Beyond the Call [Quest]

Text of the Quest:

Beyond the Call Reachmen attacked Northglen. They must be stopped before they can attack the city of Evemore. Captain Eugien Gaercroft sent me to find his missing scouts. He told me to search for Hatmi and Isabeth in the chapel, north of the Evermore encampment.

Tasks

Search the Chapel

Captain Eugien Gaercroft: I hope you're here to help me. Duraeg and his Dark Witnesses attacked without warning. My best scouts go to gather information; only two returned. Isabeth disobeyed orders to look for them, and now she too is overdue. What else could go wrong?
Hero: Perhaps I can help?
Captain Eugien Gaercroft: Any help is welcome. Isabeth was last seen advancing toward the chapel to look for Hatmi. The scouts' mission is to recover information and rescue civilians. We can't let the invaders reach Evermore.
Hero: I'll do what I can.
Captain Eugien Gaercroft: Take this concoction Elgenie made. "It heals and conceals" according to her. If they're injured, they'll need it, but it only lasts so long. They must come here straight away or risk the effects wearing off.
Hero: I'll do my best to find them.

Hatmi: You're no Reachman. Stendarr's finally seen it fit to grant me a little mercy.
Hero: I'm here to help. Captain Gaercroft sent me.
Hatmi: He did? Not Isabeth? I'd hoped she'd gotten the others to the camp by now.
Hero: Do you know where isabeth went?
Hatmi: She rescued a wyress, and a villager named Laetille. The wyress said they're holding an area beneath the Ayleid ruins. Isa said she'd go and see about an alliance. I told them to leave me here. I'd only slow them down with these wounds.
Hero: A wyress?
Hatmi: Yes, one of the women of the woods. I was taught never to trust them, but Isa thought they could help us retake Northglen, and keep the Reachmen out of Evermore. She might still be with them on the shore. There's an entry to the ruins there.
Hero: I'll find them. Use this poultice and get back to camp.
Wyress Asteria: Another one? Curious. What do you want?
Hero: I'm looking for a scout named Isabeth.
Wyress Asteria: She was here. She returned our sister to us, so we are in her debt.
Hero: Did you see a villager with her? Laetille?
Wyress Asteria: The other has a sickness within her, of an unknown kind. We will keep the sick girl away from the land, lest she spread an incurable disease through our woods. If you're curious, speak to Wyress Delphique. She's within the ruins.
Hero: I'll go speak with her.

Wyress Delphique: Wyress Asteria let you in? I trust she had good reason. What drove you to seek me in this house of stone?
Hero: What's wrong with Laetille?
Wyress Delphique: Ah, you seek this child. She goes nowhere. She's infected, and I must determine what it is she carries inside her.
Hero: Inside her?
Wyress Delphique: It's a seed for certain, though what the Dark Witnesses have cultivated in the fields of Northglen is a mystery. I've one last attempt at a cure. You're just in time to witness the results.
Hero: I am?
Wyress Delphique: Disturbing to say the least. So the Dark Witnesses would turn us all into their puppets to reinforce their army and take Evermore. We can't allow that to happen.
Hero: What did you do to Laetille?
Wyress Delphique: I tried to draw out the evil, but my spell agitated it. Transformed her into one of those abominations roaming Northglen. Small wonder we've seen no prisoners. They've turned them. And as their army grows, so does the threat on the Viridian Woods.
Hero: Will you align with Captain Gaercroft?
Wyress Delphique: The Evermore soldiers? And why should we trust them? If we left the Viridian Woods, they'd cut down our trees in days, and mine the land with no regard for the life harbored there.
Hero: How can I convince you to ally with them against the Reachmen?
Wyress Delphique: Take this rune to wither the Reachmen's markers in the fields. Then cut off Duraeg's head. Prove yourself on our side as well, and I'll meet the captain Isabeth spoke of.
Hero: Isabeth? Where is she? r * pr
Wyress Delphique: She left. Said she had to search the farm houses. Are you stalling, or do you truly believe we can trust the soldiers of Evermore? Isabeth spoke of an alliance too before she left. Well, you can finish her work. Will you take Duraeg's head or not?
Hero: I'll get it done.
Wyress Delphique: Luck be with you. We'll journey to the Evermore camp if you complete the job. We're closely tied to the land, so we'll know when you've been successful.
Hero: What are the markers?
Wyress Delphique: Reachman effigies that Duraeg conjured out of the earth. Perhaps remnants of power they left behind. They're the source of the seeds they cultivate in the fields. Destroy the markers and you destroy the seeds.
Hero: What do you mean by "power they left behind?"
Wyress Delphique: This land used to be theirs, and not so long ago. They're here to reclaim it. It's why Evermore is such a prize to them. Perhaps we'd let them remain if they didn't pose such a threat to the Viridian Woods. Reachmen know no boundaries.
Hero: Do you really believe there is no cure?
Wyress Delphique: Whatever the Dark Witnesses are using, it consumes the victim. Had this child lived, she would have attacked. We've been observing them. Their power increases in numbers.
Hero: You mentioned it was planted inside of her?
Wyress Delphique: Yes. We believe a seed is forced inside. It takes root within the heart. As you saw, any real attempt to remove them only spurs on the growth and takes the victim to the final phase.
Hero: What are the markers?
Wyress Delphique: Reachman effigies that Duraeg conjured out of the earth. Perhaps remnants of power they left behind. They're the source of the seeds they cultivate in the fields. Destroy the markers and you destroy the seeds.
Hero: What do you mean by "power they left behind?"
Wyress Delphique: This land used to be theirs, and not so long ago. They're here to reclaim it. It's why Evermore is such a prize to them. Perhaps we'd let them remain if they didn't pose such a threat to the Viridian Woods. Reachmen know no boundaries.
Hero: What does this rune do?
Wyress Delphique: It's empowered with Wyrd magic. When it comes into contact with the marker, the magic will course through it, withering it to the point where nothing is left but dust. The magic will penetrate deep enough to reach the seeds it produces.

Isabeth Gaercroft: For the love of Mara, I didn't think I'd see the end of this day. Did Captain Gaercroft, my father, send you?
Hero: Yes, he did. We need to return to his camp.
Isabeth Gaercroft: I know Duraeg's plan. He has stores of seeds he plans on using to turn the innocent into pawns for his army. You must destroy the stores. With Duraeg out of the way and his weapon destroyed, it will leave this army without a leader and a plan.
Hero: I understand.
Isabeth Gaercroft: I'm badly injured. Whatever Duraeg was doing to me, probably trying to implant one of those seeds like the others, it's left me too weak. You need to go. Finish the mission without me. Besides. If he was successful, I may compromise everything.
Hero: Try this poultice. It might help.
Isabeth Gaercroft: Perfect! One of Elgenie's I bet. This will do nicely. Once you've destroyed the stores, use what's left of the poultice. It'll let you return to camp safely and quickly.
Hero: What was he doing to you?
Isabeth Gaercroft: Trying to implant me like the rest. He said he was adding me to his ranks. That I'd be the perfect weapon, and he'd watch as I attacked my own father and my father would have to kill me. I fell unconscious from the pain moments later.
Hero: What were you saying about the poultice?
Isabeth Gaercroft: I recognize it, and it's one of Elgenie's best. The poultice does more than heal. It grants invisibility. But if you engage any of the Reachmen after you use it, the spell will break.
Hero: Are you all right?
Isabeth Gaercroft: No. I only found one survivor and the Glenmoril Wyrd wouldn't let her go. I found Ulmad and Bendais dead. But Hatmi, did you find her, too? I never should have left her alone. My father... that is, Captain Gaercroft will be disappointed.
Hero: He'll be happy you're safe.
Isabeth Gaercroft: You don't know him. He only acknowledges me when I'm doing something wrong. He calls me Isabeth the Impatient. Isabeth the Ignorant. Since I disobeyed orders, I bet he's got plenty to say about me today.

Isabeth Gaercroft: That must be why Elgenie's poultice didn't fully heal me. I wasn't conscious fora while after they captured me. He had time to ... to .... Is what Wyress Delphique says true?
Hero: Yes, it's true.
Isabeth Gaercroft: Everything I've been through? For this? And my own father won't even acknowledge me as his daugther. But it's worth it right? My life for an alliance that will save Evermore.
Hero: Are you sure you want to do this?
Isabeth Gaercroft: I'll let Delphique know I'm ready. I'm sure she won't hesitate, and my father won't stop her. Evermore has always taken priority for him. Evermore and duty. Maybe I follow in his footsteps afterall.
Hero: I'll make sure he knows that.

Captain Eugien Gaercroft: The Wyrd expect an alliance now after they murder my daughter in cold blood? They're lucky I don't have them all killed here and now!
Hero: It was Isabeth's choice. And you need this alliance.
Captain Eugien Gaercroft: After what the Wyrd did to my daughter? The wyress killed her without hesitation! I can't have that unpredictability among my soldiers.
Hero: Wyress Delphique may have saved lives by doing what Isabeth wanted. Goodbye.
Captain Eugien Gaercroft: Isabeth was a foolish girl. I should have disciplined her better. Made her stronger. She never followed orders. I knew this way of life would get her killed. How can I possibly consent to this alliance with her blood on their hands?
Hero: She wanted this alliance. It will save Evermore. Gaercroft
Captain Eugien Gaercroft: Yes, Evermore needs this alliance. But I need .... Isabeth's sacrifice will be remembered. You've proven yourself as a great ally to Evermore. I'll agree to this alliance. Together, we'll drive out the Reachmen.
Hero: Complete Quest.