Living World Season 1 content

The Nightmare Ends

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Disambig icon.png This article is about the re-released story episode. For the historical story episode from 2013, see The Nightmare Ends/historical.

The Nightmare Ends

The Nightmare Ends loading screen.jpg

loading screen

The Nightmare Ends is the fifth story step of Tower of Nightmares, the fourth episode of Living World Season 1.

Objectives[edit]

  • Leave the area to plan your next move.
  • Read the letter from Kasmeer.
The Nightmare Ends
  • Return to the tower core.
  • Find out the state of the tower from Marjory.
  • Search the area for a clue to the core's defenses.
  • Find a way to clear the vines.
  • Search the hidden room for a way to remove the core's defenses.
  • Search the lab for components: x/4
  • Use the forge to create a shield disabler.
  • Return to the tower's core.
  • Administer the final injection of antitoxin.
  • Defend Kasmeer while she creates an emergency portal!
  • Time remaining: 2:00
  • Use the portal to escape!
  • Complete!

Rewards[edit]

Walkthrough[edit]

Main chamber

Listen to the dialogue, and then interact with the Disabled Injector to salvage a Vial of Leftover Antitoxin. Use this on the gate to the southeast to exit the first chamber.

Puzzle room
The Puzzle Room ... help destroy the Tower of Nightmares! Your choice: Brains or Brawn.

In this room you require four puzzle pieces, with one piece awarded from each of the Molten alliance coolant box, the Aetherblade data terminal, the Watchknight and the Toxic dried spore. You start the puzzle phase by interacting with Scarlet's Forge.

Completing the puzzles without choosing the combat option awards the Nightmare Euthanizer achievement.

If you wish, you can skip each puzzle by selecting a combat option, you will however have to fight a group of Scarlet themed enemies.

Note that there is a bright pink recording disc at the rear of the storage tanks contributing to the Investigative Record 2 achievement.

Puzzle 1 - Molten alliance

When examining the controls for shutting down power, three slider panels need to be set. The correct solution to yield the Molten Iron Scrap and solve the puzzle is to select the three symbols which make up the Molten Alliance: Flame, icicle and iron.

Puzzle 2 - Aetherblade

Retrieve the Aetherblade Data from the Inquest Terminal. Do this by interpreting the data quantitatively sorted by effectiveness (per Marjory's hint).

Puzzle 3 - Watchknight

Revive the defeated Watchknight, and then interact with the Asuran Recorder, which unlocks phrases to use when talking to the Watchknight. Pick the option "Nobody breaks my toys but me!" and then retrieve the Watchwork Core.

Puzzle 4 - Toxic alliance

Pick up the Sturdy Stick and the Dry Roots. Combining the Sturdy Stick and the Dry Roots at the nearby Lab Table will allow you to soak the dry roots in lamp oil to receive Oil Soaked Roots. Interacting with the Fire Pot will directly provide you with a torch bundle. The torch can then be used to heat the Toxic Spore Pod, releasing the Dried Toxic Spore.

Once you have acquired all four pieces, interact with Scarlet's forge to create a Shield Disabler to remove the shield in the first chamber. Optionally if you want to gather the other mutually exclusive achievement (combat or puzzle solving), you could log out here and return to the start of the instance.

Back in the main chamber

When you prompt her to do so, Marjory removes the shielding and administers the final dose of anti-toxin. Inevitably this triggers the appearance of some angry Toxic alliance foes, including a particularly tough champion, the Knight of Rot. You only need to fight this foe for a short time before Kasmeer finishes the emergency escape portal, at which point using the portal will complete and exit the instance.

A cinematic showing the destruction of the tower will play upon returning to Kessex Hills.

Achievements[edit]

The Nightmare Ends Tower of Nightmares 1Achievement points
Complete the story chapter The Nightmare Ends. Completed The Nightmare Ends 1Achievement points
  • Complete the mission.
Investigative Study 4 Tower of Nightmares 1Achievement points
During the storyline of "The Tower of Nightmares," find and read sources of information on the strange happenings in Kessex Hills.
  • A Veiled Threat Looms Over Kessex (Kessex Hills)
  • Mysterious Fable Page (The Tower of Nightmares)
  • Mysterious Fable Page (The Tower of Nightmares)
  • Mysterious Fable Page (The Tower of Nightmares)
  • Nightmare Court Letter (The Tower of Nightmares)
  • Dolja's Research Notes (The Nightmare Incarnate)
...
  • Letter from Grand Duchess Faolain (The Nightmare Ends)
Lore Located 1Achievement points
Investigative Record 2 Tower of Nightmares 1Achievement points
Find and listen to hidden logs from the source of the nightmares.
Objectives: 2 objectives in total
Recordings Located 1Achievement points
  • Sitting on a ledge on the Storage Tanks in the center of the 2nd room.
Nightmare Euthanizer The Nightmare Is Over 3Achievement points
Complete "The Nightmare Ends" story instance, having solved all of Scarlet's puzzles. Tower of Nightmares Destroyed with Logic 3Achievement points
  • Solve the four puzzles without using the combat option.
Nightmare Terminator The Nightmare Is Over 3Achievement points
Complete "The Nightmare Ends" story instance, having chosen all the combat versions of Scarlet's puzzles. Tower of Nightmares Violently Destroyed 3Achievement points
  • Use combat to complete all four puzzles:
    • for the Inquest Terminal select "Turn off power to the console."
    • for the Molten Coolant Box select "Force an overload."
    • for the Toxic Spore Pod select "Try to smash the pod open."
    • for the Watchknight puzzle use the phrase "These Watchknights you're so proud of? Mine now."
Fight at the Finish Tower of Nightmares 1Achievement points
Defeat the Knight of Rot before escaping the tower.Story Instance: The Nightmare Ends Defeated the Knight of Rot before Escaping the Tower 1Achievement points
  • Defeat the Knight of Rot before leaving the instance.
  • The Knight of Rot can take a lot of damage before dying and delivers a lot of damage in melee. Keep dodging and fight him at ranged or from his flanks or behind him in melee.
  • Hostile Toxic Alliance NPCs and Toxic Stalks spawn throughout the area during the Knight of Rot's fight. Be careful with your movement and positioning with the latter.
  • The timer running out does not cause you you to fail this achievement nor the objectives of the instance.
  • When the timer runs out, the game will warn you that you have 30 seconds left. However, nothing happens when this additional time runs out.
  • The Knight of Rot must be defeated after Marjory and Kasmeer run away from the tower.

NPCs[edit]

Allies[edit]

Constructs
Humans

Foes[edit]

Krait
Sylvari

These foes will spawn when choosing the fight options to solve the puzzles:

Objects[edit]

Dialogue[edit]

Upon activating the story:

Storyline (interface).png Weeks Later

Mail.png

Kasmeer Meade

It's time to end this nightmare.


Dear <Character name>,

Marjory and I have reached an impasse. For weeks, we've delivered injection after injection straight into the toxic heart of the Tower of Nightmares, but still it continues pulsing and corrupting the Kesssex Hills region.

We're not really sure what we're missing, but with Scarlet anything is possible. We urgently need you here with us. I've set up a mesmeric portal that will take you straight to us at the tower's heart chamber.

Please, come quickly.

—Lady Kasmeer Meade


Assist Marjory and Kasmeer in "The Nightmare Ends" story instance in Kessex Hills.

Interactive map

In the instance[edit]

Approaching Kasmeer and Marjory
Marjory Delaqua: Gods bless! It's been weeks, and it's still alive! We get close, and something interferes. It has to be one of Scarlet's tricks.
Kasmeer Maede: I'm so tired. What are we missing?
Marjory Delaqua: Not we. Me. I'm missing some key element. I'm so exhausted I can't see it.
Marjory Delaqua: Will you have a look around? See if you can spot the weak point in these magical defenses?
Kasmeer Maede: We'll be here if you need us.
Talking to Marjory
Take a look around, <Character name>. I've got a feeling we missed something. Scarlet would never pass up one last chance to test us.
Talk end option tango.png I'm on it.
Inspecting Antitoxin Variant
A few vials here show Marjory's efforts to make an updated antitoxin, but they all seem to have met with failure.
Talk end option tango.png We must be missing something.
Inspecting Supplies
A crate half filled with foodstuffs and medical supplies. The Vigil and their allies have been holding this area since you first breached it.
Talk end option tango.png There isn't anything I need here.
Inspecting Withered Pod
The former residence of this chamber's nightmarish spawn is now dry and desiccated. Strange devices are attached to it.
Talk end option tango.png Scarlet must have been experimenting. If we could find more of her tools...
Inspecting Toxic Pod
This unearthly pod seems to be filled with a strange liquid, but it is otherwise empty.
Talk end option tango.png Perhaps Scarlet meant to create more monstrosities like the one we fought.
Inspecting Disabled Injector
This antitoxin delivery device broke down before it could deliver its full dosage. There's some antitoxin left in its reservoir.
Talk quest option tango.png Take the remaining antitoxin. (Gives Vial of Leftover Antitoxin)
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Inspecting Vine Passage
The passageway is blocked by thick, fibrous vines. Although the vines are impossible to dislodge, they appear similar to the vines surrounding the tower's heart.
Talk quest option tango.png Pour antitoxin on the vines.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Entering the lab
Marjory Delaqua: You're onto something there.
Marjory Delaqua: Damn Scarlet's eyes! She knew we wouldn't be able to just kill this plant.
Inspecting Storage Tank
Massive tanks loom over the room, containing an unknown liquid that seethes within.
Talk end option tango.png Perhaps this was involved in the tower's plant growths?
Upon finding all four lab components
Marjory Delaqua: Now that's what I call a success.
Using Scarlet's Forge
This forge burns brightly with an arcane fire, ready for the crafting of mystical recipes from unique ingredients.
Talk more option tango.png Place ingredients into the forge.
Talk end option tango.png Maybe I can use this to create a way through that shield. (If you don't have the ingredients yet.)
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Return to the tower's core
Marjory Delaqua: Now, that's what I'm talkin' about.
Marjory Delaqua: That'll do the trick.
Talking to Kasmeer while Marjory works
Is that what I think it is, <Character name>? I'm ready to wake up from this nightmare.
Talk end option tango.png Let's put an end to it.
Upon success
Kasmeer Meade: Did you hear that? I think you made it mad.
Marjory Delaqua: This is going to sound crazy, but what if it "knows" what we just did? What if it "knows" what we're about to do?
Kasmeer Meade: And what exactly ARE we about to do?
Marjory Delaqua: We're going to pump every last ounce of my antitoxin into the stalk of this thing—until it can't take another drop! (evil laugh) Ahem. It's been a long day.
Administer the final injection of antitoxin
Kasmeer Meade: Jory, I think we've done it! Look!
Marjory Delaqua: We gotta get outta here. When that last dose hits the plant's heart, all bets are off. Who knows what'll happen.
Kasmeer Meade: One portal, coming right up.
Defend Kasmeer while she creates an emergency portal
Kasmeer Meade: Look out! Toxic Alliance!
Knight of Rot: I see you admiring our monument to nightmare. You may water its roots with your blood.
Marjory Delaqua: Why can't they just leave us to spoil their plans in peace?
Use the portal to escape
Marjory Delaqua: C'mon, twinkle toes! One foot in front of the other.
Knight of Rot: You won't escape this.

Solving the puzzles[edit]

Each of the four puzzles can be either solved by fighting against a group of Scarlet's foes, or by solving the puzzle. To trigger the fight, each device offers an attack option, indicated by the swords.

The Puzzle Room ... help destroy the Tower of Nightmares! Your choice: Brains or Brawn.

Molten puzzle[edit]

When examining the controls for shutting down power, three slider panels need to be set. The correct solution to yield the Molten Iron Scrap and solve the puzzle is to select the three symbols which make up the Molten Alliance: Flame, icicle and iron.

Examining the molten coolant box
This box has an override that forces an overload, a set of controls to shut down power, and a control to enter standby mode.
Talk combat option tango.png Force an overload.
Talk more option tango.png Examine controls for shutting down power.
(When selecting this option, the three sliders need to be set)
Talk more option tango.png Push the button to enter standby mode.
The coolant box enters standby mode.
(After waiting about 15 seconds)
Wait.
The coolant box resets, and a panel on the front slides open, allowing a chunk of metal to fall out of the box.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
First slider panel
There are three panels of sliders, each marked with three symbols. The first panel has symbols that look like the sun, flames, and steam.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to sun.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to flame.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to steam.
Second slider panel
There are three panels of sliders, each marked with three symbols. The second panel has symbols that look like an icicle, a snowflake, and a drop of water.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to icicle.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to snowflake.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to water.
Third slider panel
There are three panels of sliders, each marked with symbols. The last panel has three symbols, etched with gold, silver, and iron.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to gold.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to silver.
Talk more option tango.png Set the slider to iron.
After setting all three sliders to an incorrect solution
With the three sliders set, all that remains is to throw a switch on a panel below the sliders.
Talk more option tango.png Throw the switch.
The cooland box whirs and clicks, but nothing else happens. The settings must not be set correctly.
Talk back option tango.png Try again.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
When setting the sliders to flame, icicle and iron
With the three sliders set, all that remains is to throw a switch on a panel below the sliders.
Talk more option tango.png Throw the switch.
The coolant box whirs and then powers down. Once the power is off, a panel on the front pops open, and a scrap of metal pops out.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.

Aetherblade puzzle[edit]

The task is to retrieve the Aetherblade Data from the Inquest Terminal. There are two ways to achieve this: The first is to interpret the data quantitatively sorted by effectiveness (matching Marjory's hint). The second option is to collate the data into qualitative results repeatedly until a new third option appears to bypass the console's interpretation protocols.

Interacting with the inquest terminal
This portable console has seemingly been modified by Scarlet. The last user was doing an analysis of test results. There's also a rotating central power interface.
Talk combat option tango.png Turn off power to the console.
Talk more option tango.png Try to interpret the analytic data.
At first glance the data appears to be a matrix of asuran characters and numerals. There are prompts to collate the data into quantitative or qualitative results.
Talk more option tango.png Collate into quantitative results.
Another prompt appears, requesting that the user choose wheter to sort the data by relevance, effectiveness, or efficiency.
Talk more option tango.png Sort by relevance.
The relevant sample data suggests a correlation between aetheric energy output and mesmeric illusions.
Talk more option tango.png Apply this data sorting.
The resulting data analysis doesn't seem to be helpful.
Talk back option tango.png Try again.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk more option tango.png Sort by effectiveness.
The descending hierarchy of results lists air magic and asuran alchemy as the most effective results.
Talk more option tango.png Apply this data sorting.
The console parses the data and displays a prompt to output to a portable device.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk more option tango.png Sort by efficiency.
Horizontal bars of varying colors indicate that charr engineering is roughly as efficient as sylvari plant-shaping.
Talk more option tango.png Apply this data sorting.
The resulting data analysis doesn't seem to be helpful.
Talk back option tango.png Try again.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk more option tango.png Collate into qualitative results.
Another prompt appears, requesting that the user choose to interpret submitted or extracted data.
Talk more option tango.png Interpret submitted data.
The console attempts to apply interpretation protocols but is unable to resolve the data any further.
Talk back option tango.png Try again.
Talk more option tango.png Interpret extracted data.
The console attempts to apply interpretation protocols but is unable to resolve the data any further.
Talk back option tango.png Try again.
Talk more option tango.png Attempt to bypass the console's interpretation protocols. (appears after interpreting both submitted and extracted data)
The protocols are easily bypassed. The data represents Scarlet's alchemical and elemental experimentation, specifically related to the armaments of her Aetherblades.
Talk end option tango.png Output the data.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.

Watchknight puzzle[edit]

After reviving the watchknight, two objects become available: Scribbled Diagrams and Asuran Recorder. Checking the recorder unlocks phrases that can be used with the watchknight. The scribbled diagrams hint that the deactivation phrase is something which Scarlet did not say during the Closing Ceremony. All three phrases will eventually yield the Watchwork Core. The first phrase, "Nobody breaks my toys but me!", will put the watchknight into sleep mode (literally). The second phrase, "These watchknights you're so proud of? Mine now.", will turn the watchknight into a hostile Veteran Twisted Nightmare. And the third phrase, "Nothing wrong with you I can't fix forever.", will make the watchknight explode.

Talking to the watchknight
This watchknight stares ahead impassively, though it clutches its weapon tightly, suggesting that it retains its basic programming.
Talk more option tango.png Hello. Can you hear me? Do you understand?
The watchknight gives no indication that is has heard or understood.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
(after unlocking the phrases)
Talk more option tango.png "Nobody breaks my toys but me!"
Talk more option tango.png "These watchknights you're so proud of? Mine now."
Talk more option tango.png "Nothing wrong with you I can't fix forever."
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Reading the scribbled diagrams
This appears to be part of a watchknight schematic, with Scarlet's notes scrawled in the margins.
Talk more option tango.png Try to read the notes.
Most of Scarlet's notations are purely technical, though one reads, "Stupid humans. Always in my way." Another reads, "Do not use the deactivation phrase until we've secured the Queen's Pavilion."
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Activating the asuran recorder
Watchknight voice command protocols: phrases to remotely trigger various functions.
Talk more option tango.png Look at the first phrase.
"Nobody breaks my toys but me!"
Talk back option tango.png Return to protocol list.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk more option tango.png Look at the second phrase.
"These watchknights you're so proud of? Mine now."
Talk back option tango.png Return to protocol list.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk more option tango.png Look at the third phrase.
"Nothing wrong with you I can't fix forever."
Talk back option tango.png Return to protocol list.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.

Toxic puzzle[edit]

To open the Toxic Spore Pod, different items need to be combined. Combining the Sturdy Stick and the Dry Roots will yield the Makeshift Torch Handle which can then be soaked in the lamp oil at the lab table to get the Makeshift Torch. Interacting with the Fire Pot will then give a Torch that can be picked up. The torch can then be used to gather the Dried Toxic Spore.

Interacting with the toxic spore pod
This toxic spore pod appears different than the others. Its tougher hide is unyielding, and your gathering tool can't take a sample from it.
Talk combat option tango.png Try to smash the pod open.
Talk ls option tango.png Hold the torch up to the pod. (if Torch in hands)
Talk more option tango.png Examine the pod more closely.
A closer inspection reveals signs of prior experimentation. It would appear Scarlet was trying to hybridize a more resilient casing.
Talk more option tango.png Touch the casing.
The pod's casing is cool to your touch, and it seems to react ever so slightly to your body heat.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Talk end option tango.png Leave.
Interacting with the lab table
This lab table is strewn with experimental equipment and supplies. There are different types of sample containers, and near the center, a full beaker of lamp oil.
(if the Makeshift Torch Handle is in the inventory)
Tick green.png Soak the dry roots in lamp oil.
(otherwise)
Talk end option tango.png Leave.

My story[edit]

The Nightmare Ends loading screen.jpg

I regrouped with Marjory and Kasmeer inside of the tower's innermost chamber a few weeks later. Even though we were able to clear the way to the heart, giving us ample opportunity to inject the antitoxin, the Tower of Nightmares continued to corrupt Kessex Hills with toxic spores. No matter how many doses they injected into the heart, the tower stood tall. Marjory knew we were missing something, but what was it?

We took a small portion of the leftover antitoxin and used it to break our way into a hidden lab near the injector. Inside, we found several Molten, Inquest, and Toxic Alliance devices presumably being used to maintain the integrity of Scarlet's wild contraption. We were able to extract various materials from the devices, and when combined in Scarlet's personal forge, they created a magical, antibarrier compound. We injected the new mixture—along with the remaining antitoxin—into the heart of the tower. The new compound shattered the heart's defenses and allowed the antitoxin to take its toll. The tower began to collapse and Kasmeer started conjuring us a portal to escape, but we were ambushed by a small squad of lingering Nightmare Court. Thankfully, Kasmeer was able to finish the portal in the nick of time and we watched the whole thing crumble to the ground from the shore of the lake.

We made a real blow to Scarlet's plans today, but knowing her... Well, all we may have accomplished is making her that much angrier.

My story