Quest:Instance: The Last Refuge

Instance: The Last Refuge
Level	43
Type	Solo or Fellowship
Starts with	Gimli
Starts at	The Guest Rooms
Start Region	Rivendell
Map Ref	[30.70S, 6.2W]
Quest Group	Vol. I. Book 5
Reflecting Pool	Trollshaws Reflecting Pool

Quest Chain

Previous: Volume I, Book 4 Volume I, Book 5: The Last Refuge [42] Chapter 1: Into the Misty Mountains [42] Chapter 2: Troublesome Goblins [43] Chapter 3: The High Fortress [43] Chapter 4: The Key-stone [43] Chapter 5: The Last Refuge - Solo-only or Fellowship [43] Instance: The Last Refuge - Solo-only or Fellowship [43] Chapter 6: In the Steps of Evil [43] Chapter 7: Evil Tidings [43] Chapter 8: Fire and Ice - Solo-only or Fellowship [43] Instance: Fire and Ice - Solo-only or Fellowship Next: Volume I, Book 6

Walkthrough & Notes

Note: This quest is meant for a fellowship. If you choose to undertake this quest solo you will receive an inspiration bonus, but the challenge will be great. Once you are inside the instance, talk to Gimli to start the quest, and he will immediately, and continuously, aggro dourhand dwarves and giants. As soon as he defeats the last foe of one group, and sometimes before then, more will arrive, or else Gimli will run ahead and aggro more. His morale is very high, but his in-combat morale regen is low. You will have lower morale, but you will have Inspired Greatness, so your morale will regenerate more quickly and you will have better mitigation. Since he'll keep you in combat continuously with only a couple breaks (and thus only a couple times when his morale can regenerate), it's best to keep aggro on you and off Gimli as much as possible. Many of the foes have stun skills; if they can be stunned, mezzed, or rooted so that they cannot attack, that will help. Since you and Gimli will often be surrounded, it is important to reduce the number of foes quickly. Focus on killing the non-Elite foes (Guards and Defenders) so that you have fewer mobs hitting you, and you will be interrupted less often, allowing you to burn down the Elite mobs (Foremen,Captains, Champions and Frost-giants) faster, and keep Gimli's health up. You will be given a break after you fight about a dozen sets of mobs, when you have fought up the first flight of stairs, and Gimli will shout to Skorgrím, but Skorgrím will refuse to engage. After that time, you will have more Elite foes than Normal foes, and should continue to keep aggro if possible. After fighting through several more groups, Gimli will open a door using the keystone you gave him, and give you another break. You must talk to him again and continue through the second door. Inside, there will be a half-dozen more groups of primarily Elite mobs, and then you will stand before the door and watch Gimli interact with Skorgrím. Skorgrím will summon two Fell Spirits and cast a spell that adds +5 Dread to anyone standing in the spelled area (indicated by a purple glow on the ground) for about 60 seconds. Run toward Skorgrím to attack the Fell Spirits, then assist Gimli with another half dozen groups of mobs. Once that is done, Skorgrím will attack. He has 30k morale but no special skills. Once you have defeated him, speak to Gimli to finish the instance, and then you will have to travel back to Glóin's camp to finish the quest. Often, while Gimli is waiting to talk to you, you can run ahead to clear mobs.

Rewards
None, but the main quest has.

Quest Text

Bestowal dialogue The Last Refuge "Skorgrím's Dourhands have taken refuge from the wrath of Dunn's Folk within an ancient dwarf-hold high in the passes of the Misty Mountains. There, they plot their return, unless an end can be put to their scheming once and for all...." Background With your help, Glóin was able to obtain the key-stone to the secret entrance leading to the inner keep of the dwarf fortress located in the pass of Gabilazan. Alongside his son, Gimli, he has asked you to go into this keep and put a stop to the Nazgûl and Skogrím. Objective 1 Talk to Gimli Speak with Gimli to begin your foray into the dwarf-keep. The dwarf-keep in the pass of Gabilazan might be both the last hiding-place of the Dourhands led by Skorgrím and the Nazgûl you have pursued through the Trollshaws and into the Misty Mountains. Gimli: 'Skorgrím must think that the walls of his fortress will keep him safe, tall and broad as they are, but he does not know about the key-stone you recovered. 'We will fight our way through his remaining defences, and perhaps I will give him one chance to come out of the main gates of the keep to face me in combat. He has no honour, so my challenge will probably go unanswered. It is just as well, but my axe is anxious for the chance to end this fool Dourhand! 'Are you ready? The Dourhands cannot hope to stand against us!' Gimli says, "Your doom has arrived, Dourhands!" Assist Gimli Gimli says, "Let us rest here a moment, and then we will see about ending these villains!" Gimli says, "Giants! This may be a harder fight than I thought...." Objective 2 Talk Gimli Speak with Gimli to continue your foray into the dwarf-keep. The dwarf-keep in the pass of Gabilazan might be both the last hiding-place of the Dourhands led by Skorgrím and the Nazgûl you have pursued through the Trollshaws and into the Misty Mountains. Gimli: 'I am ready to go on, if you are as well. I will challenge Skorgrím to come down, and if he does not, we will seek out the hidden door.' Assist Gimli Gimli says, "Let us see now what Skorgrím has to say." Gimli says, "Skorgrím, you cannot hide here forever!" Skorgrím Dourhand says, "You are a fool, Gimli, son of Glóin! You cannot hope to pass these strong walls!" Gimli says, "So be it. If you won't come down, Skorgrím, we'll come up!" Objective 3 Talk to Gimli Speak with Gimli to continue your foray into the dwarf-keep. The dwarf-keep in the pass of Gabilazan might be both the last hiding-place of the Dourhands led by Skorgrím and the Nazgûl you have pursued through the Trollshaws and into the Misty Mountains. Gimli: 'It seems these Dourhands were not expecting us to come in by the hidden door, <name>. 'This is amusing, but I tire of dealing with lesser Dourhands. Let us find Skorgrím with no further delay.' Gimli says, "They haven't thought to guard the hidden door. That will be their undoing!" Gimli says, "I will use the keystone to open the door!" Gimli says, "Time has been cruel to this mechanism..." Gimli says, "Now to find the Nazgûl and Skorgrím!" Assist Gimli Gimli says, "It's time we finished this. The Nazgûl and Skorgrím have nowhere else to hide!" Objective 4 Confront the Nazgûl and Skorgrím You have made your way deep into the dwarf-keep. It is nearly time to confront the Nazgûl and Skorgrím. Speak with Gimli to begin the final battle. The dwarf-keep in the pass of Gabilazan might be both the last hiding-place of the Dourhands led by Skorgrím and the Nazgûl you have pursued through the Trollshaws and into the Misty Mountains. Gimli: 'Skorgrím has nowhere left to hide, <name>, and I think he now realizes it. His doom stands outside his door, and he has no choice but to face it! 'Are you ready for battle?' Objective 5 Defeat Skorgrím You have made your way deep into the dwarf-keep. It is nearly time to confront the Nazgûl and Skorgrím. Speak with Gimli to begin the final battle. The dwarf-keep in the pass of Gabilazan might be both the last hiding-place of the Dourhands led by Skorgrím and the Nazgûl you have pursued through the Trollshaws and into the Misty Mountains. Gimli says, "Come out, you villains! Your day is done!" Nazgûl says, "Who dares intrude upon these grounds?" Nazgûl says, "Thrice accursed fools! I shall tolerate your hounding of my steps no longer!" Nazgûl says, "Skorgrím! Deal with these interlopers and then bring your men to Helegrod." Skorgrím Dourhand says, "As you command." Skorgrím Dourhand says, "You have gained entry through some dishonourable means, Gimli, son of Glóin." Skorgrím Dourhand says, "You shame the Longbeards with your sneaking and crawling! Begone!" Skorgrím Dourhand says, "I will finish you myself!" Skorgrím Dourhand says, "My masters will torment your shades!" Skorgrím Dourhand says, "The doom of the north will fall upon you!" Skorgrím Dourhand says, "You may wound this body, but this body is nothing to me!" Fell Spirit says, "This vessel has served our purposes well, but now its time is past." Fell Spirit says, "Yes, I am close now. Very close to my objective." Fell Spirit says, "And now to my final task!" Objective 6 Talk to Gimli Gimli is standing in the courtyard of the keep of Gabilazan. You have successfully defeated Skorgrím Dourhand, but the significance of his death is still uncertain. Gimli: 'You fought well, <name>, and we have put an end to Skorgrím's menace! I am troubled by the escape of the Nazgûl and the apparition that appeared upon Skorgrím's death, but there is nothing we can do about that right now. At least we have paid the Dourhands for their treachery! Ha ha!' Gimli: 'It was a good battle, but I think it is time to leave. I am ready to journey back to the guest rooms at Rivendell when you are.'