The Healer's Heart

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The Healer's Heart is found within the Mistress' Chest (Lady Adja's) at the top of Ithaenc Cathedral in the Vesayen Isles. The chest is opened by an Ancient Key, previously carried by the spymaster Asmolum the Worm. He was slain, along with Anadil of Shakrassekor--leader of the Dericost forces in the campaign against the Hopeslayer, during the Should the Stars Fall event.

Now the Ancient Key is found deep within the Cathedral Ruins, carried by a Putrid Moarsman. In addition to the Healer's Heart, you will also get a Scroll of Sanctuary Recall from the chest!

You should consider having a minimum of 4 players level 50+ to complete this quest. For best results, have 4-5 melees, and 2-3 archers plus 2-3 mages. You will also need a lockpicker with 220+ skill. Mages should beware of the dispel traps in the dungeon. Hazards for the melees and archers include stamina drain traps. You'll encounter high level Sclavus (up to Chomu), Wisps (including Cursed, Nightmare and Affliction) and Putrid Moarsmen.

Previously, getting to the Cathedral (located at 82.4S, 93.4E) could be tricky. Unless you had researched the Recall the Sanctuary spell (it may no longer be researched as of the Castling patch), you would need to run through the Vesayen Isles. The closest tie-able portal was at 75.0S, 97.5E. Now, however, it's easy; Wedding Planners sell invitations, which when used, cast a portal to Ithaenc Cathedral! When you arrive, you'll see the portal to the Ruins at the very top of the Cathedral.

To reach it, head up the stairs and turn left. Jump through the window to the upper level. To enter the portal, you'll need to shift-jump (hold down the shift key while jumping). The portal may not be tied or summoned and there are no level restrictions.

Map: Catacombs of Ithaenc

Buff before entering, especially against acid, frost, fire and slashing. Level IV+ protections recommended. Frost is the preferred attack against Sclavus and Moarsmen, and use Slash and Pierce against the Wips.

Head down the ramp. You'll be fighting Faisi, Ulu and Chomu Sclavus, plus a few Moarsmen. The next level contains two locked doors, to the north and south. They will need to be opened by levers below. Pass them and keep heading down. Stay to the right and hug the wall to avoid the stamina and mana traps. Lower down you'll come to the Vault Door (resistance 500), guarded by two Faisi Sclavus. Again, pass by this door and continue down. On the next level you'll find a locked door (resistance 322) guarded by an Affliction Wisp. Pick the lock and you'll enter a room with a lever and a few Putrid Moarsmen. A metal grate wall keeps more Putrids at bay.

Buff again and prepare yourselves! You'll need to move fast once you pull the lever which opens the south door on the first main level.

Pull the lever, then run back up and through the south door. Head down until you reach a large open room with a structure in the middle. Find the two levers. One re-opens the south door you just came through; the 2nd opens the north door back at the main level. When you have located the levers, coordinate your pull and run back up to the main level and go through the now opened north door.

(You can also choose to designate a level puller for the first lever. Have one person stay behind in the grate room and wait until the group is ready to enter the southern door before pulling. The lever puller then rejoins the group at the north door.)

Once again head down, killing everything in your path. Pick the locked door (resistance 322) to proceed. Bear left and you'll eventually come to a ledge. Jump into the pit and kill the Affliction Wisp below. Watch out for the Stamina trap!

Continue down until you reach the final room containing 4 Putrid Moarsmen and 3 Affliction Wisps. The Ancient Key (no-drop, no-give) is found on a Putrid Moarsman. Kill the Wisps first to keep the mages from freaking out. ;-)

Once everyone has a key, take the exit portal and head back upstairs in the Cathedral. Use the Ancient Key on the Mistress' Chest to receive your Healer's Heart and Scroll of Sanctuary Recall. The chest also contains some SIK (Sturdy Iron Key) level loot, a Tear-Stained Parchment and a Damp Scroll. (Previously, Asmolum the Worm dropped the Damp Scroll.)

There have been numerous reports that the chest is buggy and doesn't always re-spawn right away. When it relocks, wait an extra 5 minutes or so before the next pull.

Take the Damp Scroll and Tear-Stained Parchment to the Bretself in Cragstone for translation.

You give Bretself the Translator Damp Scroll.
Bretself the Translator tells you, "Hrm... I could be wrong, but... this seems to imply that the Lady of Ithaenc foresaw the arrival of Isparians, over two thousand years ago."
Bretself the Translator gives you Brief Letter. 

Text: Brief Letter

You give Bretself the Translator Tear-Stained Parchment.
Bretself the Translator tells you, "Sweet..." 
Bretself the Translator tells you, "Mothers..." 
Bretself the Translator hands back a translation with no further word, looking stunned. 
Bretself the Translator gives you Translated Letter.

Text: Translated Letter

Note: During A New Threat the timer on the Sanctuary Recall scroll was changed from 1 time only to 30 days.

Thanks to my brave companions: Doogens Mage, Dacia, Axident, Feyn, Bennett, Sanouske, Mage yew eh, and Orthin. Special  thanks to Nuken of LC and Dianna Ross of TD for details on this quest.