Patches (Murkwater Cave)

Opening the chest in Murkwater Cave starts Patches’s ambush. You can end this encounter by accepting his surrender rather than killing him.

Location and access

Starting Site of Grace: Murkwater Cave

Before you go

Follow the river north from Agheel Lake to Murkwater Cave in the western cliff. Deal with Nerijus if he invades outside.
Clear the bandits and open the chest in the room beyond the mist. Fight Patches until he asks you to stop.
When Patches asks you to stop, cease attacking and let the surrender dialogue finish. Return after resting to speak to him as a merchant.

HP and damage negation for this encounter are still being verified. Its location and notes are available below.

Stop attacking when he yields. A lingering damage effect or an uncontrolled summon can kill him after you have already won the encounter.
Sparing him opens his shop after a rest or reload. Margit’s Shackle costs 5,000 runes there and can help with the Stormveil Margit fight.
Killing him gives his leather pieces, spear and bell bearing, but ends his personal quest. The bell bearing does not recreate his later conversations and quest rewards.
His later Volcano Manor request leads to Great Horned Tragoth’s invasion and the Magma Whip Candlestick reward. Killing Patches in the cave prevents that route.
Watch the spear while you circle his shield. Do not assume a blocked light attack will leave time for another swing before his thrust.
The later chest in this room is a trap to Mistwood. It is optional and not the same as the first chest that starts the ambush.
If his quest has already moved him elsewhere, the original ambush is not a reason to restart the journey. Check his later quest location instead.