The Nightmare Ends/historical

The Nightmare Ends (2013)

Year

1326 AE

Storyline

Living World Season 1

Chapter

The Nightmare Is Over

Location

Kessex Hills
(Kryta)

Level

2–80

Preceded by

Fractals of the Mists

Followed by

The Dead End

The Nightmare Ends is the story instance introduced with the A Very Merry Wintersday release. It covers the destruction of the Tower of Nightmares.

Mail

The following mail is sent to players upon first login after the release started, inviting them once more to Kessex Hills:

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

Objectives

• The Nightmares Within
  • Speak to Marjory Delaqua.
  • Search the areas for clues.
  • Solve the puzzle to inject the final does of antitoxin.
  • Survive the final assault by the Toxic Alliance
  • Inject the final dose of antitoxin.

• Work with Marjory and Kasmeer to determine how to inject the final dose of antitoxin.
  • Antitoxin injected
  • 

In the puzzle chamber

• Solve Scarlet's puzzles to break the arcane seal on the tower's heart.
  • Solve the molten puzzle.
  • Solve the Aetherblade puzzle.
  • Solve the watchknight puzzle.
  • Solve the toxic puzzle.
  • Unusual Items Recovered: 0/4
  • Place the four items into Scarlet's forge.

Back in the main chamber

• Defeat the toxic oratuss and their backup. (80)
  • Toxic Alliance Strength
  • 

Rewards

The Tower of Nightmares has been destroyed!

• Antitoxin Injector Skin
• Obsidian Shard (5)
• Tricolor Key
• Choice between: Shell Pouch (3) or Heirloom Seed Pouch (3)

Subsequent completions will reward:

• Pristine Toxic Spore Sample (5)
• Choice between Shell Pouch or Heirloom Seed Pouch

Walkthrough

Players start in the Heart of the Tower of the The Nightmare Incarnate instance. Kasmeer Meade and Marjory Delaqua ask for help to find out what they have missed that kept the tower alive so long. Upon clearing the vine passage with the remaining antitoxin, players move to a chamber with four puzzles. Completing the puzzles gives four special items which are then forged into a magic essence which Marjory uses to break the seal of the tower. Before being able to inject the final dose of antitoxin, the group is interrupted by a few Toxic Alliance. Thanks to Kasmeer's mesmer portal, the group can escape from the collapsing tower.

A cutscene then shows the destruction of the tower.

Achievements

Nightmare Ender	The Nightmare Is Over	4
Assist Marjoy[sic] and Kasmeer in "The Nightmare Ends" story instance in Kessex Hills.	Tower of Nightmares Destroyed	4

• Complete the instance.

NPCs

Allies

• Kasmeer Meade
• Marjory Delaqua
• Watchknight

Foes

• Toxic Assassin
• Toxic Bulwark
• Toxic Hypnoss
• Toxic Knight
• Toxic Nimross
• Toxic Sorcerer
• Toxic Spider
• Veteran Toxic Oratuss

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

• Toxic Assassin
• Toxic Bulwark
• Toxic Hypnoss
• Veteran Toxic Damoss
• Veteran Twisted Nightmare
• Veteran Hallucinatory Protector
• Molten Hallucination
• Aetherblade Hallucination
• Veteran Aetherblade Hallucination

Objects

• Disabled Injector
• Vine Passage

Puzzle chamber

• Asuran Recorder
• Dry Roots
• Fire Pot
• Inquest Terminal
• Lab Table
• Molten Coolant Box
• Scarlet's Forge
• Scribbled Diagrams
• Sturdy Stick
• Toxic Spore Pod

Dialogue

Talking to Kasmeer

My apologies for the rush to the heart chamber, <Character name>, but Marjory needs your help, and there's no time to waste.

On my way.

Cutscene upon talking to 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.

After the cutscene

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.

I'm on it.

Interacting with the Disabled Injector

This antitoxin delivery device broke down before it could deliver its full dosage. There's some antitoxin left in its reservoir.

Take the remaining antitoxin.

Leave.

Taking the remaining antitoxin will give the player the Carrying Antitoxin buff.

Upon walking to the Vine Passage

Marjory Delaqua: You're onto something there.

Interacting with the 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.

Leave.

Upon walking to the Vine Passage, with the Carrying Antitoxin buff

Marjory Delaqua: Grenth's icy toes, why didn't I think of that? You've nearly solved it!

Interacting with the 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.

Pour antitoxin on the vines.

Leave.

After pouring antitoxin on the vines

Marjory Delaqua: Nicely done.

In the puzzle chamber

When entering the puzzle chamber

Marjory Delaqua: Damn Scarlet's eyes! She knew we wouldn't be able to just kill this plant.

Talking to Kasmeer (in the main chamber)

Shouldn't you be helping Marjory in the other chamber? I... just need a moment here. You should be fine. I saw you handled that toxic hybrid.

All right.

Using Scarlet's Forge before solving all puzzles

This forge burns brightly with an arcane fire, ready for the crafting of mystical recipes from unique ingredients.

Place ingredients into the forge.

Something is missing.

Leave.

Talking to Marjory

Scarlet made a mistake and left something behind. I'm sure of it. Something we can use to puzzle a way through her magical seal on the tower's heart.

I'm really at a loss here. Can you shed any light on what I've been able to find?

Gods help me, I do feel like I'm getting to know how Scarlet thinks. What are you stuck on?

What could be the key to the Molten Alliance cooling box?

It looks like the key is finding the correct thresholds, and I'd guess the answer will come when you consider the extremes of the Molten Alliance.

I need your help with something else.

I think that was the help I needed. Thanks.

Can you help me puzzle out the Aetherblade console?

Scarlet accessorized her sky pirates with Inquest magitech. She undoubtedly wanted to improve their effectiveness through strength in numbers.

I need your help with something else.

I think that was the help I needed. Thanks.

Do you have any ideas about the watchknight?

During the closing ceremony of the Jubilee, Scarlet took control of Queen Jennah's watchknights from a distance. What if she had keyed them to respond to certain words she spoke during her crazy monologue?

I need your help with something else.

I think that was the help I needed. Thanks.

What do you make of this toxic spore pod?

That looks like a tough nut to crack. Maybe you can find whatever Scarlet used to pry it open.

I need your help with something else.

I think that was the help I needed. Thanks.

I think that was the help I needed. Thanks.

I'm working on it.

After recovering the second unusual item

Marjory Delaqua: You're onto something there.

After recovering the fourth unusual item

Marjory Delaqua: Now that's what I call a success.

Talking to Marjory after solving all puzzles

Scarlet made a mistake and left something behind. I'm sure of it. Something we can use to puzzle a way through her magical seal on the tower's heart.

I'm really at a loss here. Can you shed any light on what I've been able to find?

Gods help me, I do feel like I'm getting to know how Scarlet thinks. What are you stuck on?

I've puzzled out everything Scarlet left behind. Now what?

Scarlet's all about combining unlikely ingredients. I'd bet you've found elements of some arcane recipe of hers. There's a forge right over there. That can't be coincidental.

I think that was the help I needed. Thanks.

I think that was the help I needed. Thanks.

I'm working on it.

Using Scarlet's Forge

This forge burns brightly with an arcane fire, ready for the crafting of mystical recipes from unique ingredients.

Place ingredients into the forge.

The molten scrap, data crystal, watchwork core, and toxic spore sample are consumed by the flames. Something begins to coalesce in the forge.

Leave.

After using the forge

Marjory Delaqua: Now, that's what I'm talkin' about.

Back in the main chamber

Talking to Kasmeer

Is that what I think it is, <Character name>? I'm ready to wake up from this nightmare.

Let's put an end to it.

Talking to Marjory

That was amazing, <Character name>. You beat Scarlet at her own game. We've broken her magical seal, but we still need to inject the last of the antitoxin.

Let's put an end to it.

After Marjory is done

Marjory Delaqua: That'll do the trick.

Kasmeer Maede: 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 are we're about to do?

Kasmeer Maede: 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.

Kasmeer Maede: Look out! Toxic Alliance!

Marjory Delaqua: I believe this calls for lethal force.

During the fight

Kasmeer Maede: Don't let them touch me! Gah!

Marjory Delaqua: Why can't they just leave us to spoil their plans in peace?

After defeating the Toxic Alliance

Kasmeer Maede: Oh, bravo!

After delivering the antitoxin into the antitoxin injector

Kasmeer Maede: 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 Maede: It's collapsing! We'll be crushed! (when The Tower of Nightmares will collapse in 5 seconds.)

Talking to Kasmeer

Let's get free of here. I'm long overdue for a warm soak and some aromatherapy back in Divinity's Reach.

After you.

Solving the puzzles

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

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.

Force an overload.

Examine controls for shutting down power.

(When selecting this option, the three sliders need to be set)

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.

Leave.

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.

Set the slider to sun.

Set the slider to flame.

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.

Set the slider to icicle.

Set the slider to snowflake.

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.

Set the slider to gold.

Set the slider to silver.

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.

Throw the switch.

The cooland box whirs and clicks, but nothing else happens. The settings must not be set correctly.

Try again.

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.

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.

Leave.

Aetherblade puzzle

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.

Turn off power to the console.

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.

Collate into quantitative results.

Another prompt appears, requesting that the user choose wheter to sort the data by relevance, effectiveness, or efficiency.

Sort by relevance.

The relevant sample data suggests a correlation between aetheric energy output and mesmeric illusions.

Apply this data sorting.

The resulting data analysis doesn't seem to be helpful.

Try again.

Leave.

Sort by effectiveness.

The descending hierarchy of results lists air magic and asuran alchemy as the most effective results.

Apply this data sorting.

The console parses the data and displays a prompt to output to a portable device.

Leave.

Sort by efficiency.

Horizontal bars of varying colors indicate that charr engineering is roughly as efficient as sylvari plant-shaping.

Apply this data sorting.

The resulting data analysis doesn't seem to be helpful.

Try again.

Leave.

Collate into qualitative results.

Another prompt appears, requesting that the user choose to interpret submitted or extracted data.

Interpret submitted data.

The console attempts to apply interpretation protocols but is unable to resolve the data any further.

Try again.

Interpret extracted data.

The console attempts to apply interpretation protocols but is unable to resolve the data any further.

Try again.

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.

Output the data.

Leave.

Watchknight puzzle

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.

Hello. Can you hear me? Do you understand?

The watchknight gives no indication that is has heard or understood.

Leave.

(after unlocking the phrases)

"Nobody breaks my toys but me!"

"These watchknights you're so proud of? Mine now."

"Nothing wrong with you I can't fix forever."

Leave.

Reading the scribbled diagrams

This appears to be part of a watchknight schematic, with Scarlet's notes scrawled in the margins.

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."

Leave.

Activating the asuran recorder

Watchknight voice command protocols: phrases to remotely trigger various functions.

Look at the first phrase.

"Nobody breaks my toys but me!"

Return to protocol list.

Leave.

Look at the second phrase.

"These watchknights you're so proud of? Mine now."

Return to protocol list.

Leave.

Look at the third phrase.

"Nothing wrong with you I can't fix forever."

Return to protocol list.

Leave.

Leave.

Toxic puzzle

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.

Try to smash the pod open.

Hold the torch up to the pod. (if Torch in hands)

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.

Touch the casing.

The pod's casing is cool to your touch, and it seems to react ever so slightly to your body heat.

Leave.

Leave.

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)

Soak the dry roots in lamp oil.

(otherwise)

Leave.

Notes

• Solving all puzzles without fighting will reward the Nightmare Euthanizer achievement when completing the instance.
• Completing the instance by choosing all the combat versions of the puzzles will reward the Nightmare Terminator achievement
• Completing the instance counts towards the progression of the Monthly Dungeon Participation.

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Living World Season 1 storyline

Flame and Frost	New Friends, New Enemies → The Battle for Cragstead → Alliance Investigation → Molten Furnace → A Quiet Celebration
Sky Pirates	Ceremony and Acrimony → Hard Boiled → No More Secrets → Aether Investigation → The Aetherblade Retreat → Case Closed
Clockwork Chaos	The Opening Ceremony → The Queen's Address → Clockwork Invasion → Scarlet's Playhouse → Picking Up the Pieces
Tower of Nightmares	The Nightmare Unveiled → Making the Antitoxin → The Tower of Nightmares → The Nightmare Incarnate → The Nightmare Ends → Awake and Allied
Battle for Lion's Arch	The Twisted Marionette → Connecting the Pieces → Escape from Lion's Arch → The Battle for Lion's Arch → Battle on the Breachmaker → Scarlet's End → After the Battle → Dawn of the Next Journey
← Previous: Personal story Next: Living World Season 2 →