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Background

You'll receive this quest from Simoc in the Hall of Warriors in Elm's Reach (#1).


Walkthrough

Simoc is the anamfath of the Three-Tusk Stelgaer tribe. If you ask him if his role is hereditary, then he'll explain that it isn't, that the soul of the next leader must be deemed strong by the elders. Unfortunately, his children are all weak, and only his foster child Vela from the Fisher Crane tribe would make a good leader. The problem is, he's worried that people won't fear his tribe if it's run by somebody who started with Fisher Crane, and so he won't want her to take over.

Simoc will then divulge his plan. He'll explain that if you kidnap Vela and deliver her to Keeper Wrdha in Blood Sands (#2), then Wrdha will sacrifice her to create a potion, which will enhance Simoc so he can produce more powerful offspring in the future, thus keeping his tribe strong. To help you out, Simoc will give you a Rusty Key, which will allow you to enter Vela's house.

After talking to Simoc, when you attempt to leave the hall, you'll be stopped by Lliras, one of Simoc's sons. Lliras will tell you that he doesn't agree with his father's plan, and he'll suggest an alternative. He'll tell you that you can get a poison from Bledha in the Golden Grove (#3), and that his father won't know the difference between it and Wrdha's potion.

Note: If you try to tell Simoc about Lliras betraying him, he won't believe you.

You'll have three ways to complete the quest:

• You can disagree with Simoc's plan, and attack him for suggesting it. You'll then have to fight him plus all of the warriors in the hall. If you plan ahead for the fight, and position your party to prevent it from getting surrounded, then you shouldn't have a tough time winning. You'll complete the quest when Simoc dies.
  
  For your reward, you'll find an Exceptional Hatchet, Exceptional Hide Armor, and Thy Clef on Simoc's corpse, plus a collection of "fine" items on the other corpses. You'll also earn a "moderate" amount of reputation with Twin Elms and a "moderate" amount of reputation with the Ovates of the Golden Grove, but you'll lose an "extraordinary" amount of reputation with Ethik Nol. You'll also get a nod of thanks from Lliras.
  
  
• You can follow Lliras' plan. When you talk to Bledha, she won't like the sound of your request, but no matter what you say to her, you'll end up with Bledha's Poison. However, when you offer it to Simoc, he'll realize that something is wrong. With Resolve 19 or Intellect 19, and then Resolve 20 or Perception 19, you'll be able to convince him that it's Wrdha's potion. Otherwise, he and the other warriors in the hall will attack you, and you'll complete the quest in the same way as if you had attacked him right away (see above).
  
  If Simoc drinks the poison, then he won't keel over dead right away, and he'll even reward you for your help by giving you Thy Clef. You'll also earn a "moderate" amount of reputation with Twin Elms and a "major" amount of reputation with the Ovates of the Golden Grove, but you'll lose a "moderate" amount of reputation with Ethik Nol. You'll also get a nod of thanks from Lliras.
  
  
• If you follow Simoc's plan, then you'll need to head to Vela's house in Hearthsong (#4). Inside you'll find a Baby (Vela) in a crib. After taking her, when you exit the house, you'll be stopped by Lliras and his friends. No matter what you say to them, they'll attack you and probably die quickly.
  
  Next you'll need to take the Baby to Keeper Wrdha in Blood Sands (#2). She can be found on the western side. Wrdha will perform the ritual, and she'll give you a Distilled Essence Potion at the end. But be aware: if the Grieving Mother is in your party during the exchange, then she'll leave you and disappear from the game. Interestingly, Hiravias won't leave you, although he might have complained bitterly when you were talking to Simoc earlier.
  
  Finally, you'll need to deliver the Distilled Essence Potion to Simoc (#1). He'll reward you with Thy Clef. You'll also gain an "extraordinary" amount of reputation with Ethik Nol and a "moderate" amount of reputation with Twin Elms, but you'll lose a "major" amount of reputation with the Ovates of the Golden Grove.

1 - Hall of Warriors


2 - Blood Sands


3 - Bledha


4 - Vela's House