Investigate Cazador's Palace: Difference between revisions

Two of [[Cazador Szarr|Cazador's]] spawns, [[Petras]] and [[Dalyria]], can be found chatting about the Black Mass in [[Fraygo's Flophouse]] on the upper floor at {{coords|(-21|76}}. {{CharLink|Astarion}} immediately threatens them for information, but can be persuaded to hold back. Unfortunately, the spawns know little, beyond that preparations for the Black Mass are well underway. It is also clear that the spawns believe, that they too will become ascended if the ritual is successful.

There is a [[Gur Camp]] in {{Coords|102|-12|Rivington}} led by [[Ulma]]. Ulma tells the party that Cazador 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 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.

Although being in the Upper City, the Szarr Palace can be accessed from the [[Lower City]] by climbing stairs in the Central Watch Tower {{Coords|-53|-64}}, walking north on the wall and entering the Szare Palace South Tower door. If Asterion is in the party, he will request to sneak ahead and tke care of what few guards are likely posted.

Three [[Charm Person|charmed]] guards are at the top of the ladder in the South Tower. They can be persuaded to let the party continue with Intimidation or Deception checks, with Asterion (Rogues) getting Advantage on the Deception check. Alternatively, casting {{SAI|Calm Emotions}} on the guards will cancel the charm effect and cause them to leave the area. If spoken to, several Giant Rats in this room will warn the party that many others have entered but were later found dead from the "large hairy fangy ones".

Continuing up the stairs will lead to the door to the empty Upper Tower and Szarr Palace Ramparts, which Asterion calls out as suspicious. Finally, using the Szarr Palace door enter the palace proper, which does not allow fast travel and or resting.

The way forward is through the locked ballroom. Two things are needed to enter: a {{SmRarityItem|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 {{Coords|-1289|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:

A note upstairs on the Chamberlain's desk {{Coords|-1243|976}} suggests that one of the spawn has misplaced the dictionary used to decipher the passphrases.  

The {{SmRarityItem|Kozakuran Dictionary}} can be found on the lower floor in the guest room, which is brimming with deadly necrotic magic {{Coords|-1299|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 {{SmRarityItem|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. 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.

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. Alternatively, a button below the western room can be activated with a range weapon, causing a massive chandelier to begin travelling up and down: this can be used an an ersatz elevator to travel to and from the lower level.  

On the lower level, the {{SmRarityItem|Pelorsun Blade}} can be found 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) crypt gate here connecting to the [[Lower City Sewers|Lower City Sewers - Gloomy Ascent]]. The dungeon cannot be reached from the sewers until the gate has been unlocked from this side.

[[Cazador]] is in the ritual chamber north of the prisoners' cells.  

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 -- in which case Cazador and Astarion will engage in additional repartee during the battle. If Astarion is not released in three turns, the ritual succeeds, and Cazador becomes a Vampire Ascendant.  

If Astarion is not in the party, then Cazador can be persuaded to allow the party leave so they can bring Astarion back, or they can simply start the fight with him without Astarion. If Astarion was never recruited, or if he was killed (such as staking him in camp), then he will be at the ritual as a zombie.

Note that if Astarion is in the party but kept well back out of sight (e.g. up at the top of the stairs) then the fight will begin without Astarion. However as of Patch 6 if Astarion attempts to join the fight later and Cazador is still alive, the battle will be interrupted by the cut scene in which Cazador traps Astarion in the ritual.

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 party for assistance. The party 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.

===='''Ending 1: Astarion completes the Rite of Profane Ascension'''====

If the party 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. Astarion 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.

===='''Ending 2: Astarion is persuaded not to complete the Rite of Profane Ascension'''====

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 unavailable 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.

===='''Ending 3: Astarion is refused or cannot be persuaded to stop the rite'''====

Astarion can leave the party permanently during this quest. If the party 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 party 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.