You’re riding through Hawezar. It’s swampy, gross, and generally miserable. Suddenly, you find yourself stuck on Chasing Embers Diablo 4, a side quest that sounds way simpler than it actually ends up being in practice. It’s one of those "talk to the NPC" missions that somehow morphs into a scavenger hunt through the mud.
Honestly, Diablo 4 loves doing this to us.
The quest is part of a larger chain involving the character Torben. You probably met him at the Inn. He’s got that weary, "I’ve seen too many demons" vibe that defines most of the population of Sanctuary. But the problem isn't the lore; it's the pacing. Most players hit a wall when they realize the quest marker doesn't just hand you the victory on a silver platter. You actually have to look for things. Imagine that.
Where things start to go sideways
You start in the Umir Plateau. Specifically, you’re looking for a pyre. This isn't just any campfire; it’s a site of ritualistic significance, or at least that’s what the flavor text wants you to believe. You meet Torben, and he’s all worked up about a group called the Enforcers.
🔗 Read more: Liberty Falls Easter Egg Guide: How to Beat the Main Quest Without Losing Your Mind
The task seems easy: locate the pyre.
But here is the kicker. The search area is a giant yellow circle on your mini-map. If you’ve played enough ARPGs, you know the yellow circle is the developers' way of saying, "Good luck, we aren't helping you anymore." You have to head to the northeast corner of the search zone. Look for the Blackened Pyre. It’s tucked away, almost blending into the grey and brown palette of the environment. If you miss it, you'll spend ten minutes killing trash mobs for zero progression.
The Enforcer problem
Once you find the pyre, the game decides it’s time for a fight. You have to slay the Enforcers. These guys aren't exactly World Bosses, but if you’re playing on World Tier 4 and your resistances aren't capped, they can actually sting.
The combat here is fast.
One second you're clicking on a pile of wood, the next you're surrounded by cultists who really don't want you poking around their fire. Most people burn through their cooldowns immediately. Don’t do that. Save your big AoE (Area of Effect) for the second wave. The quest spawns them in a way that can catch you off guard if you're just mindlessly clicking.
Why Chasing Embers Diablo 4 matters for your Renown
Why are we even doing this? Is it for the gold? No. The gold is pocket change. Is it for the gear? Probably not, unless you get a lucky legendary drop from a random mob.
We do it for the Renown.
Hawezar is a massive zone, and getting those final skill points and Paragon points requires grinding out these side quests. Chasing Embers Diablo 4 is a vital link in the chain that eventually leads you to the "The Bear of Blackweald" quest. If you want the full story of Torben and his troubled past, you can't skip this. It’s world-building 101. It adds layers to the world that make it feel less like a dungeon crawler and more like a dying world.
It's kinda funny how the game forces you to care about these small-town problems while a literal Prime Evil is threatening to consume existence. "Sorry, Lilith, I can't stop you yet; I have to go check on this guy's campfire in the swamp."
Breaking down the search area
If you're still circling the yellow zone like a lost puppy, let’s get specific.
- Start at the center of the Umir Plateau search area.
- Move towards the ruins located at the northern edge.
- Look for the orange glow. Even in the daylight of the game's engine, the pyre has a distinct light source.
- Interact with the "Ritual Flames."
- Kill the mobs that spawn. There are usually 3-5 Elite-adjacent enemies.
Common bugs and how to "un-break" them
Let’s be real: Diablo 4 has bugs. Sometimes, you get to the location for Chasing Embers Diablo 4, and Torben just stands there. He stares into the middle distance. He won't talk. The pyre won't light. It’s frustrating.
Usually, this happens because of a world state desync.
If Torben is being a statue, try teleporting back to Zarbinzet and then taking the waypoint back. This forces the instance to reload. It’s the "turn it off and back on again" of Sanctuary. Also, make sure you aren't currently in a party where the leader is on a different step of the quest. That messes with the scripting more often than Blizzard would like to admit.
💡 You might also like: Games to play over text: Why we’re still obsessed with 20 Questions in 2026
Another weird thing? Sometimes the Enforcers spawn under the terrain. You'll see their red dots on the mini-map, but you can't hit them. If this happens, you basically have to leave the area, wait a minute, and come back. Don't waste your mana hitting the floor.
The lore behind the embers
Torben isn't just a random NPC. He’s a former member of the Triune, or at least he has heavy ties to the darker side of the religion. This quest is a redemption arc. When you're chasing embers, you're literally and figuratively chasing the remnants of his past mistakes.
The writing here is actually decent. It’s subtle.
You find out that the "embers" are survivors or symbols of a life he tried to leave behind. It’s a recurring theme in Hawezar—people trying to hide in the mud from the things they've done. I think that's why this quest sticks with people. It’s not just a fetch quest; it’s a "clean up your mess" quest.
What to do after the quest
Once the Enforcers are dead and the pyre is dealt with, you need to talk to Torben again. He’ll usually head back to his "home" base. Don't just run off to the next dungeon. Complete the dialogue. If you don't see the "Quest Complete" banner pop up, you haven't finished the internal script.
📖 Related: Warhammer Christmas Boxes 2024: Which Battleforces Actually Saved You Money?
The next quest in this series is "The Bear of Blackweald." It’s much more combat-heavy and, honestly, a bit more exciting. Think of Chasing Embers Diablo 4 as the necessary setup for the payoff. You’re doing the legwork. You’re the investigator.
Actionable Steps for Success
To get through this without pulling your hair out, follow this sequence:
- Check your level first. If you’re under-leveled for Hawezar (usually level 35-40+ for the first time), the Enforcers will wreck you.
- Clear the nearby cellar. Sometimes local events or cellars can interfere with NPC pathing. Clear the immediate area of red dots before clicking the pyre.
- Mount up. The distance between the quest giver and the pyre is just long enough to be annoying on foot.
- Watch the ground. Hawezar is full of slowing pools and poison traps. The pyre location is often surrounded by these, making the fight harder than it needs to be.
- Read the dialogue. Seriously. If you skip everything, you won't understand why the next quest takes you where it does, and you'll end up even more confused later.
Once you’ve finished the fight and spoken to Torben near the site, your journal will update. Head back to the inn. The reward is a decent chunk of XP and a cache of herbs. The herbs are actually useful for crafting Elixirs of Poison Resistance, which you’ll desperately need if you plan on staying in Hawezar for long.
The quest is a grind, sure, but it’s a necessary one for anyone looking to hit 100% completion in the region. Stop overthinking the search area and just head north-northeast. You'll find it.