The Waning Moon

Walkthrough

The area in the order you play it. Tick things off as you go: they tick off in the checklists below too.

1. 1

   Survey the Tavern and Grab the Rat Bat

   As you step inside the central taproom of The Waning Moon, you will see the bloated brewer Thisobald Thorm sloshing behind the counter surrounded by docile Blighted patrons. Before drawing close enough to trigger dialogue with him, inspect the main bar wall near the front counter at X: -224, Y: -78 to pick up the Rat Bat. You can also loot a chest sitting in the main hall at X: -208, Y: -90 for a Potion of Angelic Slumber.

   Rat Bat: Resting propped up against the main tavern bar wallKey (The Waning Moon): from the rear tavern yard entrance, walk east to the outhouse at X: -210, Y: -49How: loot the towel lying beside the skeleton inside the outhouse NewPotion of Angelic Slumber: from the main tavern entrance, inspect the wooden chest sitting in the corner of the taproom at X: -208, Y: -90How: open the unlocked chest New

   Tip: The surrounding Blighted patrons will remain neutral until you trigger open combat with Thisobald.

2. 2

   Outdrink or Battle Thisobald Thorm

   Walk up to the bar counter to trigger a conversation where Thisobald offers you his lethal distillation across three consecutive rounds. You can outwit him by surviving three Constitution saving throws (DC 14, 16, and 18) or by passing DC 18 Sleight of Hand checks to fake drinking, followed each time by a successful DC 16 Performance check (or DC 18 Deception backup) to tell him tales until he drinks himself to bursting. If you refuse to drink or fail multiple checks, he and his patrons attack in a protracted fight where he gains resistances to the damage types you inflict until he reaches a bloated, vulnerable Hungover state.

   Key fight: Thisobald Thorm

   Tip: Drinking him to death grants full combat XP, provides key lore revealing Ketheric Thorm's secret relic, and spares your party from spending valuable spell slots.

   Watch out: If you trigger combat, Thisobald's damage-absorbing brew makes him resistant to the damage types you attack him with until he enters his Hungover phase, so diversify your party's attack types.

3. 3

   Search the Remains and Counter Floorboards

   Once Thisobald bursts or falls, approach his remains behind the counter and loot the Worn Key from his gore. While behind the bar counter, pass an automatic DC 10 Perception check to reveal a set of loose floorboards at X: -225, Y: -73. Pry the floorboards open to recover Madeline's Ledger, a vital quest item detailing her past betrayals.

   Madeline's Ledger: Stashed under the loose floorboards behind the main tavern counterA concealed floorboard cache behind the bar counter can be spotted with a successful Perception check to retrieve Madeline's Ledger for the Punish the Wicked quest.

   Tip: Because Thisobald ruptures into scattered viscera upon losing the drinking game, make sure to mouse over the flesh puddle to locate his Worn Key and drops.

   Watch out: Do not leave Madeline's Ledger behind or delay returning it, as progressing past the Shadowfell point of no return later in the act permanently locks you out of completing He Who Was's quest.

4. 4

   Enter the Private Laboratory and Decode the Research

   Head to the back of the tavern and use the Worn Key to unlock the heavy metal door leading into the cavernous distillery laboratory. Approach the cluttered workbench inside and read Thisobald's Research Notes, passing a DC 14 Investigation check to decipher his scribbled formula. Deciphering the text teaches your party the recipe to brew Purple Worm Toxin.

   Deciphering the stained research notes on the laboratory workbench with an Investigation check teaches the recipe for Purple Worm Toxin.

   Tip: Passing the Investigation check on the notes automatically flags the dig mound on your map, bypassing the need to roll a steep Perception check outdoors.

What you decide here and what it leads to.