Katrina Rosales
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players can choose to pursue the Purification ending by lighting the Fountainhead Incense. To craft the incense, players must obtain three items: the Shelter Stone, the Fragrant Flower, and the Mortal Blade. After defeating the Great Shinobi Owl, players receive the Aromatic Branch, the final ingredient for the incense. However, some players have reported issues with triggering the incense, encountering dialogue bugs involving Lord Kuro, Emma, and Isshin. It is recommended to complete Isshin's questline before obtaining the Mortal Blade to avoid progression blocks. Lighting the incense doesn't lock players out of any content, and they can explore a new area afterward.
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What You'll Learn
- You need three items to make the incense: Shelter Stone, Fragrant Flower, and Mortal Blade
- You must defeat the Great Shinobi Owl to obtain the Aromatic Branch
- You must speak with Lord Kuro and Emma after defeating Owl
- You must obtain Father's Bell from Emma before the boss in Fountainhead Palace
- You must choose to abandon the Iron Code and stay loyal to Kuro
You need three items to make the incense: Shelter Stone, Fragrant Flower, and Mortal Blade
To make the incense in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, you need three key items: the Shelter Stone, the Fragrant Flower, and the Mortal Blade.
The Shelter Stone (お宿り石 or Oyadoriishi, which translates to Honorable Abiding Stone) can be found in Mibu Village, in the Wedding Cave, after defeating the (Fake) Corrupted Monk. Acquiring the stone triggers a change in the game's world state, where Ashina Castle is overrun by Interior Ministry forces, and all idols are removed from your travel menu except for the Abandoned Dungeon Entrance idol.
The Fragrant Flower, also known as the Aromatic Flower, is obtained by achieving the Return ending and completing a quest for the Purification Ending. It is unclear what can be done with the flower after achieving the Return ending, and whether it can be used to achieve both endings in a single playthrough.
The Mortal Blade, or Fushigiri in Japanese, is a powerful Odachi capable of slaying the undying. It is given to the player by the Divine Child of Rejuvenation once they reach the Inner Sanctum of Senpou Temple, Mt. It is also known as the "Gracious Gift of Tears", and is the twin blade to the Black Mortal Blade, "Kaimon". Due to its ties to story progression, the Mortal Blade does not carry over into New Game Plus and must be reacquired.
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You must defeat the Great Shinobi Owl to obtain the Aromatic Branch
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, you must defeat the Great Shinobi Owl to obtain the Aromatic Branch, one of the three ingredients required to make the Fountainhead Incense. This boss fight is not easy, but with the right strategies and items, you can emerge victorious.
The Great Shinobi Owl is a dangerous enemy that features a special display on-screen when defeated, such as "Immortality Severed" or "Shinobi Execution". You will need to perform multiple Deathblows to defeat him, and filling his Posture Gauge is essential to accomplishing this. Decreasing his health will help deplete his Posture Gauge more quickly.
The trick to defeating the Great Shinobi Owl is identifying and responding to his attacks. He has various attacks, including sword slashes, shuriken throws, and a devastating sweep that deals high posture damage. One of his notable attacks involves throwing a single shuriken, followed by a jump towards you with a powerful overhand attack. To counter this, run to the side instead of towards him, and then counterattack.
Additionally, the Great Shinobi Owl uses a poison spray attack that can be detrimental. It is recommended to have Antidote Powder to remove the Poison status if you are affected. Another useful item is the Shinobi Firecracker, which can stun the boss temporarily, allowing you to get in a few extra attacks.
By understanding his attack patterns and utilizing the appropriate items and combat strategies, you can defeat the Great Shinobi Owl and obtain the Aromatic Branch needed for the Fountainhead Incense.
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You must speak with Lord Kuro and Emma after defeating Owl
After defeating Owl, you must speak with Lord Kuro and Emma to progress in the game. This is a critical juncture in the game, and your choices will determine the ending you get.
When you are presented with the choice between Owl and Kuro, choose to side with Kuro. This is the ending that most players will likely get. After defeating Owl, go down and talk to Lord Kuro. If you haven't reported to him during this quest, you might need to speak with him several times to deliver all the items. At some point, Kuro will ask you to speak with Emma. You'll find her in the room where you first met Isshin, at the start of the Mortal Blade quest line.
After speaking with Emma, go back to Kuro, speak with Emma again, and then with Kuro again. He will then concoct the Sekiro Fountainhead Incense. Before this point, you will not be able to transport to Kuro's Room via Sculptor's Idol. Instead, go to the Abandoned Dungeon Entrance idol and climb up to the large balcony near the door to Kuro's Room.
It's important to note that you must choose to serve Kuro and defeat Owl in Ashina Castle to progress in this direction. Eavesdrop on Kuro as many times as you can, rest, and then talk to Emma or Kuro, resting each time until Emma moves upstairs. The key is to continue talking to Kuro until the topic becomes the Mortal Blade.
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You must obtain Father's Bell from Emma before the boss in Fountainhead Palace
In the 2019 action-adventure game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players can obtain the Father's Bell from Emma before the boss in Fountainhead Palace. Here is a suggested path to obtaining the bell:
First, obtain the three items necessary for making the Fountainhead Incense: the Shelter Stone, the Fragrant Flower (also known as the Lotus of the Palace), and the Mortal Blade. Once you have these items, go to the Abandoned Dungeon Entrance idol and climb up to the large balcony near the door to Kuro's Room. Here, you will find the Great Shinobi Owl. Speak with him and choose to abandon the Iron Code and stay loyal to Kuro. This will trigger the Shuro ending, after which you will have to kill the Great Shinobi Owl.
After defeating the Great Shinobi Owl, go downstairs and talk to Lord Kuro. Speak with him twice more to hand over the Shelter Stone and Lotus of the Palace, and then inform him about how to make him bleed. At this point, you can light the incense by going behind the altar and eavesdropping on Kuro until he talks about "what must be done." Return to Kuro and light the incense.
Lighting the incense will progress the "Purification" ending, resulting in Emma moving back to the Dilapidated Temple. Speak with Emma before she moves to obtain the Father's Bell. Make sure to do this before facing the boss in Fountainhead Palace, or you will be locked out of the purification ending.
After obtaining the bell, you can continue on your journey to Fountainhead Palace. There, you will find a sanctuary with a shrine maiden sleeping soundly against a rock. Interacting with the shrine maiden will initiate the Divine Dragon boss battle.
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You must choose to abandon the Iron Code and stay loyal to Kuro
In the game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players will eventually be faced with a pivotal choice that will significantly impact their gameplay experience: whether to "Obey the Iron Code, Forsake Kuro" or "Break the Iron Code, Stay Loyal to Kuro". This decision presents a moral dilemma, as players must choose between adhering to the strict principles of the Iron Code or remaining faithful to their lord, Kuro.
When players collect the three pieces required for the Fountainhead Incense, they will be confronted by Owl, their father, who urges them to betray Kuro and abide by the Iron Code. However, this decision is not as straightforward as it seems. Choosing to abandon the Iron Code and stay loyal to Kuro will lead players down a path where they can truly protect Kuro and experience the full extent of the game. This choice unlocks new areas, introduces different bosses, and offers a more comprehensive gameplay experience.
On the other hand, obeying the Iron Code results in an early ending, cutting off access to significant portions of the game. While it may be a shorter path, some players may prefer a more concise gameplay experience or wish to explore both endings through multiple playthroughs. It is worth noting that the choice to obey the Iron Code first and then reload to stay loyal to Kuro can provide a more efficient way to experience all the game has to offer.
The decision to stay loyal to Kuro is a popular choice among players who want to explore all the game's areas and encounter a variety of bosses. By choosing this path, players can expect a longer and more engaging gameplay experience. Additionally, this choice aligns with the narrative of protecting Kuro, ensuring that players can remain true to their original mission and the wishes of the Divine Heir.
Ultimately, the choice to abandon the Iron Code and stay loyal to Kuro in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a significant turning point in the game. It empowers players to shape their journey, unlock new content, and determine their fate in the captivating world of Sekiro.
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Frequently asked questions
After lighting the incense, you will carry the scent of the Fountainhead Incense, which will open up a new area for you to explore.
If you choose to abandon the Iron Code and stay loyal to Kuro, you will trigger the Shuro ending, and that will be the end of the quest.
If you can't trigger the incense, try finding Isshin at the Snake Shrine Idol, as he might be stuck at the dialogue where he gives you the 'quest' to talk to him about the Mortal Blade.
No, you can go ahead and do it. Lighting the incense does not lock you out of anything.
