Game reference
First... Sludge? · Win my first battle against the zombies. · Quests
First... Sludge?: Check recorded prerequisites and related quest steps.
full game 1.009.1 · Site updated
Current objective: Win my first battle against the zombies.
Values and uses
Completion and hand-in
Use the current objective and the completion conditions below to check this step.
Quest contact
Continue through the following scene
After winning the first battle, let the conversation with Herbert finish. The scene opens the bridge beside the Barracks and handles his return to the Barracks.
The two guards also move back during the scene. Their final repositioning depends on their own successful arrival; regaining control does not prove that every guard has arrived. Continue with the linked objectives, retaining their separate requirements.
After this victory, Davy appears at the Dockside Club. The nearby chest prop becomes visible; this scene does not give you an item or require you to open it.
Four residents also appear in the cleared town area. These changes happen automatically; they are not another delivery or a general housing unlock.
Related characters
- Herbert
- Davy
Next task steps
These follow-ups retain earlier access conditions, other control locks and later completion requirements. This is configuration/script analysis, not a save-based playtest or certification of the entire activation chain.
A verified route into this victory objective
On this route, the victory objective starts when both reports lead into the preparation stage. Its completion still requires winning the first battle.
If you need the battle entry, continue with the linked preparation step and its interaction with Herbert in front of the Barracks. Keep the listed stage requirements and battle-entry checks.
Both preceding stages
Character to speak to
Preparation step at the Barracks
Keep each stage’s listed requirements, earlier access conditions and other control locks. These steps are based on configuration and scripts; the complete earlier activation chain and saved-game behavior have not been certified.
Verified follow-up and entry
After this victory, enter the Barracks through its outside entrance. The arrival inside opens the zombie-squads tutorial shown below. Entering the Barracks is the trigger; there is no separate delivery for this tutorial.
Read the tutorial through its final page to close it. This squad tutorial is separate from the earlier battle tutorial whose popup timing remains unverified.
In-game heading or option
Tutorial: Zombie Squads
Keep the current objective’s requirements, earlier access conditions and other control locks. These are bounded configuration/script findings, not a saved-game test or certification of the full activation chain.
Further results of this step
Enables the clock’s custom icon for the day when battles are available. It does not introduce a new weekday or change the battle schedule.
Battlefield and map changes
Eastern Districts: Active Scouting
This battle area is created in its initial layout. Its battle trigger area is still disabled; continue the later preparation steps.
Break Through to the Port
The battle trigger area is disabled, while some of the earlier scene objects remain. Later town tasks change this area further.
This step hides a battle marker on the map. Marker visibility is separate from whether the battle area is loaded or a battle is won.
The preparation step that displays this marker is:
First... Sludge? · Speak with Herbert in front of the Barracks to begin the battle.
Automatic closure of an earlier stage
Winning this encounter also closes its alternative defeat stage automatically. You do not need to lose this battle to complete that earlier stage.
This is an automatic result of the current step; follow its own objective and completion action.
Continue after the current step
After the victory scene returns control, speak to the head of the guards. This follow-up is a conversation; follow the separate requirements of the reading task that it starts.
Follow-up task entries:
- Wharf Rats · Ask the mysterious person at the Dockside Club about a romance novel.
- Herbert and? · Procure the Romance Novel through a mysterious person in the Dockside Club. Then bring it to Herbert in the Barracks.
Complete the current objective and retain its own conditions. These are the verified follow-up actions and results; earlier access, other control restrictions and later story triggers still apply. This does not certify the full activation chain or unusual-save recovery.
Connected quest steps
With this quest active, win this specific battle:Break Through to the Port
Records this achievement as completed:First Blood
Completing this quest starts
- Docked and Found · Find Jack — he must be in the Port Area, in the liberated part of the Town.
- First... Sludge? · I should tell Herbert that the first region of Town is clear and secured.
These are direct starts in completion scripts. Separate entries can be alternative routes, not a checklist. Event-driven starts and other conditions are listed separately where verified.
Dialogue between quest steps
After completing this task:
Then speak to one of these characters:
Choose: Did the port's liberation improve your inventory?
This starts: The Frill of the Chase · Bring Herm some lace. He's at his store in the Village.
This option has no item or reputation requirement. The character must still be accessible, and this sequence does not reopen an already completed step.
After completing this task:
Then speak to one of these characters:
Choose: Hello.
This starts: Plenty of Fish in the Sea · Bring the fishing line to the Twin Brothers. They have their own land in the Village.
This option has no item or reputation requirement. The character must still be accessible, and this sequence does not reopen an already completed step.
After completing this task:
Then speak to one of these characters:
Choose: How's the fishing here?
This starts: Fish for the Fisher · I need to bring good fish to the Fisherman.
This option has no item or reputation requirement. The character must still be accessible, and this sequence does not reopen an already completed step.
Recorded preceding quests
- Swords and Bell · Prepare for the next battle: get enough combat strength by building barricades and hiring mercenaries. When you're ready, speak to Herbert in the Barracks.
- Swords and Bell · Make a magic bell, and bring it to Herbert in the Barracks.
- Hooligans for Hire · There's mercenaries in the Barracks. I need to make a deal with them.
- Hooligans for Hire · Pay the mercenaries in the Barracks to fight in the next battle.
The checks above apply while this quest is active. This page includes the source-checked actions, dialogue steps and transitions shown above. The full earlier activation chain, intervening events, area access and dialogue visibility have not all been verified. Recorded preceding quests provide context; they do not guarantee that an option is available. An explained completion-effect list does not establish a complete walkthrough.
Achievements(1)
Prerequisites(4)
- Swords and BellPrepare for the next battle: get enough combat strength by building barricades and hiring mercenaries. When you're ready, speak to Herbert in the Barracks.
- Swords and BellMake a magic bell, and bring it to Herbert in the Barracks.
- Hooligans for HireThere's mercenaries in the Barracks. I need to make a deal with them.
- Hooligans for HirePay the mercenaries in the Barracks to fight in the next battle.
Next unlocks(1)
NPC(1)
Quest relationships identify prerequisites; they are not a verified step-by-step walkthrough.
Sources
Quest requirements: completion checks and dialogue-price handling. Held items and consumed items are separate. Selected completion effects are interpreted from the quest script; nested conditions and remaining effects are not claimed as fully covered.
Frozen Windows game files and code verification; no game-save playtest or other-platform verification.