So, you’ve finally made it to Shattered Space. You’re deep in the moody, violet-hued pockets of Va'ruun'kai, and honestly, the vibes are immaculate but the politics are a total mess. That's usually when you hit Conflict in Conviction Starfield, a quest that basically forces you to play judge, jury, and potentially executioner for House Varuun’s most dramatic family feud.
It’s not just about shooting things. Well, it is a Bethesda game, so there is definitely shooting. But this quest is a massive test of how you actually want to interact with the Great Serpent’s followers. You’re dealing with House Vextke and House Ka'dic, and if you aren't careful, you’ll end up with a high body count and a very annoyed companion.
Most people stumble into this quest thinking it’s a straightforward "go here, kill that" mission. It isn't. It’s a messy exploration of desertion, religious zealotry, and whether or not a person can actually outrun their past in a galaxy that never forgets.
Finding Vaeric: The Real Meat of the Conflict
The core of the Conflict in Conviction Starfield quest centers on a guy named Vaeric. He’s the son of Viktor Ka’dic, and he’s gone AWOL. In the context of House Va'ruun, "going AWOL" isn't just quitting your job; it’s basically heresy. Viktor wants him back, or at least he wants the situation handled before it makes his house look weak.
You start out at the Herald’s Rest. Talk to the locals. It’s all very "detective noir" but with more Grav-Drives. You’ll eventually track him down to a remote farm. This is where the game actually starts testing your patience. You have to talk to the NPCs around the area—Tane and his associates—to get the location.
Here’s the thing: you can be a total jerk here, or you can play it cool. If you have the right social skills, you can breeze through the dialogue. If not, get ready to pay some credits or do some persuasion mini-games. It’s classic Starfield.
The Confrontation at the Abandoned Camp
Once you actually find Vaeric, the game throws the big choice at you. He’s living a quiet life. He’s done with the cult stuff. He just wants to be left alone.
You have three main ways to resolve this:
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- Kill him. (The "loyalist" route).
- Persuade him to return to Dazra. (The "family man" route).
- Let him go and lie to his father. (The "rebel" route).
If you kill him, you take his signet ring back as proof. It’s cold. It’s efficient. It also makes you feel like a bit of a monster if you've actually listened to his side of the story. If you persuade him, he goes back to face the music, which is arguably a death sentence anyway depending on how you view the High Council’s mercy.
The third option is where most players land. You let him stay in hiding, he gives you the ring, and you head back to Viktor and lie through your teeth.
Dealing with the Vextke Sabotage
While you're hunting Vaeric, you’re also dealing with House Vextke trying to undermine the whole operation. They’ve been sabotaging the power substations. It’s a classic "distract the player with busy work" mechanic, but it serves a narrative purpose. It shows that the Conflict in Conviction Starfield isn't just about one guy—it's about the fact that the entire social structure of Va'ruun'kai is crumbling.
You’ll have to head to the substations. Expect a fight. The Vextke guards aren't there to talk. Use the environment to your advantage here. There are plenty of explosive canisters and verticality to play with. If you’re playing on a higher difficulty, don’t just rush in. The AI in Shattered Space feels slightly more aggressive than the base game, especially in these tight, industrial corridors.
Why Your Choice Actually Matters
A lot of people complain that Starfield choices don't have consequences. In this quest, the consequence is mostly internal to the DLC’s ecosystem. If you kill Vaeric, you’re essentially siding with the hardliners. If you let him go, you’re sowing seeds of dissent.
Viktor Ka’dic is no fool. If your Persuasion rank is low, lying to him is risky. He’s a man who has built his entire life on information and control. When you hand him that ring, the way you frame the "death" of his son determines your standing with the House.
Honestly, the best rewards come from being thorough. Don't just sprint to the quest marker. Read the slates in Vaeric’s camp. It paints a picture of a guy who genuinely hated the life he was born into. It adds a layer of empathy that makes the "Kill" option feel genuinely dirty.
Technical Tips for the Final Fight
If you end up in a combat scenario during the climax—which often happens if you fail a check or choose the aggressive path—keep a few things in mind.
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The enemies here love to use Void Form or similar cloaking tech. If you see the air shimmering, stop shooting at where they were and start looking for the distortion.
- Use a weapon with a high fire rate or area-of-effect damage (like a modified Big Bang) to flush them out.
- Keep an eye on your O2. The atmosphere on Va'ruun'kai is taxing, and if you’re jumping around like a space ninja, you’ll bottom out fast.
- Check the crates near the substations. Bethesda loves hiding high-tier contraband and ammo in the corners of these mission-specific cells.
The Aftermath and Your Rewards
Once you wrap up the Conflict in Conviction Starfield quest, you head back to the Citadel. You get your credits, you get your XP, and you get a bit more respect (or fear) from the Council.
But the real reward is the access it grants. Finishing this quest line is a prerequisite for stabilizing the power balance in Dazra. It’s a "moving part" in the larger Shattered Space narrative. If you ignore it, the later stages of the DLC feel a bit hollow because you haven't established who you are in this world yet. Are you a mercenary? A savior? Or just another pawn in the Great Serpent’s game?
Actionable Steps for the Best Outcome
To get the most out of this mission without locking yourself out of future content or upsetting your crew, follow this specific flow.
First, save your game before entering the final conversation with Vaeric. The dialogue tree is surprisingly finicky. Second, make sure you have at least a few points in the Persuasion skill; it opens up the "peaceful lie" ending which is widely considered the most narratively satisfying. Third, don't sell the unique items you find in the camp immediately. Some of the slates provide context that changes how you might talk to Viktor later.
Lastly, when you return to Viktor, choose your words carefully. Even if you let Vaeric live, you need to convince Viktor that the "threat" is gone. If you stumble here, you might lose out on the maximum credit reward. Keep it simple, stick to the story that he's dead, and take the ring as your proof. That’s how you win the conflict without losing your soul.