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=== Meeting The Harpers === | === Meeting The Harpers === | ||
[[File:Harpers Shadow Curse Quest.jpg|thumb|The Harpers navigate the Shadow-Cursed Lands.]] | [[File:Harpers Shadow Curse Quest.jpg|thumb|The Harpers navigate the Shadow-Cursed Lands.]] | ||
If the party | If the party used the elevator in [[Grymforge]] as part of {{Quest|Travel through the Underdark}}, the party arrives at a Sharran worship site. Directly ahead is an Absolutist Expedition Trunk with torches and various potions, which can be lockpicked (DC 10). Move west to find an exit to the Shadow-Cursed Lands (and a Weary Traveler for {{Quest|The Wizard of Waterdeep}} if he wasn't encountered already). The party arrives at the [[Ruined Battlefield]]. Right by the exit are two braziers - the party can light them and take the torches, as they are useful for avoiding the shadow curse. In order to avoid succumbing to the shadow curse, a party member must be holding a lit torch, or otherwise be illuminated (such as by the {{SAI|Light}} cantrip, or the passive effect of the {{SmRarityItem|The Blood of Lathander}}). Continue exploring westward to encounter some Harper Scouts, led by Harper {{CharLink|Lassandra}}. The harpers are suspicious and order the party forward, when a harper named {{CharLink|Yonas}} is taken by a [[Shadow]] and transformed by the shadow curse. A fight breaks out between the newly transformed Yonas and seven Shadows against the remaining Harpers. | ||
After the Shadows are defeated, Lassandra thanks the party and urges them to carry a torch, as it's enough for the edges of the Shadow-Cursed Land. She tells them there is one place safe from the curse, the [[Last Light Inn]], and marks it on the map. | After the Shadows are defeated, Lassandra thanks the party and urges them to carry a torch, as it's enough for the edges of the Shadow-Cursed Land. She tells them there is one place safe from the curse, the [[Last Light Inn]], and marks it on the map. | ||
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=== Meeting The Absolutists === | === Meeting The Absolutists === | ||
[[File:Follow the Convoy Quest.jpg|thumb|The drider offers safe passage through the Shadow-Cursed Lands.]] | [[File:Follow the Convoy Quest.jpg|thumb|The drider offers safe passage through the Shadow-Cursed Lands.]] | ||
If the party | If the party used the [[Mountain Pass]] route, as part of {{Quest|Travel through the Mountain Pass}}, then a goblin greets them and asks if they are the True Soul the goblin is expecting. The goblin tells the party to grab a torch, stick to the light as much as possible, and go to the rendezvous point to wait for the guide to Moonrise Towers. This starts {{Quest|Follow the Convoy}}. | ||
If approaching the rendezvous point, an orc named {{CharLink|Kansif}} asks if the party have what is needed to summon the guide. To summon the Drider guide, Vez explains that a special lyre is needed - the {{SmRarityItem|Spider's Lyre}}. This lyre can be looted off {{CharLink|Minthara|Minthara's}} corpse if she was killed or knocked out during {{Quest|Defeat the Goblins}}, gifted by Minthara if she was sided with during {{Quest|Raid the Grove}}, or by rescuing {{CharLink|Nere}} in {{Quest|Free True Soul Nere}} and siding with him. Once the lyre has been produced, a Performance check (DC 16) is prompted, but the result is the same whether it's passed or failed - the guide just makes a snide comment if it was played poorly. If the party does not have the lyre, then they can summon the guide using illithid powers (Wisdom DC 14). Additionally, Barbarians, Sorcerers, Bards, Clerics, and Paladins all have special dialogue to summon the guide. | |||
The guide in question is a Drider named | The guide in question is a Drider named {{CharLink|Kar'niss}}. He owns a functioning {{SmRarityItem|Moonlantern}} and has been tasked with shuttling cultist initiates to Moonrise Towers. He'll ferry the party to Moonrise. Once the party agrees, Kar'niss takes off and the party must remain in the glow of his Moonlantern to stave off the shadow curse. | ||
During the trek, a group of Harpers ambush the convoy. The party | During the trek, a group of Harpers ambush the convoy. The party can to betray the convoy and help the Harpers, or fight alongside the convoy in the hopes of being more convincing at Moonrise. If siding with the Harpers, they take the drider's Moonlantern and refer the party to Last Light Inn. If sticking with the convoy, then Kar'niss safely guides the party to the front entrance to Moonrise Towers. | ||
=== The Last Light Inn === | === The Last Light Inn === | ||
Once | Once arriving at Last Light Inn, there is a Harper, who summons {{CharLink|Jaheira}}. Jaheira is instantly wary of the party and summons vines to stop them. She produces a {{SmRarityItem|Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen}} and explains that the mind flayer tadpoles react to those infected. She brings the specimen up to the party and it reacts, causing Jaheira to believe the party are True Souls. If the tieflings were saved during {{Quest|Save the Refugees}}, then {{CharLink|Mol}} appears to vouch for the party, explaining that they protected the [[Druid Grove]]. | ||
If the party did not save the tieflings, either by ignoring the Grove or by raiding it, then Flaming Fist Marcus comes to their aid. Although he clearly does not recognize the party, he communes with them telepathically. He tells Jaheira that the party helped him fight off cultists, so they can be trusted. | If the party did not save the tieflings, either by ignoring the Grove or by raiding it, then Flaming Fist Marcus comes to their aid. Although he clearly does not recognize the party, he communes with them telepathically. He tells Jaheira that the party helped him fight off cultists, so they can be trusted. | ||
Jaheira is shocked at how that's possible. She demands answers. Jaheira insists on knowing the whole truth not accepting any vague answers. The | Jaheira is shocked at how that's possible. She demands answers. Jaheira insists on knowing the whole truth not accepting any vague answers. The {{SmRarityItem|Mysterious Artefact}} gets Jaheira to back down, to which she invites the party in for a drink. If the wine is smelled first (Medicine DC 10, or DC 6 for rogues and druids), a hint of Klauthgrass is detected - a truth serum. Jaheira's trust can be earned regardless of if the serum is drunk and the question she asks is the same - is the parasite changing the party? Jaheira refuses to believe an assertion that the parasite isn't doing anything, but she will believe an assertion that the party is resisting the urge to change. | ||
Once Jaheira trusts the party, she explains the situation. The leader of Moonrise Towers is a man named | Once Jaheira trusts the party, she explains the situation. The leader of Moonrise Towers is a man named {{CharLink|Ketheric Thorm}}. He's immensely powerful and gifted with immortality. The Harpers have come to find a way to stop the cult and kill Thorm once and for all. The Harpers have had little luck, but Jaheira believes that the party can make a difference by infiltrating Moonrise as a True Soul. She tells the party to go upstairs and meet {{CharLink|Isobel}} a cleric of {{CharLink|Selûne}} who is the one responsible for keeping Last Light Inn shielded. | ||
=== The Abduction === | === The Abduction === | ||
After Jaheira starts to trust the party, she refers them upstairs to gain a blessing from Isobel. Isobel is on the balcony, finishing a prayer to Selûne in order to strengthen the wards around the Inn. If the party speaks to her, Isobel strengthens the party's resistance to the curse with a Blessing of Selûne, and if the Harpers took Kar'niss' Moonlantern, she gives it to them. After the party is done talking with Isobel, chaos breaks out in the Inn. A Flaming Fist named Marcus reveals himself to be a True Soul tasked with kidnapping Isobel and bringing her back to Moonrise Towers. Sensing the tadpoles in the party, he tells them to aid him. This starts | After Jaheira starts to trust the party, she refers them upstairs to gain a blessing from Isobel. Isobel is on the balcony, finishing a prayer to Selûne in order to strengthen the wards around the Inn. If the party speaks to her, Isobel strengthens the party's resistance to the curse with a Blessing of Selûne, and if the Harpers took Kar'niss' Moonlantern, she gives it to them. After the party is done talking with Isobel, chaos breaks out in the Inn. A Flaming Fist named {{CharLink|Marcus}} reveals himself to be a True Soul tasked with kidnapping Isobel and bringing her back to Moonrise Towers. Sensing the tadpoles in the party, he tells them to aid him. This starts {{Quest|Resolve the Abduction}}. The party can either turn on the Harpers or choose to fight off Marcus. Additionally, a winged horror swoops in and kidnaps Mol, if she is alive. | ||
If the tieflings were not spared, the events play out slightly differently. After Jaheira backs down, Marcus can be spoken to in Isobel's room upstairs, where he reveals that he was sent on a mission to kidnap the cleric. The party can either attack him, or go down and report it to Jaheira with a high enough persuasion or deception roll. If Jaheira is convinced of his betrayal, she tells the party to go to Isobel to protect her while she gathers her most trusted Harpers. However, the choices to fight Marcus or aid him are still the same. | If the tieflings were not spared, the events play out slightly differently. After Jaheira backs down, Marcus can be spoken to in Isobel's room upstairs, where he reveals that he was sent on a mission to kidnap the cleric. The party can either attack him, or go down and report it to Jaheira with a high enough persuasion or deception roll. If Jaheira is convinced of his betrayal, she tells the party to go to Isobel to protect her while she gathers her most trusted Harpers. However, the choices to fight Marcus or aid him are still the same. | ||
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=== Moonrise Towers === | === Moonrise Towers === | ||
After entering Moonrise Towers, the party is urged to go to the audience chamber. Enter it, and Ketheric is on a throne while one of his minions, Disciple Z'rell, will be seen interrogating a group of characters about what happened at the [[Goblin Camp]] during [[Act One]]. Depending on several things the party did during Act One, | After entering Moonrise Towers, the party is urged to go to the audience chamber. Enter it, and Ketheric is on a throne while one of his minions, Disciple Z'rell, will be seen interrogating a group of characters about what happened at the [[Goblin Camp]] during [[Act One]]. Depending on several things the party did during Act One, some variations are possible. | ||
Thes variations include: | |||
* | * {{CharLink|Minthara}} begging for mercy, which will lead to the quest {{Quest|Decide Minthara's Fate}} being added to the journal. | ||
* | * {{CharLink|Fezzerk}} acting as the primary "speaking" goblin character, with or without Minthara present. | ||
* | * {{CharLink|Sazza}} beeing part of the goblin group if she was freed from the [[Emerald_Grove|Grove]] and spared in the [[Shattered Sanctum]]. She can also act as the primary "speaking" goblin character if Fezzerk is not present. | ||
* A goblin named | * A goblin named {{CharLink|Darra}} may take on the speaking role usually occupied by Fezzerk if he was neither encountered during Act One nor killed prior to this scene and if Sazza is also not there. Darra has been observed to be accompanied by a second goblin named {{CharLink|Racha}}. | ||
* A specific goblin named | * A specific goblin named {{CharLink|Drenn}} always appears to be present in this scene, for specific reasons.{{Verify}} | ||
During this scene, the party is allowed to select dialogue options that "insert" them into the interrogation, or they can remain silent until other outcomes prompt them to respond. | During this scene, the party is allowed to select dialogue options that "insert" them into the interrogation, or they can remain silent until other outcomes prompt them to respond. | ||
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* A DC 14 Persuasion check to "distract" Z'rell with the player chararcter's "romantic desires", which is available if the player character has either chosen options that flirt with Z'rell, or has at least one love interest of their own. | * A DC 14 Persuasion check to "distract" Z'rell with the player chararcter's "romantic desires", which is available if the player character has either chosen options that flirt with Z'rell, or has at least one love interest of their own. | ||
* A DC 14 Deception check for the player character to "fake" their love for the absolute. | * A DC 14 Deception check for the player character to "fake" their love for the absolute. | ||
* Class-specific options have been observed for Bards, Rogues, Monks, and Fighters | * Class-specific options have been observed for Bards, Rogues, Monks, and Fighters.{{Verify}} For other details about this specific interaction, please refer to {{CharLink|Z'rell|Z'rell'S}} page. | ||
If the party successfully convinces Z'rell of their faith, Z'rell gives them a new task - track down | If the party successfully convinces Z'rell of their faith, Z'rell gives them a new task - track down {{CharLink|Balthazar}}, a servant of Thorm's whom the cult has lost contact with. He was last seen at the Thorm Mausoleum. If the player character passes an automatic dice roll, they may be given the option to press Z'rell for further details about the mission and/or Z'rell's personal thoughts about it. | ||
Z'rell gives the party a key to Balthazar's room and instructs them to take a Moonlantern and touch nothing else. However, the party can access a secret area in his room in order to start | Z'rell gives the party a key to Balthazar's room and instructs them to take a Moonlantern and touch nothing else. However, the party can access a secret area in his room in order to start {{Quest|Balthazar's Experiment}}. | ||
=== The Relic === | === The Relic === | ||
Pursuing Balthazar on the path of | Pursuing Balthazar on the path of {{Quest|Find Ketheric Thorm's Relic}} leads the party to [[Grand Mausoleum]], north of the [[House of Healing]]. After solving a small puzzle in the Mausoleum, the party enters the [[Gauntlet of Shar]], where they must overcome each of Shar's trials and collect the {{SmRarityItem|Umbral Gem|Umbral Gems}} to gain access to the Shadowfell. Then they have to decide the {{CharLink|Aylin|Nightsong's}} fate. | ||
=== Confronting Ketheric === | === Confronting Ketheric === | ||
The final meeting with Ketheric can go very differently depending on if the party aided him or sabotaged him. However, it always results in the subsequent quest | The final meeting with Ketheric can go very differently depending on if the party aided him or sabotaged him. However, it always results in the subsequent quest {{Quest|Defeat Ketheric Thorm}}. | ||
==== Assaulting Moonrise Towers ==== | ==== Assaulting Moonrise Towers ==== | ||
If the party sabotaged Ketheric by either freeing or killing the Nightsong, Ketheric loses his immortality. If Last Light Inn is still intact, the party can join | If the party sabotaged Ketheric by either freeing or killing the Nightsong, Ketheric loses his immortality. If Last Light Inn is still intact, the party can join {{CharLink|Jaheira}}, the [[Harpers]], and the [[Flaming Fist]] in a frontal assault on Moonrise Towers, against a large number of cultists. If {{CharLink|'Barnabus'}} and the other gnolls were freed, they will also join the fight on the party's side. Once the main floor has been taken, Jaheira can be persuaded to come with the party to the rooftop, where Thorm awaits. | ||
There is an entirely optional battle in the [[Moonrise Towers Prison]], where the party can fight alongside several Fists against a group of undead led by a [[Death Shepherd]] and Myrkulite cultists. | There is an entirely optional battle in the [[Moonrise Towers Prison]], where the party can fight alongside several Fists against a group of undead led by a [[Death Shepherd]] and Myrkulite cultists. | ||
On the rooftop, the party has a brief moment to speak with Thorm. They can try to convince him that he can still redeem himself and stop the madness. Even if he is convinced, he must still be fought, but convincing him here will give the option to convince him later | On the rooftop, the party has a brief moment to speak with Thorm. They can try to convince him that he can still redeem himself and stop the madness. Even if he is convinced, he must still be fought, but convincing him here will give the option to convince him later. If Aylin was freed alive, she joins the party in the battle. Once Thorm is defeated, a tentacle appears to whisk him away deeper into Moonrise. | ||
==== An Audience with the Absolute ==== | ==== An Audience with the Absolute ==== | ||
If the party lets Balthazar take the Nightsong to Moonrise Towers, then he tells them to meet them there to receive Ketheric Thorm's favour. Once the party arrives and speaks to Disciple Z'rell, she only lets them proceed if | If the party lets Balthazar take the Nightsong to Moonrise Towers, then he tells them to meet them there to receive Ketheric Thorm's favour. Once the party arrives and speaks to Disciple Z'rell, she only lets them proceed if {{Quest|Resolve the Abduction}} is completed. The party must kidnap Isobel from the Last Light Inn to be allowed to see Thorm. If Isobel is already dead, then Z'rell lets the party up to face judgement. | ||
If Isobel is kidnapped, Thorm thanks the party and tells them to pray at the altar as a reward. If Isobel dies, then he tells them to pray for the Absolute's justice. Either way, a tentacle appears behind the party as they pray at the altar and detects their Astral Prism. Thorm, knowing they possess the relic and that it cannot be taken for some reason, commands the tentacle to take the party down to Balthazar's lab, where he will find a way to sever the connection. | If Isobel is kidnapped, Thorm thanks the party and tells them to pray at the altar as a reward. If Isobel dies, then he tells them to pray for the Absolute's justice. Either way, a tentacle appears behind the party as they pray at the altar and detects their Astral Prism. Thorm, knowing they possess the relic and that it cannot be taken for some reason, commands the tentacle to take the party down to Balthazar's lab, where he will find a way to sever the connection. | ||
When the party comes to, they are trapped in Profane Wombs and must escape. After escaping, Balthazar must be defeated. He is joined by several undead servants. If the party killed | When the party comes to, they are trapped in Profane Wombs and must escape. After escaping, Balthazar must be defeated. He is joined by several undead servants. If the party killed {{CharLink|Dror Ragzlin}} and {{CharLink|Minthara}}, then their undead corpses will be among them. | ||
== Related Quests == | == Related Quests == | ||