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WoW 20th Anniversary - How to solve Mildewed Ransom Note

Among the many great quests for the WoW 20th Anniversary is the Mildewed Ransom Note. You’ll find this, alongside the other notes, on the board next to Alyx in the 20th Anniversary quest hub. This, like the other notes, will reward you with a chest to bring back to Alyx — in this case, the Mildewed Crate. However, there are some restrictions on how you handle this puzzle, which just makes it all the more interesting to solve.

Thankfully, the playerbase cracked this case relatively swiftly. If you’re stumped on the riddle of the Mildewed Ransom Note for the WoW 20th Anniversary event, read on to get on the right track. It’s worth pointing out that this is not one of the normal events but a separate quest you can tackle.


How to solve the Mildewed Ransom Note puzzle during WoW 20th Anniversary

When you’re ready, interact with the noteboard next to Alyx in the WoW 20th Anniversary quest hub, and you should receive a pop-up for Mildewed Ransom Note. It will give you a riddle, that you’ll have to solve to progress:

“Take a trek from molten peak to where rain retreats. Then from where the groves whisper to a hold of timber. Now embarking on an old feather moon retrace your steps to find your stolen treats.”

Step 1: Grab the potion, and start flying (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)
Step 1: Grab the potion, and start flying (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

Some of that may sound very familiar, while also sounding incredibly cryptic. The first step to solving the Mildewed Ransom Note for the WoW 20th Anniversary event is to head to Ashenvale (/way #63 47.9 38.4 Potion of Truth) and grab the Potion of Truth. It’s at the peak of the volcano. It gives you a 30-minute-long buff that disappears if you leave Kalimdor, Hearth, or teleport. There are reports that using flight paths also removes the buff.

So, to be safe, get on your favorite flying mount, and fly to Feralas (/way 60.42 35.42 in Feralas). Pick up the crate here, return to the Celebration Grounds with it, and give it to Alyx. That’s all there is to this quest!

Step 2: Grab the chest and return to Alyx! (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)
Step 2: Grab the chest and return to Alyx! (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

If you don’t see the Mildewed Ransom Note quest in WoW, the odds are high that you haven’t completed the Guest Relations quest chain that Alyx charges you with.

You at least need to complete the tutorial quests, which include Lost and Busy, Tat Big Meanie, To da Ruins!, Da Stick of Revealing, Thoughtful Pursuits, and A Whiff of Help. Then, just speak to Alyx and request harder challenges, and the notes will appear on the board.


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