The Deluge is one of the most engaging side quests in Horizon Forbidden West, tasking Aloy with investigating the flooded Tenakth settlement known as Bleeding Mark. Upon arriving, Aloy discovers that a severe mudslide and flash flood have trapped multiple survivors across ruined structures, cliffs, and metal towers. Navigating this environmental disaster requires smart tool usage, precise platforming, and strategic combat to safely extract the stranded villagers.
Starting the Quest and Rescuing the First Survivors
To initiate the quest, speak with Zokkah in Scalding Spear, who reports that critical supply shipments from Bleeding Mark are long overdue. Travel north to the settlement to find Natikka coordinating emergency relief amidst the devastating floodwaters. Your immediate priority involves searching the flooded perimeter to save several stranded groups hiding from hostile machines.
Head to the northern side of the camp to locate the first group of villagers pinned down by dangerous Snapmaws. Utilize fire or shock elemental ammo to quickly dismantle these aquatic machines and secure the area. Once the threat is neutralized, converse with the survivors to direct them back toward Natikka's staging point.
Operating the Heavy Crane and Clearing the Metal Towers
Saving the survivors trapped on the eastern cliffs requires operating a massive, inactive crane mechanism. Dive into the water near the crane's base to ignite a patch of Firegleam, which shifts the machine's position. Next, use your Pullcaster on the nearby elevated platform to release the counterweight and shoot the holding cable spool to drop the crane arm, creating a safe walkway for the refugees.
Afterward, head to the western section to help the villagers trapped inside the collapsed metal towers. Knock down a nearby tree to form a makeshift bridge leading toward the structure. Navigate through the interior by utilizing your Pullcaster on crates and climbing highlighted ledges to clear a path out through the ceiling vents.
Infiltrating the Gouge to Locate Kentokk
With all local groups rescued, return to Natikka to learn about Kentokk, a brave soldier who was swept away into the underground caverns known as the Gouge. Follow Natikka northwest to the cave entrance and use your Pullcaster to clear away heavy rock debris blocking the descent. Drop down into the subterranean complex to track down Kentokk's location deep within the flooded tunnels.
Perform delicate platforming jumps across suspended beams and grapple points to traverse the dangerous cavern environment. Locate Kentokk near the bottom of the mine, where he remains trapped behind structural debris. Ignite the nearby Firegleam on the wall to drain the remaining water, permanently resolving the flood crisis and completing the mission.
