In Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, players gain access to a unique feature known as Mercenaries—companions who can join you in battle, providing much-needed assistance when tackling the Diablo IV Items brutal challenges of Sanctuary. Among the available Mercenaries, Varyana, the Berserker Crone, stands out for her focus on high damage output, particularly in group combat, and her ability to inflict Bleeding on enemies, making her a powerful ally.

To recruit Varyana, players must complete a special quest called "Slayer's Retribution." This quest not only offers a significant reward in the form of unlocking Varyana as a Mercenary but also allows players to dive deeper into the game's lore and challenges. This guide will provide a comprehensive walkthrough on how to complete Slayer's Retribution, focusing on key objectives, strategies for defeating bosses, and tips on making the most out of Varyana’s powerful abilities once you’ve unlocked her.

How to Start Slayer's Retribution Quest
To begin the Slayer's Retribution quest, you will first need to interact with a Brutal Note found in the Den within the Nahantu area. This note is the starting point for unlocking Varyana, the Berserker Crone, and will add the quest to your journal. However, before diving into the quest itself, players must first complete a preliminary task: clearing the Temple of Rot Stronghold.

Clearing the Temple of Rot Stronghold
Located to the north of the Jirandai Waypoint in the Hawezar region, the Temple of Rot Stronghold is home to dangerous enemies and challenges. To clear the Stronghold, follow these steps:

Defeat the Cannibal Champions: Upon entering the Stronghold, you will encounter several Cannibal Champions. These enemies are a significant threat, so be prepared for multiple waves of combat. Clear them out to progress.

Locate Molqarth’s Lair: Once the Champions are dealt with, head toward Molqarth’s Lair, which is located deeper within the Stronghold. Molqarth is the boss that guards the path to unlocking the quest and will serve as a key obstacle to overcome.

Defeat Molqarth: Molqarth has two distinct phases in his battle, but overall, he is not one of the more challenging bosses in the game. His attacks aren’t particularly dangerous, but they can be overwhelming if you’re not careful. Focus on dodging his area-of-effect (AoE) attacks while continuing to deal damage until he falls.

Rekindle the Wanderer’s Statue: After Molqarth’s defeat, the final task in clearing the Temple of Rot is to rekindle the Wanderer’s Statue. This act signifies your victory over the Stronghold and unlocks the path to progressing with the Slayer’s Retribution quest.

Once the Temple of Rot Stronghold is cleared, head south to the entrance, where you will find a Blood-Scribed Sign. Interact with this sign to mark the next step in your quest progression.

How to Complete Slayer's Retribution
With the Temple of Rot Stronghold cleared, you can now focus on completing the Slayer's Retribution quest. The quest involves several stages, each requiring you to explore different locations, battle enemies, and work alongside Varyana to seek her revenge on her enemies. Follow these steps to complete the quest:

1. Find the Fetid Larder
After interacting with the Blood-Scribed Sign, you will be tasked with finding the Fetid Larder, which is located immediately to the left of the Stronghold’s entrance. This location is home to a group of cannibals that need to be dealt with before progressing further.

Clear the Fetid Larder: Head inside the Fetid Larder and deal with the cannibals inside. They are relatively easy to defeat, but be cautious of any crowd control effects or powerful ranged enemies.

Free Varyana: Inside the Fetid Larder, you will find Varyana, who is chained up. Destroy the chain pillars holding her captive to free her. However, Varyana will initially attack you upon release. Inflict enough damage on her to force her to yield and engage in conversation.

2. Help Varyana Seek Revenge
With Varyana freed, you’ll now embark on a mission of revenge against two Cannibal Chieftains. The first target is Grelkar, and you’ll need to follow these steps:

Head Northeast to Grelkar’s Domain: Travel to the quest location northeast of the Fetid Larder to seek out Grelkar. In this area, you’ll need to wait for the Herald of Grelkar to appear. Once he does, defeat him to obtain the Hand of Invitation, a key item needed to enter Grelkar’s Feast Hall.

Defeat Grelkar and His Followers: Inside Grelkar’s Feast Hall, battle through waves of enemies until you reach Grelkar himself. Once defeated, interact with the nearby effigy to discover the location of Zolmog.

Speak to Varyana: Exit the Feast Hall and speak to Varyana once more to continue the quest.

3. Travel to Guulrhan and Defeat Zolmog
The second Cannibal Chieftain to hunt down is Zolmog, who resides in Guulrhan, a treacherous arena area. To proceed:

Find the Boat to Guulrhan: Head northeast to locate a rowboat near the eastern part of the quest search area. Alternatively, you can use the Fate's Retreat Waypoint and travel southwest to the boat’s location. Once you interact with the rowboat, you’ll be taken to the Arena of Guulrhan.

Fight Your Way Through the Arena: Once inside the arena, clear out Cannibals that stand in your way. Keep an eye out for any traps or environmental hazards that might complicate your progress.

Destroy the Cannibal Gate: Continue through the arena until you reach the Cannibal Gate. Speak to Varyana here, then destroy the gate to continue your journey toward Zolmog.

Defeat Zolmog: In the final confrontation, defeat Zolmog and his followers. Once you’ve taken care of them, a cutscene will play, signaling the completion of the quest.

4. Completing Slayer’s Retribution
With Zolmog’s defeat, the Slayer’s Retribution quest will be complete. Head back to the Den to find Varyana, who will now be available as a recruitable Mercenary. You can speak to her in the Den and invite her into your party to assist you in future battles.

Varyana’s abilities, particularly her high damage output and Bleeding effects, make her a valuable companion in group combat. Whether you need help clearing hordes of enemies or dealing with difficult bosses, she will be a reliable ally.

Conclusion
The Slayer’s Retribution quest is a challenging but rewarding journey that unlocks Varyana, the Berserker Crone, as a Mercenary in Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred. By completing this quest, players gain a powerful ally who excels in dealing high damage and inflicting Bleeding status effects. The quest itself is not overly complex but requires you to defeat tough bosses, clear multiple areas, and follow Varyana’s quest for revenge.

Once unlocked, Varyana becomes a great asset, allowing you to tackle even tougher challenges within the game. With her by your side, you’ll have a strong ally who complements any combat-focused build. Whether you’re exploring the world of Sanctuary or diving into Diablo IV Gold endgame content, Varyana will be an invaluable companion on your journey.