Marguerite Dryden

Name: Marguerite Dryden

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Locations:

• Setting the Wards: The Patriarchs' Crypt, by the Master Ward when it is purified
• Endgame: Marguerite, bottom of the stairs

Description: Archbishop Dryden's daughter, possessed by the Beast of Bel Shalor to raise the undead that now infest the Catacombs. Pre-Update 45, Marguerite instead appeared as a wraith with an entirely different dialogue tree - that version can be found at Marguerite Dryden (historic).

Setting the Wards: The Patriarch's Crypt

Marguerite appears after the final ward is relit, with a shadowy version of the Beast of Bel Shalor behind her.

• Dungeon Master: (The girl appears to be in a fog, and her skin is a sickly grey. An ominous shadow towers behind her.)
• Marguerite Dryden: That... that made it better. I can think now. But I can still... feel him.
• Marguerite Dryden: He... he's behind me, isn't he?
  • You: I've been looking everywhere for you!
  • You: What's that thing behind you?
  • You: Now that's creepy.

Whatever you say at this point, Marguerite is possessed and turns into a much stronger version of the Beast of Bel Shalor. You're supposed to flee from this, and defeating it will not affect future quests in the chain.

Endgame: Marguerite

Again, a shadowy Beast of Bel Shalor stands behind her. However, this time she controls her emotions for long enough to speak with you.

When you speak to her, she will reply:

• Marguerite Dryden: You're still alive! I'm glad.
• Marguerite Dryden: Though I suppose you're here to ... kill me.
• Marguerite Dryden: That's what heroes do, right? Kill the monsters?
• You: Hold on a minute. First, tell me how this all happened.
  • Marguerite Dryden: Oh. I suppose it started back when I was training to take my vows as a Cleric. I started to hear whispers in the night, whenever I meditated.
  • Marguerite Dryden: "What do the voices say today?" my father used to joke. In those days we still spoke.
    • You: This is how you ended up in the Sanctuary?
  • Marguerite Dryden: Yes. At first my father hoped these whispers were Tirah herself speaking to me from the flame. Perhaps I was to be the next Keeper of the Flame! The highest honour one of my faith can hope for.
  • Marguerite Dryden: But I could never make out what the voice was saying. It was always so faint.
  • Marguerite Dryden: Father became frustrated. He suggested that I take a vow of silence and pray in the solitude of the Sanctuary for a year. "To completely devote myself and focus," he said.
  • Marguerite Dryden: That was four years ago.
    • You: What about this "Duality?" And the undead?
  • Marguerite Dryden: A month ago, I broke down. I demanded to be released from the Sanctuary. I wanted to give up. I was so lonely, so sad. They ... they told me he had said no. That I couldn't leave. They punished me for even speaking.
  • Marguerite Dryden: And he ... he never came. My father had not visited me even once.
  • Marguerite Dryden: I couldn't understand. I grew to hate father, to doubt my faith. And that's when the voice became clear.
    • You: Go on.
  • Marguerite Dryden: The voice spoke about shadow, the shadow cast by every light. It spoke of the Duality, of power, of things I'd rather not talk of.
  • Marguerite Dryden: I know now I lost my way. I used the power the voice gave me to break free, to kill.
  • Marguerite Dryden: And then I ran down to the Patriarchs' Crypt. My father used to take me here when I was little. I always felt good around the shrines of our ancestors.
  • Marguerite Dryden: It helped for a while. The whisper was fainter here. At least until Graylight came and lowered the wards.
    • You: Wait - Graylight was the one who lowered the wards?
  • Marguerite Dryden: Yes. While I was down here I saw Graylight pour blood over the wards. I almost spoke to him ... but when I saw what he was doing, I knew there was something wrong.
  • Marguerite Dryden: The whispers grew louder then. So loud! I almost lost myself, until you came and restored the wards.
    • You: And then you became that beast.
  • Marguerite Dryden: Yes. It takes control. I try to fight it, I swear! It's just ... so hard.
  • Marguerite Dryden: Oh stranger, why has the flame forsaken me? Why has my father left me? Why did Graylight lower the wards? I'm so confused...
  • Marguerite Dryden: I know that I should be killed for the things I've done. For what I am. But I just want to know why!
  • Marguerite Dryden: Tell me. What will you do?
  • You: Go to your uncle, Friar Renau. I'll get to the bottom of this.
    • Marguerite Dryden: Uncle Renau? He's here?
      • You: He's just outside the temple. He'll help you, I'm sure of it.
    • Marguerite Dryden: This gives me such hope! Renau is both kind and wise. He'll be able to help me, I'm sure of it. I will go at once.
    • Marguerite Dryden: But I must warn you. I can feel the shadow has ... other plans. The undead approach. You must clear the way up the stairs!
      • You: I've destroyed many undead already. Why not more?
  • You: I'm sorry. Your corruption is too great a threat. (Attack)
• You: Your father has ordered your destruction.
  • Marguerite Dryden: How could he? I gave up everything for him, for his ambition!
  • Dungeon Master: (An inhuman guttaral snarl escapes her mouth, and she looks shocked.)
  • Marguerite Dryden: Oh no! When I'm angry, it gets so hard for me to keep the beast at bay.
  • Marguerite Dryden: Maybe ... maybe you should end it. I don't think I can control this thing inside of me forever.
  • Marguerite Dryden: I won't blame you if you try. But I think the beast won't let it happen without a fight.
  • You: Hold on a minute. First, tell me what happened. (See above.)
  • You: I'm sorry. Your corruption is too great a threat. (Attack)

This conversation can end in two ways. Either Marguerite transforms into the Beast of Bel Shalor and attacks, or Marguerite leaves. Be aware, however, that the Beast is a tough opponent and you'll be fighting it again later when you confront Thaddeus Graylight, so Marguerite should probably be allowed to leave, especially if on a high difficulty.