Gurn Coldhearth is a former dwarf priest of Dumathoin, the dwarven god of mining and buried secrets i.a., who has turned his back on his former faith, following the dwarven god of greed Abbathor instead, and betrayed his former comrades-in-arms to pursue immortality by becoming a lich. When you meet him, the character will be called Coldhearth Lich.
Some time before his transformation, he penned the Journal of Gurn Coldhearth, where it's described how one of the Shadow King's liches (Korkorran[1]) offered Coldhearth lichdom in return for being freeing from the Shadow King's control. Together with his journal a letter is found, written to a Karella from Agda Coldhearth, which possibly led Gurn to search for a "cure" to his ailment by seeking out the lich. His discarded vestments and some Notes on a Failed Experiment can also be found, which mention his failure in the process of creating a phylactery, which led to several Failed Phylacteries. Amongst the overflowing bookcases can be found some books and notes, which likely helped in his research; the Mortal to Lich Notes, A Philosophical Treatise on the Nature of Lichdom, Tome of Ancient Knowledge, and Volume MCXII of the History of the Netherese Empire.
Gameplay[]
(See the Dwarves of Dumathoin quest page for a more detailed explanation)
Gorion's Ward is sent by Brother Deepvein to investigate the Dwarven Dig Site and the fate of the missing dwarf Gurn Coldhearth. Progressing into the newly unearthed Repository of Undeath, the party witnesses Coldhearth's awakening as a lich. At this point, dialogue with him becomes possible. Even if the protagonist would refuse on principle to make deals with undead, it is tactically advisable to feign cooperation. Liches are powerful mages, and approaching under the pretense of friendship will make combat easier should hostilities arise.
Coldhearth demands the five Amulets of the Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain that he remembers his former comrades to be wearing. Two of them were dropped by their owners, and must be recovered by the party. The others may be obtained by either killing the dwarfs or pickpocketing. Handing over the amulets provides a quest reward, and sparing the dwarves allows the party to later claim both the lich's reward and the dwarfs' gratitude.
Coldhearth may reward the party with either support in the campaign against Caelar, or with the Dread Hammer. If Edwin is present, both can be obtained. Without him, Gorion's Ward can attempt to negotiate for both, but failure to meet a Strength and Charisma check (both at least 18), results in a breakdown of negotiations and combat.
If Gorion's Ward sides with the living dwarfs and convinces Brother Deepvein of Coldhearth's betrayal, Deepvein aids in the ensuing battle by giving the party The Secret Revealed (and recharging it if needed). This item strips Siege of Dragonspear liches of their lich traits, and disables their spellcasting for two minutes.
Unlike other liches in the game, Coldhearth's phylactery must be destroyed in order to kill him permanently. The phylactery is located in a locked chamber to the North and must be carried to the portal to the Elemental Plane of Fire in the western section of the area. Until the it is destroyed, Coldhearth revives within 60 seconds of being defeated and the party receives no XP for temporary victories.
Achievements[]
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Strange Bedfellow Delivered the amulets of his former companions to Coldhearth [Read more] |
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Dumathoin's Disappointment Destroyed the lich Coldhearth and his phylactery. [Read more] |
External links[]
- Gurn Coldhearth on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.
- ↑
Baldur's Gate:
Siege of Dragonspear (2016)
This icon indicates content from the Siege of Dragonspear campaign of the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition.bd1200.ARE(Lich Outpost)
