Shroud of the Deep Priest Quest

Deepmaster Talain asks you to investigate the Cult of Entropy.

Walkthrough

Shroud of the Initiate Quest
Quest giver	Deepmaster Talain
Previous quest	Petitioner Advice III
Starting Zone	Southern Newport
Other Zone(s)	Faentharc Woods
Class Required	Cleric
Minimum Level Required	19
Suggested Level Range	19 - 30
Quest items used	Shroud of the Priest
Item Reward(s)	Shroud of the Deep Priest Shroud of the Cult Priest
Positive (+) Faction	Church of the Deep One Hand of Life Cult of Entropy
Negative (-) Faction	Church of the Deep One Hand of Life Cult of Entropy
Alignment shifts toward	(Evil)
Experience Reward	5,000
Related overview	Talain's Prayer Beads Shroud of the Initiate Quest Petitioner Advice Shroud of the Novice Quest Petitioner Advice II Shroud of the Priest Quest Petitioner Advice III Shroud of the Deep Priest Quest Path of the Cult Priest During Shroud of the Deep Priest Quest choose to join the Cult of Entropy Path of the Cult Priest - Part I Path of the Cult Priest - Part II

Find Deepmaster Talain (Southern Newport  at -156, -518  •)

You say, 'Do you have another task for me?'

Deepmaster Talain says,'Yes priest and this is urgent. I've been speaking to my contacts in the city… And it seems that Cult activity has been on the rise lately. Their corupting touch has spread to other cities as well — reports of Plague Cultists have come in from our sister churches in Erudin and Underhill. I want you to meet with a Corporal Larun of the guard. My contact suggested that he might have some valuable insight on the matter.'

Find Corporal Larun (Southern Newport  at 160, -450  • Under the lamp post at the bridge by the bank) .

You say, 'Hail, Corporal Larun'

Corporal Larun says, 'Hail, citizen. Hm. You look like you might be an adventurer. If I'm right, it could be fortunate for both of us, as I am seeking able-bodied men and women who will serve Newport.'

You say, 'I seek information on the Cult of Entropy.'

Corporal Larun tells you, 'What? Keep it down you fool! Those are not the kind of things to speak of openly. Who are you anyway?'

You say, 'I am from the Temple.'

Corporal Larun tells you, 'Oh! I see. Well look, I'm just a guard, but I'm also in charge of the sewers … and I see things. Bad things. I don't know much about the cult, but I know of a man who might have the information you seek. The problem is getting to him.

You say, 'Who?'

Corporal Larun tells you, 'His name is Afaven, and you'll find him up in the north. There's an underground passage that leads from Icewind River in the Everfrost Tundra, to the enchanted forest Faentharc. You' find him somewhere in the forest, and he should be able to tell you everything you want to know about the Cult of Entropy. I've now told you what I know, so leave me be.'

Find Afaven (Faentharc Woods  at 99, -926, 109  • South shore of the lake) .

Note: Players with low skill in Swimming made need to have a breathing spell such as Spell: Enduring Breath in order to reach Afaven without drowning.
Speaking with Afaven provides three options but they lead into two results. The first two options both lead to joining the Cult of Entropy. Joining the Cult of Entropy will dramatically shift the character's alignment towards EVIL and making you Kill On Sight in at least some cleric guilds outside of the cult. This may also make your home gate button effectively suicide(confirmed on high elf possible some other races may be fine) to use as you will be porting into now Kill On Sight NPCs. The third option will reject the Cult of Entropy and strengthen the character's ties with the Church of the Deep One instead.

You say, 'Hail, Afaven.'

Afaven appears to be chanting, a black nimbus of power playing around his head. He interrupts himself to face you, 'What is it, *priest*? Why do you disturb me?'

You say, 'What are you doing to this lake?'

Afaven says, 'What do you think I am doing, fool? I am spreading the glorious touch of entropy to its waters, just like I did with Lake Halas… before your meddlesome church decide to intercede.'

You say, 'You're a cultist!'

Afaven says, 'Of course I am a cultist. Is that not why you are here? To learn of the ways of Entropy and cast off the false teachings of your church?'

Embrace Entropy

Lie

You say, 'That's why I am here.'

Afaven says, 'Bah! You are a poor liar. Know that whatever your church has told of the Cult of Entropy, it is all lies. All this disease, the corruption, it is only a means to an end. This world, this universe, is flawed. Imperfect. Creation should never have been, and these prisons of flesh which bind our souls are nothing but torment and pain. We wish to return the universe to its true state, where all material is oblivion, and our souls can join the greater existence beyond! Knowing this, you wish to serve us cause, do you not?'

Truth

You say, 'Yes. I wish to serve entropy.'

Afaven smiles coldly, 'Of course you do. All beings serve Entropy, but the wise ones do so in life instead of in death. Listen then. Whatever your church has told of the Cult of Entropy, it is all lies. All this disease, the corruption, it is only a means to an end. This world, this universe, is flawed. Imperfect. Creation should never have been, and these prisons of flesh which bind our souls are nothing but torment and pain. We wish to return the universe to its true state, where all material is oblivion, and our souls can join the greater existence beyond! Knowing this, you wish to serve us cause, do you not?'

You say, 'Yes! Yes! I will fight for the cause of Entropy! I will join the cult!'

Afaven says, 'Then I welcome you, Cult Priest <Player Name>.. your spells will now be turned to the service of a TRUE power. First, I want you to return to Talain and tell me that you encountered a cultist in the Faentharc, whom you killed. It might throw him off our trail for a while. After you have done so, go to the Newport Arena. Enter the Arena Underground, past the cages where they keep the animals, and follow the trail of bones into the sewers. There you must speak to Priestess Vanissa, so you may be welcomed into your new home.'

Your alignment has shifted toward EVIL.
You have joined the Cult of Entropy. You should report back to Talain with the story that Afaven gave you.

Return to Deepmaster Talain.

You say, 'Hail, Deepmaster Talain.'

Deepmaster Talain says, 'You treacherous filth! I had a man following you in case you would get into trouble… but I never expected… I thought you were a loyal servant of the Church… and now you turn you face away from us like this? Begone, begone and never return! If you ever show your face here again, I will kill you myself.'

Note: Faction with Church of the Deep One and Hand of Life drop significantly, and faction with Cult of Entropy improves significantly to kindly. Also you are instantly ported to just outside the North Newport gates.

Find Cult Priest Vanissa (Newport Sewers  at 300, -427  •) .

You say, 'Hail, Cult Priest Vanissa'

Cult Priest Vanissa says, 'I knew you would come… The horrible priests at the temple threw you out.. but worry not! This is your temple now, and this is your home. You need no longer serve ignorant fools… for you are now a Cult Priest, in service to most glorious, wonderful Entropy, in prayer to its Lord of Decay Gradalsh… yes… take this! It will replace that one that the church took from you so cruelly…'

You receive Shroud of the Cult Priest from Cult Priest Vanissa.

You gain 5000 experience!!

Reject Entropy

You say, 'No! Of course not!'

Afaven says, 'Then begone, worm. I see that your mind is clouded with misrepresented hatred and wrathful lies.'

You say, 'No. I will stop you from infecting this lake.'

Afaven says, 'You are a fool. You cannot defeat me. Go away.'

You say, 'Very well, but this is not over.'

Afaven says, 'I'm sure it isn't. Entropy take you, little priest.'

You turned down the cultist's offer. You should report back to Talain.

You say, 'Hail, Deepmaster Talain'

Deepmaster Talain says, 'You return! I had you followed in case you'd get into trouble… and they overheard your conversation with the cultist. Though I never thought for a moment that you would turn to such evil, I am glad to have reassurance. I don't know if Larun is involved in this, but if they are audacious enough to approach a priest of the Deep One openly like this, it is clear that the threat is greater than we could ever have imagined. I choose to forego the usual test and give you an immediate raise in standing to the rank of Deep Priest, so that you may be my aide in this. I must try to find out more about the Cult and what they are planning next. Return later, and I shall have work for you.'

You receive Shroud of the Deep Priest from Deepmaster Talain.

Your faction standing with Church of the Deep One has gotten better!

You gain 5000 experience!!

See also

• Deepmaster Talain's quests