The Red Thread

NOTE: This is one of the more difficult and obscure investigation missions in the game. I tried to keep some of the harder puzzles in spoiler tags so that those who wish to have a little guidance but not the complete walkthrough can still use this guide. I have kept the lesser riddles, such as where to go next, in plain text, though.

Tier 1

Objective: Find the place where Mara studied

Go to the library in the monastery at (1040, 340).

Objective: Search the library for a book about Callisto

A little research shows that Ovid narrated a book about the myth of Callisto entitled Metamorphoses. As it happens, there is a book in the library entitled Ovid’s Metamorphoses in the back left corner.

Tier 2

Objective: Search the library

After reading the book you will notice that the candles around the library are now usable. The goal is to extinguish all of the candles at once. Figuring out the pattern takes a lot of trial and error or you can simply use the following diagram to do it in three steps:

Use the candles in the following order:

Objective: Take the spectral lyre

A spectral lyre will appear on the podium next to the desk. Grab it.

Tier 3

Objective: Play the spectral lyre

Use the spectral lyre, which is now in your inventory.

Objective: Follow the trail

Follow the music notes.

This will lead you to a building at (1120, 325).

Objective: Remove the protective wards

Use the lyre inside the building near the wards. A song will play consisting of four notes. Each of the items around the table will play a different note. You need to repeat the song note by note by clicking the items around the table.

Click the symbols in the following order:

Objective: Take the symbol of Jupiter

Objective: Take the symbol of Juno

Objective: Take the symbol of Diana

Objective: Take the symbol of Callisto

With the wards gone you are free to take the four symbols.

Tier 4

Objective: Solve the third line of the verse

The third line, “These, the weights of my burdens,” alludes to an allegory with the myth of Callisto. You are to pair up the four players, Mara, Callisto, Vlad, and the “other woman” with four characters of the Callisto myth and then judge their burdens in order from greatest to least and then place the corresponding symbol on the pillars in this same room with greatest on the left and least on the right.

The solution is below.

Tier 5

Objective: Find Mara’s hidden vault

The mission text and the voice that you heard at the end of Tier 4 both mentioned water so it’s time to head to the Roman baths. Along the way, you can consider picking up the side mission Icebreaker since it can be completed along the way. Make your way through the baths until you reach (810, 355).

Objective: Unlock the vault

The vault is clearly a star map. From the myth of Callisto you will learn that Callisto was turned into the constellation Ursa Major. Now you have to light up the starts in the pattern of Ursa Major. It helps to face East when you do this as it will make the most famous part of Ursa Major, The Big Dipper, much more obvious.

You must light up all of the stars that form Ursa Major.

NOTE: Sometimes you have to move and turn the camera at different angles in order to be able to activate some stars. I’m not sure what causes this. Also, stepping off of the star map at anytime will reset the map.

Objective: Read Mara’s Journal

Once the vault opens, simply read the journal to complete the mission.