Investigate Cazador's Palace: Difference between revisions

[[File:Vampire Spawn in Flophouse.jpg|thumb|The Black Mass approaches.]]

There is a [[Gur Camp|Gur camp]] in [[Rivington]] (X:102, Y:-12), lead by [[Ulma]]. Ulma tells the party that Astarion has done immense damage to her tribe and even stolen their children. She wishes to have them back, or at least revenge taken if the children are already dead. If Astarion is in the party, he can be told that it's the least he can do to get vengeance for the Gur, which he will agree to. Ulma states that the Gur have tried and failed to infiltrate [[Szarr Palace]] but that a spawn could do it.

Several of Astarion's fellow vampire spawn attempt to kidnap him after the party has entered the Lower City and long rested. Failing to stop them before they drop Astarion to 1hp results in Astarion being kidnapped and sent to Cazador's palace. Once there, he is tortured by [[Godey]], who uses magic in an attempt to force Astarion to obey Cazador. This starts a saving throw, but even if it's failed, the tadpole within Astarion sends out a psionic wave that disrupts the spell. Godey becomes hostile after failing to collar Astarion and needs to be defeated. The party can regroup with Astarion in the kennels.

Cazador's Palace can be accessed via the Central Watch Tower (X:-53, Y:-64), near the [[Lower City]] Central Wall [[Ancient Sigil Circle|Waypoint]], by climbing up the stairs. There are a number of charmed guards who try to stop the party, but can be persuaded or intimidated into standing down. Alternatively, casting {{SAI|Calm Emotions}} on the guards will cancel the charm effect on them and cause them to leave the area. Follow the way north to get to the door to Cazador's Palace. Once inside, the palace will be surprisingly empty of vampires, but holds a conspicuously large ballroom door that is locked.  

The way forward is through the ballroom. Two things are needed to enter and proceed: a [[Szarr Family Ring]] and a passphrase in the Kozakuran language.

[[Vilhelm]] can be persuaded or deceived into revealing that Godey has the signet ring that can unlock the door. Godey is in the kennels in the lower floor. Godey is waiting in ambush (X:-1289, Y:982), but a perception check reveals him and he can be called out. If Astarion is in the party, Godey asks what he has brought him:

* [DECEPTION] Cazador hired me to capture Astarion. I'm here to deliver.

* [INTIMIDATION] Lay a hand on me and lose it, bones.

* [PERSUASION] Your master needs Astarion for the ritual. He'll be furious if you stop us joining him.

* [DECEPTION] Cazador gave me orders too - Astarion needs to be returned no matter what.

* [INTIMIDATION] How about I start breaking bones and keep going until I find that key?

A note upstairs on the Chamberlain's desk (X:-1243, Y:976) suggests that one of the spawn has misplaced the dictionary used to decipher the passphrases.  

The [[Kozakuran Dictionary]] can be found on the lower floor in the guest room, which is brimming with deadly necrotic magic (X:-1299, Y:967). Here, the the [[Cursed (Condition Type)|cursed]] corpse of [[Victoria]] afflicts {{Condition inline|Vitality Drain}} ({{DamageText|4d6+4|Necrotic}} per turn) upon anyone entering, Casting {{SAI|Remove Curse}} on Victoria's body will end her {{Condition inline|Sapping Curse}} and make the room safe. Alternate solutions include use of [[Elixir of Necrotic Resistance]] or [[Jump]]/[[Flight (Condition)|Flight]] to cross the hazard. The dictionary is in a mahogany wardrobe to the west of the bed. Reading the book gives the phrase to enter the ballroom.

Once in the ballroom, a number of werewolves notice the party. They state that no one is meant to enter while the ritual is occurring, and become hostile to the party. Move to the door to the southwest after defeating them to find an elevator down to Cazador's dungeon.

After descending the elevator, there is a hallway to the west that connects to Cazador's chambers. It contains the skull of Cazador's former master, Vellioth, and more information about him and the [[Black Mass Scroll]].

To the north, there are several people in cages, which will call out to the party. If Astarion is in the party, one of the men recognizes him. It turns out that this is Sebastian, the first victim Astarion brought back to Cazador. Sebastian can be persuaded or deceived into revealing how to unlock the cages - Cazador's staff. The cell across the way can also be interacted with - it contains several Gur children who were captured and turned into vampire spawn. If they are told that Ulma sent the party, they also share that the staff is the key to opening the cells.

Within Cazador's dungeon, a lower level can be reached using [[Feather Fall]], [[Misty Step]], or [[Fly]] to jump down the hallway to the northwest of the elevator. Here, the {{ItemIcon|name=Pelorsun Blade|size=20|show_name=1|show_rarity=1}} can be found by in a room to the east, in a buried and trapped rosewood casket {{Coords|1=-1926|2=853}}. This weapon deals radiant damage, which is highly effective against Cazador. Additionally, there is a locked (DC 30) door here connecting to the [[Lower City Sewers]] - Gloomy Ascent.

If [[Astarion]] is in the active party, he will conclude the dialogue by attacking Cazador in a rage, only to be trapped in a ritual circle ({{Condition inline|Sacrificial Lamb}}). Cazador will then attack, along with several bats, werewolves, and fallen Gur hunters. Astarion can be rescued from imprisonment via the [[Help]] action, allowing him to rejoin the fight. If Astarion is not released in three turns, the ritual succeeds, and Cazador becomes a Vampire Ascendant.  

This fight can be very challenging. Cazador is a high-level spellcaster and gains power from the ritual victims, inflicting high necrotic damage to nearby party members. However, his profound weakness is [[Sunlight Hypersensitivity]], which can easily be caused by [[Daylight]] cast prior to the battle. He can also be pushed off the platform to his death; unlike most enemies, he will then return to his coffin, where he can be looted.

Once Cazador is defeated, he returns to his coffin in an attempt to enter a healing sleep. Interacting with the coffin has Astarion prying Cazador out of the coffin. Astarion will attempt to use the ritual for himself, and requests the player for assistance. The player can agree, attempt to persuade Astarion against using the ritual, or simply refuse to help. If Astarion was not recruited or died, then the only option is whether to kill or release the prisoners.

If the player agrees to assist Astarion, he completes the Rite of Profane Ascension by carving the runes into Cazador's back and sacrificing the six spawn and seven thousand souls. He becomes a Vampire Ascendant, warping his personality. When Ulma and the Gur arrive, they find him responsible for the deaths of their children and only one can come out alive - Astarion or the Gur.

If Astarion is successfully persuaded not to use the ritual, he simply kills Cazador without performing the Rite of Profane Ascension, then he remains a vampire spawn for the rest of his days.

Astarion has the choice to kill the seven thousand victims or release them, or simply leave them. If the prisoners are freed, the other spawn lead them to live in the Underdark. Astarion sees killing the victims as mercy, as they never learned how to control their hunger. If he decides to leave them, Astarion breaks Cazador's staff and says that he is done with this place and done with all of them. Breaking the staff will result in it not being available as a quest reward. Regardless of the choice, the Gur do not attack Astarion and see him as having redeemed himself.