Diablo 4's continent-spanning campaign typically takes many hours to complete, and players who want to finish everything the game has to offer will be interested to know that tons more side quests are unlocked after the main story is done.
Many of the side quests in Diablo 4 are either very short or signal the start of lengthier chains that tell a much longer story. In Desperate Times falls under the former, and it paints a picture of how truly horrible things went for the people of the crown jewel of Kehjistan.
In Desperate Times: How to Ask the Watcher for Help
Just like in the Reject the Mother side quest, players will have to bring out their emote wheel to finish this one.
This side quest can be picked up in the ruined city of Caldeum. Teleport to the Imperial Library Waypoint and interact with the open book titled "On Caldeum's Defenses" on top of a shelf to the bottom right side of the screen.
"And when all is lost, stand before the golden watchers at the palace gates, plead for their help, and be armed," says the passage that appears after using the book. The quest will automatically start after this, and thankfully, the place players have to visit isn't far away at all.
Head outside into the demon-infested courtyard and go to the palace gates near the broken bridge. There will be a large statue of a bird-like beast on the left, as indicated by the blue quest marker. Stand in front of it, bring out the emote wheel, and find the "Help" option. Doing so will cause a chest to spawn to the side of the statue and mark the end of the side quest.
The city of Caldeum was the main setting of Diablo 3's second act, where it was beset by Belial, the Lord of Lies, and his cadre of snakemen. The city was partially rebuilt after the lesser evil was slain, but Malthael's genocide of humanity in the Reaper of Souls expansion thwarted much of the city's attempt at restoring itself.
In the final act of Diablo 4, Inarius led his army of knights to Caldeum, where cultists and demons began their push for the city's active Hell gate. Many innocent people were slaughtered by both factions, and much of the carnage is still present after the campaign ends.
The side quest might mark the end of Caldeum, as its final line of defense involves nothing but a plea for help toward an uncaring slab of stone.
Diablo 4 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.