Retrieving Rhulana and Forgrimm from his new house, Martin heads to the Temple of Hesinde.
In front of the Temple are now some familiar faces.
Salina! I'm pleased to see you again. I hope you had a pleasant journey.
As pleasant as anything can be in Hamlok's presence.
I have to try out my latest jokes on someone!
I heard of the murder of your friend. My condolences, Martin Schulz.
Thank you. Things have been very busy ever since I set foot in Ferdok.
Yes, it has been similar for me. Did you hear about Dranor's arrest?
Now that you mention it, yes I did! We parted ways at the city gates. He wanted to take a different route into the city, but got arrested for some past knavery.
Dranor this, Dranor that... I'm sick of hearing his name! He got what he deserved!
I know the story only too well, he told me about it a thousand times. He is innocent! But the town guard won't believe that without proof. We have to help him, Martin Schulz. It wouldn't hurt him to spend some time thinking about his actions, but I can't let him rot in that dungeon!
Let him rot, eh? Hmm... that sounds like just the right thing for him!
Hamlok!
You're right, Salina, we should help Dranor! Do you have a plan?
I managed to listen round a bit before the celebration preparations began. With a bit of sweet-talking, I managed to discover that there is a secret passage between the old cellar of the Ferdok brewery and the dungeon of the town guard...
A secret passage? Between the brewery and the town guard?! That's nonsense!
Well, yes. It was created a few centuries ago by Watch Captain Baron Stoutberg. Apparently he used the tunnel to smuggle large quantities of beer out of Ferdok. Heh! Until he was discovered and the entrance was bricked up.
An epic tale indeed. But even if it's true, how will we get through if the entrance is bricked up?
Patience, patience! You obviously haven't heard the rumors about the old brewery cellars. Apparently they have a plague of giant wolf rats. Those monsters keep burrowing through the walls to get at that tasty pale ale. They say the rats come through an underground cave system that permeates the ground beneath Ferdok. At least part of the secret passage should lead through those caves.
So we could get to the secret passage through the rats' tunnels. But the place will be crawling with those monsters. As I am neither as brave nor as strong as you, I cannot venture in there myself. But you have already proven yourself more than equal to such a task.
Hmm... so I need to get into the brewery and find an excuse to get into the old cellars.
You could talk to the brewery caretaker and offer to deal with his rat problem. I'm sure he'll be interested in your proposal. They say they still haven't found anyone to deal with them.
Very well, I’ll see what I can do.
Meanwhile Gladys takes the time to steal Hamlok’s brooch… which was actually on Salina.
The brewery caretaker in the harbor is called… Moddlemush.
Hmm ... strange. You look exactly like my caretaker Muddlemosh!
Muddlemosh?! He's my brother! Pleased to meet you, my name is Moddlemush! Not only are we in the same line of work, we are both founding members of the Guild of Caretakers! So how can I help you?
I actually thought I might be able to help you. Is it true that the brewery cellar has been infested with a plague of rats recently?
What?! Shhh! Not so loud... We don't want all of Ferdok to hear! How do you know that?! And, and ... and what do you want?
Let's just say it's a... well-known secret. But don't worry. Like I said, I'm here to help. Simply grant me access to your cellars and I shall deal with this plague without any fuss.
I... well, this is really very surprising! We've never been able to get anybody to deal with those awful rats. This is wonderful! But tell me. Do you really want to fight these rodents? They are really tough!
However, access to the brewery is rarely granted and is strictly controlled... I can only take you directly to the old cellar vaults, if you really wish it. Let me point out once more. The rats down there are really dangerous! You'd be the first to even dare to enter the cellar...
Yes, let's go down right now!
Good, good, good! As you wish!
Yet another Dwarf brother shows up and serves as guide.
For now Martin will only deal with the Dranor issue; the rats are for later.
Luckily it is not far to the secret prison entrance.
There are some guards to sneak by but it’s actually not possible to get caught.
Dranor is at the very end of the jail corridor.
Saving you?! What... what the hell do you look like?!
Save? Me?! You cannot really believe that I, Dranor, am incapable of escaping from here myself! And the guards gave me this stinking shirt to wear.
By yourself?! Take a look around. You are locked in a hole, deep beneath the earth, surrounded by massive walls of rock and thick steel bars!
You see only what your untrained eyes allow you to see. To you, I am a prisoner in a desperate predicament. But I am actually a free man who can go where he will!
Really?! And how exactly do you intend to do that? Even the lock to your cell door will be a problem.
Oh my! How can you insult me like that! I am a master of my craft! Watch this!
Apparently Dranor hid a lockpick in his butthole.
Quite simple. It's the principle of the thing...
... the principle?! I... I'm afraid I still don't understand!
I’m innocent!
I see, 'innocent'. That word sounds so strange when you say it.
You have to believe me! I told you at the city gates all about the case of mistaken identity! They accused me of stealing a rare Dwarven timekeeping device even though it was not me. Now I am wrongfully imprisoned in this dungeon!
... and what about that "I'll just climb over the wall" business? Do you think that helped your case?
Whether it did or not, I'm staying here until my innocence is proven. After all, I am a man of honor!
Dranor! You can't be serious! Do you have any idea what I had to go through to get here?!
I am serious! I won't set a foot outside that cell door! I have a hearing in one week. Then we'll be able to clear up this tragic misunderstanding and my double will sit in this cell while I stroll through the streets of Ferdok unmolested.
Are you really sure you can take another week of these conditions? Think about it. I won't come down again to get you out...
Ha! This is nothing! I can take the awful stink, the wet, mold-covered walls and the meals unfit for a dog. I will remain steadfast. I will...
Martin Schulz, you're right! I ... I can't take another day in this pit! You've got to prove my innocence! Please find the merchant who accuses me of the deed.
His name is 'Wulfric Harpel'. He has his own stall on the small square near the Temple of Peraine in the Ducal Citadel. Find him as quickly as possible and get to the bottom of this theft.
The merchant Dranor spoke of is not far from the Dwarf blacksmith.
I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in your wares.
No?! How can that be? Believe me, I only offer goods of extremely high quality.
As I said, I'm not interested in your wares. I'm here because of your statement to the town guard. The one about the theft of a valuable, Dwarven chronograph. You claimed that Dranor stole it?
Dranor? ... ah, you mean that rakish scoundrel of a thief! Of course it was him! First he flirted with my daughter to distract my attention and then he pilfered it from out of my pocket!
Are you sure it was Dranor? He says he's not guilty and it's all a matter of mistaken identity!
Rubbish! A rogue like that would say anything to save his skin!
Were there any witnesses to the theft?
Witnesses? Of course, there was... ermm...me, for example! My chronograph was stolen, wasn't it?!
But someone who saw the theft?
Oh yes, of course! My pretty daughter Viola was here too! She was working here at the stall.
What happened to the chronograph afterwards? Was it found?
Errm... the chronograph ... yes... what happened to it again? Let me think...
It... it must have been that scoundrel, I heard he was arrested recently. Finally, a little justice in this town!
So you didn't notice the loss of the chronograph immediately?
Notice... oh, ummm... what happened again... I think... I think I only noticed a few moments later, when I wanted to check the time. I realized immediately what had happened!
How can you be so sure that Dranor is guilty?
Dranor... ah, so... yes, sorry... where was I...
As I said, he was the only one nearby at the time. He was flirting with my daughter to annoy me and then picked the right moment to steal the chronograph!
Martin double checks Wulfric’s statements with his daughter.
Could I ask you something about the theft of your father's chronograph?
Oh ... yes, I remember it very well ... Father made a big fuss about his missing chronograph ...
Your father said you spoke to the thief before it happened.
Oh, yes ... he was very charming and good-looking ... with a nice soft voice... poetic words ...
Your father told me you witnessed the theft.
Well. Not really ... I didn't really see it.
The stolen chronograph was never found, was it?
Never found? I don't understand... A few weeks later, he gave the chronograph to a relative as a gift. They must have found it on the thief.
Can you tell me about the events leading to the theft...
Well. I didn't really see anything ... I just saw my father getting upset about his stolen chronograph.
Your father said there were no other people at this stall at the time of the theft. Is that true?
Well, I remember that day a bit differently than my father... it was a very busy day with lots of customers. We really had a lot to do.
Erm... now I'm a bit confused. Your version and your father's version couldn't be more different!
How can that be? Father, what did you say happened?!
What... err... ? What do you mean, Viola? What did I say, about what?!
About the theft of your chronograph?
Oh, I see! Ah yes, just... what happened... ermm ...
Dranor!
Exactly, Dranor flirted with you to distract me and then he stole my chronograph! I noticed a few minutes later... He absconded with my golden timekeeper, that's right! Now, it seems, he's behind bars ... but I still don't have my chronograph.
What are you talking about?! He wasn't called Dranor, he was called Randor! And you got the chronograph back a few weeks later. You gave it to Uncle Roland, remember?
Hmm ... of course ... I gave it later to my brother Roland ... but wasn't he called Dranor? Let me think...
Father, is it possible you left the chronograph at home and didn't even have it on you that day?
Well my dear, now you mention it... yes, I think that might be true... I... I... don't remember so well.
But you didn't drop your charge against Dranor with the town guard when you found your chronograph again?!
Ermm... I must have... err... forgotten in all the chaos.
Father! An innocent man is behind bars because of you!
Yes... oh... no... I... wait! I'll write you a quick letter to clear it all up! There... done. Now for my seal. Please give this to the town guard. That should get your friend released!
This is unbelievable! Give me that letter... you should be more careful the next time you accuse someone!
By the way Ferdok has an entire Dwarf Quarter of its own bordering the Ducal citadel… but there’s no way to get in there. The gate remains locked the entire game.
So Martin can now have Dranor released… not sure the idiot is worth all this trouble.
I am here because of Dranor. He has been wrongfully arrested. I have a letter here from the merchant, Wulfric Harpel, explaining the misunderstanding!
Dranor, innocent?! Hm. Let me see... hmm, aha... right ... I see. ... Excuse me? ... What?!
How could that pompous fop of a merchant do something like this?! Unbelievable! Accuse someone just because they have a similar name! All because the fine gentleman misplaced his 'timekeeper'!
I remember all too well how furious he was when he cried to me about his 'precious Dwarven chronograph'. He even threatened to take the matter to the Count if I didn't do something! Imagine that?! That arrogant fool. He'd better not come to me with tales like that again! I...
Err... sorry for the interruption. But... what about Dranor? Can he go now?
What? Oh, sorry. I... things like this just make me so angry. Thrown into jail because of someone else's stupidity! Terrible! Reuben? Release Dranor and bring him here!
Dranor, thanks to Martin Schulz, you are now a free man. Your innocence in the matter has been demonstrated. You are free to go! Please forgive the mistake. It won't happen again.
Well, it wasn't entirely my doing. This thing probably wouldn't have been cleared up if it weren't for Salina.
Salina? She's in Ferdok?! And she's been working to free me? That... that's wonderful!
Of course, yes, you also owe her your gratitude for clearing the matter up. Please accept my apologies again for this misunderstanding. And please, don't try to climb the city walls again!
Fine. I never blamed you for this. That merchant is the one I blame. As far as climbing the city walls, I vow to mend my ways. But excuse me. Martin Schulz, we should go!
Dranor will now very likely spend the rest of the game at Ardo’s residence.
Wait for me at my Ferdok residence. It's directly opposite Praios Square, opposite the temple.
A residence?! By Phex! You already have a residence on Praios Square?! Unbelievable!
Well, the circumstances in which I obtained it are not exactly pleasant. Count Growin gave it to me for my help in solving the murders. It belonged to my friend and mentor, Ardo of Boarstock. He was also a victim of those murders.
Oh dear, I always put my foot in it. Phex forgive me. Well, in that case... you will find me there. Thank you again for your help. I won't forget it.
Returning to Salina, she’s no longer around for some reason.
I hope that good-for-nothing Dranor is still stewing in his cell.
I wouldn't count on it, if I were you! But I'm here for another reason. Can you tell me where Salina is?
She's traveling and has to take care of a few things before the celebrations begin.
Ah... and something else. Please tell Salina that Dranor is a free man once again.
What?! By all the cursed…
… er… but sure…
With that matter cleared up, Martin can now focus on the next part of the main quest: the Temple of Hesinde.
