The Crypt of Gerard Dryden

The Crypt of Gerard Dryden is the 5th quest in The Catacombs story arcStory arcs are chains of quests that make up a story line. Completing everything in a story arc often yields a nice reward..
The Friar's Niece • To Find a Witness: Archbishop Dryden • Return to the Sanctuary • The Old Archives • The Crypt of Gerard Dryden • Setting the Wards: The Lower Cathedral • Setting the Wards: The Patriarchs' Crypt • Endgame: Marguerite • Endgame: The Archbishop's Fate

Seek the forbidden secrets of the Duality in Archbishop Dryden's family tomb.

Requires access to adventure pack
Definition: Adventure Pack
A list of all adventure packs
: The Catacombs

The Crypt of Gerard Dryden
Heroic level:	3
Epic level:	23
Duration:	Long
Heroic XP:	♣887Solo/Casual ♦1,604Normal ♥1,729Hard ♠1,854Elite
Epic XP:	♣9,963Solo/Casual ♦17,132Normal ♥17,659Hard ♠18,185Elite
Takes place in:	Dryden Family Tomb
Bestowed by:	Thaddeus Graylight
NPC contact:	Archbishop Dryden
Quest acquired in:	Catacombs
Patron:	The Silver Flame
Base favor:	4
Purchase:	The Catacombs or VIP
Extreme Challenge:	Yes

Loading screen

Overview

Enter the Dryden family tomb, find Gerard Dryden's sarcophagus, and search for the missing inscription.

Spoiler Warning: Spoiler material below this point!

Objectives

Enter the crypt of Gerard Dryden
Destroy Ghoul Pack
Investigate the sarcophagus of Gerard Dryden.
(Optional) Find the Dryden family treasure. — Bonus (25%): Heroic( ♣222 ♦401 ♥432 ♠464 ) Epic( ♣2,491 ♦4,283 ♥4,415 ♠4,546 )
(Optional) Report your findings to Bishop Graylight. — Bonus (5%): Heroic( ♣44 ♦80 ♥86 ♠93 ) Epic( ♣498 ♦857 ♥883 ♠909 )

What to Expect

Spawning/respawning monsters

Tips and Misc

Open Lock DC

The Open Lock DC of the locked door can be found in the above link.
Breakables must be broken by the adventurer for them to count toward ransack bonus. Breakables that break due to adventurer proximity do not count toward this total.
The flow of this quest is simple – fight your way counter-clockwise to four gates. The lever for each is in a room to the right (outer rooms). Finally – in the western passage – you reach a chest with a key which opens the doors to three inner rooms. These rooms contain a lever each that must be thrown to open the central area for the final fight.
A note
lies near the chest with the key.
This quest features an extreme amount of skeletons which can quickly wear out your weapons. Come prepared with fully repaired strong bludgeoning weapons. (Make sure to repair your gear after this quest before going on to the next chapters, if your weapon gets heavily damaged!)
The first gate, on the left at the very start, is sealed from the far side by a lever (only the lever is shown on map). This lever requires a DC 15 Strength check to open, which can be convenient but is not necessary to completing the quest.
The locked doors towards the inner crypts on the southern, northern, and western hallways can't be picked. The key is in a chest in the west wing, behind the gate as you first enter.
Most of the sarcophagi contain a skeleton of one form or another.
The jewel-named gates are near rooms; inside these rooms are the levers to open the gate as well as over a dozen sarcophagi. Often, several will burst open at once as you approach them, spawning skeleton ambushes. You can range them before approaching them to take them down one at a time as well as work towards your breakables bonus. You don't get breakables credit for sarcophagi that burst on their own.
There are also ambushes at most corners, as well as down the northern hallway, after the Amethyst Gate (the one near the shrine). The same rules apply regarding breakables.
There is only one shrine, inside the Topaz room. There are no sarcophagi or enemies there.
There are four sarcophagi on each corner of Gerard's tomb; the same ambush rules apply.
The 'family treasure' is the chest in the room behind the locked door on the eastern hallway (Emiliane Dryden's crypt). (Lock DC)
The final fight involves a gang of ghasts and ghouls. There is one red named ghast that is there as well that needs to be dispatched before finishing.
Inspecting the sarcophagus tells you:
- This tomb, like the others around it, has been smashed open.
- You find a jumbled mix of gnawed bones. It appears the Ghouls had gathered many of their trophies here, making it nearly impossible to tell if the original occupant is to be found amongst the bone pile.
- (Int) There are eight skulls – but nine tombs. Not conclusive, but it suggests a skull might be missing.
Inspection of the sarcophagus ends the quest.
(Optional) Once again, after the quest is done, Bishop Thaddeus Graylight will appear near the end chest. Anyone speaking to him gets a reward, and the first person to speak to him gets a +5% XP bonus for the group.
If you leave the quest without talking to Thaddeus Graylight you have to visit Archbishop Dryden to progress the story.

Historical Note: pre-Update 45, using the sarcophagus would trigger the Dungeon Master to say: Carved into the face of this tablet are two stylized images. On the left is a great, towering flame; on the right, a massive whirlpool. Between the two is an inscription...

Strength I take from the Silver Flame;
Hunger, too, in the Devourer's name.
Grant me control of the living and the dead.
Let the bones of the Faithful be my bread.

Bonus XP

Devious bonus: 29 or fewer monsters killed +7% Bonus.( ♣62 ♦112 ♥121 ♠130 )
Discreet bonus: 58 or fewer monsters killed +5% Bonus.( ♣44 ♦80 ♥86 ♠93 )
Aggression bonus: 34 or more monsters killed +10% Bonus.( ♣89 ♦160 ♥173 ♠185 )
Onslaught bonus: 67 or more monsters killed +15% Bonus.( ♣133 ♦241 ♥259 ♠278 )
Conquest bonus: 100 or more monsters killed +25% Bonus.( ♣222 ♦401 ♥432 ♠464 )
Mischief bonus: 138 or more breakables smashed +8% Bonus.( ♣71 ♦128 ♥138 ♠148 )
Vandal bonus: 179 or more breakables smashed +10% Bonus.( ♣89 ♦160 ♥173 ♠185 )
Ransack bonus: 220 or more breakables smashed +15% Bonus.( ♣133 ♦241 ♥259 ♠278 )

Notes: Getting the +15% Ransack bonus will require you to smash almost all sarcophagi from a distance with ranged attacks, otherwise skeletons will smash their way out and they won't count towards your total. The insidious cunning bonus is unobtainable due to the required kill of the ghasts and ghouls at the end.

External Links

Loot

Chests: 2
- 1 optional behind a locked door in the inner room on the eastern hallway (Lock DC)
- 1 at the end for killing Ravenous Ghast (previously Ghast of Gerard Dryden), with named items.
Collectables: 3
- Moss — in the room by the Amethyst Gate (north western room), near the lever
- Adventurer's Pack — just inside the southern inner crypt
- Moss — by the eastern entrance to Gerard's tomb

NPC end rewards

Randomly generated loot, ML correlates with effective quest level.

Named Chest Drop

Last Edited	Item	Type	Enhancements	ML	Bind	Quests
Update 48.2 3 years, 10 months, and 1 day BugTime	Battleworn Sword ^(edit)	Great Sword	+1 Enhancement Bonus+1 Enhancement Bonus: +1 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. Ghost TouchGhost Touch: An incorporeal creature's 50% chance to avoid damage does not apply to attacks with ghost touch weapons.	1	UnboundUnbound: This item is Unbound, and may take permanent damage.	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, old End Chest
Update 48.2 3 years, 10 months, and 1 day BugTime	Battleworn Helm ^(edit)	Helm	Concentration +3Concentration +3: Passive: +3 Competence bonus to the Concentration skill. Fortification +25%Fortification +25%: +25% Enhancement bonus to reduced chance of taking critical damage on a critical hit.	1	Bound to Character on EquipBound to Character on Equip: This item is Bound to Character on Equip	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, old End chest
Update 67.3.1 4 months and 7 days BugTime	Gerard's Mail ^(edit)	Chain Shirt	+1 Enhancement Bonus+1 Enhancement Bonus: +1 enhancement bonus to Armor Class. MithralMithral: Mithral armor is one type lighter then normal. Arcane Spell Failure decreased by 10%. Maximum dexterity bonus increased by 2. Armor check penalty reduced by 3. Blue Augment SlotBlue Augments Named: Category:Blue augments AC: Natural Armor Bonus (+1 to +14) or Protection (Deflection bonus) (+1 to +11) ASF reduction: -5% to -15% Fortification: +25% to +100% Good Luck: +1 or +2 Hit points: +4 to +54 Max Dex Bonus (Armor): +1 or +2 Defense (PRR and MRR): +3 to +36 Saves (Resistance bonus): +1 to +11 Dodge: +1% to +14% Tactics DCs (Stunning, Sunder, Trip): +2 to +16 Accuracy: +2 to +22 Positive/Negative/Repair Healing Amplification: +3 to +57 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	1	Bound to Character on EquipBound to Character on Equip: This item is Bound to Character on Equip	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, old End Chest
Update 48.2 3 years, 10 months, and 1 day BugTime	Gerard Dryden's Mace ^(edit)	Heavy Mace	+1 Enhancement Bonus+1 Enhancement Bonus: +1 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. Undead BaneUndead Bane: A bane weapon excels at attacking one type or subtype of creature. Against Undeads, this weapon's effective enhancement bonus is +2 better than its normal enhancement bonus. It deals an extra 2 to 12 points of damage against the foe.	2	Bound to Account on EquipBound to Account on Equip: This item is Bound to Account on Equip	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, Locked Room chest
Update 48.4.3 3 years, 6 months, and 30 days BugTime	Morningstar of the Heretic ^(edit)	Morningstar	+2 Enhancement Bonus+2 Enhancement Bonus: +2 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. BodyfeederBodyfeeder: Whenever a bodyfeeder weapon you wield scores a critical hit, you gain 15 temporary hit points that last for up to 1 minute. DoomDoom Caster level: 1 Charges: 3 (3/day) — 3 Charges (Recharged/Day:3) Red Augment SlotRed Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	2	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, End chest
Update 45.3.3 4 years, 5 months, and 25 days Sion	Boots of Faith ^(edit)	Boots	Jump +5Jump +5: Passive: +5 Competence bonus to the Jump skill. Feather FallingFeather Falling: This item is engraved with feathers and bestows a powerful magical effect. Whenever the wearer begins to fall from any height, this effect slows the descent dramatically, causing the wearer to fall like a feather. Yellow Augment SlotYellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, End chest
Update 68.0.1 3 months and 19 days BugTime	Marguerite's Necklace ^(edit)	Necklace	DeathblockDeathblock: The wearer of this item is immune to all death spells and magical death effects. Profane Lifeforce +7Profane Lifeforce +7: +7 Profane bonus to Hit Points. Colorless Augment SlotColorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	3	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, end chest
Update 48.2 3 years, 10 months, and 1 day BugTime	Epic Boots of Faith ^(edit)	Boots	Jump +18Jump +18: Passive: +18 Competence bonus to the Jump skill. Speed +30% Speed +30%: +30% enhancement bonus to movement speed, 15% bonus to attack speed. Feather FallingFeather Falling: This item is engraved with feathers and bestows a powerful magical effect. Whenever the wearer begins to fall from any height, this effect slows the descent dramatically, causing the wearer to fall like a feather. Web ImmunityWeb Immunity: This item grants the wearer the ability to move and attack freely through webs of all kinds. Yellow Augment SlotYellow Augments Named: Category:Yellow augments Deathblock Elemental Resistance: +5 to +45 Immunity: Fear, Blindness Movement: Feather Falling, Striding: +10% to +30%, Swiftness +5% to +15%, Underwater Action Proof Against Disease, Poison: +2 to +10 Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus (Enhancement bonus) Spell points (Enhancement bonus): +19 to +294 Damage: +1 to +11 Spell penetration: +1 to +9 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	23	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, End chest
Update 62 1 year and 10 days PurpleSerpent	Epic Morningstar of the Heretic ^(edit)	Morningstar	+6 Enhancement Bonus+6 Enhancement Bonus: +6 enhancement bonus to attack and damage rolls. Improved Quelling StrikesImproved Quelling Strikes: On Vorpal Melee: applies a Quell effect to target enemy for six seconds, rendering them unable to cast divine spells. This has a 50% chance of preventing the target from casting all spells for three seconds (12 second cooldown). Maiming 5Maiming: This weapon has a twisted haft or grip and spikes along its blade, head, or point. When you score a critical hit with this weapon, it does an additional +5d8 damage. Bleeding 5Bleeding 5: This weapon is wickedly curved, with spines and hooks meant to cause damage to those with flesh. This weapon does 5d8 bleeding damage to those that are vulnerable to it. Unholy BlightUnholy Blight Caster level: 7 Charges: 3 (3/day) — 3 Charges (Recharged/Day:3) Red Augment SlotRed Augments Named: Category:Red augments DR bypass: Alignment, Material Elemental damage: +1d6 to +9d6 Spell Power (Enhancement bonus): +38 to +153 Colorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	23	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, End Chest
Update 68.0.1 3 months and 19 days BugTime	Epic Marguerite's Necklace ^(edit)	Necklace	Quality Constitution +2Quality Constitution +2: This item gives the wearer improved health, granting a +2 quality bonus to Constitution. Profane Lifeforce +36Profane Lifeforce +36: +36 Profane bonus to Hit Points. False Life +41 False Life +41: +41 Enhancement bonus to hit points. Vitality +36Vitality +36: Passive: +36 Vitality bonus to Hit Points. Colorless Augment SlotColorless Augments Named: Category:Colorless augments Ability (Enhancement bonus): +1 to +14 Ability (Exceptional bonus): +1 Ability (Insight bonus): +5 Skills, except UMD (Competence bonus): +5 to +20	23	Bound to Account on AcquireBound to Account on Acquire: This item is Bound to Account on Acquire	The Crypt of Gerard Dryden, end chest

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Monsters

Name ^{( picture )}	CR	Type	Race
Corrupt Giant Spider ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal	Vermin	Spider
Corrupted Spiderling ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥4Hard ♠7Elite ●♦24Epic Normal	Vermin	Spider
Dryden Ancestor ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥3Hard ♠5Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥29Epic Hard ●♠45Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Ghast ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠7Elite ●♥31Epic Hard	Undead	Ghast
Greater Arcane Skeleton ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Human Female Zombie ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Zombie
Human Zombie ^{( view • edit )}	●♦23Epic Normal ●♠45Epic Elite	Undead	Zombie
Iron Defender ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♠36Epic Elite	Construct	Iron Defender
Ravenous Ghast ^{( view • edit )}	♦3Normal ♥5Hard ♠7Elite ●♠49Epic Elite	Undead	Ghast
Skeleton Archer ^{( view • edit )}	♦2Normal ♥3Hard ♠5Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥29 - 31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Skeleton Knight ^{( view • edit )}	♦4Normal ♥6Hard ♠8Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton
Skeleton Warrior ^{( view • edit )}	♦0.5/2Normal ♥1/4Hard ♠3/7Elite ●♦25Epic Normal ●♥31Epic Hard ●♠36Epic Elite	Undead	Skeleton