Starfield's 8th main quest, "Further Into the Unknown," leaves players with more questions than answers as they begin to grasp the perils of their pursuit. The hunt for the Artifacts has attracted the attention of the Starborn, a mysterious and highly advanced species, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. The Starborn have arrived to caution Constellation, informing them that they cannot permit them to proceed.
Despite the warning, Constellation chooses to disregard it and resumes the search for the Artifacts in Starfield. Their journey will lead them through a celestial valley, where they will explore various worlds in their quest to uncover the truth. This guide aims to provide the essential details for successfully navigating the "Further Into the Unknown" quest.
Talk To Vladimir
Heading back to the Lodge, players can engage in a conversation with Vladimir. He has temporarily taken a break from operating The Eye satellite that orbits the planet where New Atlantis is located. Vladimir, being cautious, informs players about two new Artifact leads that require their personal investigation. It is important to mention that this task may pose a threat to lower-level players who are in need of experience points.
Once Vladimir has assigned the quest and players have received the specific objectives to visit two different planets, they must return to their chosen spacecraft and venture back into the vast universe. It is worth mentioning that each player will be assigned a unique planet to explore, as Starfield generates planets procedurally. However, the challenges and surprises that await them on these planets will remain consistent.
Venture To The First Planet
Upon arrival at the first planet, players may encounter various elements. However, based on the guide's knowledge, this particular planet led the Constellation to Ananke, a freezing planet within the Olympus System. Ananke harbors an Abandoned Cryo Lab overrun by fearsome and aggressive Spacers. To make their quest for the Artifact easier, players are advised to head towards the Cryo Lab and eliminate the lurking enemies.
The Cryo Lab offers substantial rewards in the form of loot, including valuable items like Credits, ammunition, and firearms. It is worth noting that Harvested Organs, classified as Contraband, can also be found here. It is advisable for players to refrain from carrying them around unless they are willing to take the risk of becoming a pirate. Nevertheless, as players navigate through the intricate corridors of the Abandoned Cryo Lab, they will eventually encounter their first Artifact in this location. This precious item is now protected by a mysterious luminous being known as the Starborn. Defeating this entity will yield players a Quantum Essence. With the threat neutralized, players should proceed to mine the Artifact, collect it, and return to space for their next destination.
Go To The Second Planet
Each player will be transported to a different planet, each with its unique set of structures. This implies that players may stumble upon a Cryo Lab or encounter something entirely different. Regardless, they must navigate through the location, even if the intricate network of halls and corridors may bewilder some. Unfortunately, there is no assistance available, as every playthrough presents distinct challenges to overcome.
The planet chosen for this guide is Golga, a rocky terrain located in the Valo System. Within this planet lies a significant cave that contains the coveted Artifact. Interestingly, the cave appears to be devoid of any form of life, whether friendly or hostile. This means that players can simply take a brisk walk through the chilly cave and dive to the depths to retrieve their desired Artifact. It's important to note, however, that the specifics of this quest may vary for each individual player. Regardless, the ultimate goal of this mission is to lead players to a cave where their sought-after treasure awaits. The only uncertainty lies in the presence of potential hostiles within.
Like before, a Starborn will emerge to protect the Artifact. Players will not be able to negotiate with the Starborn, and they will have no choice but to defeat them, earning themselves an additional Quantum Essence in the process. With the Starborn now deceased, players are at liberty to mine for the Caelumite if they wish. Alternatively, they can simply mine the Artifact, collect it, and make their way back to the ship to safely return to The Lodge on New Atlantis.
Return The Artifacts To The Lodge
Upon returning to The Lodge, players have the opportunity to add the two Artifacts discovered during this mission to the central collection. However, their arrival triggers Mateo's growing concerns about the Starborn and provokes a crisis of faith regarding what lies ahead in the vast universe. Noel intervenes, emphasizing the importance of pressing on with their work. Players can either concur or disagree with Noel's stance. Choosing to agree will earn their companion's approval, but it ultimately has no effect on the pursuit of the Artifacts.
After Vladimir joins in the conversation, he informs the player about the crucial role they, along with a select few Constellation members, have in expanding the functionalities of The Eye. This expansion would enable the location of additional Artifacts. As a result, the mission concludes, granting players an achievement, a substantial amount of credits, and a generous bundle of XP. Starfield is now accessible on PC and Xbox Series X/S platforms.