Blades:Pool of Despair

Investigate disappearances from a nearby town. Rarity: Uncommon Quest Giver: Wanum Location(s): None Reward(s): Silver Chest, 0000005050, 000015001,500 XP: 300 ID: SQ201 Recommended Level: Player Level 11 Secret Areas: 1

A sickening sight

There have been several disappearances from a town nearby. I need to find out what's going on.

Objectives

1. Speak with the Mayor.

Quick Walkthrough

1. Speak with the Mayor to obtain the town key.
2. Fight your way through the forest and speak with the Bosmer Hunters at their camp to obtain the next key.
3. Enter the cave and defeat the Cultists.

Detailed Walkthrough

Starting Off

The town

To begin this quest speak with Wanum:

"There is a matter that begs your attention. Some people have been disappearing from a small village. The number has been steadily growing. The Queen would like you to find out why."

I will.

"Good. One of the people who has disappeared is a skilled ranger named Malanwen. She will be able to help, if she is still living. Be well, <PlayerName>."

As you start the quest, you will arrive in the village where you will have to speak to the Mayor:

"Who are you?"

I'm here to look into the disappearances.

"Did the Queen send you? It's about time. Our crops are dying. We have a few farms down the road, and everything there is... I have no idea what happened to the ones that disappeared. Maybe those wood elves down the road would know something?"

Have you seen Malanwen?

"Yes, she was here when people started disappearing. Then she went back into the woods and never came back. Anyway, you'll need this to get out of the village. Good luck."

She will then hand you a door key that can be used on the door behind her. Once you exit the village you will be attacked by two timber wolves and a corrupt spriggan, a corrupt spriggan is also on the other side of the wooden bridge. Continue onwards and collect the ingredients and breakables on the way.

Bosmer Hunting Camp

The Bosmeri hunting camp

Eventually you will reach the Bosmer hunting camp. A silver chest can be found at this camp. Here you will have to speak to the Bosmer Hunter:

"Be warned, traveller. This land is blighted."

Do you know the cause?

"The water is corrupted. The trees have already started dying, and the Spriggans are abnormally aggressive and hateful. Many of the plants that we eat from are withering fast. We may have to relocate... What do you need?"

I'm looking for some missing people.

"You mean the ranger Malanwen? She was here to inquire about some missing humans, and went down this path to investigate. It's the only path, and she hasn't come back. I fear the worst... but we've been too sick to go after her. Here. Take this and go through our gate. She may still be out there."

Thank you.

"May Y'ffre guard you."

He will then hand you a key for the gate that is ahead, once opened three timber wolves and two corrupt spriggans will have to be dealt with.

Cultist Cave

You will reach a cave entrance with another corrupt spriggan guarding the entrance. Once inside the cave, you will have to go up the wooden platform and speak to the Cultist:

"You..."

Me?

"...will be the next sacrifice!"

They will then attack and once killed, will drop a key for the locked gate. A wooden chest can also be found here.

Cultists are sacrificing villagers to cause rot and decay

You will find Malanwen in the locked room:

"Hey! Are you Henrik's protégé?"

Shouldn't you be thanking me?

"For what? You're just doing your job, aren't you? I'm joking. Thank you very much for saving me. My name is Malanwen. Let me tell you what's going on here. There's a crazy little cult hiding in this cave, and you have to stop them."

Cult?

"Yes, they're insane. And the leader gives me the chills. They've been kidnapping people and sacrificing them in the waters of this cave. I haven't seen it myself, but I can hear everything from here."

That could be why the crops are dying.

"What? Crops are dying now? How long have I been in here...? Please stop that cult. I would help but I have been here so long without food that I can't fight. Also... I think I heard some footsteps behind you. Be careful on your way out."

After you are done speaking to her, head back and you will be spoken to and then attacked by another cultist:

"You! Help us!"

Why are you doing this?

"We must! Will you help?"

I can help you get out of here.

"No! You must die!"

You can now enter a newly opened gate to the right, where a cutscene will play with the final cultist, that can be distinguished by her Chaurus Helmet, pushing a wrapped up body into the water. After this, go forwards and you will have to deal with three hostile cultists. As you approach the final cultist she will speak:

"A vengeful being has come to inhibit progress."

What are you doing?

"We require sacrifice. We require rot and decay. You will be the next to transcend to pestilence."

After she is dead, the quest will be finished.

Secret Area

At the base of the stairs that the mayor is standing on, turn left and follow the narrow alley, you'll see a lever hidden in the grass at the end of the path. This will open the secret area there.

Enemies

• Timber Wolves x 5
• Corrupt Spriggans x 5
• Cultists x 6