The Plague Cure

After you've returned all four of the necessary ingredients--the devourer brain, the cockatrice feather, the lock of dryad hair, and the Yuan-Ti's heart--to Aribeth, the priests of Tyr will be ready to create the plague cure. You'll have an opportunity to finish up any last-minute duties, so buy anything you need and finish up any unfinished quests. When you're ready, proceed to the Ritual Chamber. Be sure to take a henchman with you, because you won't have another chance to hire one until Chapter Two (there are plenty of undead in your immediate future, so Linu is a good choice for nonclerics).

Talk to Aribeth, Fenthick, Desther, and Nasher, and then the ceremony begins--and then ends unexpectedly. Bet you didn't see that coming, huh? Desther seemed so nice! Take out his minions, then follow him into the portal.

The Road to Helm's Hold

A-From Neverwinter B-To Helm's Hold Courtyard C-To Helm's Hold Prison

Bregan, a local farmer, will tell you that Desther has just headed north to Helm's Hold. There are two ways into the hold: through the front gates and through a cave to the west. As you approach the gate to the north, you will encounter a strange visage. She will impart some cryptic information about Desther and his plans. If you choose the cave route, you will face a small group of undead (and enter Helm's Hold through the prison).

Helm's Hold, Ground Floor

A-To Road B-Courtyard Door C-To Prison D-Guardian Room E-To Upper Floors F-Summoning Chamber G-Library H-Library

In the courtyard, you will face two groups of undead. Search the body just to the east of the main gate--you'll find an etched gem. Take the gem to the guardian chamber and place it in the altar. Several suits of guardian armor will appear and begin fighting the undead throughout the hold. You don't need to go down to the dungeon, but there are experience points and loot, as well as some information, to be had.

Chaohinon of the Void and the Guardian of Helm

In the summoning chamber, you'll find a trapped demon. Do as he says and grab the Black Grimoire from the southern library. Talk to him once you have the book, and you can either free him or banish him. If you banish him, take the Book of Helm from the library to the west (guarded by a False Helmite Elite, 4th-level cleric/4th-level monk). This book will enable you to summon the Guardian of Helm. Both Chaohinon and the guardian will give you a reward for helping them. Chaohinon will give you insight, power, a weapon, or an item. The guardian spirit will give you the same options.