- Location: In front of each of the major entrances to Sil-Var-Woad
- Quest-giver: Talomar
Description: Something’s frenzied the animals in the Royal Menagerie of Sil-Var-Woad, which is only the beginning of Talomar’s problems. The Queen’s beloved Indrik, Lotus, has escaped Sil-Var-Woad in the ensuing chaos and Talomar is keen on getting her back. Help Talomar track down Lotus and bring her home safely before she learns the harshness of nature outside of a pen.
Search for Lotus
Sil-Var-Woad is completely overrun with wild animals, so making progress can be slow and dangerous, especially if you encounter a Mammoth. Luckily you can avoid Mammoths entirely during this quest, which is what we wholeheartedly suggest you do unless you’re really itching for a fight.
You’ll need to investigate two spots in the Royal Menagerie; we’ll start by looking at the southernmost of the two. Investigate some tainted feed in the corner of one of the Echatere pens, then speak with Talomar about your discovery.
The northern location has a suspicious sight: a Mammoth that died breaking through a menagerie wall. Investigate the dead Mammoth and speak with Talomer once again.
Speak with Elise Mallon
Once you’ve searched both locations, head to the west side of the menagerie to speak with Elise Mallon. She suggests you head to the reflecting pool to look for Lotus. You can optionally speak with Talomar to get more insight on Elise.
As soon as you arrive at the reflecting pool, Lotus will bolt off to the east side of the menagerie. Give chase and try to catch up. You’ll bump into Conservator Vinelore upon arriving at the objective marker. Speak with her, then follow Talomar out. Speak with him as soon as he stops. Elise Mallon will show up again after speaking with Talomar. Talk with her once again, then with Talomar.
Once you defeat the Mammoth, inspect the dead ranger lying on the ground behind where the Mammoth was standing. The ranger has a key on him that you can use to access the conservatory. With the key in hand, head south to reach the conservatory entrance.
Search the Conservatory
Speak with Elise to get more info about the conservatory; then head to the third floor and inspect each of the marked items in the room. Talk to Elise, then head back downstairs and into the Sil-Var-Woad paddocks. Speak with Conservator Vinelore before talking to Elise again.
Defeat Conservator Vinelore
Exit the paddock gate and head east until you reach a set of stairs. Go upstairs to find Vinelore. You’ll need to defeat her and Specimen II to complete the quest.
Vinelore is more of a nuisance than a real threat, which is why you should take her out first. Most of her attacks are ranged, allowing her to chip your health down while you punch it out with Specimen II. Her attack patterns are the basic attacks you encounter when fighting most bow-wielding enemies, so nothing you likely haven’t seen a dozen times already. Just watch out for her multi-arrow shot, which hits everything in a cone in front of her. You’ll also want to take care not to step on the traps she throws on the ground. They have a nice, bright light beacon jetting out of them, so they’re hard to miss, but if you step in one you’ll be rooted temporarily.
Free Lotus
Once you defeat the pair, open the gate on the right side of the pen behind Vinelore. Use the portal Lotus opens to get back to Talomar and Elise. Talomer will ask for your opinion on how to proceed with the Royal Menagerie. Neither answer will affect the outcome of the quest, so choose whichever one you agree with most.
You’ll receive a Ritemaster’s Gifted Axe as a reward for completing the quest.