| Name | Gianthold Tor Travel Guide |
| Category | General |
Module 4: Reaver's Bane was released a month ago. Since then, tons of ancient relics of various types have been collected, high level chests have been looted, and dragon scale armors are now flaunted. Persistent adventurers have lived to tell the tale of the fallen Stormreaver. Those who haven't been too lucky in their first few attempts at slaying the blue dragon now mine treasures and relics from the 12 new quests in Ruins of Gianthold. Of course, if it's your first time to set foot in the area, all this is quite overwhelming. If you are between levels 12 and 14, chances are people expect that you know where to go to get quests and who to talk to for end rewards. Unfortunately, not everyone has a good memory and some are too lazy too take down notes. So, to make adventuring in Gianthold less stressful, we bring you some sort of a travel guide to Gianthold Tor. This guide covers the basics - where to go and who to talk to. But before we get into those, it's important to know what Gianthold is all about.
BACKGROUND
Gianthold was once the capital of the Lost Empire of the giants of Xen'drik 40,000 years ago. These giants learned to use magic and trained fearsome soldiers. However, the dragons of Argonnessen have destroyed Gianthold. Historians believe that the downfall of the giants was their own doing - misusing the magical secrets entrusted to them by the dragons.
The Stormreaver was known as a hero of a disastrous war against Dal Quor. Faced with imminent defeat, he turned to his most powerful ally known as the "Truthful One". Together, they agreed to sacrifice their lives to power a great spell, which would turn all of Xen'drik against the Quori. That spell is known as the Reaver's Bane.
The Truthful One was really not into it and he regretted the decision because he thought the giants are not worth the sacrifice he was about to make. So, instead of truly dying to cast the Reaver's Bane, he only sacrificed his body, then claimed another dragon's corpse for his spirit. The Stormreaver died as fate would have it, but the Truthful One became a dracolich. His spirit became dark with corruption, and it infected the magic of the Reaver's Bane. While it destroyed the Quori, it also poisoned the magical currents of Xen'drik. The Giants blamed the dragons for helping to cast the spell, but refusing to help repair whatever damage had been done. Relations between the two worsen. The drow elves began to rebel against their giant masters. Consequently, the giants were pushed of their strongholds across Xen'drik, finally retreating to Gianthold. It has believed that the Stormreaver would return to hold the Truthful One to his promise.
Years later, a giant sorcerer, which was corrupted by the Truthful One, attempted to use Reaver's Bane once against to annihilate the Drow. The dragons wouldn't have any of it and hence cast a terrible curse upon Gianthold - wiping out the last refuge of the giants. The Truthful One now wants to build an undead draconic nation in Xen'drik with the help of the dragons of Argonnessen.
The Ruins of Gianthold is now a wasteland. Much of the city's original architecture had been lost. Only the Gianthold Tor looms above the landscape. Monster camps are all over the area.
Gianthold is now occupied by different kinds of monsters and creatures that worship The Stormreaver and await his return.
HOW TO GET TO GIANTHOLD
To gain access to Gianthold, you have to speak to Cydonie of Argonessen over at the Marketplace (where Nat Gann, the Street Performer is). She's standing next to Genecia, who is an Agent of Argonessen as well. She'll brief you on what needs to be done. Once you get into Gianthold, you'll find Cydonie in there too. She will also grant you passage back to Stormreach.
Gianthold Tor is not a big place at all. It actually a small camp that serves as a central meeting point for adventurers and new recruits. There are several tents that house vendors, apprentices, bankers and giants who will give you quests. Once you set foot on it, you will be engulfed with feelings of sadness, dread, and excitement.
PLACES TO GO TO
Gianthold Bar
There are several places of interest inside the Gianthold depending on your purpose. New recruits usually gather in the Gianthold canteen (or bar, if you prefer to call it that). It's the busiest place in the Gianthold because this is where recruits gather before setting out to slay monsters at the ruins. You will meet the following creatures:
Darkhoof - Forsworn Conjurer
This minotaur shaman is tasked with helping new recruits for the Stormreaver's army. He tries to keep them alive and healthy. If you die in battle, he can preserve your life and he can also cure various ailments for a fee.
Hargrun - General Vendor
If you run out of spell components, arrows, bolts, darts or shurikens, you don't have to go back to the Marketplace. Hargrun has all of them in stock. But his big business is in repairing your weapons and items.
Morksarn - Barkeep
If you're hungry or thirsty, just order grilled turkey leg and Ghallanda distillate from Morksarn the Barkeep. Business has been good lately because of the number of weary and tired adventurers heading back from the Ruins of Gianthold.
Auction House
A stone's throw away from the Ruins of Gianthold entrance is the Auction House. The resident Runetusk Auctioneer is Morgark. Gianthold quests are known to give awesome loot and most of them find their way into the auction house. Do check out the postings when you get the chance or while waiting for your party to fill up. You just might get lucky.
Bank and Relic Exchange
If you head northwest, you will find the Aurum Banker known as Fraz Bermik. You can drop all your nice loot in the bank without heading back to Stormreach. Also in the same area is Orzabal Stonemasher, Aurum Quartermaster. If you wish to exhange one type of relic for another, he's the guy you need to talk to. His going rate is three relics for one. (Example 3 Dragon relics = 1 Elf Relic).
Mailbox
The ever-dependable Orien Lightning Post also has a branch at the Gianthold. It makes sending stuff to your alts even more convenient.
Narkonk - Runetusk Conjurer
If you have completed the three major quests, you become a member of the specific brigades. The good thing about it is that you can now teleport to specific encampments. That means you don't need to run and face hordes of creatures to get to your destination. You can teleport to the following encampment: Stormeye, Stormheart and Stormfist.
QUESTS AND QUEST GIVERS
There are several quests in the Ruins of Gianthold. You can get the quests automatically when you get to the quest entrance except for three major quests that when completed will allow you to teleport to certain areas in your subsequent visits (more on that later).
Prison of the Planes (Nimbus ar-Yorg)
You can get this quest from Nimbus ar-Yorg. He's known as the Storm's Eye Captain. He can be found in tents right across the Gianthold bar. If you complete the quest you become part of the Storm Eye brigade and you can then teleport to the Stormeye camp for easier, faster, and less dangerous travel to the Prison of the Planes quest entrance. Nimbus also gives the end reward for the quest.
The Crucible (Jorgundal ar'Grund)
To the right of the bar stands a giant named Jorgundal ar'Grund (aka Storm's Fist Captain). He gives the dreaded quest known as The Crucible. If you complete the quest you can teleport to the Storm's Fist camp for faster and safer travel in the future. Jorgundal also gives the end reward for the quest.
Madstone Crater (Blaze ar'Phind)
If you head southwest, you'd find Blaze ar'Phind, the Storm's Heart Captain. He gives the quest Madstone Crater. As with the other two quests mentioned above, you can teleport to the Stormheart camp once you complete the quest. Blaze also gives the end reward for the quest.
For other quests, there are no quest givers. You automatically get the quest when you reach the quest entrance. If you have completed the three major quests mentioned above, you can easily teleport to appropriate camps. Keep in mind that you need to talk to specific representatives to get your end reward. Also, each quest gives out certain ancient relics (Dragon, Elven, Giant). You need to collect these relics to get into the Gianthold Tor pre-raid and raid. Here's the list for easy reference.
1. A Cry For Help
Relic: Dragon
End Reward: Pheryl Barlo
Camp: Stormeye
2. Feast or Famine
Relic: Elf
End Reward: Raksool
Camp: Stormfist
3. The Maze of Madness
Relic: Giant
End Reward: Eebilsteenk
Camp: Stormheart
4. A Cabal For One
Relic: Elf
End Reward: Darsak
Camp: Stormeye
5. Trial By Fire
Relic: Giant
End Reward: Krakadoom
Camp: Stormheart
6. Madstone Crater
Relic: Giant
End Reward: Blaze ar'Phind
Camp: Stormheart
7. The Crucible
Relic: Elf
End Reward: Jorgundar ar'Grund
Camp: Stormfist
8. Prison of the Planes
Relic: Dragon
End Reward: Nimbus ar'Yorg
Camp: Stormeye
9. The Foundation of Discord
Relic: Dragon
End Reward: Neemef Bakto
Camp: Stormeye
ANCIENT RELICS AND GIANTHOLD TOR
To get into Gianthold Tor, you need to be a member of the three brigades - Stormeye, Stormfist, and Stormheart. On top of that, you have to collect ancient relics (which you get from chests). The magic number is 60. That means you need to get 20 Giants, 20 Elven, and 20 Dragon Relics. These relics are from the ancient days of when Gianthold was ruled by the giants. These relics serve as memoirs of the giants, elves and dragons, hence they are valuable. You need to grind to get all the relics you need, but you can always exchange a particular type of relic for another at the current exchange rate (see Orzabal Stonemasher).
If you meet the requirements, you can to speak to Crag, the Gianthold Tor Gatekeeper, who will then let you inside Gianthold Tor.
SCALESMITHS AND APPRENTICES
Getting into Gianthold Tor also means having the chance to loot dragon scales. These scales are used to create new shiny armors. You'll meet several scalesmiths and apprentices in Gianthold. To create the new armors, you need to collect certain number of dragon scales.
Regnak
Regnak is a Master Black Scalesmith. He will require you to bring 25 black dragon scales so you get a nifty looking black dragonscale armor.
Armec Orem
Armec is a Master Blue Scalesmith. He's trained to create armors made of the rarest materials - blue dragon scales. It will cost you 25 blue dragon scales to have a set of armor made.
Rukts
Rukts is a Master White Scalesmith. He will create you a set of white dragon scale armor if you bring him 25 white dragon scales.
Hoorunoe
For 20 Elf Relics, Hoorunoe will give you an armor made of drow blood and with special magics. This armor is known to make your body and mind strong.
Horatin
Horatin is a Dragoncraft Apprentice who can make you an armor with the power of ancient dragon relics. As such, you need to bring him 20 dragon relics.
Now that you know where to go and who to talk to, you can better prepare yourself for battle when you actually get into the Gianthold Ruins. The road to the ruins is paved with danger and only the best recruits survive. As the saying goes, "knowing is half the battle".
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