Note that this quest can only be completed after you have explored the labyrinth of dungeons below Durlag's Tower. You must gain possession of the Soultaker Dagger by killing the Demon Knight, who can be found in his chamber on the fourth level.
Starting the quest[]
You can start this quest either before attempting to explore the tower or after you've explored the tower and acquired the dagger. Either way you need to travel to Ulgoth's Beard and speak to Hurgan Stoneblade first. He can be found in the Ulgoth's Beard Inn and will approach the party upon sight.
- If you do it before:
He will give you a slightly sanitized version of past events that explain how he is connected to the dagger. He will ask you to retrieve the dagger and offer some compensation in return.
- If you do it after and the cultists have taken the dagger from you:
He’ll reveal the real reason why he wants the dagger and what actually took place those many years ago. He will then ask you to get it back from the cultists so he can destroy it.
Returning to Ulgoth's Beard[]
The first time you return to Ulgoth's Beard with "Soultaker" in your inventory, a group of cultists will immediately surround you and demand that you give them the dagger. Regardless of the dialogue option chosen, a Cult Enforcer will take it (removing it from your inventory) and teleport away. The rest of the cultists, two Cult Guards, Cult Archers and Cult Assassins (that are invisible) and a cult enforcer (who is hasted), will attack.
After defeating this first group of cultists, talk to Hurgan in the inn and tell him what happened. He'll direct you to find the cultists.
| “ | Ye must find the cult. Ye must retrieve the dagger that I may destroy the beast. If the cult manages to free the demon, then it must be killed before it visits destruction upon our land. Go and get the dagger. Quickly! | ” |
— Hurgan Stoneblade | ||
Cultists[]
The cultists' base is located in Shandalar's Home. A cult guard is standing in front of the door to the house. You can talk to him, but more fighting may be the end result, or you can walk right past him into the house.
Inside there is a second group of cultists. After a brief dialogue with the Cult Wizard, fighting will commence. This group includes an archer, two cult guards and assassins and an enforcer (hasted) plus the wizard. One strategy is to drag them outside so there's more room to fight. And pay extra attention to the assassin and enforcer cultists, who are all invisible and will do some serious backstab damage.
After defeating this group of cultist, travel down into the basement of the house. There you will find six cult guards and a woman named Tracea Carol. These cult guards are a little different than the cult guards encountered earlier. They look like monks instead of fighters, but still carry a long sword and large shield. And they don’t engage in combat. Tracea will talk to you and provide some additional background on the cult, then break the dagger and release the demon.
Aec'Letec[]
Breaking the dagger summons forth a powerful Tanar'ri named Aec'Letec. It is the final boss that must be defeated for the Durlag's Tower quest line.
First take out Tracea Carol, and then the cult guards. If you do not take out the guards, every time Aec'Letec is presumed killed, he will just re-incarnate himself (at full HP) with one of the guards, until there are no guards left.
Also be wary of Aec'Letec’s attacks. He uses Vampiric Touch to heal himself and Death Gaze, which can paralyze your characters, give them a 'dying' modifier that will kill them after thirty seconds if it is not countered, and will then turn them into a ghast. This will be considered a 'permanent death' to anyone who endures it. There are many strategies for taking down Aec'Letec as detailed on his creature page under Strategies and Gameplay.
After killing the demon, go back and talk to Hurgan again for your reward and to close out the quest.
Notes[]
- The cult enforcer that takes the dagger upon your return to Ulgoth's Beard looks similar in appearance to the cult wizard.
- If you are playing solo or are able to extract your entire party out of the house without pulling out the two assassins and/or the enforcer, upon going back in, they will go invisible again.