night, it triggers independently.

The all quests guide has the full list of side content and their rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I miss A Monk and a Saint permanently? No. It does not expire. But if you complete the main story without doing it, you must reload a save to access it.

Does keeping the sword affect any ending? No. It affects your equipment options and vendor relationships, but no ending is gated by this choice.

Is the sword of the Patron legendary? No. It is a blessed weapon — better than standard, not legendary. The legendary weapons are covered in the beginner guide.

What is Night Terrors? A separate quest at the same location, triggered by approaching the cathedral well at night. It is one of two ways to unlock A Monk and a Saint.