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Unlike the other quests in Act I, it is activated by reading a book rather than by NPC. The book, known as the Moldy Tome, can be found on a stone pedestal in Stony Field. The book relays the story of a ruined castle in the wilderness that was once inhabited by a wealthy, evil Countess.
The Tower is located in the Black Marsh, beyond the Dark Wood. There are five descending floors within the Tower Cellar, with the fifth floor leading to the Countess herself. Upon her defeat, a sealed chest will open. The treasure found in it will be your reward for this quest. The forgotten tower can also be revisited any time, and it is a good place to level-up your hireling if being played in Lord of Destruction.
The quest is not explicitly unconnected to the other events in the The Sightless Eye chapter. However, Akara has hinted that some of her Rogues explored the tower but never returned, so it may be presumed that the Countess (a Corrupt Rogue) may have counted many Sisters of the Sightless Eye among her numerous victims.
The Quest is likely inspired by the real-life Elizabeth Báthory, who was also known as "Blood Countess" and as "Bloody Lady of Čachtice". She was accused of torturing and killing hundreds of girls and young women, and supposedly bathed in the blood of virgins in order to retain her youth.[1]
Quest Activation Dialog[]
Moldy Tome:"...And so it came to pass that the Countess, who once bathed in the rejuvenating blood of a hundred virgins, was burned alive. And her castle in which so many cruel deeds took place fell rapidly to ruin. Rising over the buried dungeons in that god-forsaken wilderness, a solitary tower, like some monument to Evil, is all that remains.
The Countess's fortune was believed to be divided among the clergy, although some say that more remains unfound, still buried alongside the rotting skulls that bear mute witness to the inhumanity of the human creature."
NPC Quest Dialog[]
After Initiating[]
Akara:"The dangers there are not solely architectural. Once inside that wretched place, many succumb to a vile miasma."
Cain:"That tower marks a place of danger. There is an epic poem about it... How much sorrow one can stand was tested there."
Charsi:"That old tower is as rotten on the inside as it appears on the outside. I heard that several Sisters came to a gruesome end when a stairwell collapsed on them."
Gheed:"The only wealth you're likely to find there is a wealth of vermin."
Kashya:"The tome speaks of treasure. Yet, all we have found are death, delirium, and disappointment."
Warriv:"Rumors of treasure are no different from rumors of any other kind. They hold false promise to those who should know better."
Early Return[]
Akara:"There is no more I can tell you about that ancient tower."
Cain:"Quickly in and quickly out is all the advice I can give you."
Charsi:"You're not ready to give up, are you?"
Gheed:"Guess what! I've named a boil on my ass after you. It, too, bothers me every time I sit down."
Kashya:"Have you suddenly lost your taste for wealth?"
Warriv:"Better an empty pocket than a full grave."
Upon Completion[]
Akara:"I thought the stories of treasure in the tower were nothing but lies. I am glad you found something of value in that death-trap. Would that our Sisters had been so fortunate."
Cain:"Well done, my friend. Courage and opportunity together have created in you a kind of alchemy."
Charsi:"Those riches will serve you well on the long road ahead."
Gheed:"Warriv's advice is like corpse gas; it befouls the air for a moment and then it disappears."
Kashya:"Your rewards are well-earned. To us, the tower was nothing more than a headstone looming over a long forgotten grave."
Warriv:"Remember, wealth is as insubstantial as a cloud and passes as quickly. Ignore Gheed. All that twitters is not bold."
Character Quest Dialog[]
Tower Entry[]
Amazon:"What's that smell?"
Assassin:"Ugh, who would want to remember this place?"
Barbarian:"The stench of poison."
Druid:"Mm, I can smell why this tower is abandoned."
Necromancer:"This place reeks of death."
Paladin:"This tower shall be cleansed of evil."
Sorceress:"This place holds many secrets."
Quest Completion[]
Amazon:"Ah, the tower's trove, for the taking!"
Assassin:"So much treasure, it almost covers the stench."
Barbarian:"Haha, this is reward enough."
Druid:"This tower has its charms."
Necromancer:"Treasure hunting, heh. Treasure finding, yes!"
Paladin:"I've earned the right to this abandoned trove."
Sorceress:"I hope to find other such treasures."
References[]