Feels like we're being watched... (Level 11+)

**Required Perception:** | ???

## Description:

Anne Luca is crying just outside of Thornefast. You hear the distressed woman and see what may be wrong. Anne tells you that her brother, whose mind is sick, is missing again. She is in fear that he may be hurt and she has no idea what he was wearing or when he even left.

This has happened frequently enough that the other villagers are becoming apathetic to her plight and refuse to assist her anymore with her brother.

She lets you know that her brother has wandered off for years now and is often found in a cursed cave. He is attached to that cave because it is the place that his best friend lost his life.

## Walk-through:

Navigate to Thronefast and head north-west over the bridge. Just a way up the path to the south-west you will encounter a developing village.

Once in the village you will want to follow the road to the the first full building. Just outside of that building you will see a blonde human female in robes with her head bowed.

Walking up to her you will hear a woman crying, this should active your perception and you can speak with her.

She seems troubled...

She says: "My brother has wandered off again. His mind is sick...Im afraid he's going to get hurt. I don't even know what he's wearing... he must have left early this morning, or even last night!"

She then says: "No one will help me look for him anymore. He's been wandering off for years no... ever since he lost his best friend in that cursed cave."

Feels like we're being watched.

You will want to head north back down Avendyr's Pass back to the bridge and take the fork in the road heading North.

Keep following this path, you will pass low level mobs such as spiders, wolves, skeletons and crows. Down the road you will come to another fork with the entrance to a cave.

Once at the cave you will see Eriq Luca. Speak with him.

File:EricLuca.jpg

He says: "I, I'm waiting for someone. He went in... he hasn't come out. Seven years I've waited..."

He then says: "We both went into the cave seven years ago. My friend had heard stories about the place, about the secret of the cave. I was just there to help him, to explore... we stumbled upon something dark, an ancient wisdom. My friend - he never returned. I can't remember what happened to him..."

He then says: "Please, I am sure my sister is worried. How long have I been out here? I must get home, please excuse me."

Enter the cave.

There is an unsettling presence in this cave...

You will encounter some Ratkin, bats, spiders, enemies that are through-out the cave. Keep following the way until you get to a hallway with a bridge.

Do not go down the bridge. Take a left (East) and you will see a door. Enter the door and you will meet Armond Toryn, a wraith.

File:ArmondToryn.jpg

He says: "No - wait. I'm not like the rest... I don't want to hurt you."

He then says: "Eriq? Yes - I can barely recall his face... but I remember him. I remember covering his mouth so he wouldn't be devoured... or worse become like me. The Withering Curse is my punishment for coming down here. I am slowly losing my mortal form... I am becoming a Waith."

He then says: "Friend, while I am still in my right mind, grant me this request. You must find and destroy the power of this place: Gnashura. He is a prince of the Bane, and I must hope his defeat can weaken the grip of this curse."

He then says: "Take this key, you will need it to find Gnashura. And be ever watchful, this curse will not spare you either."

Armond Toryn gives you a Fadesteel Key.

Head back out the door you entered from.

Apply buffs, food, rest.

Navigate straight from the door you just exited and you will see another door. Do not go on the bridge or back out, it should be directly in front of you.

From here you will enter a room with a dark figure at the end of a the room.

The figure will begin to move on his left then to his right. Speaking to you, you can see this is Gnashura.

He says: "What have we here? Fresh seekers of the ancient truths? I am the Lord of the Branch of Amicus. Welcome to my sanctuary."

He then says: "Every wind upon the Branch whispers back to me... I will not dissuade you from this path."

He then says: "You crave the secrets of Bane! Come brother my sanctuary will be cleansed!"

He then proceeds to attack you and your party and the door will close behind you locking you to battle.
NOTE: Killing Gnashura and the Servants of Gnashura will give you negitive faction with The Withered.

He begins to spawn adds to assist him named "Servant of Gnashura", you will want to CC or prioritize these adds before they add up too much and wipe the party.

He also releases an AoE that is a blueish mist around him in a circular pattern. DPS and heals will want to avoid this. Tank will want to lead him away from the party when he cast this.

Once he is dead he will say: "Has my journey met its end... so soon?"

## Rewards

Experience points.

Gnashura can drop:

Silverbound Tome

Ethereal Stud

Fadesteel Longsword