Palia “Even As A Shadow” Quest Walkthrough – Zendruu Tree Guide

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The “Even As A Shadow” quest marks a major turning point in Palia’s Elderwood storyline. It bridges earlier mysteries with deeper lore surrounding the Zendruu Tree, the Echo phenomenon, and the lingering consequences of the Umbraan War.

This guide provides a complete, step-by-step walkthrough to help you progress efficiently while understanding the story context—so you don’t miss key details or waste time retracing steps.

Quest Overview: What Happens in “Even As A Shadow”?

This quest becomes available after completing the prior story chapter. It begins in Kilima Village and quickly pulls you back into the Elderwood, where new discoveries await.

Core Objectives:

• Speak with Subira at your Housing Plot
• Travel to Elderwood Central Stables
• Pass through the Echo wall
• Follow Subira and Ulfe deeper into the forest
• Locate the Zendruu Tree
• Assist Tamala with a ritual setup
• Place three Mysterious Candles
• Enter the Zendruu Tree

While mechanically straightforward, this quest is narratively dense, revealing critical information about Ulfe and the corruption spreading through the forest.

How to Start the Quest

To unlock “Even As A Shadow,” you must complete the previous main story quest.

Once eligible:

• Head to your Housing Plot in Kilima Village
• Speak with Subira, who is waiting for you

She’ll explain that the Echo disturbance near the Elderwood has stabilized and asks you to meet her there.

Step 1: Travel to Elderwood Central Stables

After speaking with Subira:

• Travel to the Elderwood Central Stables
• Locate Subira and Ulfe near the Echo wall, close to the Artifact Bundles station

You can either:

• Travel with Subira directly
• Or meet her there manually

Both options lead to the same progression point.

Step 2: Pass Through the Echo Wall

Once you regroup:

• Interact with the Echo wall
• Proceed down the path into the forest

You’ll soon catch up with Subira and Ulfe, triggering a dialogue sequence.

Important Story Insight:

This conversation reveals emotional details about Ulfe’s past and his parents, tying his story directly to the larger conflict affecting the Elderwood.

Subira will then ask to speak privately, sharing her concerns about:

• The Umbraan War
• The hidden location ahead
• Ulfe’s connection to everything unfolding

Step 3: Strengthen Your Bond with Ulfe

Subira encourages you to spend more time with Ulfe to build trust.

• Follow the path forward
• Catch up with Ulfe ahead

This moment emphasizes relationship-building mechanics, which are central to Palia’s design.

If you’re looking to progress faster in character interactions, many players explore systems like Palia Friendship Leveling to unlock dialogue and story content more efficiently.

Step 4: Discover the Zendruu Tree

Continue along the main path until you reach a large clearing.

Here, you’ll encounter:

• The Zendruu Tree
• A cutscene introducing its significance

After the scene:

• Speak with Subira and Ulfe again

This is where the quest shifts from exploration to ritual preparation.

Step 5: Tamala’s Proposal

Tamala will appear unexpectedly and offer assistance—but at a cost.

What She Offers:

• A method to cleanse the Zendruu Tree’s corruption

What She Wants:

• Cooperation in performing a ritual
• In exchange, she will remove the curse she previously placed on you

She provides you with three Mysterious Candles needed for the ritual.

Step 6: Place the Mysterious Candles

Your next task is to place the candles at marked locations around the tree.

Candle Placement Locations:

1. Near Subira and Tamala under the canopy
2. Another nearby marked point in the same area
3. A third location slightly farther along the path

Tips for Efficiency:

• Follow map markers closely
• Place candles in one continuous route to avoid backtracking
• Stay within the clearing for faster navigation

Once all three candles are placed, return to Tamala.

Step 7: Complete the Ritual Setup

After placing the candles:

• Speak with Tamala again

She explains:

• The candles act as protective wards
• They prevent interference during the ritual
• She suspects someone may have been following Subira

At this point:

• Tamala lifts the curse placed on you earlier

You’ll also be given a dialogue choice:

• Tell Subira about Tamala’s past actions
• Or keep that information to yourself

This choice doesn’t block progression but adds roleplay depth.

Step 8: Learn About the Umbraan Ritual

During the final conversation:

• Tamala reveals an ancient Umbraan cleansing ritual
• The ritual requires Flowflowers to remove corruption

This sets up the next quest in the chain and expands on the deeper lore surrounding the Elderwood.

Step 9: Enter the Zendruu Tree

You now have two options:

• Continue exploring or completing side tasks
• Enter the Zendruu Tree immediately

When you enter:

• You’ll notice something unusual—the environment feels familiar
• This signals the presence of Echo distortions

This moment concludes the quest and transitions directly into the next chapter.

Quest Rewards

Upon completion, you’ll receive:

• 25 Renown
• Unlock the next quest: “Do Not Go Gentle”

Why This Quest Is Important

“Even As A Shadow” plays a key role in Palia’s story progression:

1. Expands the Elderwood Narrative

You gain deeper insight into:

• The Zendruu Tree
• The Echo phenomenon
• The consequences of ancient conflicts

2. Develops Key Characters

• Ulfe’s emotional arc becomes clearer
• Subira’s motivations are further explored
• Tamala’s ambiguous intentions deepen

3. Introduces Ritual Mechanics

The candle placement and warding system hint at future gameplay mechanics involving:

• Environmental interaction
• Ritual-based objectives

Progression Tips for Faster Completion

Optimize Travel

Unlocking fast travel points early reduces time spent moving between objectives.

Stay Prepared

Bring tools and supplies before entering the Elderwood to avoid interruptions.

Focus on Relationships

Dialogue choices and character interactions matter. Systems like Palia Boosting can help streamline overall progression if you’re aiming to unlock content faster.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you start “Even As A Shadow” in Palia?

Complete the previous main quest, then speak with Subira at your Housing Plot in Kilima Village.

Where is the Echo wall located?

It’s near the Elderwood Central Stables, close to the Artifact Bundles station.

How many candles do you need to place?

You must place three Mysterious Candles.

Does dialogue choice affect the outcome?

No major gameplay changes, but it influences narrative flavor and immersion.

What is the Zendruu Tree?

It’s a central location tied to the Elderwood’s corruption and Echo anomalies.

What comes after this quest?

The next quest is “Do Not Go Gentle”, continuing the Zendruu storyline.

Final Thoughts

“Even As A Shadow” is a story-driven quest that rewards attention to detail and immersion. While the mechanics are simple, the narrative depth and world-building make it one of the most important chapters in Palia’s Elderwood arc.

By following this guide, you’ll complete the quest efficiently while fully understanding its significance—setting yourself up for the challenges ahead.