The Cave of Dreams

A Motley Crew

You end your conversation with Madman Lugos by agreeing to help his lad, Blueboy Lugos, who has ventured to the Cave of Dreams on the south side of the island. You have little choice but to help. Leave the keep, and make a lengthy descent down the winding pathway, all the way down to the harbor of Holmstein’s Port. Approach the wharf and secure the small boat, and set sail. You may swim instead, if you wish. Or, you can cross the hazardous hills along the coast by land.

Or, you can simply start this quest by stumbling upon Blueboy and his crew, while you’re out adventuring along the southern tip of Ard Skellig.

Journey to the objective marker further eastwards from the village, where Blueboy’s longship is moored, and a band of warriors is burning water at camp. Approach the camp, and speak to one of the guards, an easily-flummoxed head of meat called Jorulf. You can:

• Use wit or force to request a chat with Blueboy.
• (Axii Delusion Level 2) Tell the idiot guard that Blueboy is expecting you.

After some jesting about Jorulf’s dad, Blueboy lets you onto his boat. Speak to him, answering how you wish, and he agrees to let you accompany the crew into the Cave of Dreams. Prepare and meditate if you wish, then agree to begin the exploration.

The Stuff of Nightmares

Blueboy introduces his two hardy companions, including the ironically-named mute Uve Jabberjaw, describes the cave as a place where your fears are realized, and you set off into an entrance tunnel. You are waylaid by four nekkers—cut them down.

Blueboy spies a totem, and you wolf down some herbs to bring on the nightmarish hallucinations. This has some interesting effects on Uve.

Trek down either of the gigantic tunnels as a ghostly whale swims in the air above you. Ahead is a totem, and a set of pillars and dining tables, with a group of Clan Tuirseach warriors. Looking up at a balcony, Blueboy is taken aback as the long-dead King Bran looks down on him. You are about to make merry with the clan, when Uve Jabberjaw finds his voice, insults the king, and forces you into combat with all six Tuirseach warriors! They are immune to Igni and Yrden, but are otherwise the same as facing humans in combat. Fight them with your silver sword.

After Uve’s nightmare, continue deeper into the cave, passing numerous flying fish that your compadres comment on, where Jorulf recognizes the remains of a longship close to the next totem. It is the one that he dashed into the rocks the night his father died. Sirens sing the song of guilt, and should be stopped and slain immediately.

After Jorulf’s nightmare, you may face water hags in the silty and elongated tunnels. Continue to push onwards the next totem, where a vision of Madman Lugos appears to Blueboy. It seems Blueboy fears his father, and the specter of Madman Lugos challenges you all to combat. Slay him.

After Blueboy’s nightmare, continue north up the sloping tunnel, before dropping down to the next totem. A vision of belting sleet, and two baying hounds of the Wild Hunt, from which strides Eredin—the leader of the hunt you seek to kill. You have that chance now, though this is a simple spectral form. Ignore the hounds and slay Eredin’s image.

End: Blueboy’s Buddy

You wake up at the entrance totem. Your nightmare is over. Blueboy now has no fear of his father, and was honored to fight by your side. A reward is offered (if you asked for money while being in debt to “Madman” Lugos, Blueboy insults your honor, but still pays you), and the quest concludes. Leave the cave the way you came in.