Unlocking the Contractor oath in Deepwoken requires navigating a complex web of faction reputations, hidden questlines, and specific world interactions. If you miss a single prerequisite before speaking to the Lord Regent, you can easily softlock your progress.
The primary keyword for this guide is Deepwoken contractor requirements. Securing this powerful offensive oath demands careful preparation across Etrea, the Summer Isles, and the Depths. You'll need neutral or better standing with The Ministry, a completed Duke of Erisia questline, deals with four distinct deep shrines, and an unlocked Resonance.
Complete Checklist for Contractor Requirements
Before you even think about approaching the throne room in Etris, you need to tick off several mandatory prerequisites. Missing any of these steps will halt your progress.
- Faction Standing: You must maintain a neutral or positive reputation with The Ministry. At the same time, keep a positive reputation with Etrea.
- The Duke's Quest: You have to start and complete the Duke Erisia questline, securing kill credit for the boss.
- Deep Shrine Pacts: Make a deal with four separate deep shrines. These must be four unique shrines—visiting the same shrine four times won't work. Shrines of Order, Mastery, and Solitude do not count toward this requirement.
- Resonance Unlocked: You must have your Bell (Resonance) obtained by descending into the Depths.
Step-by-Step Obtainment Walkthrough
Once you meet the statless prerequisites, execution is everything. Follow this sequence precisely to avoid common pitfalls.
Step 1: Fix Your Reputation with The Ministry
By default, most players hold a poor reputation with The Ministry. To fix this without grinding endlessly, head to the Summer Isles. Knock down a Ministry scout, carry their body, and wait for local nomads to finish them off. Repeat this roughly five times until your status hits neutral. Alternatively, trade Knowledge with the Soothsayer if you have at least 10 Knowledge.
Step 2: Handle the Duke of Erisia
Speak with Kennith right outside the stairs leading to Etris Castle to kick off the narrative hook. Visit the bookstore NPC twice to ask about the Lord Regent, then track down Kennith's body above the Navae camp. Proceed to defeat the Duke of Erisia. Make sure you secure proper kill credit.
Step 3: Visit Four Different Shrines and Awaken Your Bell
Locate and make pacts with four completely different shrines across the map or within the Depths. Remember that attribute-altering shrines or the Shrine of Order are excluded. Next, descend into the Depths, face trials, and unlock your Resonance. Seek out Yun'Shul's shrine, make a wish, and ask the prompt: "What happened to this place?"
Step 4: Confront the Lord Regent
Return to Etris Castle and speak with the Lord Regent. Do not rush your dialogue choices. When prompted, select: "No, but I know of your true nature. I know you intend to repeat what happened in Celtor by drowning Etris."
When the Regent asks if you are there to stop him, respond with: "No, I came to join you." Finishing this dialogue sequence successfully grants you the Contractor oath, embedding dark marionette strings into your arms and turning your irises a deep, almost pitch-black red.
Contractor Abilities and Combat Utility
The Contractor oath focuses heavily on gap-closing, crowd control, and counter-play. It alters your playstyle by rewarding aggressive, precision-based physical combat.
- Hidden Tendril: Your passive ability. Landing physical mantras, critical attacks, uppercuts, flourishes, or attunement-less mantras attaches a hidden thread to humanoids.
- Judgement: Summons a black casting circle, wrapping your target in tendrils while rendering them temporarily immobile before tearing into them. If this drops their health pool to zero, it triggers an instant execution.
- Lord's Slice: Contracts your hidden threads to pull both you and your target together before flinging you in opposite directions, inflicting heavy damage and blood loss.
- Equalizer: Connects a strike that damages your opponent and grants you a defensive blue aura. While active, incoming basic attacks trigger a short stun counter against the attacker.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even seasoned players trip up during this questline. Keep these pitfalls in mind before talking to NPCs:
- Talking to the Regent Too Early: Speaking to the Lord Regent before fulfilling every single prerequisite will lock you out of the progression path. Double-check your shrine count and faction tabs first.
- Using Duplicate Shrines: Visiting the same deep shrine multiple times invalidates the requirement. You need four distinct locations.
- Neglecting Guild Standing: Swearing this oath immediately tanks your reputation with Etrea and The Ministry, turning you into a villain. Joining The Divers beforehand helps mitigate some reputation penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the Contractor oath without a Bell?
No. Obtaining a Resonance (your Bell) is a strict prerequisite. Trying to shortcut past Yun'Shul or the Depths checks will leave you unable to complete the oath sequence.
What happens to my Etrean reputation after getting Contractor?
Your reputation instantly drops to maximum negative status (villain) with both Etrea and The Ministry. Expect guards and faction members to attack you on sight in civilized zones.
Does the Shrine of Order count toward the four shrines?
No. Shrines of Order, Mastery, and Solitude do not count toward the four deep shrine pacts required for this oath. You must use other standard shrines found across the world or the Depths.
Can Contractor abilities hit non-humanoid targets?
Most Contractor mantras, including Hidden Tendril and String Trick, only function properly against humanoid opponents. Non-humanoid monsters and bosses bypass counter auras and ignore string attachments entirely.
