The Old Rattle-Drum Questline is not just an ordinary side quest. It is a puzzle, a journey of discovery spanning multiple areas in Chapter 2 of the game, requiring your keenness, patience, and fighting skills. Completing this quest chain, you will not only “bring home” “cool” items but also get to see a very strong hidden boss, Mad Tiger.
Obtaining the Old Rattle-Drum
You must reach Windrest Hamlet, you need to cross the Yellow Wind Formation area. If you don’t know the way, please refer to the guides for Chapter 2. Windrest Hamlet is a small village, quite easy to find. You can recognize it by the Windrest Hamlet Shrine.
To get the Old Rattle-Drum, you must defeat the Tiger’s Acolyte – who is a Yaoguai Chief. He looks like a tiger warrior, uses a sword, and has quite fast and powerful attacks.
Although the Tiger’s Acolyte can be difficult, he is weaker than the Tiger Vanguard. However, don’t be complacent!
Windrest Hamlet – The First Rattle of the Drum
You now have the Old Rattle-Drum in your hands, now it’s time to use it for the first time. Return to Windrest Hamlet and find a special location.
From the Windrest Hamlet Shrine, go back the way you defeated the Tiger’s Acolyte. Go through the large gate. Immediately after the gate, turn left. You will see a house with several Withering Corpses kneeling around it. This is where you need to go.
When you approach this area, the screen will turn gray, and you will hear the voice of a child.
Immediately after you shake the drum, all the surrounding Withering Corpses will awaken and attack you!
A short dialogue will take place; you will hear the child’s voice, providing you with some information.
Valley of Despair – Preparation & The Second Rattle of the Drum
Before coming to the second rattle of the drum, there is an extremely important preparation step that you cannot skip. If you do not complete this step, you will not be able to continue the Old Rattle-Drum quest chain.
You are required to defeat two bosses:
Stone Vanguard in the Fright Cliff area. After defeating him, you will receive the item Sternness of Stone.
Tiger Vanguard in the Crouching Tiger Temple area. Defeating him, you will get Keeness of Tiger.
Reason: You need both of these items (Sternness of Stone and Keeness of Tiger) to open a large stone door near the Valley of Despair Shrine. If you cannot open this door, you will not be able to reach the second ringing location.
After obtaining the two items Sternness of Stone and Keeness of Tiger. Fast travel to the Valley of Despair Shrine. Go through the large stone door (now opened thanks to the two items you just got). Go down the stairs. As soon as you reach the bottom of the stairs, turn right and go under a large wooden structure.
When you reach the correct location, the screen will turn gray again, and you will hear the familiar voice of the child.
You will hear the child’s voice again; this time, it will provide you with an important clue about a well and a “secret.”
Sandgate Village – The Final Rattle of the Drum
This is the final rattle of the drum, and also where you will find the answer to the mysteries of the Old Rattle-Drum. Return to Sandgate Village.
Return to the Sandgate Village area, where you fought the Earth Wolf and rescued the tied-up Horse Guai.
Find a well; it is located near the large Buddha statue, surrounded by a small field with many skeletons. Approach the well. This time, it’s not just the voice, but the ghost of the child will actually appear before you! The child will talk to you and invite you down the well to meet a “friend.”
Bottom Of The Well – Confronting Mad Tiger
This is the most exciting part of the Old Rattle-Drum Questline. You will face a real challenge: the hidden boss Mad Tiger.
Approach the well. Interact with the well to descend to a secret area called Bottom Of The Well.
Mad Tiger is a Yaoguai Chief, and one of the most difficult bosses in Chapter 2. He is the brother of the Tiger Vanguard, but much stronger. Mad Tiger is extremely agile, aggressive, and can deal massive damage.
After defeating Mad Tiger, don’t leave immediately! Take some time to collect the well-deserved rewards for your efforts. Find a large chest at the bottom of the well. Open the chest, and you will receive the Plaguebane Gourd.