Investigate Cazador's Palace: Difference between revisions

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 to attempt to force Astarion to obey Cazador. This starts a saving throw, but even if it's failed, the tadpole within Astarion emits a psionic wave that disrupts the spell. Godey becomes hostile after failing to collar Astarion and must 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. A number of charmed guards 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 and cause them to leave the area. Follow the way north to reach 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: a [[Szarr Family Ring]] and a passphrase in the Kozakuran language.

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. Move to the door to the southwest after defeating them to find an elevator down to Cazador's dungeon.

After descending the elevator, a hallway to the west connects to Cazador's chambers. It contains the skull of Cazador's former master, [[Vellioth]], and by interacting with the skull and passing three DC 15 Wisdom checks, the party can gain more information about him. They will also receive the [[Black Mass Scroll]], whether the checks are passed or not.

To the north, there are several people in cages, who will call out to the party. If Astarion is in the party, one man 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.

Once Cazador is defeated, he returns to his coffin in an attempt to enter a healing sleep. Interacting with the coffin has Astarion pry Cazador out of it. 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, 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]], gains new powers and arguably warps 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 - although this encounter can theoretically be avoided by sneaking out through the lower level of the dungeon.

If Astarion is persuaded not to use the ritual, he 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, release them, or leave them in the cells. 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 renders it inavailable as a quest reward. Regardless of the choice, the Gur do not attack Astarion and see him as having redeemed himself. If any other vampire spawn was killed during the Cazador fight, the ritual cannot be completed and Astarion kills Cazador without attempting to perform the ritual, and moves onto the choice regarding the imprisoned spawn. The dialogue with the Gur and the other companions will proceed as if Astarion chose to give up on the ritual himself.

Astarion can leave the party permanently during this quest. If the player fails to persuade Astarion or refuses to help him with the ritual, he will leave the party after deciding to keep the spawn locked up, stating that he is done with Cazador, this place, and the party. If Astarion was allowed to start the ritual, the player can interrupt him by killing Cazador while the ritual is in progress, doing so will stop Astarion's ascension and cause him to become hostile, attacking the party.