Companions: Scout

Scout is the first optional companion character to join you at the Inn. She's a self-serious monster hunter patrolling the surrounding forest on behalf of the Capital. She first shows up as a guest - stopping by once a week to resupply before heading back off into the wilderness.

Once the cellar is renovated, she'll seize the opportunity to request a more permanent stay in exchange for some gold and a little help brewing your alcohol. Get on her good side and you'll soon be producing much greater quantities of alcohol and selling your kegs for higher prices to the weekend merchants.

It won't take you long to realize there's something off about Scout. She sleeps through the day, interactions with her leave your memory a little foggy, and her arrival coincides with a sudden increase in foggy days and wandering undead.

Whether through deduction or persuasion, she'll admit to her 'condition' once discovered. You'll need to decide if letting her stay is worth the risk, but there will be consequences.

In the current build of Finding Color in the Ashes, Scout's story ends if you ask her to leave the inn after discovering her secrets. This won't always be the case - her story will diverge into two paths each with their own conclusions to her tale.

She's in the area with a goal, and she'll pursue that goal with or without your help. As her pursuits rile up the local undead, the forest will grow more and more dangerous. Perhaps dangerous enough to draw the attention of a vampire hunter...

Scout is unique among the optional companion characters in that she can join you out on patrol. While Lucy is your steadfast companion on morning patrols, Scout will venture out during the night.

Scout has a unique collection of spells and status effects, and uses a blood pool instead of mana or Fracture. She recovers blood on her own, a little each day - but the process can be sped up significantly by spending some one-on-one time with your thirsty friend. Just be ready for a rough morning-after.

There are a variety of enemies unique to Scout's night patrols - and many of them are the toughest you're likely to face. These come with the benefit of increased experience rewards, and in some cases, unique and powerful monster loot.

Scout's patrols are intended as optional more difficult combat encounters. They come with the added benefit of increasing your affinity with Scout and progressing her story a little faster. Those not interested in the added challenge can skip it and you'll still be able to experience her story - just at a slightly slower pace.

The game is intended as a pretty cozy and casual experience first, and so I'll keep most of the more difficult content optional. Still, there will be rewards (loot, equipment, spells, and events) for those who brave the nights.

Thanks for checking out this post, and thank you for checking out the Patreon, and Finding Color in the Ashes. We appreciate you all. There will be another post later in the week detailing some of Scout's spicier upcoming content...