“Inspiration Stealer” is a Special Side Quest set in Icelake that plays out like a short detective story: interview a theatrically inclined victim, sweep a crime scene, connect a few odd clues, then confront the culprit. It’s compact, choice-friendly, and pays out useful upgrade items alongside Secret Letter Clues for long-term progression.
How to start Inspiration Stealer (requirements and pickup)
- Prerequisite: complete “The Art of Survival.”
- Quest giver: Camilla at The Asphodel in Icelake.
- Quest area markers appear around Icelake Suburban Square.
Once you accept Camilla’s commission, you’ll be directed to speak with Buck inside The Asphodel to kick off the investigation.
Detailed walkthrough (with objectives)
| Objective | What to do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Translate Buck’s drunken ramblings | Talk to Buck (standing on a table at The Asphodel) and respond to his flowery monologue. | No wrong answers. Dialogue choices award Impression points (e.g., Empathy or Chaos). |
| Go to Buck’s house to investigate | Follow the marker to Buck’s nearby home. | Leads directly into evidence collection. |
| Collect clues | Search the highlighted spots in and around the house. | You should find: child-sized footprints on the windowsill; popcorn near the prints; the milk jug spiked with alcohol. |
| Combine the clues | Use the reflect/combine interface to piece together what happened. | Include Buck’s detail that he passes out after a single sip of alcohol; conclude a child broke in and spiked his milk. |
| Talk to Buck’s neighbor | Visit the adjacent house and speak with the elderly neighbor. | She confirms Buck doesn’t know any children and usually goes to the tavern and the theatre. |
| Talk to people at Galea Theatre | Head to Galea Theatre near Hypnos’ House; speak to the drunk, a young girl, and Arnaud (a young boy). | Arnaud is selling cigarettes, alcohol, and popcorn. You must talk to all three to progress, though Arnaud offers the fastest clue. |
| Figure out who the “Inspiration Stealer” is | Combine the theatre findings with the house clues. | The beer/popcorn sales, popcorn at the scene, and a child intruder point to Arnaud. |
| Talk to Arnaud | Confront Arnaud about the break-in and spiked milk. | He says he respects Buck and did it to find shelter from the cold. |
| Take Arnaud to Buck | Escort/return to Buck to resolve the commission. | Completes the quest and triggers rewards. |
Evidence and deduction (what each clue implies)
| Clue | Implication |
|---|---|
| Child-sized footprints on the windowsill | Entry involved a small intruder, likely a child, through the window. |
| Popcorn near the footprints | Links the intruder to concessions typically sold near the theatre. |
| Milk jug spiked with alcohol | Buck was incapacitated without theft of goods; “stole” his inspiration by making him pass out. |
| Buck passes out from a single sip of alcohol | Explains why the “theft” was his writing time, not belongings. |
| Arnaud seen selling beer and popcorn at Galea Theatre | Objects found at the scene match what Arnaud sells, identifying him as the intruder. |
Dialogue choices and Impression points
The Buck and Arnaud conversations reward Impression points but won’t lock you out of progress. Expect +3 in categories like Empathy, Chaos, or Morality based on tone. For example:
- Summarizing Buck’s late-night writing earns Empathy (+3).
- Snarky “night owl” quips trend to Chaos (+3).
- Asking Arnaud if sales cover heating can grant Morality (+3).
Pick the responses that fit your build; the quest outcome remains the same.
Inspiration Stealer rewards
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Secret Letter Clue | ×5 |
| Combat Melody III | ×1 |
| Carmine Globule | ×100 |
| Coin | ×1000 |
| d10 | ×1 |
Secret Letter Clues matter long-term: 10 clues convert into a Secret Letter, which you use to claim rewards after Covert Commissions—fueling unlocks for characters, weapons, and Demon Wedges, plus upgrade tracks tied to each character. If you’re collecting for roster growth, don’t skip this quest.
That’s the full loop: start with Camilla at The Asphodel, clear Buck’s investigation with a quick round at Galea Theatre, call out Arnaud, then cash the rewards. If you’re farming Secret Letter Clues, queue this alongside other Icelake side missions to steadily build toward your next unlock.
