Honestly, if you're jumping into the Bohemia of 1403 again, you've probably realized that being a peasant sucks. You're slow, you're weak, and a stray arrow from a Cuman can end your journey before it even starts. That is where kcd2 the lions crest comes in. This isn't just some random piece of DLC fluff; it’s basically the "get out of jail free" card for the early game.
I’ve spent way too much time wandering around the Trosky region, and let me tell you, the Brunswick armor set you get from this quest is a total game-changer. It’s not just about the protection, though having plate armor when everyone else is wearing literal rags feels like cheating. It’s the charisma. You walk into a tavern looking like a legendary knight and suddenly every scribe and merchant wants to be your best friend.
What actually is the Lion's Crest?
If you pre-ordered Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 or grabbed the Gold Edition, you’ve got access to a specific bonus quest called The Lion's Crest. It’s a treasure hunt, pure and simple. You aren't just handed the gear at a chest in your bedroom. You have to earn it by following the trail of Prince Brunswick, the guy who supposedly put the two-tailed lion on the Bohemian coat of arms.
The quest itself is given to you by Scribe Gaibl in Troskowitz. You can’t miss him; he’s in the building right near the fast travel point. But here’s the kicker: you can’t just start it the second the game kicks off. You have to finish the "Laboratores" main quest first. Once you’re free to roam the open world, Gaibl will have a purple quest marker over his head.
Tracking down Brunswick’s gear
Gaibl gives you a riddle that sounds like something out of a medieval fever dream. It talks about "crone and maiden" and "true midnight." Basically, he’s pointing you toward a rocky shrine north of Trosky Castle.
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Pro tip: Bring a spade.
I can’t stress this enough. You’ll find the first location, see the spot to dig, and then realize you left your shovel back at the forge. You can buy one from the trader in Troskowitz or just "borrow" one from the cemetery if you're feeling particularly un-knightly.
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The first chest gives you the Brunswick Gauntlets and a Dagger, but more importantly, it gives you the next maps. The rest of the pieces—the brigandine, the bascinet, the plate sleeves, and the leg armor—are scattered across the Trosky map. One is near a wolf den north of Tachov. Be careful there. Wolves in KCD2 are much nastier than the first game, and if you're still low-level, they will rip Henry's throat out before you can say "Jesus Christ be praised."
Why this set is a massive deal
The stats on this gear are kind of ridiculous for how early you can get it. We're talking high-tier plate defense when most players are still struggling to find a decent gambeson.
- Charisma Boost: The Brunswick set has a massive charisma rating. If you combine it with some decent noble clothes from a tailor, you can push your charisma into the 20s. This lets you talk your way out of almost any confrontation.
- The Poleaxe: You also get a recipe for Brunswick’s Poleaxe. You'll need to visit a blacksmith (Radovan is your best bet) to actually get it forged, but once you have it, the reach advantage in combat is massive.
- Horse Gear: You even get a caparison for your horse. It’s got the burgundy and gold trim with the Bohemian lion. It makes your starter horse look significantly less pathetic.
There is a bit of a downside, though. Some players find the "Golden Mastiff" ornament on the helmet a bit much. It’s... bright. If you're trying to play a stealthy Henry, wearing a giant golden dog on your head is probably a bad move. But for a "Tank Henry" build? It’s perfect.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
A lot of people think the quest is bugged because they can't find the quest marker. Check your quest log—if you haven't finished the prologue and reached the Trosky region, it won't show up. Also, if you bought the physical edition, make sure you actually redeemed the code inside the box. It doesn't always auto-install like the digital version.
Another thing: don't try to get the pieces out of order without the maps. While the items physically exist in the world, some players have reported the chests won't trigger the "search" prompt unless you've actually progressed the quest with Gaibl and read the specific maps. It’s a bit of a linear hunt, even if the world is open.
If you missed the pre-order window, don't panic. Historically, Warhorse Studios eventually releases these "bonus" items as a small paid DLC pack a few months after launch. It’s worth the few bucks just to skip the "squishy" phase of the early game.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Travel to Troskowitz immediately after completing the "Laboratores" quest.
- Locate Scribe Gaibl in the village center to trigger the "The Lion's Crest" quest.
- Buy or steal a spade before heading north to the first riddle location.
- Focus on the wolf den location north of Tachov early to get the leg armor, as it provides the most significant protection boost.
- Equip the full set before entering high-stakes dialogues to maximize your Charisma checks.