A Mage Imprisoned?

==Obtaining the side quest==
The party will eventually come across a group of duergar merchants on the south central area of the Underdark. Speaking with all of them is possible, and a good way to gain some insight and information.
One of the three, a merchant by the name of Uder Mordin has the most information for you. Engage in as much conversation as possible with this one, and ask any questions you wish in the dialogue choices. Paraphrased below are some of the replies and information he shares:
:"I myself have seen death here recently. Even the powerful cannot escape it. No real secrets for those that travel here frequently. A trespasser that got his due from someone he crossed. Well, I suppose it did not end in death, but it was a mighty battle regardless. I do not know who the aggressor was, but I know who lost. A mage of power, I am sure, though not powerful enough in the end. A pity too. He seemed intent on unearthing an artifact of old or some such. And his reward for his effort? Worse than death, even though he seemed willing to share. Imprisoned, magically confined in the cavern north of here. Pity." 
==Gameplay==
It should become apparent that there is a mage that was defeated in battle nearby, who has been affected by the dreaded Imprisonment spell effect. Based on the information available from Uder, it is likely the mage was pursuing some kind of artifact hunt before being unceremoniously trapped in a confined area below the surface.
If Edwin Odesseiron is a party member he'll have an interjection and show keen interest in these alleged artifacts.
Uder Mordin says this imprisonment event occurred just north of their location. After this dialogue, the party will receive a Journal Update officially marking the side quest.
You will note that Carlig who is the storekeeper for the duergar has a Freedom scroll available. Perhaps this could be put to use, and possibly free this trapped mage?
Should the party cast the freedom spell in the duergar's area (perhaps a bit north of them), then your suspicions are proven correct. Indeed, a mage was trapped by Imprisonment, and use of the Freedom spell by the party will summon the captive back to the exact location he was - before being spirited away to eternal stasis.
The mage, named Vithal, will of course speak with the party and be thankful. He will also provide a chance to undertake another task, so he can finish his original exploration and hunt for artifacts. This is covered in the A Mage's Proposal page. 
==Reward==
For releasing Vithal from Imprisonment: 
==Gallery with some mod content==
:Portraits from Portraits Portraits Everywhere
UDDEAR02.jpg|thumb|Uder Mordin, recounts his opinion of the mage's fate he observed - "And his reward for his effort? Worse than death, even though he seemed willing to share. Imprisoned, magically confined in the cavern north of here. Pity." 
UDVITH.jpg|thumb|Vithal, after being rescued with the Freedom spell - "Ahh! Thank you for releasing me. I was sure my destiny was to end imprisoned here forever. I have never been more glad to be wrong."
Vithal.png|thumb|left|Vithal, after being released, north from the duergar merchants.
UD Edwin Remark Uder.png|Edwin comments on information from Uder Mordin regarding an imprisoned mage and artifacts.
UD Freedom.png|Following Uder's information a Freedom scroll is used to liberate the trapped mage. Speak with him to resolve the A Mage Imprisoned? quest.