Branthos: Difference between revisions

Upon reaching the [[Shadow-Cursed Lands]] through [[Grymforge]], Branthos can be first encountered at the [[Last Light Inn]], where he is patrolling the main plaza in front of the inn's entrance, as well as the underpass where {{CharLink|Bex}} is.

After the party talks with {{CharLink|Jaheira}}, Branthos, along with {{CharLink|Elindale}}, {{CharLink|Lassandra}}, {{CharLink|Manus}}, and {{CharLink|Skywin}} moves to the bridge in front of Last Light Inn, waiting for the party so they can move in to intercept and [[Follow the Convoy|ambush a nearby Absolutist convoy]] in order to acquire their source of protection against the [[Shadow Curse]]. Accepting the mission results in Branthos and his squad of Harpers casting {{SAI|Light}} on their weapons, and move in to the [[Ruined Battlefield]], where they lay in wait for the [[Absolute|Absolutist]] convoy. The party can either go with the group immediately or catch up with them later, as the ambush site is marked on their map.

If immediately talking to {{CharLink|Isobel Thorm}} and fighting {{CharLink|Marcus Falgor|Marcus}} after talking with Jaheira, Branthos and his squad would have already moved to the bridge, out of reach of the battle. However, if Isobel is kidnapped, he does not turn into a {{Cond|Shadow-Cursed Undead}}, but dies immediately instead.

Talking to Branthos at the ambush site commences the ambush and spawns in the encounter. Once the [[Kar'niss|convoy]] arrives, the party members have a choice to attack immediately or hang back. If choosing to stay hidden and keep watching, {{CharLink|Kar'niss}} kills {{CharLink|Vez|Brawler Vez}}, one of the goblins in the convoy. From there, the party can either signal the Harpers or the Harpers start the encounter themselves. After the fight, on the drider's corpse a {{SmRarityItem|Moonlantern}} can be found. Branthos comments on it,{{ref|''"Incredible magic. I can feel the light lifting the shadows - even those within me."''}} but not before remarking that the war is not over.{{ref|"Dialogue with the ambush squad:<br>''"One less blight in the darkness. A thousand more to conquer."'' - Branthos <br>''"At the very least. For every beast we slay, the shadows spawn two more."'' - Manus <br>''"Gods - why so glum? We hit the cult where it hurts."'' - Elindale <br> ''"A victory is a victory. Our heads are still intact - and that's worth celebrating."'' - Skywin}}

Alternatively, the party can convince Kar'niss to relinquish the Moonlantern, and to lead the Absolutist convoy to its death, where they eventually are [[Shadow Curse|cursed]]. Either way, Branthos and his squad then depart amiably, and return to Last Light Inn.

If choosing to reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands through the [[Mountain Pass]] route, a goblin greets them and sends the party to a rendezvous point to wait for Kar'niss and the convoy to guide them to [[Moonrise Towers]], where the party can pass off as [[True Soul]]s. This starts [[Follow the Convoy]].

Kar'niss, the guide, ferries the party, as well as the rest of the convoy to Moonrise. During the trek, Branthos, along with Elindale, Manus, and Skywin ambush the convoy. The party can choose to either turn on the convoy and help the Harpers, or protect the convoy in order to [[Infiltrate Moonrise Towers|continue their cover as a True Soul]].

If meeting the Harpers for the first time, Branthos takes the drider's Moonlantern and tells the party to head to Last Light Inn, where they can reacquire the same Moonlantern after speaking with Isobel. If the sticking with the convoy, Branthos and his squad turn hostile.

If sided with and alive, Branthos can later be found on the top floor of Last Light Inn, drinking wine with Elindale. In sharp contrast to Elindale's more buoyant personality, Branthos showcases a very stoic demeanor{{ref|"Dialogue with [[Elindale]]:<br>''"Take a moment, Bran. Savour our victory over the drider."'' - Elindale <br> ''"I'll celebrate when [[Ketheric Thorm|Ketheric's]] dead. Not before."'' - Branthos <br>''"We're still alive, Bran. That's worth a cheer, at the very least."''<br>''"Have you ever known me to cheer?"''<br> ''"There's always a first time."''}} and reassures him that they'll be ready for when the time to attack [[Ketheric Thorm]] comes.{{ref|"Dialogue with Elindale:<br>''"So now what. We just - wait? Hope the True Soul comes through?"'' - Elindale <br>''"Yes - we wait. If we're called, we join the fight against Ketheric. And with the True Soul, we will land the final blow."'' - Branthos}}

If the party successfully prevented Marcus from capturing Isobel at the Last Light Inn, and once the {{CharLink|Aylin|Nightsong}} has been freed from her cage and is headed for Moonrise, Branthos follows Jaheira to Moonrise Towers. However, Branthos is killed during the fight against [[Absolute]] forces before the party can arrive. His corpse can be found in the [[Moonrise Towers Prison]], surrounded by a [[Death Shepherd]] and a horde of [[Necromite|Necromites]].

* If killed at any point in time before or during the convoy's ambush, either [[Elindale]], [[Lassandra]], [[Manus]], or [[Skywin]] will take the lead in talking to the player instead and lead the ambush, and refer the latter to [[Last Light Inn]].

** Likewise, despite having [[Disarming Attack (Melee)]], Branthos is unable to use that action.

*** This is due to Branthos being given a player version of Disarming Attack, which makes him unable to use the action as he has no [[Superiority Die]].