The cursed island of Avalon is a brutal, unforgiving place. While the prologue throws you into the deep end, the first few hours in the open world are your chance to gain a serious advantage. Forget wandering aimlessly; a handful of powerful items are hidden in plain sight right near the starting beach. Securing a horse for travel, an early summon spell for combat support, a death-defying amulet for survival, and a fire-enchanting weapon relic will fundamentally change your early-game experience, turning a desperate struggle into a confident exploration. This guide pinpoints their exact locations.
Where's My Horse?
Mobility is life in Avalon. Walking everywhere is a slow, dangerous chore. Thankfully, a trusty steed is waiting for you just a short run from where you first wake up. You don't need to complete a quest or pay a single gold coin; you just need to know where to look and be ready to move fast.
The horse is stabled by some hostiles directly underneath the massive King's Road bridge. Getting there is a straightforward, if slightly sneaky, journey.
- Head West, then North: From the starting beach, follow the main path west and then curve north. You'll pass a fast-travel waypoint. Continue until the path forks.
- Take the Right Fork (and Grab a Shovel): The right path leads directly to a shovel lying in the road. If you don't have one, grab it. It's essential for digging up the many hidden treasures buried across the island. After grabbing it, hug the rock wall to your right to bypass some enemies.
- Hop the Fence: You'll soon see a wooden platform. Use it to hop the fence to your left.
- Find the Bridge Entrance: Keep heading north. You'll arrive at a large, castle-like gate which is the main entrance to the King's Road bridge. Do not go through it. Instead, dip to the path on the right to avoid the guards.
- Sprint and Ride: This path leads you down and under the bridge. You'll see the horse surrounded by several enemies. Don't try to fight them. Sprint directly to the horse, aim for the saddle (not its head, or you'll just pet it), and interact to mount it. Ride away to safety. Once you've claimed it, you can summon your horse anytime from the radial menu.
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon in-game screenshot
An Instant Ally: The First Summon Spell
Even if you're building a pure warrior or archer, your mana bar doesn't have to go to waste. A summonable ally can tank damage, distract powerful foes, and add a steady stream of damage, making early-game fights significantly easier. One of the best early-game summons is found on a tiny, isolated island just moments after you start.
This small landmass is located just northeast of the starting beach. You can see it from the shore near a crashed boat. Swim across the short channel to reach it. There's only one slow-moving enemy guarding the island, which is easy to dodge and defeat. The real prize is on the backside of the island, where a corpse holds the key to your new companion.
Loot the body to find a powerful summon spell and a wand that reduces mana costs by 15%. Even if you immediately swap back to your primary two-handed sword, you can conjure your ally before a fight to have a personal bodyguard. You can even tap the spell-casting button while the spell is equipped to direct your summon to attack a specific target. While you're on the island, be sure to search the nearby sacks for a ring that increases your armor and a new cloak.
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon in-game screenshot
How to Cheat Death (Twice)
In a game where a high-level enemy can appear out of nowhere and end your run, a second chance is invaluable. Two powerful amulets that can save you from a fatal blow are accessible very early on. One requires a bit of work to charge, while the other is a one-time-use freebie.
The Soul Stone Amulet
This reusable amulet is the ultimate safety net, but it takes a bit of dungeon diving to acquire. Your destination is Blood Lake, the crimson body of water that's hard to miss. Swim out to the statue in the middle, and then dive down to find the entrance to an underwater cave.
Inside, you'll face a miniboss. Use your weirdness powers to slow time and get in some free hits. After defeating it, you'll enter a chamber with a large tree. Ignore the path leading down and instead go up the stairs behind the tree. At the top, you'll find a table with two items: a Druid's Wish gem (a small mana increase) and the Soul Stone. When equipped in your amulet slot, the Soul Stone absorbs power from your kills. After 10 kills, it becomes charged. The next time you take fatal damage, the stone will shatter, instantly refilling your entire health and mana bar, saving you from death.
The All Mother's Mercy Amulet
For a less involved but equally effective one-time save, head to the beach far to the south. There you'll find the All Mother's Shrine. Interact with it, and it will grant you the All Mother's Mercy Amulet. This item works just like the Soul Stone, reviving you upon death, but with one key difference: it requires no charging. The downside is that once it's used, it's gone for good. It's a perfect emergency item to keep equipped while you're charging your first Soul Stone.
Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon in-game screenshot
An Early Edge: The Incandescent Pearl Relic
Armor and health are one thing, but you still need to put enemies down. Attaching a relic to your weapon is a fantastic way to boost your damage output, and one of the best early relics—the Incandescent Pearl—can be found within the first 15 minutes of leaving the beach.
Your target is the Miner's Tunnel, located directly north of the starting beach. Head inside and proceed until you reach a stone bridge. Don't cross it; instead, take the path that slopes down underneath it. Hang a left, and you'll see a boss pop up. You don't need to fight it. Sprint directly past it and drop into the hole in the ground just behind it.
You'll land in a small pool of water. Dive down to find a submerged chest. Inside are a few items, including a pre-upgraded Wooden Club, but the prize is the Incandescent Pearl. This is a weapon relic. To use it, head back to the main keep and find the blacksmith.
At his workbench, select 'Attach Relic' and choose your favorite weapon. You'll have to pay some gold (around 500) to unlock the first relic slot, but attaching the pearl itself is free. Once socketed, the Incandescent Pearl adds a burn effect to the weapon, allowing you to light enemies on fire after a few hits for powerful damage-over-time.
Your Avalon Starter Pack
With these four items secured, your journey across Avalon will be transformed. You'll have the speed of a horse to outrun danger and explore faster, a loyal summon to aid you in battle, a life-saving amulet to forgive a fatal mistake, and a fire-laced weapon to melt through your foes. Taking an hour to collect this gear at the start is the single best investment you can make, giving you the power and confidence to face whatever this tainted land throws at you.