March of the Dead

Spawn on the Farm

The first time you leave Raven Rock through the southeastern gate under the Bulwark, be on the lookout for a group of lumpy, grotesque, human-sized monsters attacking a Dark Elf soldier outside of an abandoned farmhouse (Old Attius Farm). As you close, you’ll discover Captain Veleth is valiantly defending himself against a trio of these misshapen Ash Spawn. The quest automatically starts now.

Charge in or attack from range, keep your strikes focused on the Ash Spawn, and try to avoid hitting Captain Veleth. Once all the foes lie in piles at your feet, head on over for a chat with the veteran guard. He laments his dead colleague and knows these Ash Spawn need to be stopped. You can:

• Tell him you’d be glad to lend him a hand.
• Tell him you’d be glad to accept payment for lending him a hand.
• Or ignore him and the quest stalls. Either of the previous conversations allows you to progress.

Veleth tells you to look around and see if you can spot anything useful in the vicinity of the farm. The objective updates, and you can quiz Veleth further regarding these foul creatures.

One of the Ash Spawn that you or Veleth reduced to a pile of sand-colored ash is carrying something of interest: a Declaration of War! This couldn’t have been written by these golems. Read the letter, which demands the unconditional surrender of Raven Rock! The writer is General Falx Carius, an Imperial who may have lost his mind. Veleth only confuses matters when you show him the letter; Carius was the garrison commander at Fort Frostmoth, but he died over 200 years ago during the eruption of Red Mountain.

• Declaration of War

Ask Veleth for further instructions, and he recommends you visit the fortress to see if Falx Carius is really dead, while Veleth returns to Raven Rock to prepare his men for more assaults.

Fortress of the Mad General

Climb up the sandy promontory heading roughly east. You soon reach the perimeter of the fortress, now in a terrible state of disrepair. However, this hasn’t fazed the current occupant, as you can hear General Falx Carius yell that an intruder has entered the fort, alerting the Ash Spawn guarding the battlements. Your fight into the fortress begins now!

Scrambling over the broken corner section in the fort’s northwestern part is a good way to enter the area, as you have a height advantage and an easy way to escape. Use this route if you’re focusing on long-range magic or arrow attacks.

Heading up the hill from the south isn’t wise, as there are Ash Spawn with swords and ranged fireballs across the crenellations forcing you to hide or battle and shrug off numerous attacks.

Sneaking around to the lone southeast tower and slaying the Ash Spawn there is a possible plan. Then maneuver up onto the southern battlements or into the main ash-filled central area.

Deal with the Ash Spawn outside so they don’t rush in behind you as you enter the fortress. There is a single access point—the door near the tattered banner along the western wall. Expect to fight around five or six Ash Spawn before you reach it.

The initial passageway heads north-south with three Ash Spawn to battle as you head east to join the passage. Remove all the threats, optionally checking the side chamber and ladder up to an exterior tower before turning and moving down the steps along the north tunnel.

Another two tough Ash Spawn appear in this lower training area. To the east is a sealed wooden door requiring a key, so locate the opening in the north wall and head down into the main crypt area. Expect another two Ash Spawn to waylay you before your exploration takes you west to a central tomb surrounded by coffin ledges. Atop and at the foot of the coffin are two items of great interest: Ildari’s Journal (which details a sorcerer’s ill-fated attempts to resurrect and control Falx) and a knapsack containing the Fort Frostmoth Key.

• Ildari’s Journal
• Fort Frostmoth Key

Reduced to Ash

This key allows you to open the wooden door upstairs that you couldn’t breach a moment ago. Ascend the steps heading east into an ash-filled hall where the resurrected but uncontrollable remains of General Falx Carius are waiting for you. Armed with a crushing Champion’s Cudgel, Carius attacks immediately, prompting you into a fight with him and the four or five Ash Spawn that soon arrive to hamper your progress.

• Fort Frostmoth Key
• Champion’s Cudgel

Quest Conclusion

With Carius dead (again), search his remains, loot the large treasure chest, and grab any other items you wish before leaving via the door in the south wall (unlocked using either of the Fort Frostmoth keys) and returning to Raven Rock. Captain Veleth is usually patrolling the battlements or central market area. Let him know you’ve dispatched General Carius, and he expresses regret, as the general helped found Raven Rock...before he was raised from the dead and went mad, obviously. Veleth mentions Councilor Morvayn has offered a gold reward for your help, and the quest concludes.

• Gold [leveled]

Postquest Activities

Captain Veleth has a Favor to offer now that you’ve finished this quest, as do many of Raven Rock’s inhabitants.