Althea's Ashes

Overview
Summary
 * 1) Find the temple where Althea was killed and gather her ashes.
 * 2) Bring Althea's Ashes to Duke Barradin.

Obtained from
 * Duke Barradin in Piken Square.

Requirements
 * The Duke's Daughter

Reward
 * 2,000 XP

Dialogue
 * "I have been thinking about this story you told me of my daughter's ghost. I fear she cannot rest until her ashes are recovered and properly interred. Please go to the Flame Temple Corridor and gather Althea's ashes. Bring them back to me so I can lay her to rest. You'll have my gratitude."

Reward Dialogue
 * "Althea's ashes... You have put this father's heart at ease.  I thank you."

Walkthrough
Remember to bring the Barradin Family Urn.

First you need to get to Diessa Lowlands. The closest outpost to the Flame Temple Corridor is Grendich Courthouse. It can also be reached, if you have followed the storyline, from the Nolani Academy. You can also run through the Breach (starting from Piken Square) and get there as well. After getting to the Diessa Lowlands, you need to get to the Flame Temple Corridor. The exit is actually in the tar river, follow the green arrow.

Now at the Flame Temple Corridor, you need to get through the Charr hordes. Althea's Ashes are on the top of the temple. The easiest path is to turn right after fighting off the first group of Charr. You have help in the form of four Ascalon Strikers, but they fall rather easily in battle. While they live, follow them, as they lead you on the easiest path to the ziggurat. Rush left and kill all the Charr in your path. Head towards the temple, but be careful not to draw the attention of the other Charr on the sides. Slowly take them out group by group.

When you have cleared all the small groups around the high structure, you will be left with a large mob on top of it. You now must make a decision, whether to run or fight:


 * The easier one to try (though not as likely to succeed) is to run, especially if you have a ranger with a speed stance. Simply run into the mob and click on the Altar (hold "Alt" to see where it is). It's important not to hesitate and to be on the platform with the mob quickly. Otherwise, they will step up to meet the runner and will thus block his/her path.
 * If you want to fight, then clear the path to the Resurrection Shrine behind the tall structure first. There should be two groups of Charr Hunters there. An Elementalist with Fire Storm would be very useful in this battle.

After you clicked on the altar, the Barradin Family Urn will be changed to an Urn of Althea's Ashes (Quest Item) which looks exactly like a Pile of Glittering Dust.

Tip: This mission is rather difficult if one of your party has the Quest The Titan Source active!

Tip: It's not a bad idea to wait and do this quest solo at about level 15. Henchmen tend to attract too large a group of enemies at once (especially if you take any of the warriors).

Tip: It is possible to do the quest by purchasing the Ashes (usually sold at Piken's Square) if you put the ashes in your storage before taking the quest. If you have already accepted the quest, simply abandon it prior to purchase. Beware that buying the Ashes could make you the victim of a scam.

Tip: You can eliminate the groups on the high structure from the side with the elementalist nukers. It's also possible with ranged attacks. This will make walking onto the altar easier.

Trivia
The name of this quest may be a reference to the Pulitzer-prize winning autobiography "Angela's Ashes", written by Frank McCourt.