Editing Moonrise Towers

[[File:Moonrise Towers Overview.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Moonrise Towers rises in the eternal mist of the Shadow-Cursed Lands.|Moonrise Towers shrouded in magical shadow.]]
{{Relative location
|region = Shadow-Cursed Lands
|location = {{PAGENAME}}
|south    = 
|north    = Reithwin Town
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'''Moonrise Tower''' is a [[location]] in the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]], the main area of [[Act Two]]. In the distant past, it used to be a temple to [[Selune]], but is now used as the base of operations for the [[Cult of the Absolute]]. It is one of the few locations in the Shadow-Cursed Lands that are not affected by the [[shadow curse]], the other being [[Last Light Inn]]. 

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==Overview==
===Waypoints===
This location contains the following {{SmIconLink|Waypoint Map Icon.png|Waypoint}}:
*Moonrise Towers {{Coords|-158 |-99}}

===Connected locations===
*[[Moonrise Towers Prison]]
*[[Moonrise Towers Rooftop]]

===Main floor===
The main floor of the towers is directly accessible through the main door at the end of the bridge from [[Reithwin Town]]. In the foyer are several Absolutist pilgrims [[Iong|Long]], [[Nalira]], [[Taima]], and [[Farimorn]] with Acolyte [[Belub]].  Also two traders are found on the western side of the room: [[Roah Moonglow]] and [[Lann Tarv]].

Lann Tarv is a bugbear merchant that offers three [[Soul Coin|Soul Coins]] to Karlach, if she is in the party, on the condition that she hears the stories of the souls bound in the coins first. Proving your worth to Lann Tarv through dialogue earns the [[Inspiration|Inspirational Events]] '''Uncommon Recognition''' ([[Folk Hero]] background) as well as '''Notched Armour''' ([[Soldier]] background). He sells a number of valuable items, including [[Halberd of Vigilance]], [[Gloves of The Duellist]], [[Fistbreaker Helm]], and [[Sentinel Shield]], with additional stock potentially unlockable after meeting [[Z'rell]] on the First Floor.

The party can tell Belub to get rid of the 4 pilgrims, who will then order them to scout the perimeter of the war camp. The pilgrims will not survive the shadows and can later be found again as shadow-cursed zombies outside the [[House of Healing Morgue]] ({{Coords|235|12}}). 

A side room on the south-eastern side is a sanguine laboratory where [[Araj Oblodra]] is performing experiments on blood.

On the south-western side, a side room has a staircase leading down to the [[Moonrise Towers Prison|prison]].

====Throne room====
Continuing south past the foyer is the throne room, where [[Ketheric]] will be judging three goblins and possibly [[Minthara]]. The doors on the side exit out to the sanguine laboratory to the east and stairs to the prison to the west.

Behind the throne are a stairs leading up to the [[#First floor|first floor]].

====Kitchen====
In the eastern corner of the main floor is a kitchen where [[Linsella]], a true soul, is training three [[gnoll]]s, including [[Barnabus]]. There are also a number of [[Camp Supplies]]. The gnolls can be influenced or freed, resulting in Linsella's death and the [[Inspiration|Inspirational Events]] '''No Strings to Hold Them Back''' ([[Folk Hero]]), '''Who Let the Gnolls Out''' ([[Dark Urge]]), '''Pied Piper''' ([[Charlatan]]), or '''Gone Feral''' ([[Urchin]]). A [[Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen]] can be found on Linsella's body.

Just off from the kitchen is a small dining room with some strange mucus covering a doorway.

====Dormitory====
In the far western corner of the main floor is a dormitory. An ogre named [[Mig]] can be found here, who drops [[Argument Solver]] and claims to hear "meat-things" moving in the walls. This room also acts as an exit to the southern exterior of the tower.

====Southern exterior====
Just past the dormitory's exterior door is a cracked wall {{coords|-183|-206}} containing a wooden chest.

On the eastern side, just outside the sanguine laboratory and kitchen is the cat [[Steelclaw]], gleefully playing with a dead mind flayer parasite.

====Rafters====
In the foyer, just east of the stairs leading from the main door, is a ladder which can be used to access the rafters.

Just to the east of the ladder is a [[cracked wall]], which is the source of the "suspicious sounds" noted by Mig. Interacting with the wall allows you to reach into the wall, where a tentacle will grab the arm of the interacting party member. Failing a series of checks (Strength, Dexterity and Sleight of Hand) or doing nothing will lead to the tentacle dragging the party to the [[Oubliette]] beneath the [[Moonrise Towers Prison]] and incurring a {{Condition inline|Dislocated Shoulder}} injury in the process.

On the western side, above the room leading to the prison, are some roots which can be climbed to access Isobel's room on the first floor.

===First floor===
On the first floor, a large door guarded by [[Radija]] and her necromites leads up to the [[Moonrise Towers Rooftop|roof]]. Upon reaching Moonrise the first time, [[Z'rell]] will also be here talking to Radija. The [[Inspiration|Inspirational Events]] '''Clear Conscience'''' and '''Know Thy Clientele''' (both [[Charlatan]]) can be obtained during your interaction with Z'rell. Additionally, succeeding a {{Ability check|Insight|14}} will allow you to convince Z'rell ({{Ability check|Persuasion|18}}) to grant access to her secret stash of goods with the quartermaster, Lann Tarv.

From the top of the stairs, the eastern door leads to a study, then onto [[Balthazar]]'s room. 

To the north is a room in the centre of the first floor being patrolled by a zealot and a scrying eye. This room leads to the rooms of Balthazar, Ketheric, and Isobel. 

====Balthazar's room====
This room has several notable items, including a working [[Moonlantern]].

Near a torture rack is a book case with several "Protruding Books", spotted with a {{Ability check|Perception|10}}. All of the labeled shelves are trapped except for the top right, labeled "Musty Tomes". Interacting with the "Musty Tomes" row will allow access to an "Ancient Altar" next to the shelves. Inserting a [[Heart]] into the altar will open a door into a secret room beyond the bookcase and grant the [[Inspiration|Inspirational Events]] '''Secrets of the Necromancer''' and '''A Little Too Familiar with the Grotesque''' (both [[Sage]] background). This room can also be unlocked with the [[Blooming Drow Head]].

Inside the hidden room is an opulent chest with the [[Coldbrim Hat]]. As well, there is a small work table covered in dead pixies and broken moonlanterns from Balthazar's experiments. If [[Gale]] is in the party, he can use the ritual circle to create a [[Shadow Lantern]], or otherwise destroy it and gain {{cond|Mystra's Benevolence}}, which lasts until the next long rest.

====Ketheric's room====
This room can be accessed a number of ways: through a metal door on the balcony accessible through Balthazar's room, through the first floor's patrolled centre room, or through Isobel's room which is accessed by climbing vines from the main floor's rafters.

The Undead dog [[Squire]] is guarding this room. The party can pass one of several different ability checks to have Squire stand down.

Beneath some loose planks next to the bed (visible with a Perception check) is the book [[Elder Brain Domination]]. Off to the west is the remnants of a Myrkulite ritual. There are also letters from [[Gortash]] and to [[Balthazar]].

====Isobel's room====
Beyond Ketheric's room is a disused bedroom that used to be Isobel's.{{ref|The [[Criminal]] inspiration event '''Enter Nostalgia''' refers to this room as Isobel's}} Inside are several Selûnite items, such as a robe and books, as well a bust of Melodia Thorm, Ketheric's deceased wife.

The chest at the foot of the bed is a [[Mimic]] (which can be spotted with a {{Ability check|Perception|20}}) which drops the [[Spineshudder Amulet]].

===Moonrise Towers Prison===
{{hatnote|See main article: [[Moonrise Towers Prison]]}}
Following the stairs down from a room on the south-western side of the main floor is a prison. [[The Warden]] and some imprisoned [[Tiefling Refugees|tiefling refugees]] and [[Deep Gnome|deep gnomes]] can be found here.

===Moonrise Towers Rooftop===
{{hatnote|See main article: [[Moonrise Towers Rooftop]]}}
Past a door on the first floor, guarded by [[Radija]], is the rooftop. After meeting him, [[Ketheric]] will move here.

=== Docks===
The docks are accessed through heavy oak doors in the prison, or by travelling down under the bridge to Moonrise and east, and jumping over a destroyed bridge at {{coords|-100|-149}}.

At the docks, ships are being sent out mysterious cargo, which can be investigated. There are a few Absolutists on the docks: Zealot Renan, Zealot Arden, Adept Bel and Acolyte Marls.

===Notable characters===
{{div col}}
*[[Ketheric Thorm]]
*[[Minthara]]
*[[Fezzerk]]
*[[Mig]]
*[[Linsella]]
*[[Barnabus]]
*[[Z'rell]]
*[[Radija]]
*[[Glourik]]
*[[Steelclaw]]
{{div col end}}

====Traders====
*[[Araj Oblodra]]
*[[Roah Moonglow]]
*[[Lann Tarv]]

===Related Quests===
*[[Infiltrate Moonrise Towers]]
*[[Balthazar's Experiment]]
*[[Decide Minthara's Fate]]
*[[Find the Nightsong]]
*[[Find Mol]]
*[[Find Zevlor]]
*[[Rescue the Grand Duke]]
*[[Rescue the Tieflings]]
*[[Rescue Wulbren]]
*[[Discover the history of Prince Orpheus]]
*[[Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic]]
*[[Defeat Ketheric Thorm]]

==Interactions==
* [[Mig]] in the dormitory will ask the player to investigate a strange meat-sound coming from the walls. This can be resolved by finding a cracked wall in the rafters.
* [[Steelclaw]] can be found on the southern exterior of the main floor playing with a dead mind flayer parasite. She has a special interaction for [[Dark Urge]] players.
* After meeting [[Z'rell]] for the first time, she will give the party a key and access to [[Balthazar]]'s room to obtain a [[Moonlantern]], provided they do not say they have already met him.
* Asking Acolyte Marls at the docks about the cargo can yield an [[Illithid Persuasion]] interaction.  If you follow the wisdom option, he gets agitated by the suppressed memory of the crate contents.  A second {{Ability check|Wisdom|14}} can return him to his ignorant bliss.  Otherwise he goes for a swim. This will prompt more conversation from Arden who may run inside afterwards (temporarily) depending on how your interaction goes.

==History==

Originally built by the Thorm family architect, Moonrise Towers was a symbol of devotion to the moonmaiden [[Selûne]]. The tower was commanded by [[Ketheric Thorm]], who lived there with his wife Melodia and his daughter [[Isobel]].

After both Melodia and Isobel's deaths, Ketheric turned to [[Shar]], the Lady of Loss. In her name, he raised an army of [[Dark Justiciar]]s and set them against the surrounding lands and as far as the [[Grymforge]]. Ketheric's forces were eventually defeated by the allied [[Harpers]] and [[Emerald Grove]] druids, as well from a pact made by the architect which enlisted help from the orthon [[Yurgir]].

Before Ketheric could be brought to justice, he released the [[shadow curse]]. This curse caused immense damage and death across the land, persisting for the following century.

During the fifteenth century, Myrkul appeared to Ketheric, promising him his greatest desire of Isobel returned to life. For this, Ketheric sacrificed his body and soul, and became Myrkul's chosen. Moonrise Towers was reclaimed in Myrkul's name, and became the seat of power of the [[Cult of the Absolute]], lead by him and two fellow chosen of the [[Dead Three]].

==Notable loot==
Notable items obtained in this location, whether looted, purchased, or obtained as a quest reward: 

*{{RarityItem|Derivation Cloak}} and a {{RarityItem|Moonlantern}} can be looted from [[Balthazar]]'s Room on the first floor.
*{{RarityItem|Coldbrim Hat}} can be found in a locked chest in a hidden room behind a bookcase in Balthazar's Chambers. To access it you need to pull the protruding book on the upper right. This will allow you to interact with the stone altar to the right. Place a heart in there (can be found on a nearby table) to get access to the secret room.
*{{RarityItem|Cloak of Elemental Absorption}} can be found in Ketheric Thorm's room
*{{RarityItem|Spineshudder Amulet}} can be looted from a [[Mimic]] in Melodia Throm's room
*{{RarityItem|Potion of Everlasting Vigour}}
*{{RarityItem|Shadow Lantern}} - possible reward for completing [[Balthazar's Experiment]]

[[Lann Tarv]] sells:
*{{RarityItem|Halberd of Vigilance}}
*{{RarityItem|Gloves of The Duellist}}
*{{RarityItem|Sentinel Shield}}
*{{RarityItem|Enraging Heart Garb}}
*{{RarityItem|Fistbreaker Helm}} 
*{{RarityItem|Bigboy's Chew Toy}}
*{{RarityItem|Slicing Shortsword}}
*{{RarityItem|Dagger +2}}

If you convince [[Disciple Z'rell]] to help you, Lann Tarv also sells: 
*{{RarityItem|Gauntlets of Surging Accuracy}}
*{{RarityItem|Dwarven Splintmail}}
*{{RarityItem|Render of Mind and Body}}

[[Roah Moonglow]] sells:
*{{RarityItem|Sharpened Snare Cuirass}}
*{{RarityItem|Gloves of Crushing}}
*{{RarityItem|Armour of Devotion}}
* {{RarityItem|Drakethroat Glaive}}
*{{RarityItem|Ne'er Misser}}
*{{RarityItem|Poisoner's Ring}}
*{{RarityItem|Ring of Spiteful Thunder}}
*{{RarityItem|Marksmanship Hat}}

[[Araj Oblodra]] sells:
*{{RarityItem|Circlet of Hunting}}
*{{RarityItem|Purple Worm Toxin}}
*{{RarityItem|Boots of Arcane Bolstering}}
*{{RarityItem|Risky Ring}}
*{{RarityItem|Ring of Free Action}}
*{{RarityItem|Robe of Exquisite Focus}}
*{{RarityItem|The Graceful Cloth}}
*{{RarityItem|Thunderskin Cloak}}
*{{RarityItem|Hat of Storm Scion's Power}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{FRWiki|Moonrise Towers|long}}

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