Quest: Web of Intrigue

Overview

Web of Intrigue is a special investigation questline in Forsaken World. Rather than mindlessly grinding mobs, you play detective: an elven envoy has been ambushed, the elder's daughter Leliana has vanished, and a war between elves and orcs is about to ignite over a kidnapping that may never have happened. Your job is to follow the clues across Emerald Lake, Blood Skull and the Abandoned Crypt, uncover who is really pulling the strings, and stop the bloodshed before it starts.

This is one of the game's "special" quests, which means it plays very differently from ordinary tasks — and that is exactly what makes it memorable.

Introduction

In special quests there is no automatic tracking of monsters, minerals or NPC locations, so you have to read the dialogue and the task descriptions carefully. They are built as a chain of interconnected steps: if you fail at any stage, you start over. That makes them a real challenge for newcomers — this guide walks you through every step so you don't have to.

[Special] Web of Intrigue

The quest begins with Iliante the Divine at Emerald Lake.

• The situation: The elves of Emerald Lake sent envoys to Blood Skull, led by Leliana. On the way to the orc camp the convoy was ambushed and Leliana — daughter of Elder Naylen — was kidnapped. Naylen is ready to declare war on the orcs, but something doesn't add up: after elves and orcs settled the matter of the Crypt of Ancestors, the orcs had no reason to provoke a new conflict. The fate of the elven people now rests on Naylen's decision, so before war breaks out you must find Leliana and learn the truth.

• First lead: Only Annie, Leliana's maid, survived the ambush. She insists it was orcs. Your task is to find Annie and convince her to tell you what really happened.

• Reward: Experience and numi.

Inquiry

Annie wouldn't open up to Iliante the Divine — perhaps the Lion Hearts aren't an authority to her. You'll need to be persistent. You'll find Annie southwest of Emerald Lake (open the map and head left from the Emerald Lake mnemonolith).

Quest tip — the social skill: To get Annie to talk you use the Persuade social skill at roughly level 2–3. Cast it on yourself standing in front of her until you gain the Persuasive+1 buff — only Persuasive+1 counts here. With the skill at level 2 the buff is a chance, so you may need a few attempts; at level 3 you become Persuasive+1 on the first cast. If persuasion isn't working, the Intimidate approach (the Intimidating+1 buff) is the alternative way to loosen her tongue.

Annie admits she distrusts the young holy elf and believes only Elder Naylen should lead Emerald Lake — that's why she stayed silent. She then tells her story:

Leliana had never left elven lands. When she heard the war with the orcs was over and our envoys were going to the orc lands, she insisted on joining them. We were north of the orc camp when orcs suddenly attacked, kidnapped Leliana and killed her guards. I leapt from the cliff into the river and swam to the lake. — Annie

On-Site Investigation

Annie can only give you the location of the ambush. To find new leads, travel north of Blood Skull and examine the scene.

Quest tip: Keep at least one free backpack slot for this step.

Near the ruins north of Blood Skull you'll see the glowing body of an elf guard. Study the remains: this was one of the envoys, and he was killed by very powerful magic.

Orc Magic

Next, speak to Kuman near the Blood Skull mnemonolith to learn about black magic.

The orc elders remember the aura of black magic well. Mower relied on it when he returned to the Dream Thicket to seize leadership, and a fratricidal war followed. His magic was strong and repulsively vile. — Kuman

From Kuman you learn the Blood Skull orcs are not behind the kidnapping — none of them wield black magic. But there was a shaman, Talman, who was exiled for studying its secrets. He now lives in the eastern part of the Abandoned Crypt.

The Outcast Orc

Head to the eastern Abandoned Crypt to find the shaman Talman. He refuses to talk — and summons a monster to attack you.

Quest tip: You must kill the summoned skeleton quickly. If it despawns before you finish it, the step fails and you'll have to cancel and restart the quest, so be ready to burst it down.

Leliana

With the skeleton dead, Leliana appears beside Talman. The truth comes out: the convoy was attacked by bandits disguised as orcs using illusion magic — fallen elves of the Legion of Storms and assassins of the Dark Moon clan. Leliana was near death, and it was Talman who saved her.

My father must be preparing to declare war on the orcs. Please go to Emerald Lake and tell him what really happened — I'm still too weak to travel. — Leliana

The Whole Truth

Return to Elder Naylen near the Emerald Lake mnemonolith and tell him the truth about his daughter. Warn him of the Legion of Storms' plot and stop the war before it begins.

Reporting the full story to Naylen rewards you with experience and numi — and the satisfaction of having kept the peace.

Tips

• Bring the Persuade social skill at level 2 or more before you start; level 3 makes the Annie step painless.
• Keep a free backpack slot for the investigation step north of Blood Skull.
• Be ready for a fast kill at Talman's — burst cooldowns up before you talk to him.
• Read each task description in full: special quests don't track targets for you.

FAQ

Q: Where does it start? A: At Emerald Lake, from the NPC Iliante the Divine.

Q: What do I need to bring? A: The Persuade social skill (level 2–3) for the Annie step, and at least one free backpack slot for the investigation.

Q: What are the rewards? A: Experience and numi, plus a genuinely story-driven questline that ties the elf and orc storylines together.

See Also

• Main Questline: Grand City
• Main site: Class guides