Borlis Pass (mission)

Objectives
Negotiate passage to Grooble's Gulch and shelter for the Ascalon refugees.
 * Ignite all the Storm Beacons to light the way through the storm.
 * Find out what happened to Prince Rurik's negotiations with Dwarf King Jalis Ironhammer.
 * ADDED Break through the locked gate into Maladar's Fort.
 * ADDED Bring an end to the siege of Krok's Hollow. Destroy the ballistae and the forces outside the gates.
 * BONUS Kill the Ice Drake.
 * ADDED Light the magical signal beacon.

Primary
First off, you want to talk to Ascalon Guard Hayden who is holding the Torch. He will pass the torch to you and you'll have to carry it throughout the first part of the mission. You need to light the Storm Beacons until you come to Ascalon Guard Tolis (A on the map). You shouldn't have too much trouble against the centaur patrols.

When you reach the second guard and give him the torch, he'll open the gate and you'll receive a new objective, which tells you to unlock the fortress door, which when complete will add: stop the siege by destroying the ballistae. Simply follow the path. Grab a Powder Keg from the nearby Dwarven Powder Keg Station and blow the gate open when you reach it (B on the map). Here you'll meet your first two ballistae, which are guarded by a boss (point C on the map). After defeating the mob, run to the left and hit the lever to access the next area. (To activate the bonus, run further left and use a keg to blow open the doors where Rornak Stonesledge is imprisoned.)

Note: If you drop a Powder Keg at any time, it will explode and you will have to get another one. The explosion does not harm you, your allies or enemies. Tip: Try and clear all the monsters first, then use the Powder Kegs.

The next part is straightforward. Fight your way through the enemies to break the siege. Destroy the two ballistae as well (D on the map). You'll meet up with Rurik and go through a short movie, where King Jalis Ironhammer will give you an Enchanted Torch. Run across the bridge and turn left and you'll eventually get to three storm beacons guarded by Summit Beastmasters (E on the map). Light these three beacons to complete the primary objective.

Bonus
To get the bonus, free and speak to Rornak Stonesledge, the Dwarf at point 1 on the map. He will ask you to slay the Ice Drake.

The Ice Drake is Whiskar Featherstorm. His cave is made accessible using the dwarven Powder Kegs. Bring a keg and set it up against the planks of wood that are directly behind and to the left of Rornak (Rornak's left, that is). Once this barricade is destroyed, there is nothing to hold the snow blocking the pass, and it will slide down the hill and out of your way. If it does not melt away, bring more kegs and place them.

There are only Frostfire Dryders on the way to the Ice Drake, and the beast itself is not too taxing (2 on the map). The dryders can place a strain on healers if not tackled effectively, as they cause collective group health degeneration with the Suffering spell.


 * NOTE: You cannot get to the bonus without lighting the "storm beacons" first.  So be sure to grab the torch when you start. Also, you can't get the bonus without killing the Frostfire Dryders surrounding Whiskar Featherstorm, which means you can't lay all attention to him.

Hard mode
The Dolyak Riders' healing abilities can pose a problem, especially when there are two of them. No group will have more than one Dolyak, but there may be two groups close together, so careful pulling should result in you fighting only one Dolyak at a time. Taking them out is a lot easier if you can interrupt their spells. Lingering Curse and Scourge Healing can also help reduce their effectiveness.

NPCs

 * Dwarf
 * 10 (20) Dwarven Soldier
 * 24 Brechnar Ironhammer (cutscene only)
 * 24 (24) King Jalis Ironhammer
 * 10 Dwarven Scout
 * 10 Rornak Stonesledge
 * Human
 * 7 Ascalon Guard Hayden
 * 7 Ascalon Guard Tolis
 * 10 (20) Prince Rurik
 * Animal
 * 5 Snow Wolf

Monsters

 * Centaur
 * 8 (23) Shiverpeak Warrior
 * 8 (23) Shiverpeak Longbow
 * 8 (23) Shiverpeak Protector
 * Dryder
 * 10 (24) Frostfire Dryder
 * Dwarf
 * 9, 10 (23,24) Stone Summit Engineer
 * 9 (23) Summit Axe Wielder
 * 10 (24) Stone Summit Crusher
 * 13 (24) Summit Beastmaster
 * 9 (23) Stone Summit Scout
 * 11 (24) Dolyak Rider
 * 10 (24) Stone Summit Howler
 * 10 (24) Stone Summit Sage
 * Golem
 * 10 (24) Ice Golem

Bosses - skill captures

 * Centaur
 * 11 Yino Burlyhaunch
 * 11 Rubi Spottedmane
 * 11 Jolo Lighthaunch
 * 11 Geno Darkheart
 * 11 Ullo Specterhaunch
 * 11 Moro Stormcalf
 * Drake
 * 14 (28) Whiskar Featherstorm - Glyph of Concentration (unavailable before Camp Rankor)
 * Stone Summit
 * 12 (27) Toris Stonehammer
 * 12 (27) Ulhar Stonehound
 * 12 Riine Windrot
 * 12 (27) Saris Headstaver
 * 13 (27) Priest of Dagnar

Dialogues
Briefing from Beccum Reedly.

Inside the mission
Ascalon Guard Hayden: ''This storm is pretty bad. A group could get lost real easy up in the Shiverpeaks. Better light the storm beacons, or we'll never get through. Take this. You'll need it to ignite the beacons.''

Ascalon Guard Tolis: ''You've lit all the storm beacons. Leave me the torch, and I'll keep them burning. Prince Rurik left me behind three days ago to warn any newcomers. The Dwarves are in the middle of a civil war. The Stone Summit don't take kindly to humans in their mountains. If you're gonna go after Rurik, you'll need to find a way through that Dwarven door over there. If I was you, I'd look for some mining equipment. Maybe the Dwarves got some powder kegs lying around.''

Bonus objective:

Rornak Stonesledge: ''Ye've freed me of me bonds, and I am grateful te ye. Damn Stone Summit caught me sneakin' round Maladar's fort, tryin' to spy on their plans. They've got an ice drake they're plannin' to unleash on Grooble's Gulch. I've smelled its foul stench when the winds blows this way. If ye find it, and kill it, I'd be much obliged.''

Finishing the bonus:

Rornak Stonesledge: ''Talk to King Jalis Ironhammer. He will help you garner safe passage into the Gulch. I will see you there.''

Intermediate cutscene
Prince Rurik: ''Ah, my good and excellent friends. I got pinned down here in Krok's Hollow when the Stone Summit attacked.''



Prince Rurik: ''I owe you many thanks. I would raise a pint of Dwarven Ale in you honor, but there is still much work to do.''



Prince Rurik: ''Agreed. But now I must go back and lead our people to Grooble's Gulch. You go on ahead and clear the way. Secure us shelter for the night, and then we'll see about that ale.''



Prince Rurik: ''Talk to King Ironhammer. He'll help you garner safe passage into the Gulch. I will see you there.''

Jalis Ironhammer: The Good Dwarves of Deldrimor thank you for your help.



Jalis Ironhammer: ''Then the Deldrimor Dwarves will honor them as well. Your prince's request for passage through the mountains has been granted. Take this enchanted torch and light the beacon outside Grooble's Gulch. My brother, Brechnar Ironhammer, will open the gate for you once he sees the arcane flame. Your people will be safe in the Gulch for the night.''



Jalis Ironhammer: ''Anything for our friends. Now, waste no more time here. Night will be upon you, and your people will freeze in the cold without shelter. Follow me to the gate.''

Ending cutscene
Prince Rurik: ''The beacon! It's lit! The way must be clear. Now is our chance. We make for Grooble's Gulch!''

Deldrimor Scout: ''The fighting has stopped. They must have had too much ale tonight.''

Brechnar Ironhammer: ''No. That was no brawl. I could swear I heard the shouts of men.''

Deldrimor Scout: What would men be doing on Shiverpeak?

Brechnar Ironhammer: I do not know...these are strange days.

Deldrimor Captain: Sir, the beacon has been lit!

Brechnar Ironhammer: ''Impossible. The Stone Summit would never abandon their posts.''

Deldrimor Captain: ''The flames burn brightly, sir! And there's more. A band of men are marching for the Gulch. They're approaching the gate.''

Deldrimor Scout: So it was men who lit the beacon.

Brechnar Ironhammer: ''Whoever it was, they had to get through Dagnar's men to do it. Any enemy of the Stone Summit is a friend of Deldrimor. Open the gate! Captain prepare quarters.''

Brechnar Ironhammer: I am Brechnar Ironhammer, Lord of Grooble's Gulch.

Prince Rurik: ''I am Rurik of Ascalon. Your brother, the king, speaks highly of your hospitality.''

Brechnar Ironhammer: ''My brother tells the truth. What brings you here?''

Prince Rurik: ''I am leading these refugees over the Shiverpeaks. We wish to cross Borlis Pass into the human Kingdom of Kryta.''

Brechnar Ironhammer: ''Well then, Rurik of Ascalon, welcome to Grooble's Gulch. You are free to stay with us as long as you will.''

Prince Rurik: ''Thank you, mountain friend. Rin is forever in your debt.''

Follow-up

 * Upon completion of the mission players will find themselves in: The Frost Gate.
 * To continue the storyline, talk to Larthan Irontongue and he will brief you on the next mission.