Changes: The Endless Queries (quest)

Revision as of 05:45, 26 May 2022

The Endless Queries is a quest in Beast of Winter.

Synopsis

One of the realms accessible through the Shattered Passage leads to the domain of copper and adra pillars - to a memory of Engwith, of its horrifying Inquisition and the torments it unleashed upon the world in the name of the gods. The Watcher has to play their part while fighting through the realm, either persecutor or persecuted, in order to reforge the souls locked within.

Walkthrough

Welcome to the shattered, but familiar realm of Engwith. It's not a pleasant face, as you're immediately met by a shackled, tormented soul. Talk to her, only to see her take the form of Iovara, then Thaos, then Maerwald, as the realm tries on familiar faces to try and manipulate you. She will eventually turn into a tortured wood elf, with the black ichor that made up the Skaenite illusion melting into a small necklace. You can use Religion 10 or Skaenite Priest class to identify the item in question. Once you end dialogue, she will give you Betrayal, allowing you to assume any form you desire, if you didn't rip of from around her neck earlier.
The goal is to gather a Mote of Conviction, Mote of Hostility or Mote of Regret at each portal, which allows you to reforge the souls. Each is obtained by participating in a kangaroo court of the Inquisition, where the chained spirit you met stands trial for a variety of religious trangressions, including Heresy ("rejecting the orthodoxy delivered by the universal divinities"), Apostasy (Engiwth's master control plan), and Identity ("Your self stands at cross purposes to your soul").
- Mote of Conviction is gained by sticking to your beliefs in the court. E.g. as the Accused, you hold to your innocence., or the Inquisitor granting the Accused a swift death before even going through the trial.
- Mote of Regret is gained by being repentant. E.g. as the Accused, laying flat for the court, professing your transgressions against the gods and seeking forgiveness.
- Mote of Hostility is gained if the Watcher chooses to attack the assembled court.
- Speculation, needs confirmation:
  - The type of Motes you gather and let the shackled Spirit absorb, will impact how she will behave and react during the encounter with the Inquisitor, and whether or not reconciliation with the Inquisitor is possible.
  - Need information on if it matters from which Court you get which Mote.
  - Mote of Conviction + Mote of Regret + Mote of Conviction (order given to the shackled Spirit, unsure if that matters) made reconciliation possible, by choosing the obviously reconciliatory dialogue options.
  - Mote of Conviction + Mote of Conviction + Mote of Conviction and Mote of Regret + Mote of Regret + Mote of Regret made them fight. Reconciliation is not possible by choosing the obviously reconciliatory dialogue options.

To progress, you need to access the portals scattered across the plane at the top of the adra pillars. Each leads you into an interrogation scene where you can play either the part of the witness, interrogated or the interrogator. Killing everyone is possible as well, which provides a Mote of Hostility. The choices allow you to play out the events, but there is no way you can actually change the outcome into anything but quick death, death, or terrible, agonizing death. The usual sentence is branding on the soles to purify the "earthly taint", then being drowned in the sea to let Ondra remove the lies spoken against the gods. You can assume the role of the Inquisitor at the second stage, but it does not allow you to change the spirit's fate either - you are captured as an apostate yourself.
Only in the third sequence can you surmise that the tortured and the torturer are actually one person. This sequence have two branches, if you will: A Rational/Scientific, and a Religious/Metaphysical, accessed through the roles of Inquisitor and Witness, repectively.
- Taking on the role as Inquisitor, and using Ydwin, Insight 11, or Perception 10, it will be suggested that Rymrgand's domain has fragmented the soul of the Inquisitor to the point where she cannot realize that the fragments of her soul, the witness, the accused and the Inquisitor are actually one and the same. You can use Metaphysics 9 to suggest that she pull herself together or Diplomacy 12 to suggest she doesn't have to put herself through this. Both will result in a Mote of Regret. Offering the accused to help her escape, yields a Mote of Conviction.
- As the witness, you are presentet with the case of the accused elevating the Self above the Soul—that there's a conflict in which the divine purpose set for the Soul is being abandoned by accepting "the lie of the Self". You must argue whether or not the Soul and the Self are inherently at odds. With Metaphysics 11, you can posit that the soul is ultimately only a form of energy, no matter the amount of information it carries, and have no purpose or volition except that which we ourselves set. With Religion 8, the Watcher points out that the gods grants this energy, and by doing so allows for the emergence of Self, which in turn suggests that the purpose of the Soul is the emergence Self. Trying to intervene when the sencente is being pronounced will give a Mote of Regret, while holding your tongue will give Mote of Conviction.
After each sequence plays out, you are deposited at the base of the pillar with the mote in inventory.
After visiting all three pillars, return to the spirit and give them the three motes, restoring her and paving the way into the structure at the heart of the Queries. The spirit will confront the Inquisitor, who is actually a face of her own soul. You can suggest they reconcile. Using the option "You're not only the worst, but also the best things" will prompt an unique reaction from Rekke. If you manage to make them reconcile, you will have to fight the Warden of Decay and the remaining specters. If not, you fight them all, including the Inquisitor.
- Reconciliation is likely dependant upon which Motes you gathered during the three trials.
  - With three different types of Motes, they will accept to reconcile.
  - With three Motes of Conviction, the Inquisitor claims there's nothing she recognize in the the Accused, thus there is nothing to reconcile with.
Afterwards, Naxiva ix Kirent will appear before you, remade. After exhausting your options, you can choose to let her join you and tag along until you find a way to reinsert her into the Wheel, ask her to help slay an ancient dragon, or convince her to let go and let the realm collapse. Either way, you progress ahead.

Journal

Quests/LAX02_01_Iceberg_Dungeon/LAX02_qst_critical_path_quest_03_engwith_plane.quest
ID	Objectives
0	The Endless Queries
0	10000	I've discovered an ancient realm of massive adra pillars encased in copper and stone - reflections of the Engwithan machines I've encountered before. A woman's spirit, flickering and faint, stands shackled near the entrance.
1	Search the Endless Queries for motes of the shackled soul's essence.
1	10001	The abused spirit has been trapped here by an Engwithan inquisitor. She believes she can lead me to her tormentor, but only if I can find the pieces of her soul that have been taken from her. I should search the area for clues to her predicament.
2	Provide the mote of essence to the shackled soul.
	10002	A trial within a column of adra left me with a mote of spiritual essence. If I give it to the imprisoned spirit, it may improve her condition.
	20000	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Regret.
	20001	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Hostility.
	20002	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Conviction.
3	Locate another mote of the shackled soul's essence.
3	10003	The spirit imprisoned here responded well to the first mote I gave her, but she's still far from able to help me with the inquisitor, much less Neriscyrlas. I should search another adra pillar for more fragments of her being.
4	Provide the second mote to the shackled soul.
	10004	A second trial left me with a second mote of spirit stuff. The imprisoned spirit will surely benefit from it.
	20003	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Regret.
	20004	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Hostility.
	20005	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Conviction.
5	Locate a final mote of the shackled soul's essence.
5	10005	The spirit imprisoned here seems close to regaining her full faculties. Giving her a third mote of essence may be all I need to free her from this prison.
6	Give the third mote to the shackled soul.
	10006	A third trial provided a third sliver of spiritual power. It could be the last the spirit needs to fully recover.
	20006	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Regret.
	20007	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Hostility.
	20008	I brought the shackled spirit a Mote of Conviction.
7	Confront Inquisitor Naxiva at the core of the Endless Queries.
7	10007	I've freed the soul from her shackles, but she still seems unsure of her own past. She has promised to lead me to the inquisitor at the center of this realm, however, should I want to confront the Engwithan responsible for so much suffering.
14	Speak to the shackled soul.
14	10014	If I'm to learn the purpose of this realm, I'll need to find a spirit willing to speak with me. The woman shackled near the entrance may be able to help.
End states
	30000	I helped Naxiva ix Kirent face herself, and she agreed to aid me against the dragon Neriscyrlas in exchange.
	30001	I helped Naxiva ix Kirent face herself. She has joined her spirit to my own, and I will guide her back to the Wheel.
	30002	I helped Naxiva ix Kirent face herself before consigning her to the White Void's oblivion.
	30006	I fought and destroyed both Inquisitor Naxiva and the shackled soul.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox quest
+{{Infobox quest poe2
 | name         = The Endless Queries
-| image        = PE2 {{PAGENAME}}.png
+| image        = BOW The Endless Queries (quest).png
 | caption      =
 | added_in     = bow
-| quest_type   = Quest
+| quest_type   = Main quest
+| quest_region = The Dead Floe
-| quest_act    =
+| quest_level  = 15
 | faction      =
 | locations    = The Endless Queries
 | main_npcs    = Naxiva ix Kirent
+| companion    = Aloth;Vatnir;Ydwin
 | quest_giver  =
-| xp_type      =
+| xp_amount    = 1150
-| xp_level     =
+| xp_type      = Normal
+| xp_level     = 15
+| xp_weights   = 1;1;1;1;1;1;1;1
 | rewardname1  =
 | reward1      =
@@ Line 25: / Line 29: @@
 | reward6      =
 | prev         =
-| conc         =Death's Depthless Dominion
+| conc         = Death's Depthless Dominion
+| internalname = LAX02_qst_critical_path_quest_03_engwith_plane
+| guid         = 536e7c9f-eee4-4a71-b229-167fb4f171ef
 }}
+{{DisambigMsg|the quest in {{bow}}|the location|The Endless Queries}}
-'''The Endless Queries''' is a [[quest]] in {{bow}}.
+'''{{Pagename nd}}''' is a [[Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire quests#Beast of Winter|quest]] in {{bow}}.
 ==Synopsis==
 One of the realms accessible through the Shattered Passage leads to the domain of copper and adra pillars - to a memory of [[Engwith]], of its horrifying [[Inquisition]] and the torments it unleashed upon the world in the name of the gods. The Watcher has to play their part while fighting through the realm, either persecutor or persecuted, in order to reforge the souls locked within.
 ==Walkthrough==
-* Welcome to the shattered, but familiar realm of Engwith. It's not a pleasant face, as you're immediately met by a shackled, tormented soul. Talk to her, only to see her take the form of [[Iovara]], then [[Thaos]], then [[Maerwald]], as the realm tries on familiar faces to try and manipulate you. She will eventually turn into a tortured wood elf, with the black ichor that made up the Skaenite illusion melting into a small necklace. You can use Religion 10 or Skaenite Priest class to identify the item in question. Once you end dialogue, she will give you [[Betrayal]], allowing you to assume any form you desire.
+* Welcome to the shattered, but familiar realm of Engwith. It's not a pleasant face, as you're immediately met by a shackled, tormented soul. Talk to her, only to see her take the form of [[Iovara]], then [[Thaos]], then [[Maerwald]], as the realm tries on familiar faces to try and manipulate you. She will eventually turn into a tortured wood elf, with the black ichor that made up the Skaenite illusion melting into a small necklace. You can use Religion 10 or Skaenite Priest class to identify the item in question. Once you end dialogue, she will give you [[Betrayal]], allowing you to assume any form you desire, if you didn't rip of from around her neck earlier.
-* The goal is to gather a [[Mote of Conviction]] or [[Mote of Regret]] at each portal, which allows you to reforge the souls. Each is obtained by participating in a kangaroo court of the Inquisition, where the chained spirit you met stands trial for a variety of religious trangressions, including "rejecting the orthodoxy delivered by the universal divinities", apostasy,  i.e. Engiwth's master control plan.
+* The goal is to gather a [[Mote of Conviction]], [[Mote of Hostility]] or [[Mote of Regret]] at each portal, which allows you to reforge the souls. Each is obtained by participating in a kangaroo court of the Inquisition, where the chained spirit you met stands trial for a variety of religious trangressions, including Heresy ("rejecting the orthodoxy delivered by the universal divinities"), Apostasy (Engiwth's master control plan), and Identity ("Your self stands at cross purposes to your soul").
+**Mote of Conviction is gained by sticking to your beliefs in the court. E.g. as the Accused, you hold to your innocence., or the Inquisitor granting the Accused a swift death before even going through the trial.
-* To progress, you need to access the portals scattered across the plane at the top of the adra pillars. Each leads you into an interrogation scene where you can play either the part of the interrogated or the interrogator. Killing everyone is possible as well. The choices allow you to play out the events, but there is no way you can actually change the outcome into anything but quick death, death, or terrible, agonizing death. The usual sentence is branding on the soles to purify the "earthly taint", then being drowned in the sea to let [[Ondra]] remove the lies spoken against the gods. You can assume the role of the Inquisitor at the second stage, but it does not allow you to change the spirit's fate either - you are captured as an apostate yourself.
+**Mote of Regret is gained by being repentant. E.g. as the Accused, laying flat for the court, professing your transgressions against the gods and seeking forgiveness.
-* Only in the third sequence can you surmise that the tortured and the torturer are actually one person, using [[Ydwin]], Insight 11, or Perception 10. It will be suggested that Rymrgand's domain has fragmented the soul of the Inquisitor to the point where she cannot realize that the fragments of her soul are actually one and the same. You can use Metaphysics 9 or Diplomacy 12 to suggest that she pull herself together or or Diplomacy 12 to suggest she doesn't have to put herself through this. The former gains you a Conviction, the other a Regret mote.
+**Mote of Hostility is gained if the Watcher chooses to attack the assembled court.
+**''Speculation, needs confirmation:''
+***''The type of Motes you gather and let the shackled Spirit absorb, will impact how she will behave and react during the encounter with the Inquisitor, and whether or not reconciliation with the Inquisitor is possible.''
+***''Need information on if it matters from which Court you get which Mote.''
+***''Mote of Conviction + Mote of Regret + Mote of Conviction (order given to the shackled Spirit, unsure if that matters) made reconciliation possible, by choosing the obviously reconciliatory dialogue options.''
+***''Mote of Conviction + Mote of Conviction + Mote of Conviction and Mote of Regret + Mote of Regret + Mote of Regret made them fight. Reconciliation is not possible by choosing the obviously reconciliatory dialogue options.''
+<br />
+* To progress, you need to access the portals scattered across the plane at the top of the adra pillars. Each leads you into an interrogation scene where you can play either the part of the witness, interrogated or the interrogator. Killing everyone is possible as well, which provides a [[Mote of Hostility]]. The choices allow you to play out the events, but there is no way you can actually change the outcome into anything but quick death, death, or terrible, agonizing death. The usual sentence is branding on the soles to purify the "earthly taint", then being drowned in the sea to let [[Ondra]] remove the lies spoken against the gods. You can assume the role of the Inquisitor at the second stage, but it does not allow you to change the spirit's fate either - you are captured as an apostate yourself.
+* Only in the third sequence can you surmise that the tortured and the torturer are actually one person. This sequence have two branches, if you will: A Rational/Scientific, and a Religious/Metaphysical, accessed through the roles of Inquisitor and Witness, repectively.
+** Taking on the role as '''Inquisitor''', and using [[Ydwin]], Insight 11, or Perception 10, it will be suggested that Rymrgand's domain has fragmented the soul of the Inquisitor to the point where she cannot realize that the fragments of her soul, the witness, the accused and the Inquisitor are actually one and the same. You can use Metaphysics 9 to suggest that she pull herself together or Diplomacy 12 to suggest she doesn't have to put herself through this. Both will result in a Mote of Regret. Offering the accused to help her escape, yields a Mote of Conviction.
+** As the '''witness''', you are presentet with the case of the accused elevating the Self above the Soul—that there's a conflict in which the divine purpose set for the Soul is being abandoned by accepting "the lie of the Self". You must argue whether or not the Soul and the Self are inherently at odds. With Metaphysics 11, you can posit that the soul is ultimately only a form of energy, no matter the amount of information it carries, and have no purpose or volition except that which we ourselves set. With Religion 8, the Watcher points out that the gods grants this energy, and by doing so allows for the emergence of Self, which in turn suggests that the purpose of the Soul ''is'' the emergence Self. Trying to intervene when the sencente is being pronounced will give a Mote of Regret, while holding your tongue will give Mote of Conviction.
 * After each sequence plays out, you are deposited at the base of the pillar with the mote in inventory.
-* After visiting all three pillars, return to the spirit and give them the three motes, restoring her and paving the way into the structure at the heart of the Queries. The spirit will confront the Inquisitor, who is actually a face of her own soul. You can suggest they reconcile. Using the option "You're not only the worst, but also the best things" will prompt an unique reaction from [[Rekke]]. If you manage to make them reconcile, you will have to fight the Warden of Decay and the remaining specters.
+* After visiting all three pillars, return to the spirit and give them the three motes, restoring her and paving the way into the structure at the heart of the Queries. The spirit will confront the Inquisitor, who is actually a face of her own soul. You can suggest they reconcile. Using the option "You're not only the worst, but also the best things" will prompt an unique reaction from [[Rekke]]. If you manage to make them reconcile, you will have to fight the Warden of Decay and the remaining specters. If not, you fight them all, including the Inquisitor.
+** Reconciliation is likely dependant upon which Motes you gathered during the three trials.
-* Afterwards, [[Naxiva ix Kirent]] will appear before you, remade. After exhausting your options, you can choose to let her join you and tag along until you find a way to reinsert her into the Wheel, ask her to slay an ancient dragon, or convince her to let go and let the realm collapse. Either way, you progress ahead.
+*** With three different types of Motes, they will accept to reconcile.
+***With three Motes of Conviction, the Inquisitor claims there's nothing she recognize in the the Accused, thus there is nothing to reconcile with.
+* Afterwards, [[Naxiva ix Kirent]] will appear before you, remade. After exhausting your options, you can choose to let her join you and tag along until you find a way to reinsert her into the Wheel, ask her to help slay an ancient dragon, or convince her to let go and let the realm collapse. Either way, you progress ahead.
+==Journal==
+{| class="wikitable"
+! colspan="3" style="word-break:break-all" | <small>Quests/LAX02_01_Iceberg_Dungeon/LAX02_qst_critical_path_quest_03_engwith_plane.quest</small>
+|-
+! width="40px" | {{tooltip|ID|Objectives: 0, Descriptions: 10000, Addenda: 20000, End states: 30000, Alternate descriptions: 40000}}
+! colspan="2" | Objectives
+|-
+| rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''0'''
+| colspan="2" | '''The Endless Queries'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10000
+| I've discovered an ancient realm of massive adra pillars encased in copper and stone - reflections of the Engwithan machines I've encountered before. A <b>woman's spirit</b>, flickering and faint, stands shackled near the entrance.
+|-
+| rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''1'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Search the Endless Queries for motes of the shackled soul's essence.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10001
+| The abused spirit has been trapped here by an <b>Engwithan inquisitor</b>. She believes she can lead me to her tormentor, but only if I can find the pieces of her soul that have been taken from her. I should <b>search the area for clues</b> to her predicament.
+|-
+| rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''2'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Provide the mote of essence to the shackled soul.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10002
+| A trial within a column of adra left me with a <b>mote of spiritual essence</b>. If I give it to the <b>imprisoned spirit</b>, it may improve her condition.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20000
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Regret</b>.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20001
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Hostility</b>.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20002
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Conviction</b>.
+|-
+| rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''3'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Locate another mote of the shackled soul's essence.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10003
+| The spirit imprisoned here responded well to the first mote I gave her, but she's still far from able to help me with the inquisitor, much less Neriscyrlas. I should search another <b>adra pillar</b> for more <b>fragments</b> of her being.
+|-
+| rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''4'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Provide the second mote to the shackled soul.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10004
+| A second trial left me with a second <b>mote of spirit stuff</b>. The <b>imprisoned spirit</b> will surely benefit from it.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20003
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Regret</b>.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20004
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Hostility</b>.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20005
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Conviction</b>.
+|-
+| rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''5'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Locate a final mote of the shackled soul's essence.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10005
+| The <b>spirit</b> imprisoned here seems close to regaining her full faculties. Giving her a third <b>mote of essence</b> may be all I need to free her from this prison.
+|-
+| rowspan="5" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''6'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Give the third mote to the shackled soul.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10006
+| A third trial provided a third <b>sliver of spiritual power</b>. It could be the last the <b>spirit needs</b> to fully recover.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20006
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Regret</b>.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20007
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Hostility</b>.
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 20008
+| I brought the <b>shackled spirit</b> a <b>Mote of Conviction</b>.
+|-
+| rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''7'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Confront Inquisitor Naxiva at the core of the Endless Queries.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10007
+| I've freed the soul from her shackles, but she still seems unsure of her own past. She has promised to lead me to the <b>inquisitor</b> at the <b>center of this realm</b>, however, should I want to confront the Engwithan responsible for so much suffering.
+|-
+| rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:text-top; text-align:center" | '''14'''
+| colspan="2" | '''Speak to the shackled soul.'''
+|-
+| style="vertical-align:text-top" | 10014
+| If I'm to learn the purpose of this realm, I'll need to find a <b>spirit</b> willing to speak with me. The <b>woman</b> shackled <b>near the entrance</b> may be able to help.
+|-
+! colspan="3" | End states
+|-
+| style="text-align:center" | {{check}}
+| style="vertical-align: text-top" | 30000
+| I helped <b>Naxiva ix Kirent</b> face herself, and she agreed to aid me against the dragon <b>Neriscyrlas</b> in exchange.
+|-
+| style="text-align:center" | {{check}}
+| style="vertical-align: text-top" | 30001
+| I helped <b>Naxiva ix Kirent</b> face herself. She has joined her spirit to my own, and I will guide her back to the <b>Wheel</b>.
+|-
+| style="text-align:center" | {{check}}
+| style="vertical-align: text-top" | 30002
+| I helped <b>Naxiva ix Kirent</b> face herself before consigning her to the <b>White Void's oblivion</b>.
+|-
+| style="text-align:center" | {{check}}
+| style="vertical-align: text-top" | 30006
+| I fought and destroyed both <b>Inquisitor Naxiva</b> and the <b>shackled soul</b>.
+|}