Limona Razvan
limona_razvan@yahoo.com
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Neverwinter  Nights  2
Storm of Zehir  Walkthrough
Version 1.1
Update : 2 II 2009 - Added new info about miscelaneous quests Ruined
Keep(Sword Coast) and One of Many (Samarach) grace to J. Urban
Sylesis.
1. Introduction
2. Strategy tips
3. Building a party
4. Main story
5. Side missions
6. Miscelaneous quests
7. Teamwork benefits
8. Cohorts
9. Bugs and tricks
10. Credits
1. Introduction
Storm of Zehir is an ambitious add on to Neverwinter Nights 2 and, most
likely, the future of Neverwinter franchise gameplay. Since the original
campaign and Mask of Betrayer are not related to Storm of Zehir, you could
only import a character, but not continue the story. The first thing to do
is to consult nwn2forums.bioware.com for a complete list of bugs, glitches
and how to fixe them. Without them, the game will still work, but only
for those who don`t get crazy when they miss a quest. Of course, this faq
will miss some information about loot, enemies number, rewards, etc. If
you like, I appreciate all possible updates and corections.
2. Strategy tips
a. Save.In a world where rest is a luxury(inns,crafting station in Samargol,
Crossroads Keep HQ, random dungeons and overland map - if nobody is around),
you will need a back up.
b. Always buff before fighting. This is a high magic module, full of evil,
acomplished enemy spellcasters who use all the spell possible, from the
old fireball to paralyze, confuze, etc.
c. Shield users, especially those destined to be tanks, live longer.
d. Buy summoning objects to soft up tough enemies.
e. Read all info available on bioware or nwn2.wiki before playing.If you
don`t like spoilers,at least check those threads about building a character,
a party and best strategies to use.
f.Always target first the spellcasters. They are weak, but a well placed
fireball will kill half your party.
g. Remember to have fun ! It may look strange, but if you immerse to deep
in technical data, the game will lose his charm.
h. This is not a game with a lot of good weapons or armors. The only weapons
I found worthy were Malak`s Claw (scimitar) and Fang of Zehir (falchion),
later in the gameplay,so is best to make your own. Fast.
3. Building a party
Neverwinter Nights games had been, since number 1, highly unbalanced. While
most encounters and fights could be solved by a combination of experience
and careful planning, the final battles are always overpowering and really
hard. Storm of Zehir manage, finnaly, to give spellcasters a better place,
but, in doing so, they made enemy arcanists a pain in the ... In my opinion
is unlikely or almost impossible to win with a tank formation, bent on
simply crashing everything around. There are, of course, cheats and glitches
who can be exploited, a topic for later. Despite what the Adventurer`s Guide
tell you in the beginning, a rogue is not necessary for the first part. The
most succesful party I created was composed by two tanks, a cleric, a
sorcerer, plus Umoja (Druid) and Belueth the Calm (Rogue) as cohorts.Your
tanks should be able to whistand a lot of punishment, so i selected
Bard 1/Fighter 4/Red Dragon Disciple 10/Frenzied Bersekr 1 and Fighter 7/
Dwarven Defender 9. A cleric is essential for healing, more than in previous
games (Cleric15/Fighter 1), Umoja and his dino pet Yuzhai soften up the
enemies, Belueth deals a lot of sneak damage and she can take one level
of ranger to select Monstruos Humanoids (Yuan Ti) as favored enemy. The
essential party member was, nevertheless, a custom made sorcerer. Yes, both
cleric and druid could punch with magic, but an arcanist will make the
difference. I choosed evocation as school and bombed everyone to oblivion.
Especially in the final boss battle, the sorcerer will save the day.
Final thoughts :
1. Humans do not make good tanks in Storm of Zehir, because you need a
lot of inborn abilities to cover all possibilities.Dwarfs and in some extent
genasi fill this role with stubborness and grace, followed by drows(if you
can wait until they reach level 16).
2.Tweaking your party to perfection (custom made armor, weapons, amulets,
rings etc.,enchanted with all damage resistence available) doesn`t mean to
much to the big bosses. They have already huge reduction about everything,
so expect battles who last at least (being optimistic !) half of hour, real
time !
3. You`re not invincible, stop acting like one ! This is not NWN2, where
NPC rush blindly, kill everything and have a snack ! With this `tactic`,
enemies in Storm of Zehir will cut your team in little pieces and
feed them to their summoned pets ! Let creatures came one by one, use
summoned elementals to keep them distracted while your tanks keep choping
and mages throw fireballs and Isaac`s Missiles.
4. Spread points in every skill necessary. You have one avatar and three
NPC who could cover a lot of options, from intimidate to spellcraft and
crafting. I suggest letting Belueth do the spot/hide/move silently work,
while survival is not that necessary (being fast on the overland map means
nothing if some mob is able to see through your hide ).
NOTE :
It`s not usual to present the quests so early in a faq. After reading a lot
of them and making some of my own, I understand that is really frustrating
to scroll down a lot of pages to find that one advice you REALLY need. Since
you get a lot of things to do, i decided to split the quests, avoiding a
lot of confusion (also, I am to methodical for my own good !). I didn`t
bother to make a list of races, classes, skills, feats, spells, traders
and prices. This data can be found online on many faqs posted on
Game Faqs and Game Spot or in the work of fans (Thieves - Guild.net,
nwn2.wiki, nwn2forums.bioware.com )
4. Main story
A. PRELUDE
Create or import a character(up to level 30). Welcome to the ship Vigilant,
lead by captain Lastri Kassireh, a lightfoot halfling. After speaking with
her and Volo, you have to make a decision. Read by yourself the Adventurer`s
Guide and earn 1000 XP or make first a team and read the same book for 250 XP
each. I prefer the second one, because I want my team to level in the same
time. Register your party, keeping in mind what cohorts you`ll encounter
later and rest.
TIP : Spend as much time you like in customizing the party. Remember, a
game need a balanced team, something that pleases you. If you feel happy
about the initial choices, no matter how strange may look,the game will
be less frustrating.
B. SHIPWRECK
The game will show a cutscene with Volo the bard starting his new book about
your adventures. Next, Vigilant will be doomed by a combination of sabotage
and storm, ending as shipwreck on the coast of Samarach. Speak with the
rest of her crew, earning a longsword and a shortbow by use of diplomacy or
intimidate. Stay close to Volo, involved in speaking with 3 groups of
batiri, canibalistic goblins, lead by Ghzermag the Wild, Clawkeeper Kzheemoc
and Shoudul of the Skulls. Every time, he will fail to understand them and
make you battle for extra XP.Be careful of that Goblin banner, he will
damage with sickness the first one who get past him, only one time, while
fighting or chasing the batiri.In the end a patrol of Samarach Elite show up,
accusing everybody to be yuan ti in disguise ( I wonder what will happen if
one of your team is a yuan ti, available in this expansion ?). Still, i had
the time to check the debris and scrubs for extra weapons, scrolls, magic
wands and potions, plus one more coin of life. Also, ignore the locked cave
and receive the Protector feat for keeping everyone alive (+1 Survival).
Click one of the Samarach patrol when you`ve done everything. In Samargol
the merchant Sa`Sani will interfere in your favor, asking to rest in Leira`s
Trick Inn before speaking to her again.
TIP : Don`t bother using Sleight of Hand. The only one who can be pick-
pocketed is Volo and he`s empty.
C. Samargol City - SAMARACH
TIP : Explore first the city. The crafting station is the only place you
can rest for free and merchants like Vadiny`a, Osi Tchaluka and the
priestess of Waukeen got weapons, armor and recipes. Vadiny`a has low
prices for armors, but she also offer low prices for everything.If
you get enchanted items, ancient trap parts or delicate totems, keep it
until `Golemkin` from Lantanese lumber camp is available.
TIP : With patience you could steal some gold pieces from merchants. I
didn`t wait enough to see if they drop weapons and armor.
a. Crossroad Keep - Missing Associates
Before speaking with Sa`Sani, you`ll overhear her discusion with Volo and
Na`Sirin, regarding her missing associates in Crossroad Keep. The quest
will update later.
b. Samargol - Unnerving Evidence
Sa`Sani first task is to investigate the shipwreck area for evidence
pointing to a sabotage. On place kill 6 velociraptors, 6 batiri scavengers,
2 batiri guards and 1 jungle beetle. The first clue is a body on the way to
ship, followed by the ship hull (where she is broken in two), a rope and
a broken spear near the place with a coin of life in prelude. There is also
a zalantar spear in a rack near the locked cave ( Hint for a Stormlord
NPC/Avatar ?! ).
c. Samargol - Job  Aplication
Along with quest b. Sa`Sani require some of her cargo recuperated.Depending
the game and resources already in your cargo,shipwreck area will give 2 - 6
ore, near the shore and cave entrance.
d. Samarach - The Lady`s Apprentice (non stop quest)
Along the game, resources will be available from buying and finding all
over the overland map. The job is to exchange them for trade bars aka
cheques nowadays, making a profit for Sa`Sani Merchant Company.
TIP : Samarach is a bad place for buying/seling, because all three towns
have the same prices and rare resources like salt can`t be sold for profit.
Simply sell what you find, waiting the Sword Coast to make a significant
fortune.
e. Samargol - Missing personnel
Sa`Sani believe Lastri Kassireh may be alive and sugest to search the
area surrounding the shipwreck. Going south from there is the cave of
Stone Knives batiri tribe. Kill those 3 - 4 from entrance, go ahead
until main chamber. Lastri is prisoner in a wooden cell and wants revenge
against chief Zhechrrog, two matrons, 1 elder and 2 batiri young for
eating one of her mates.Kill them,free Lastri with the key taken from chief,
loot the place (especially the short sword called Shard who deal negative
damage) and return.
f.Samargol - Seeking the truth
Sa`Sani want Luaire tracked down to the Lantanese Lumber Camp to find out if
her message to Crossroad Keep was sent.In the camp Dall Nickleplate say that
Luaire is missing and the portal is broken. To repair him an `unknown` hero
should inquire further, finding out what is needed :
f.1 :Samargol - Local Troubles ( Pesky Dinos, Disturbancies )
Dall have a couple of problems. Someone is messing arounds with the
equipment,a essential part is missing and the local dinos started to like to
much gnome dishes ( with gnomes as dishes ! ). Get outside to kill one dino
party and bring back 3 claws. Wait until midnight, then head near the gnomes
chopping of a tree where a ghost do nasty thing. Engage and after a couple
of hits, she get out of her rage, stating another gnome, Leva, killed her/him
to steal a new invention. Find her remains(N, near a tree,in a mound) and
present them to Dall. Finally, the missing piece. There are two options :
with a good spellcraft or craft check you`ll be able to replace the piece
or start searching the megaraptor who eated the original one. He is outside,
near the camp, on the overland map.
In the end the portal is repaired, but the arificier is dead, killed by
some exotic toxine, now in your posesion. Dall send you back, promising he
will deliver a mesage to Crossroad Keep and Sa`Sani.
g. Samargol - Sabotage
Sa`Sani ask to find more about the toxine. Inquire Vadiny`a who point in
the direction of Chokemist,a plant who create addiction in those who
try to kill other with it. Head to Chokemist Cave, buffing once inside
against mind affecting substances(Protection against evil do nicely).Kill
Luaire and his three corrupted spiders,loot(interesting Assassin Stilleto)
and report back. After you reveal the yuan ti origin of Luaire, suddenly the
town captain bug in and order Sa`Sani to remove herself from Samargol and
be happy she is still alive, despite her `involvement` with yuan ti. Geee,I
think the fact she control much of Samargol commerce didn`t matter at all!
h. Samargol - North Bound
Sa`Sani will go to Crossroad Keep and suggest you do the same.The portal
malfunctioned again, sending you to a crypt in Sword Coast. Fight a
necromancer and 2 skeletons, loot the place and head to keep, along the
road.Entry the keep, watch Khelgar and Sa`Sani speak, receive some XP
and head to the Company HQ (on the left ).
D. SWORD COAST
a. Crossroad Keep - The next step
Sa`Sani require your presence in Company HQ. Enter the building to receive
100 trade bars and 300 XP.
b. Crossroad Keep - Sword Coast Trader
To increase the commercial influence of your company at least one town
around the keep should have a trading post. Inquire to find out they need.
For example Highcliff want 100 trade bars and 5 timber. Go back, speak to
Sa`Sani and build a caravan using the services of Caravan master O`Dell.
Don`t forget to upgrade your caravans from the beginning at level 3 for extra
income and resistence against bandits and mobs on map.Do not create more
than 3 caravans in a unpatched game, because you`ll be flooded by trade
bars.
c. Crossroad Keep - Missing Associates
Sa`Sani ask to travel in Neverwinter City and speak with the representatives
of three merchant companies - Circle of Friends, Forgotten Lords and Fated
Winds (good, chaotic, evil ), all three in the shrine of Waukeen. The first
one will increase your diplomacy by one and the second appraise by two. I
didn`t try Fated Winds, even knowing those missing associates spoked with
them. In order to join a company pay a fee of 250 trade bars and find out
the representatives had been seen in the company of Jordan Wright, leader
of Fated Winds.He refuse to even speak about the matter, so go back to
Sa`Sani who ask that you work to enhance the status in chosen company
and find more about their fate.
d. Neverwinter, Forgotten Lords Quests
To advance further in finding the missing associates we need to help
Forgotten Lords company in three quests :
d.1 : Port Llast - Under New Management
* This is the mother of all glitches in Storm of Zehir, without a fix.
Even when the fix is installed, many other bad things can and will
happen. I didn`t bother to use a fix, so Septimund, one of prospective
cohorts, will crash the game if taken as cohort. Also, Umoja will lose
the ability to summon his dino Yuzhai permanently ! Since I didn`t like
Septimund to begin with, I simply choose, on the second play, to ignore
him while resolving the quest and choose another cohort instead of
Umoja *
Because of the Luskan occupation, Port Llast has been cut off from land
and sea trade. Your mission - if you choose to take !!!? - is to restore
commerce for 1000 trade bars. From here are two directions :
- fast -- pretend to work with Luskan and use Umberlee wraith or Lord
Adreum undead army to defeat them. In my opinion this solution is for
those who breeze through gameplay without paying to much attention to
sidequests and extra XP in order to get as fast as possible at the end.
- steady -- deal yourself with Luskan army, then solve the trade issues.
Since evil answers tend to bore me, here it is the steady solution.
Enter Port Llast Garrison and kill the Luskan leader Rynn Shepherde
and his two Elite soldier, plus two guards at entrance. Buff properly and
head directly where Platinum Pride is docked to face 1 cleric, 1 soldier,
7 buccaneer from the ship and 3 patrol soldiers. At level 13 the cleric
will lose Auril`s Accoutrements armor with resistence against cold.Return
to garrison, free Haeromon Dothwintil and receive Sigil of the Last
Port ( AC +3 against orcs, Con +2 ). Then you`ll need to solve two
problems who plague the city.
d.1.2 : Port Llast - Army of the Dead
The land trade has been severaly hampered by an undead invasion.You could
take Septimund as cohort, paying 3000 gp for the wyrmsage he need to
protect the city in his absence over the night.Fight two wraiths who enter
the city by night, exit and head to Gothaladreum graveyard. In the first
yard roam 8 gravetouched ghouls and in small graveyard on right 3 ghouls
plus 2 ghast. 5 skeletons move past the stone walls and in the graveyard
in front of you will be  6 more skeletons, 2 skeleton warriors and 3
wraiths. Loot the gravestones, then retrace your step to the ruined
buiding on the left, past the stone walls. Inside Nya perform necromantic
rituals in her effort to save Port Llast from Luskan occupation. If your
conversational skills are low, simple choose the lines saying Port Llast is
free and Haeromos also. Septimund have a good diplomacy check, so he can be
useful here. Loot the book next to her for scrolls and exit. Ignore the
Ghostly Visage from the small graveyard on right, as you enter the area,
because she will do the same ! ( On the other hand, if you`re working for
Luskan, he will appear as Lord Adreum, the figure with whom Nya conspired
to bring the undead against Luskan forces. A word of advice in this case :
to kill him, no matter why, is a tough choice. He will go down, but the
team leader need some Death Ward spell protection, because if you fail
the check against his touch, you`ll die in one hit !)
Return to Haeromos for 500 gp and 1200 XP. A bluff check will net 1000 gp
more, but in a bugged game the journal believe the extra money is the
reward for the next quest and he will update accordingly !
d.1.3 : Port Llast - The Wrath of Umberlee
NW of Port Llast can be found The Priory of Dephts, a temple for the godess
of sea and oceans Umberlee.Click,swim,enter the temple and read the placard
saying you will pay Umberlee for times in gold, mind, blood and song.First
payment most be 2000 gp or 150 trade bars ( be sure you have at least 8000
gp or 600 trade bars on you ! ). The door will open for the next payment.
Read the 4 placards, click the statue and answer the question : Who should
fear the Queen of Dephts ?(Everyone); What death covet most the Queen of
Dephts ? (Drowning) ; What`s Umberlee divine symbol ? ( A blue - gree wave
curling left and right ); What domain Umberlee rule ? ( Seas and oceans ).
A wrong answer will net some electricity damage and four correct one will
open the next door. Loot Khralver and 4 drowned people on the water to
trigger their attack. While fighting them, 2 larger elementals show up
from left/right rooms. Kill them also and click on the levers to get acces
into the last payment. The song room is mostly bugged. Put your avatar on
each 9 arms of the symbol in order to see who light up green and who deal
electricity damage. Install your 5 NPC/cohorts on the safe ones and don`t
hesitate to summon a pet on other spot if 3 blue lights still do not show
up near the right door. I did it by moving randomly by avatar on center
and the rest of arms and eventually you`ll trigger the right patern.Inside
the priestess can handle a decent conversation for once, even if she is
demanding and crazy.It looks like she belong to Kraken Society and made
a deal with another member, a High Captain of Luskan, to stoped by
storms any vessel heading to Port Llast with Neverwinter reinforcements.
After that Luskans decided not to pay the price and she let the storm
ravage the coast until someone else will pay. I did have the option to
kill her, but i opted to pay 6000 gp to stop the storms. Return to
Forgotten Lords for 1000 trade bars and 1400 XP. Buy a new status in the
company for 1000 trade bars (!?) and ask for another task.
d.2 : New Leaf - Shortage
A shortage of goods need to be investigate in New Leaf. Enter the inn and
speak with quartermaster for some cryptic answers. Exit, face a bandit mob
and loot a serpent figurine who glow brightly near the bandits cave. Go
south to find out Forktongue Hideout, past some rocks. There are 3 bandits
and a cleric just ahead. Take them fast, buff if you can, because 13 bandits
and 2 clerics will jump full force, attracted by the battle noises. Take all
out, go left - right - left to find in the main chamber Myrkul, 1 Forktongue
Barbarian, 1 cleric and 2 bandits. Bang their heads, return to the
quartermaster and your company for 1800 XP. Ignore the journal, he doesn`t
update properly. Your company leader is worried, because Myrkul work for
Fated Winds and all companies can be kick out if Nasher suspect foul
play in bussines dealings. When ready, join him in  a meeting with merchant
company leaders to deal with the matter.
d.3 : Conyberry - The Meeting
Enter the inn in Conyberry and put the weakest member(sorcerer/wizard) in
front because your back will be soon in flames ! Click on Jordan Wright when
he get in and trigger the battle with `weak` answers to his questions (I`m
not sure if agreeing with him change anything ?). A bunch of Yuan ti get in
( you did take Foe Hunting - Monstruos Humanoids, did you ?) aka 3 holy
guardians and 5 abominations. Kill them and return to Sa`Sani.I wanted to
rest, but those silly yuan ti killed the innkeeper !? Damn !
e. Crossroad Keep - Missing Associates
Sa`Sani make a brief speech about her lost associates wanting a meeting in
Night Rest Inn, near Phandalin. Kizu and Il`foss are in the right chamber
with a couple of Tavern patrons(What this mean exactly, since I saw them
like forever in Neverwinter games? Do they have a share in tavern profits?).
They tell the story about a yuan ti Sauringar princess Sa`Sani, working for
god Sseth to bring her people to dominance in Faerun, whom they betrayed
changing sides for god Zehir, adept to a much more direct approach aka
war and plunder.Kill them for good loot (Emerald Stave and Kizu short sword
coated with Wyvern poison) and return to the Keep.
f. Crossroad Keep - Murder at Crossroad Keep
In your absence Sa`Sani killed Nas`Sirin and head back to Samarach.Use the
portal, speak with Dall and go to Viper Temple.
g. Chult - The fall of House Se`Sehen
Enter the temple and buff properly before speaking with Sa`Sani, mainly
protection against evil, haste and death ward. Also put a tank in the back,
since your party will be stuck before the battle on the stairs. She tell
the story about Viper Temple, ancient home of Sauringar clan and her work
for Se`Sehen clan who betrayed Sseth for Zehir, planning to conquer Faerun
by infiltrating spies and war. Get 2400 XP for speakin with her and Se`Sehen
cronies get in fast. 2 snaketongue zealots came from back to distract the
attention from the main force up front ( 2 abominations, 2  snaketongue
zealots and Es`San). Take the abominations and zealots fast with tanks and
magic, while Es`San will teleport to safety when damaged enough. Speak with
Sa`Sani who suggest to attack fast and stealthy the Temple of World Serpent
where all leaders od Se`Sehen gathered. Loot, get in touch with Volo for some
nice items (Rejuvenating Ring and Custom Chicanery) and exit to World Serpent
temple.
h. Chult - Infiltrating the Temple of World Serpent
Speak with preacher Madeem at entrance. Use your rogue, in stealth mode,to
buy some stuf at the merchant on right, then take the party on the east
stairs. Open the locked/trapped door, loot the armory (trapped door)and up
to the next level. Do not speak with any yuan ti on the way. Explore the
level, find the almanach (didn`t care at this point to explore further,
so I find out from forums about his presence) and reach Serpentlord Ar`Sulis
chamber. Open the door in front of him and save before trying to get to the
next level. The door in front ask 3 questions about seasons and months. Here
the answers i got from trial and error : Leaffall - Midwinter, Highsun -
Highharvestide, Melting - Midsummer ;; Eleasis - Tarshakh. Receive 2750 XP
for your succes and to the next level. Use the rogue, if any,in stealth
mode to disable the traps and open the doors, keeping away from yuan ti.
Head back, rejoin the party,take the guardians out and open the throne room
door. Now came the most difficult boss battle ever to be found in
Neverwinter games. The enemy number is low - 6 cultists,Hierophant N`Safa
and Herald of Zehir, but they sure punch hard. I suggest to avoid a direct
confrontation. Keep the mages on the balcony, the way you came, buffed
with death ward, protection against evil, haste, etc. Put the tanks on the
stairs to protect them, all in stand your ground position. Head to the
yuan ti party to trigger the battle. Soon enough 2 cultists will be on top
of you. Run in the direction of balcony, letting the mage kill them with
some lighting bolts. The hierophant and Herald will came after you and
is time to use those summoned pets to keep them distracted. Use the other
road to kill the 4 cultists who pray near the throne, healing your enemies,
plus some fireballs from arcanists. The mages should keep summoning
elementals against those 2 big bosses long enough, then start pounding
with everything you have at the herald. He is the lord of damage reduction
on almost everything, except cold iron and sonic, but a tank do not
stand to much against his falchion and foul magic. I restored myself and
some companions at least 3 times, while Umoja and the sorcerer use all
their magic and wildshapes.
Of course, a lot could go wrong. Eating potions require precise timing,
some spells fail, you got disarmed without knowing,one or more of your
NPC/cohorts can`t go near the target because of the crowded place,do not
notice the 4 bozo near the throne ( he-he, my bad !) etc.
Loot his falchion Fang of Zehir (divine magic 2d6, EB+4,Keen,On hit :
Poison Blood of Zehir) and a wisdom amulet from N`Safa. Speak with Zehir
near the throne to brag about your victory and chalenge him to a open
fight (with a somewhat low voice !), but he refuse, stating his return
one day. You also gain the feat Serpent`s Bane who make the yuan ti
on the overland map avoid attacking your party.
Exit to Overland map and get the option to speak with Sa`Sani
or return to map. I spoke with Sa`Sani and killed her, making Volo
to run from Viper Temple and the game ask if you want to retire. I
didn`t get back to the Temple of World Serpent to finish the rest of
yuan ti, so the final cutscene mentioned their presence inside some human
cities.
One final mention : the ending cutscene employ some beautiful made
paintings in white and black who reminded my of the Aquanox 2 ending.
Overall, Storm of Zehir is enjoyable and I give him 7,5 out of 10.
He deserve a 9 for effort and imagination, but the bugs and frustrating
encounters on the overland map need to be solved in the future.
5. Side missions
This quests can be obtain be speaking with different NPC, residing in towns
or related to other missions. In order to keep some order, I decided to point
precisely who and where will give them.
I. SAMARACH
1. Samargol - Vadiny`a ( a shaddy merchant,considering she is a tiefling,
located in Samargol bazaar)
1.1 : Samargol - Plainsrunner
She wants the tusks of Bal-alak the Ferocious, a dire boar roaming N of
Samargol on overland map. Kill him and bring back the tusks.Reward - 750 gp
1.2 : Samargol - Heavy Weaponry
Her bodyguard Artiuk will look more impressive with a fire greataxe from
firenewts living in Mines of Sergol (see sidemissions,towns,Torich below).
The reward is 3000 gp.
1.3 : Samargol - Batiri  Bargain
She heard that the batiri tribe of Shattered Spear posses a flawless gem and
want one, no matter how you decide to obtain it.There are two ways that I
tried :
a. exterminate them and loot the gem.
b. do first a quest for Volo ( Samargol - Sightseeing, see below) to acquire
a spear needed by the batiri matron and get 1600 XP from her in a separate
sidequest called Shattered Spear Tribe - Relic of Shattered Spear Tribe.
I understand, while browsing the forums, that you could steal it, using
sleight of hand, but NEVER thought about it. Well ...
Do not forget to loot the chests and racks stranded around the cave. The
batiri will ignore your looting, so no trouble.
2. Samargol - Volo ( big mouth, strange quests, in love with nymphs,
near Sa`Sani company building )
Volo is interested about a lot of things, so his quests could be defined as
general and local, linked to Samarach and Sword Coast local flavor.
General : He want as many information possible on Samarach and Swoard Coast
to write a book. Sharing your experiences in different places and dungeons
will net the following feats : Tourist (+1 Search), Wanderer (+1 Search,
Spot), Wayfarer (+1 Search,Spot,Listen ), Pathwalker (+1 Search,Spot,Listen,
Survival),Traveler (+2 Search, +1 Spot, Listen, Survival), Nomad ( +2 Search,
Spot, +1 Listen, Survival), Journeyman (+2 Search,Spot,Listen, +1 Survival)
Local flavor :
2.1 : Samargol - Pretty bird
He want a parrot(talking bird) from Vadiny`a, but he can`t approach her
because of some past misunderstandings. In exchange Vadiny`a require some
exotic pet. Head to the Underdark Black Market, purchase a Caged Glacier
Snake from Xo`rill and make the exchange.(Do not kill yet the mindflayer to
free the slaves - see Underdark Black Market quest below).
2.2 : Samargol - Sightseeing
Volo heard about the yuan ti and want a fragment from one of their ruin, N
of Samargol. This is, without a doubt, the first difficult fight in the game,
if you didn`t do the Underdark quest yet and didn`t cheat yourself better
weapons, armor and items. First sneak past the denizens in the jungle.
Enter the ruin,buff and avoid the electrical trap in front and right(DC 25).
Go left, kill 1 Holy Guardian yuan ti and two spider construct.Loot the
bookcase for scrolls, a shattered spear (keep it) and the fragment,pull the
lever in the next room, go back and enter into the rooms on the right
( 1 Holy Guardian, 2 spidey ). The middle corridor hide the most powerful
enemies.I suggest to plant your team at the entrance and attract the enemies
on the corridor to fight them one by one, while the arcanist unleash their
magic from distance. This way 1 spidey, 4 Holy Guardians and Serpentguard
D`shai are more manageable. Loot the treasure room (locked and trapped
chests, be wary!) and go back for 1400 gp and a a magical artifact.
2.3 : Local Delicacy
Compared with 2.2, this one is a breeze. Go kill some dino, roaming around
the yuan ti ruin before and bring him back a dinosaurus steak.
3. Samargol - Bounty Hunter Kwesi
She will redeem bounties placed on different monsters and creatures
ussualy roaming the overland map.
4. Underdark Black Market
A bunch of mindflayers run an underground market using their contact and
spies in Samargol government. There is a broken mindflayer near Zhiir who`s
mind was destroyed while `looking` in the mind of a god. Along with the
doomsayer in Samargol, they are hints about the future of Faerun world
in the next games when magic/Weave will dissapear.
4.1 : Underdark Black Market - For special customers only
Before giving acces to his special stash of magical items (nothing huge,by
the way !), Zhiir need a book of lore from the wizards in Tempest Fury, a
keep in NE plains, near the road to Torich. A sylph inside inform you that
Shamal, a djinni, is the new master after he slayed the wizards who
imprisoned and tortured him. Loot the skeleton in the main hall ( Scarab
of Protection +1, Brace of Armor +1, Quarterstaff +1) before opening
the doors and fight 1 water elemental and 3 - 6 ice mephits. Open the small
chest in every room, hidden beside junk and old furniture, for the 3 keys
necessary to open the vault and loot(be careful - the one in the left room
deal at least 40 points electrical and the second 15 - 25 cold damage).Open
the vault and the chest inside, but before looting the content buff the
team properly. There are two options :
- easy - use the looted ring of summoned djinni to capture Shamal and deal
with his 4 summoned air elementals
- hard - attack everyone, despite Shamal superior magic and his elementals
damage reduction.
4.2 : Freeing the slaves
This is not a quest per se, because the journal will not update something.
When speaking with Xo`rill a info about a slave group will pop up and you
could ask to buy them and decide to free them. Before doing so, I highly
recomend to consider. Their magic and damage reduction make mindflayer
the toughest fight in Samarach. Buff properly and take them one by one to
cumulate the weak damage your team could muster in the beginning. Open the
locked door to the prison and free them, plus one of the cohorts (see
cohorts quests below). Loot everything, including the easily to miss chest
left of Xo`rill initial position, plus a bottle of Deepwine from Zhiir.
5. Town/village/camp quests
5.1 : Rassatan - The Singing Pendant
A bard called Redfeyer lost his pendant while exploring the Singing Cavern,
a place full of spiders and bats ! Enter the cave and explore her 3 arms.
Move forward and right to find the chest with the pendant,protected by a web
trap and 4 green spiders, common defence for all chest. After the chest is
open 8 bats show up, atracted, I presume, by my taste ! Go straight ahead,
engage 4 bats plus one giant green spider (queen?), loot the Dirt Mound and
a chest in the left. On the left arm is another chest, 8 bats and an Arcane
Nexus, useful later.
5.2 : Taruin - The Finest Wine
The halfling Ottelmar need a bottle of Deepwine. Head to Underdark Black
Market and Zhiir, who`s price can be reduced with appraise (?) ( I don`t
remember, sorry !). Another way is to kill the mindflayers and loot their
bodies, but not before completing Zhiir quest above. Receive 5500 gp and 600
XP from Ottelmar.
5.3 : Torich - Into the salt mines
Essien mentioned the Mines of Sergol being overrun by firenewts. Enter and
loot the bookcase on the left. Room in front - 3 firenewts and an armoir,
who contain a lens of detection,useful in team without rogues.Take the right
path and choose between two direction : forward( a room with some archers
and a sorcerer ) ; left - 2 hellhounds, 2 archers and 1 alchemist in the
first chamber and the bosses behind a door on the left again (Overlord
Flamespar, 1 sorcerer, 1 hellhound,2 archers, 1 alchemist, 4 elite warriors)
Essien will give 600 XP and acces to salt resource, while Vadiny`a will
want the greataxe of fire wielded by the Overlord.
5.4 : Nimbre ( small place on the road from Samargol to Torich with one
merchant and a bunch of ingrate villagers )
5.4.1 : Nimbre - Agents of Serpentfolk
Enter the village and speak with captain Akuma about his presence. Looks
like someone pointed the villagers as being in league with the yuan ti and
the proud captain will simply take them to Samargol, without any
investigations. Leave him for now and enter the Loremaster house. A good
spot check (Umoja) will reveal a snake tatoo on Haldric arm, turning the
meeting into a brawl. Buff properly to fight him and 2 surprisingly tough
snaketongue cultist. Search the body for a bloodied note revealing his
masters unexplained intention to empty the village of his people and loot
the rooms around.Present the note to captain Akuma.
On the other hand you could simply refuse to let the villagers go with
him and fight for some loot, especially a Gilded Armor (AC 5 +1,Intimidate
+3), propriety of captain Akuma.
5.4.2 : Nimbre - Inquisitive Pig
Near the other exit could be found some boars and an inquisitive pig,
interested in a mound in front of him. Choose search, fight the boars for
their teeths and a Periapt of Wisdom +2.
6. Lantanese Lumber Camp
6.1 : Lumber Camp - Infestation
Ahri `Golemkin` ask for your help in retrieving 4 cloackroaches part to
find out why his trusted golems run amok. I suggest to hunt them around
the camp before taking the quest, just to be sure ( many glitches !). The
reward for succes is 600 XP and one summoning cloackroaches item.
6.2 : Bounty Hunter Nill Sheafrustle
He will redeem bounties placed on different monsters and creatures
ussualy roaming the overland map.
II. SWORD  COAST
A. Neverwinter City
1. Merchant Company (Forgotten Lords for me)
1.1 : Neverwinter City - The trade post ( Actually this should be 1.4,
but i choose to put the first three in the mainquest, being related to
Missing Associates) - buy the trade post from Sir Nevalle. If he is not
outside, Sir Nevalle can be found in Wailing Wench Tavern and agree in
exchange of 8000 trade bars.You receive a key and 1000 XP
1.2 : Neverwinter City - Sating the Sensate
A genasi calling himself Phineas the Sensate require 9 rare resources to
be displayed in his museum. Another bugged quest, because there are only
8 : Adamantine (Leilon), Mithral (Highcliff), Harvest Mead (West Harbor),
Darksteel (Conyberry), Zalantar (New Leaf), Cold Iron (Phandalin), Salt
(Torich) and Knuckelhead Ivory (Port Llast).
2. Thayan Enclave
2.1 : Neverwinter City - A knot in the Weave
Akila from Thayan enclave in Neverwinter need somebody to investigate 6
arcane nexuses with attenuators. As reward the chests around him contain
Thayan learning scrolls aka 1000 XP each and the gnoll merchant will improve
the quality of items he sell ( bracers of armor +8 and +7 after all 6
attenuators have been charged). The location are :
Samarach - Singing Cavern, Tempest Fury, Ruins (W on map, on the peninsula)
Sword Coast - Parruna`s Rock, Shadow Fortress, Undead Barrow, Arcane
Brotherhood Outpost, Banite Enclave, Snaketongue Bandit Cave, Pirate Cove
Along the line you find the Shadowars - remember Hordes of Underdark ? -
are responsible for this knots who link Samarach and Sword Coast. Akila
should be approached after the Viper temple battle who open the northern
part of Samarach.
2.2 : Chult - Fixing a Hole
Go back to Samarach, past the Viper Temple on the right until you find the
Foreign temple.Enter to be confronted by a Champion of Shade.Put your team
against him and click the portal to be send on the other side, where a
wizard is healing the champion (through portal!), making him invincible.
Kill fast the wizard, bring your team ( make each one click the portal)
and explore the northern part of Sword Coast, inaccesible before. Return
to Akila who express his concern about shadovars, get 1600 XP and that`s
all. No climatic final battle against the agents of Shadowar, no huge
rewards for spending hours on map !!? Rushed quest.
3. Neverwinter City - Think of Children
Sir Nevalle need a suitable place for an orphanage, since the Shadow War
left many children without parents. Propose Crossroad Keep and convice
Khelgar stating the need of children to look up on a great hero like him.
B. Crossroad Keep
1. Khelgar Ironfist (Inside the keep)
1.1 : Crossroad Keep - Recruitment Drive
Khelgar need some mercenaries in Phoenix Tail Inn to train his greycloacks.
Speak with their leader Nall using the conversational skills :
Intimidate - throw a veiled threat about ambushes on the road
Diplomacy - rant about Nall being a hero
Bluff - hint to a coming war who Nall doesn`t want to miss
1.2 : Crossroad Keep - Shadow Fading
King of Shadows former servants entranched themselves in a ruined keep near
West Harbor and prepare their forces for a strike. Head there and face first
3 shadow mastif and 4 - 6 ghouls/ghasts. Go left, using the rogue to
disable the fire traps, fight 4 - 5 wraiths and in the room up front
where the guilty party reside - 1 Shadow High Priest, 2 shadow priests, 1
vampire, 1 warlock and 2 greater shadows after the priests die. Kill the
warlock first, then concentrate the missiles and fireballs against the
rest. Left from the main chamber is the smithy with 2 ghostly blacksmiths
and loot. Travel through a hall with 3 - 7 dire rats, exit and get a reward
of 1100 XP and 1500 gp.
1.3 : Crossroad Keep - The Bard`s Tale
The bards in the courtyard stole the Ironfist Clan gauntlet and run to
Neverwinter Woods. This is one tough place to find. She is actually S of
Veluuthra camp, near a rock formation. Circle around the stones slowly
until the map will update itself. If not, we both have a problem. This
happend to me,also. In desperation, I enter the Veluuthra camp, killed the
elf wizard, exit and the Log cabin appeared ( nice glitch !). Inside there
is a raucous (!?) celebration. Except the bards, there are 8 party guests,
5 bouncers, 1 cook and Feargus Orc - Heart (innkeeper ?). Ask Feargus about
the bards, use Belueth connections to Shadow Thief of Amn to pinpoint
their locations and buff. This is a crowded place and you know by now what
to do. Azahr, Venn and William rest in the next door. When I get inn they
recognised me and the battle started. It will take sometimes, because
there are 24 people in one small cabin (!). Open the locked door near
Azahr and the chest for gauntlets. Reward - 1200 XP, 2000 gp.
I have the sensation I should keep the gauntlets or steal it back, if
possible. The same goes for the Singing Pendant, back in Samarach, who
acted as Mass Vigor when used.
2. Crossroad Keep - Upgrading your company status
Speak with Variel to upgrade your company status/bussiness oportunities :
2.1 : Upgrading Greycloacks armor - donate 500 trade bars and return
with 5 mithral - 5 adamantine
2.2 : Upgrading Greycloacks weapons - donate 1000 trade bars and return
with 5 cold iron - 5 zalantar
2.3 : Propaganda (pay people to promote your company) - donate 2000
trade bars and return with 5 lumber - 5 skins - 5 ore
2.4 : Build the Shrine of Waukeen - donate 5000 trade bars and return
with 5 mithral - 5 lumber
2.5 : Upgrading the portal - return with 5 adamantine and 5 darksteel
3. Crossroad Keep - Nimble Fingers, Light Step(near Adventurer`s Society)
A nobleman called Jaris inherited his uncle building, full of unstable
chemical compounds. He want the chemical clutter stabilized. Enter, use
the rogue to sneak on stealth mode past the crates full of vials on the
left, while the rest is standing. Open the locked door, take the vials,
go back. Transfer the vials to the party alchemist, enter the door on
right, click the table. Use the green vial to neutralize the compound and
the purple to check the result.  Remove silver vials and blue ones, go back
for 1400 XP, 1000 gp and one Bag of Holding - 100%.
4. Crossroad Keep - Protection Money
Sa`Sani will give this quest when your merchant company is famous and
rich. A band of trolls and ogres, lead by the fey troll Tuka - Akut,
demand protection money. Head to Crystal Cave. My advice is to fight from
the beginning, because trolls and ogres are far to dangerous to let
them encircle your team in the main chamber,where you could speak to
Tuka - Akut. Kill 1 worg and 1 ogre guard at entrance, plus the ogre
coming from the tunnels. Advance to find 1 ogre beastmaster, 3 worgs
and 2 trolls (chamber on right), 3 ogres and 2 trolls hampering on the
tunnel and 2 trolls (chamber on left) until main room. Tuka - Akut lead
3 ogres, 2 trolls and 1 troll cleric. Keep in mind that trolls can`t
be killed until you use fire or acid to keep their inborn regeneration
kicking in. Loot the place and receive 1900 XP from Variel.
5. Crossroad Keep - Volo
In order to expand his knowledge about Sword Coast Volo want to research
other people life experiences.
5.1 : Crossroad Keep - Researching Merchants
Volo want to ask 6 merchants about their experience. Speak with Jacoby -
Variel (Crossroad Keep), Tamas - Aruna - Sheydann (West Harbor), Akila
(Thayan enclave, Neverwinter City). Others - merchant company leaders
(Shrine of Waukeen, Neverwinter City), Osi Tchaluka - Vadiny`a
(Samargol), etc. Reward - 2000 gp
5.2 : Crossroad Keep - Researching Bandits
This one is really crazy ! Approach bandits on the overland map, bribe to
let go and click the last line, letting them know you want to see their
bosses ! After 3 encounters a Bandit group(blue light) show, stating they
are Wilted Rose Marauders working for Snaketongues. Reward - 2000 gp and one
ring of acid resistence.
C. TOWN QUESTS
1. Phandalin - The Cold Iron Mining Company
The bussinessman Danley want an investigation about the cold iron mine,
taken over by two strange merchants. With a spot check Daniel Merriwether
and Chester Paulson are identified as ogre mages Radbur and Gromcheck in
disguise. Take them fast, before unleashig elemental damage,loot a
Falchion +1 and Gromcheck`s Walking Stick and proceed to clean up the
mine. Fight through 4 ogre foremans and 7 - 10 workers, open the chest
at the end of mine (potions, adamantine bullets/arrows). Go back to Danley
for 1000 XP and 1000 gp. If possible, use a Bluff check for extra 500 gp.
2. Conyberry - Parrum`s Rock
Jesentus Parr, former manager of the Parrum`s Rock mine, asked to
investigate the mine and bring back the deed.Fight 5 drowned in the first
room and 4 ghast plus 2 drowned in the next. Read the corespondence on floor
to find Parr is to blame for the drowning and the mine foreman have a son,
working in the inn back in Conyberry. Open the locked door on left, buff
and face what it looks like big, angry wraiths - 1 Smothered Conscience and
2 Echo of Regret. Do not attack the barrel with weapons, because they
are going to explode. Instead use some long range missile do damage the
wraiths instead, then engage the enemies. Loot the place and go back. I
handed the deed to the boy for 1400 XP.
3. West Harbor
3.1 : West Harbor - Dragon Hunt
Two black dragon keep West Harbor under pressure. Find the wizard Tamas,
missing in the dragons cave. I just started to buff inside and my heart
popped when 3 silhouettes start walking to me. Fortunately, not enemies
(for a change !). Tamas, escorted by Pitney and Ginni Lannon, explain
shortly what happened, trigering a question in my paranoid head - how they
survived in a dragon cave ? I let it go for now, suspecting the Lannon`s
are the dragons in disguise. Use the rogue in stealth mode to scout and
disable the traps. On the right is a stone with a suspicious barrel,
containing Harvest Mead and a locked door. Buff with spells against
energy and elemental damage,open the door and attack 2 mages,1 shaman and
2 warrior lizardmen. Loot them and the chest who contains the Shawl of
Aruna (see next quest), retrace your step on the main tunnel and go left.
Kill 3 lizardfolk, 1 beetle thrall and 3 more beetle attracted by the noise
(sometimes those 3 will attack before you have the chance to take left).
Follow the tunnel until a statue of Tyr. Click her to make 1 fire mephit
and 2 ice mephits attack. Continue forward, disable the trap and buff
for the toughest fight inside - 1 Lizardfolk chieftain, 2 warriors,1 large
water elemental, 1 mage and 1 shaman. Send a fast NPC to distract the
arcanists long enough your sorcerer/druid kill them and engage the rest.
Take the orison key fromthe chieftain, open the cell ahead and speak with
Tamas. He is the real one ! Loot and go back in West Harbor. Speak with
Lazlo, who tried to bribe the dragons in protecting the village against
undead and now is stuck with them. Buff and challenge Voareg. Use missile
against him and his brother Waervaer, with the tanks in front, while
the villagers deal with the lizardmens. Slay them and gain Dragon Slayer
feat. Now you can trade with West Harbor, buying their Harvest Mead.
Go back to the dragons cave, loot their treasure chest and return later.
3.2 : West Harbor - The goodwife`s Shawl
Goodwife Aruna lost his shawl in Mere and need your help to recover it.