Template:NpcData/Gabrius (Level 1)

Gabrius (Level 1)
Level	1
Aggressive	No
Hostile	No
Interactable	Yes
Respawn	300s

Interactions

Requests

Item	Amount
Mistywood Dew	1
Focusing Crystal	1

Quests

• A Necromancer's Housecleaning: Completes the quest
• Ancient Secrets: Starts the quest
• Gathering Power: Advances to phase 2, Completes the quest
• Peering Beyond the Curtain: Advances to phase 2
• Skinning the Forest's Heart: Starts the quest, Completes the quest

Locations

This NPC spawns at 4 location(s).

Dialogue

139 lines of dialogue. Options are marked ›, → jumps to the line an option leads to.

Conversation starts

• "Welcome back to the land of the living, Lord Aercrest! Did you enjoy y…"
• "You see, death is actually a relief. Instead, the worst moments are th…"
• "Here are some supplies and food, it's been a while since you've eaten…"
• "*I sense your task is complete, return to me at once.*"
• "Wiped out by something mentioned in writings as the 'Spellplague', tho…"
• "How very droll, Lord Aercrest... If you feel like raising complaints,…"
• "You're here, good. I will once again require your assistance."
• "That will remain to be seen, but be prepared for anything. Whatever yo…"
• "*You've reached the end of this demo, but if you feel like it, you're…"
• "Upon their downfall, the Qaeshtari sealed the way into this temple, fo…"
• "This barrier they erected must have stood for thousands of years. I do…"
• "Today it falls."
• "With the crystal and the spellbound bark you have brought me, I can fa…"
• "A focus that allows me to channel enough power to even challenge the w…"
• "I must perform the scrying itself to unveil Eloria, but not here."
• "Across the small pond east there remains a Qaeshtari stone circle; a p…"
• "Whatever happens, my channeling must not be disturbed. Use my staff if…"
• "I trust even you must be familiar with the witches of the Silvermirror…"
• "Folklore would have you believe there's only ever been the one, immort…"
• "But in truth, there have been many over the centuries. And at times, s…"
• "But now the witch has come to be none other than my beloved ex-compani…"
• "It appears some time back she defeated the hateful hag that was the pr…"
• "Coincidentally she came to rescue a young druid, Arren Irethorn, from…"
• "The two developed a rather close bond. I wonder, does Eloria not know?"
• "Love hurts... literally..."
• "The monolith appears to be lifeless now. You'll have to restore power…"
• "This monolith is merely a part of a larger structure buried beneath di…"
• "Look for other places nearby, where Ancient remains stick out of the g…"
• "If you can activate them somehow, perhaps the power will feed back to…"
• "*enters from behind*"
• "It hardly matters. We make our own entrance, regardless of how the tem…"
• "Oh, I don't think your 'Masters' are much aware of anything these days…"
• "You're here? Surely you did not already acquire the spellwood?" — Requires quest Skinning the Forest's Heart (phases 1–2)
• "A peasant might look upon it and see nothing but a worthless pile of r…" — Requires quest Skinning the Forest's Heart (phase 3)
• "It was foolish of Eloria to think she could hide from me. Considering…" — Requires quest Skinning the Forest's Heart (phase 3)
• "What is it now, Lord Aercrest?" — Requires quest Ancient Secrets (phases 1–3)
• "I grow impatient, Lord Aercrest. Are you done rummaging around the rui…" — Requires quest Ancient Secrets (phases 4–5)
• "You took your time." — Requires quest Gathering Power (phase 2)
• "The Mistywood lies firmly to the east, Lord Aercrest. I will be making…" — Requires quest Gathering Power (phase 999+)
• "Your methods are rather crude, Lord Aercrest, but I'm sure the message…" — Requires quest Reckoning of the Silvermirror Witch (phase 1)
• "A far too peaceful death for my liking, but I'm sure the impact was fe…" — Requires quest Reckoning of the Silvermirror Witch (phase 1)
• "Masterfully done, Lord Aercrest! I could almost taste Eloria's anguish…" — Requires quest Reckoning of the Silvermirror Witch (phase 1)

Gabrius: Welcome back to the land of the living, Lord Aercrest! Did you enjoy your sleep?

› What...? →

› Who...? →

› Where...? →

Gabrius: Feeling a little lost, are we? Understandable. After all, you have been slumbering in that grave for, well... it must be over a century now.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Oh that's right, Lord Aercrest. Take a moment to let that sink in. It may have eluded you in the afterlife, but you've been dead for quite some time. I'm merely here to wake you from your illusions.

› No, no, no... this can't be right, I was in the middle of a banquet, I need to get back... →

› What is this, some kind of an illusion?! →

› Why... who are you and why would you do this?! →

Gabrius: A banquet, was it? Ah how lovely that sounds, Lord Aercrest, but the reality is whatever banquets you held only exist in history books now - something you were merely reliving within the Dream.

› I don't believe you, this has to be some kind of an illusion! →

› You're some sick necromancer?! I'll kill you for this!! →

› Why... who are you and why would you do this?! →

Gabrius: I assure you, it is not. Your disbelief at your current situation is to be expected, but I am not a patient man, so let me state this in no uncertain terms - you're dead, Lord Aercrest. You have been dead for a long time and now you've risen to serve me.

› You're some sick necromancer?! I'll kill you for this!! →

› Why... who are you and why would you do this?! →

Gabrius: Hahaha, that's cute! But no, I don't think you will. You will find you're unable to lift a finger against me. Allow me to introduce myself.

› Continue →

Gabrius: You may call me Gabrius - a mage of extraordinary talents, in case that wasn't obvious. I am in need of a servant - a blackguard, if you will - and that's where you come in. You will find you're placed under a curse of enslavement, to obey my every command.

› What will it take for you to let me go? →

› Why me?! What did I ever do to you? →

› I have no intention of obeying you! →

› You cursed me with undeath?! You sicken me! →

Gabrius: We shall see. Promise to serve me well and perhaps in due time, once you've expended your usefulness to me, I may show you mercy. To begin with, I need you to dig up a little secret buried in these woods.

› What 'secret'? →

› I'll find a way to break your curse before I have to count on your 'mercy'. →

Gabrius: We'll discuss that, but not here. Take these supplies I brought for you - death has not been kind to your possessions, but I knew to expect that.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Next, make your way out of the cemetery. There's an abandoned shack just outside Spruce Shade village. We should be out of sight from any curious eyes there.

› Whatever you say... (end)

› Wait, I have questions...! →

› What curious eyes...? →

Gabrius: *Gabrius ignores you, as he begins casting a spell of teleportation*

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: And how exactly do you plan to achieve that? You cannot kill me, you cannot even attack me. No, your curse ends when I will it so - not a moment sooner.

› And what kind of a 'secret' are you expecting me to find? →

Gabrius: Oh it's nothing personal, Lord Rothar. History remembers you as a rather capable man; something that comes in short supply in this backwater excuse of a land.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Finding you wasn't easy, you know. Someone had taken the pains to remove your body from your family crypt and hide it here in this forsaken cemetery. But I expect you will prove your worth.

› Wait, this isn't the Aercrest Manor! Where are we? →

› You know I have no intention of helping you! →

› And you cursed me with undeath?! You sicken me! →

› What will it take for you to let me go? →

Gabrius: A truly forgotten corner of the land the locals call Spruce Shade's Rest. You must have been moved here for some reason after your family was thrown from power, but that's an irrelevant bit of history now. You have returned to serve me.

› You know I have no intention of obeying you! →

› And you cursed me with undeath?! You sicken me! →

› What will it take for you to let me go? →

Gabrius: Not willingly, perhaps, but then my magic gives you no choice in the matter. The sooner you learn to accept that you're entirely powerless to resist me, the easier it will be.

› You cursed me with undeath?! You sicken me! →

› Why me?! What did I ever do to you? →

› What will it take for you to let me go? →

Gabrius: Honestly, calling it a curse is a little unfair. I've gifted you with immortality, Lord Aercrest! I even did what I could for your body - it was badly decomposed - though I'd advice you not to look too keenly in the mirror.

› You call this a gift?! I already had immortality in the afterlife! What you've done is a nightmare! →

› You know I have no intention of obeying you! →

› Why me?! What did I ever do to you? →

› What will it take for you to let me go? →

Gabrius: Oh, the afterlife - the Dream - offers nothing but a meaningless existence. You have a renewed purpose now, I suggest you embrace it.

› You know I have no intention of obeying you! →

› Why me?! What did I ever do to you? →

› What will it take for you to let me go? →

Gabrius: You see, death is actually a relief. Instead, the worst moments are those leading up to death, and I wished to capture those moments for you, to allow you to really savor them.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Here are some supplies and food, it's been a while since you've eaten hohoho

› Continue →

Gabrius: *I sense your task is complete, return to me at once.*

› *Return where?* →

› *Get out of my skull!* →

Gabrius: *Look for the cliffs north of Haywind, the light points towards me.*

› Continue (Gathering Power: advances to phase 2) (end)

Gabrius: *Not today, Lord Aercrest. Continue to serve me and perhaps soon enough you will have to hear my voice no longer.*

› Where am I supposed to return to? →

Gabrius: Wiped out by something mentioned in writings as the 'Spellplague', though the details are murky. They flew too close to the sun and were burned by it, for all we may know.

› What do you seem have against peasants? →

› So what, you'd like to be a 'god' like them? →

› The task is done - I bring you your spellwood. →

› Whatever. (end)

Gabrius: I dislike anyone who pretends to understand the world while remaining blind to it. Yes, that may include peasants, but I've met plenty enough lords and ladies, rich merchants, Archmagi too... all of them fools.

› It's just you against the world, isn't it? →

› So what, you'd like to be a 'god' like the Old Folk? →

› So this is it, the Temple of Etherlight? →

› The task is done - I bring you your spellwood. →

› Whatever. (end)

Gabrius: Don't act so sanctimonius! You used to be defacto ruler of these lands and how often did you have to play kindergarten with your vassals, hm? You know exactly what I'm talking about.

› So what, you'd like to be a 'god' like the Old Folk? →

› So this is it, the Temple of Etherlight? →

› The task is done - I bring you your spellwood. →

› Whatever. (end)

Gabrius: Oh, I merely want what they already understood to be the only way to navigate this world without falling victim to random fate - control.

› What do you seem to have against peasants, anyway? →

› So this is it, the Temple of Etherlight? →

› The task is done - I bring you your spellwood. →

› Whatever. (end)

Gabrius: If you insist on observing the obvious, then yes - this is the temple. For now, the way in is shielded by a barrier maintained by the temple's guardian, who resides deep within. It won't stop us though, once I have the wood from the Forest's Heart.

› What's the relic you're looking for here - do I even want to know? →

› What do you seem to have against peasants, anyway? →

› So what, you'd like to be a 'god' like the Old Folk? →

› Well then, I have your spellwood. →

› Whatever. (end)

Gabrius: Nothing world ending, I assure you. The Forest's Heart, Lord Aercrest?

› What do you seem to have against peasants, anyway? →

› So what, you'd like to be a 'god' like the Old Folk? →

› The task is done - I have your spellwood. →

› I don't have it yet. (end)

Gabrius: Finally done running errands, then? Well good... that means we can actually progress.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: How very droll, Lord Aercrest... If you feel like raising complaints, perhaps you can do so to whatever monsters are left lurking within these ruins.

› What is it between you and this Eloria? →

› How do even know all this stuff about the Old Folk? The Qaeshtari? →

› The temple's guardian is felled, the Grimoire is yours... →

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: Oh, Eloria and I have a long history; for the longest time we were friends and allies...

› Continue →

Gabrius: Later, partners even... after I'd lost everything in the war we fought together against the so called ''Mage King'', Desrim Arthraime...

*The orb in Gabrius' staff flashes violently at the mention of the name.*

› Continue →

Gabrius: Which is why her betrayal in the end was that much more agitating, beyond just the dagger she sank into me.

› A war against a 'Mage King'? What did I miss while I was dead? →

› So, what are Grimoires, exactly? →

› So, how do even know all the stuff about the Old Folk? The Qaeshtari? →

› The temple's guardian is felled, the Grimoire is yours... →

› Tragic. (end)

Gabrius: Nothing that would have concerned you - it happened far from here in the Vhosphoran Kingdom. Although, as one unexpected consequence, the Hydrobor Circle ended up migrating here. But if you care to know more, I suggest you read a book.

› What are Grimoires, anyway? →

› So, how do even know all the stuff about the Old Folk? The Qaeshtari? →

› The temple's guardian is felled, the Grimoire is yours... →

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: Profound artifacts, the ancient Qaeshtari created them as objects of pure magic given physical form. One of the most potent ever made lies here - the Grimoire of Truesight. That is what you are to retrieve, Lord Aercrest.

› Continue →

Gabrius: You know, Eloria and I studied Qaeshtari Grimoires to uncover the secrets to creating one. But the closer we got to the answers, the more we began to have... fundamental philosophical disagreements.

› What is it between you and this Eloria? →

› How do even know all this stuff about the Old Folk? The Qaeshtari? →

› The temple's guardian is felled, the Grimoire is yours... →

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: You didn't think these are the first Qaeshtari ruins that I've explored? Eloria and I spent decades studying their works. I've seen entire halls sealed in, you know - filled with their dead still huddled in beds. Killed by something, for all their knowledge, they couldn't even understand.

› What are Grimoires, anyway? →

› So what's between you and this Eloria? →

› The temple's guardian is felled, the Grimoire is yours... →

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: Perfect, only one thing now remains in order to reveal the traitorous woman to me.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: You're here, good. I will once again require your assistance.

› okey (Peering Beyond the Curtain: advances to phase 2) (end)

› no (end)

Gabrius: That will remain to be seen, but be prepared for anything. Whatever you do, my focus must not be interrupted. I don't care if Demon Overlords themselves begin pouring in, you will do what it takes to keep them at bay.

› Continue →

Gabrius: I have lain my staff on the carpet here, alongside disruptive Qaeshtari spell bombs I looted from the ruins. You won't be helpless while facing this ''Etherlight Entity''.

› You'll let me use your staff? →

› An 'entity' from within the 'curtain'? Seems a little vague. →

› I'm ready to begin. (end)

› In that case, I'll need a moment to prepare myself. (end)

Gabrius: The staff is not a gift, Lord Aercrest. I shall grant you temporary authority over it, but the staff is familiar serving its one true master. You may find it has something of a will of its own, should you try to employ it without my blessing.

› So we're facing an 'entity' from within the 'curtain'? Seems a little vague. →

› I'm ready to begin. (end)

› In that case, I'll need a moment to prepare myself. (end)

Gabrius: It's as much as I ever came across in ancient writings. When the Qaeshtari discovered varying dimensions of existence, they learned those were separated by a world that was not quite a world, or a world between worlds - the 'Curtain of Etherlight'.

› Continue →

Gabrius: It may be they never fully understood this 'curtain' either. From what I gather, it is a place that can neither be seen nor entered, but one must pass through it in order to pass between different worlds.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Yet, every time you pierce it, something within resists - something that is hard to define... Something that's perhaps not quite a sentient creature, but more intelligent than a mere force of nature.

› You'd let me use your staff to defend against it? →

› I'm ready to begin. (end)

› I'll need a moment to prepare myself. (end)

Gabrius: *You've reached the end of this demo, but if you feel like it, you're still free to roam the surrounding areas. Thanks for playing, we hope you've enjoyed your time!*

› Continue (A Necromancer's Housecleaning: completes the quest) (end)

Gabrius: Upon their downfall, the Qaeshtari sealed the way into this temple, forever.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: This barrier they erected must have stood for thousands of years. I doubt anyone has managed to pass through.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Today it falls.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: With the crystal and the spellbound bark you have brought me, I can fashion a focus for my magic.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: A focus that allows me to channel enough power to even challenge the works of the Ancients! Observe, slave!

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: I must perform the scrying itself to unveil Eloria, but not here.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Across the small pond east there remains a Qaeshtari stone circle; a place dedicated for ritual spells. Meet me there and we may begin.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Whatever happens, my channeling must not be disturbed. Use my staff if you have to.

› Continue →

Gabrius: It won't matter whether there are wolves or bears, or an immortal extradimensional monster. It will disintegrate them all the same.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Brace yourself, Lord Aercrest. It's time I begin.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: I trust even you must be familiar with the witches of the Silvermirror Fen, Lord Aercrest.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Folklore would have you believe there's only ever been the one, immortal witch.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: But in truth, there have been many over the centuries. And at times, she has been an entire coven.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: But now the witch has come to be none other than my beloved ex-companion Eloria Mirvren. A clever disguise, I suppose.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: It appears some time back she defeated the hateful hag that was the previous witch and decided to adopt her identity.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Coincidentally she came to rescue a young druid, Arren Irethorn, from the witch's captivity. Curious...

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: The two developed a rather close bond. I wonder, does Eloria not know?

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Love hurts... literally...

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: The monolith appears to be lifeless now. You'll have to restore power to it somehow.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: This monolith is merely a part of a larger structure buried beneath dirt.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Look for other places nearby, where Ancient remains stick out of the ground.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: If you can activate them somehow, perhaps the power will feed back to the monolith here.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: *enters from behind*

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: It hardly matters. We make our own entrance, regardless of how the temple guardian feels about it.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: Oh, I don't think your 'Masters' are much aware of anything these days. But I do thank you for the service you've provided me.

› Continue (end)

Gabrius: You're here? Surely you did not already acquire the spellwood?

› Where exactly should I be looking for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› So this is it, the Temple of Etherlight? →

› I'm still searching. (end)

Gabrius: If I knew that, I'd already have told you. Forests hide their secrets, but someone familiar with the land might be able to guide your way. Either way, scour the woods 'till you find it and bring its bark to me here.

› I'd rather not roam the woods aimlessly... →

› So this is it, the Temple of Etherlight? →

› As you say... (end)

Gabrius: Hmph... The Ebongreen Druids undoubtedly know these forests the best, but they're intolerable to interact with and aren't likely to just blurt out the location to the Forest's Heart when asked.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Your second best bet therefore is to ask local hunters, trackers, those sort of people. Half of them may spin fancy tales and myths at you, but with luck some of them might actually know something.

› So this is it, the Temple of Etherlight? →

› As you say... (end)

Gabrius: If you insist on observing the obvious, then yes - this is the temple. For now, the way in is shielded by a barrier maintained by the temple's guardian, deep inside. It won't stop us though, once I have the wood from the Forest's Heart.

› What's the relic you're looking for here? Do I even want to know? →

› About that... where exactly should I be looking? →

› As you say... (end)

Gabrius: Nothing world ending, I assure you. For now, concentrate your mind on bringing me the adequate spellwood.

› About that... where exactly should I be looking? →

› As you say... (end)

Gabrius: A peasant might look upon it and see nothing but a worthless pile of rubble. Men and women who once became gods dwelled here. You're standing upon their graves, thrall.

› The task is done - I bring you your spellwood. →

› What have you got against peasants? →

› Is that what you'd like to be, then? A god like them? →

› So this is it, the Temple of Etherlight? →

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: It was foolish of Eloria to think she could hide from me. Considering all the years we shared, she should've known me better.

› Who... are you talking about? →

Gabrius: Oh, I believe I mentioned before, Lord Aercrest - there is vengeance to be done. In fact, it is the only thing we've been working towards. I will watch Eloria suffer.

› And you think she's hiding in these ruins? →

› Who is this woman you hate with such passion? →

Gabrius: What? No, fool, she's hiding behind the Grimoire of Concealment. A Qaeshtari artifact of magic, its power has turned her practically invisible to me. Even my most advanced spells could only track her into these remote lands, but no further.

› Continue →

Gabrius: But it matters not; the power of a Grimoire can be defeated by that of a stronger one, and one of the most potent ever made lies here - the Grimoire of Truesight. That is what we're here to retrieve, Lord Aercrest.

› Grimoires...? Like, some sort of spellbooks? →

› What did this woman possibly do for you to hate her so? →

› Let's get going then. →

Gabrius: A spellbook is what you'd buy from a vagrant pretending to be a wizard, Lord Aercrest - Grimoires are much more profound. The ancient Qaeshtari created them as objects of pure magic given physical form.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Eloria and I studied them to uncover the secrets to creating one. But the closer we got to the answers, the more we began to have... let's call them fundamental philosophical disagreements.

› Continue →

Gabrius: She turned our entire Circle against me, you know. All those I had once called brothers and sisters, I made sure they each came to regret it. Only Eloria remains left alive now.

› Why hunt her? You could just let the past be. →

› Let's get going then. →

Gabrius: No, I think I cannot.

› Continue →

Gabrius: I wouldn't expect you to understand, Lord Aercrest. Eloria and I have a long history; for the longest time we were friends and allies...

› Continue →

Gabrius: Later, partners even... after I'd lost everything in the war we fought together against the so called ''Mage King'', Desrim Arthraime...

*The orb in Gabrius' staff flashes violently at the mention of the name.*

› Continue →

Gabrius: Which is why her betrayal in the end was that much more antagonizing, not only for the dagger she sank into me.

› Can't blame her to be honest, considering what you've done to me. →

› A war against a 'Mage King'? What did I miss while I was dead? →

› What are we doing in these ruins, though? →

› Let's get going then. →

Gabrius: How very droll, Lord Aercrest. You can raise your complaints to whatever monsters are left lurking within these ruins.

› A war against a 'Mage King'? What did I miss while I was dead? →

› What are we doing here, though? →

› Let's get going then. →

Gabrius: Nothing that would have concerned you - it happened far from here in the Vhosphoran Kingdom. Although, as an unexpected consequence, the Hydrobor Circle ended up migrating and settling their academy here. But if you care to know more, I suggest you read a book.

› What are we doing in these ruins, though? →

› Let's get going then. →

Gabrius: Eloria's hiding behind the Grimoire of Concealment. A Qaeshtari artifact of magic, its power has turned her practically invisible to me. Even my most advanced spells could only track her into these remote lands, but no further.

› Continue →

Gabrius: You will be the one to enter the ruins. I shall remain here and regain my strength. Breaking through the Qaeshtari barrier took much out of me, and I will need to recover before channelling the Grimoire's magic.

› Continue →

Gabrius: The temple's guardian is still very much active - I could feel it pushing back against me, trying to maintain the barrier. Take the channeling focus I used. Much of its power was burned up but it should still prove useful.

› So you're leaving the dangerous work for me to deal with? →

› As you say... (Skinning the Forest's Heart: completes the quest; Ancient Secrets: starts the quest) (end)

Gabrius: Yes, the grunt work. Why do you care? You're immortal now, need I remind you? Facing whatever is left in these ruins should prove no more than an inconvenience by now.

› As you say... (Skinning the Forest's Heart: completes the quest; Ancient Secrets: starts the quest) (end)

Gabrius: What is it now, Lord Aercrest?

› What are Grimoires, exactly? →

› What is it between you and this Eloria? →

› How do even know all this stuff about the Old Folk? The Qaeshtari? →

› The temple's guardian is felled, the Grimoire is yours... →

› Never mind. (end)

Gabrius: I grow impatient, Lord Aercrest. Are you done rummaging around the ruins?

› The temple's guardian is felled, the Grimoire is yours... →

› There's still something I wanted to know. →

› Not yet. (end)

Gabrius: You took your time.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Well...? Hand them over.

› Yes, well... acquiring your supplies proved more troublesome than expected. →

› Wait, where did I put the items...? (end)

Gabrius: *Upon handing him the whiskey, Gabrius pulls out the cork with his teeth and takes a sizable gulp.*

› So... you have what you need? →

› You're not the first wizard to demand whiskey that I've met. It's true it boosts magical affinities? →

Gabrius: Not quite. After all, this is a Qaeshtari temple we're breaking into, not some peasant's silverware cabinet. I'll need to bind a powerful spellwood to the focus.

› Let me guess - you're making it my task to get it? →

› The Qaeshtari...? They were the Old Folk? Like the ones who built those monoliths? →

Gabrius: How very astute, Lord Aercrest. In the meantime, I will be heading to the Temple of Etherlight to prepare the spell. According to the monolith spirit, its ruins should lie on a hill at the center of the Mistywood, east of here.

› Continue →

Gabrius: You will also be entering the Mistywood, but for a different purpose. Search for the 'Forest's Heart', a sheltered clearing hiding a powerful old tree spirit. Once you find it, cut down the creature and bring me its bark.

› You're telling me there's a sacred place within the woods, where a sacred tree spirit resides... and you want me to kill it? →

› Where exactly should I look for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› Remind me again, how will I find the Temple afterwards? →

› It shall be done... →

Gabrius: Precisely, Lord Aercrest. Try not to shed any tears, I'm sure the forest will grow another in a few hundred years or so.

› Where exactly should I look for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› Remind me again, how will I find the Temple afterwards? →

› It shall be done... →

Gabrius: Forests hide their secrets, but someone familiar with the land might be able to guide your way. Either way, scour the woods 'till you find it and bring its bark to me at the Temple of Etherlight.

› So, you're telling me a sacred tree spirit resides within the forest... and you want me to kill it? →

› Remind me again, how will I find the Temple afterwards? →

› It shall be done... →

Gabrius: Its ruins rest on a hill central to the Mistywood, according to the ancient monolith. I believe there's a dreary peasant village called Fog's Dwindling nearby. Once you reach it, you shan't be far from the temple.

› So, you're telling me a sacred tree spirit resides within the forest... and you want me to kill it? →

› Where exactly should I look for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› It shall be done... →

Gabrius: One more thing before you go. Take this crystal I fashioned in your absence. After all, you're of no use to me weak and powerless.

› Thanks... What does it do? →

› Thanks, I guess... (hand over Mistywood Dew; hand over Focusing Crystal; Gathering Power: completes the quest; Skinning the Forest's Heart: starts the quest) (end)

Gabrius: You'll figure it out.

› Continue (hand over Mistywood Dew; hand over Focusing Crystal; Gathering Power: completes the quest; Skinning the Forest's Heart: starts the quest) (end)

Gabrius: The Old Folk...? How very peasant of you, Lord Aercrest. Most civilized world calls them Ancients for lack of better knowledge, but Qaeshtar is the name they gave themselves. Weren't you listening at the monolith?

› Why do you pretend to know so much about them? →

› Enlighten me, who were they really? →

› Never mind that, what about the spellwood you need? →

Gabrius: Perhaps it is because I dedicated a significant amount of my life into studying what they left behind. I've walked into death traps for the tiniest nuggets on their history, their language, their power... There is not a person alive who knows them like I do; the person you're so inadvertently speaking to.

› Then enlighten me, who were they really? →

› Whatever you say, but what about the spellwood you need? →

Gabrius: An advanced civilization of spellcasters, who emerged from the Qaesir River Valley in lands far southwest from here. Their entire culture revolved around the study of magic, to understand magic more intimately than anyone else dared possible.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Once they conquered its secrets, they went on to conquer all the known lands on this continent, and in some way beyond. There was nothing that could oppose them.

› Continue →

Gabrius: And in the lands they conquered, they erected grand temples, monuments to their magic. Monuments that lasted for ages even after their downfall. Monuments such as the temple we're going to breach.

› If they truly were so powerful, what could possibly cause their downfall? →

› How is it you pretend to know so much about them, again? →

› As you say, but what about the spellwood you need? →

Gabrius: They were wiped out by something the writings only mention as the 'Spellplague', though much of the details are murky. Should I hazard a guess, I imagine they flew too close to the sun and were burned by it - metaphorically speaking.

› Magic has its limits, eh? →

› Magic has its limits, eh? →

› How is it you pretend to know so much about them, again? →

› As you say, but what about the spellwood you need? →

Gabrius: Not magic, but people, Lord Aercrest.

*Your conversations with Gabrius have deepened your understanding of magic, increasing your experience in Sorcery by 200.*

› How is it you pretend to know so much about them, again? →

› As you say, but what about the spellwood you need? →

Gabrius: That is a task I leave to you. In the meantime, I will be heading to the Temple of Etherlight to prepare the spell. According to the monolith spirit, its ruins should lie on a hill at the center of the Mistywood east of here.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Not magic, but people, Lord Aercrest.

› How is it you pretend to know so much about them, again? →

› As you say, but what about the spellwood you need? →

Gabrius: Hahaha! Not at all, I just haven't had a drink in ages. Truly, I have no idea where that particular myth originated from. I suspect many a magi find it amusing, thus continue perpetuating it. You didn't actually believe it, did you?

› Unbelievable... just tell me you have what you need. →

› So you've had me running around for whiskey just because you wanted a drink?! Exactly what are we doing here?! →

Gabrius: What are you getting so upset about? I can't imagine acquiring a simple bottle of whiskey could have required tremendous effort on your part.

› Oh, you have no idea... →

Gabrius: Regardless, we're breaking into a Qaeshtari temple. The crystal is certainly required, but it alone is not enough. I shall need to bind it to a powerful spellwood to create an adequate focus.

› Let me guess - you want me to get it? →

› The Qaeshtari...? They were the Old Folk? Like the ones who built those monoliths? →

Gabrius: The Mistywood lies firmly to the east, Lord Aercrest. I will be making my way to the temple shortly. Meet me there once you have the spellwood.

› About my task... →

› I wanted to ask about the Old Folk... the Qaeshtari? →

› Never mind. (end)

Gabrius: Yes?

› Our next moves - let's go over them one more time. →

› Where exactly should I look for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› I wanted to ask about the Old Folk... the Qaeshtari? →

› Never mind. (end)

Gabrius: I will be heading to the ruined Temple of Etherlight, surrounded by the Mistywood to the east, to prepare the spell to breach its gates. However, a powerful spellwood will still be required.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Thus you will also be entering the forest. Search for the 'Forest's Heart', a sheltered clearing hiding a powerful old tree spirit. Once you find it, cut down the creature and bring me its bark.

› You're telling me a sacred tree spirit resides within the forest... and you want me to kill it? →

› Where exactly should I look for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› Remind me again, how will I find the Temple afterwards? →

› I wanted to ask about the Old Folk... the Qaeshtari? →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: Precisely, Lord Aercrest. Try not to shed any tears, I'm sure the forest will grow another in a few hundred years or so.

› Where exactly should I look for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› Remind me again, how will I find the Temple afterwards? →

› I wanted to ask about the Old Folk... the Qaeshtari? →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: If I knew that, I'd already have told you. Forests hide their secrets, but someone familiar with the land might be able to guide your way. Either way, scour the woods 'till you find it and bring its bark to me at the Temple of Etherlight.

› Remind me again, how will I find the Temple afterwards? →

› I wanted to ask about the Old Folk... the Qaeshtari? →

› Our next moves - let's go over them one more time. →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: Its ruins rest on a hill central to the Mistywood, according to the ancient monolith. I believe there's a dreary peasant village called Fog's Dwindling nearby. Once you reach it, you shan't be far from the temple.

› Where exactly should I look for this 'Forest's Heart'? →

› I wanted to ask about the Old Folk... the Qaeshtari? →

› Our next moves - let's go over them one more time. →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: Then ask.

› How do you know so much about them? →

› Who were they really? →

› If they were so powerful, what could have caused their downfall? →

› About my task... →

› Never mind. (end)

Gabrius: Because I dedicated a significant amount of my life into studying what they left behind, Lord Aercrest. I've walked into death traps for the tiniest nuggets on their history, their language, their power... There may not be a person alive who knows them like I do.

› Who were they really? →

› If they were so powerful, what could have caused their downfall? →

› About my task... →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: An advanced civilization of spellcasters, who emerged from the Qaesir River Valley in lands far southwest from here. Their entire culture revolved around the study of magic, to understand magic more intimately than anyone else dared possible.

› Continue →

Gabrius: Once they conquered its secrets, they went on to conquer all known lands on this continent, and in some way beyond. There was nothing that could oppose them.

› Continue →

Gabrius: And in the lands they conquered, they erected grand temples, monuments to their magic. Monuments that lasted for ages even since their downfall. Monuments such as the temple we're going to breach.

› If they were so powerful, what could have caused their downfall? →

› How do you know so much about them? →

› About my task... →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: They were wiped out by something the writings only mention as the 'Spellplague', though much of the details are murky. Should I hazard a guess, I imagine they flew too close to the sun and were burned by it - metaphorically speaking.

› Magic has its limits, eh? →

› How do you know so much about them? →

› But who were they really? →

› About my task... →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: Not magic, but people, Lord Aercrest.

› How do you know so much about them? →

› But who were they really? →

› About my task... →

› I should go. (end)

Gabrius: Your methods are rather crude, Lord Aercrest, but I'm sure the message came across.

› Where should I find you? →

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: Look for me east of the city, my servant, at the edge of the notorious Silvermirror Fen. Travel past Fenwater Village and you shall soon find my encampment. It is time we paid Eloria a visit.

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: A far too peaceful death for my liking, but I'm sure the impact was felt intensely nonetheless.

› Where should I find you? →

› Leave. (end)

Gabrius: Masterfully done, Lord Aercrest! I could almost taste Eloria's anguish through you.

› Where should I find you? →

› Leave. (end)