Mina the Hollower: Should You Seal the Duke in the Tomb?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
A guide on whether to seal the Duke in the tomb in Mina the Hollower, detailing the steps, the reward of the Proto Spark trinket, and the narrative consequences.
Yacht Club Games is back at it with Mina the Hollower, and players exploring the Queensbury Crypt are already running into a classic RPG moral dilemma. Tucked away in the Ancestral Chamber, you can rescue a non-combat NPC known as the Duke. Escorting him safely through a gauntlet of enemies and spike rollers is a bit of a babysitting job, but it unlocks a crucial Underlab respawn point for the upcoming boss fight against the Duchess. Once the dust settles, the Duke makes a rather grim request to be sealed inside the family crypt so he can be with his beloved forever.
While locking a living person in a tomb sounds like a textbook bad idea, the mechanical incentive makes it worth considering. According to a detailed breakdown by Josh Broadwell over at Polygon, sealing the Duke rewards you with the Proto Spark trinket. This passive item is a lifesaver for tough encounters, acting as a second-chance mechanic that revives you from death without draining your active sparks. Walking away empty-handed yields no reward, so your only penalty for granting his morbid wish is a bit of narrative accountability later in the adventure.
Down the line, putting the Duke in the ground does catch up to you in a small way. After restoring all six spark generators and heading back to Radiant Manor, Lionel and his followers call you out for your questionable choices, including burying the Duke alive. It is a neat touch of reactivity that does not break your build or lock you out of endings, but it adds some fun flavor text to your playthrough. If you want the best gear to tackle the rest of the game, taking the trade-off is definitely the play. Check out the original guide on Polygon for the exact route and puzzle solutions.
Tags: Mina the Hollower, Yacht Club Games, Guides, Polygon, Action Adventure
Original article: Polygon