Lighthouse Malfunction Cut Content
Before Blood of Arlathan, there was supposed to be another quest in the game - Darkness Falls. The astrolabe was breaking down, there was no way from the camp, because the eluvians weren't working either, and it was getting dark. The Lighthouse defense was slowly fading. Emmrich and Bellara came up with a plan to fix it. Rook had to go to one of the islands near the Lighthouse to get an elven artifact that could repair the astrolabe. But to get there, the help of the spirit was needed. Thus, the player had to choose who to take with them - Manfred or Spite.
In the game, the astrolabe is already broken. It can still be fixed, but this is a side quest, it doesn't play a role in the plot. This will only give you a discount at the Caretaker's workshop and an alternative look of the library.
However you can still find mentions of the Lighthouse Malfunction in the files.
Some of this content can be activated in the game using modding tools. For example, sky textures that look like twilight.
There's also malfunction lighting. I'm not sure I triggered it correctly because it looks like horror for epileptic people. But maybe it's just unfinished.
The localization file contains many lines of deleted dialogues from this quest. Hard to say whether they were voiced.
It all started with Davrin meeting Rook outside.
Rook: Davrin? You know what's happening? Davrin: Something's strange with the Lighthouse. Emmrich said to find him.
Emmrich's room, where he and Bellara discuss what to do next.
Rook: The eluvians don't work, and neither of you know why? Emmrich: The astrolabe in the main hall is out of alignment. Until we correct it, the Lighthouse's protective wards will slowly fade. Rook: And if we don't correct it? Bellara: Without the wards, we'll be open to all sorts of bad stuff. Raw magic, demons, the work. Bellara: Well not yet! Emmrich: You know, it's more than just the wards. Half the artifacts in my room have shut down, and I don't know why. Bellara: Right Professor.
Option: What caused this? Rook: Why'd the astrolabe break? Emmrich: We're not sure. The Lighthouse is so old, it could just be time. Bellara: It certainly wasn't caused by a greater spirit, or a sudden swell of magic. And yet... Emmrich: Well. Let's turn our thoughts to repairs.
Option: We've seen worse. Haven't we? Rook: This can't be as bad as some of Arlathan. Can it? Bellara: In Arlathan, we could leave. Sometimes. But we've got a plan.
Option: Well, still standing for now. Rook: I'm sure our senior necromancer would warn us if we were about to be crushed. Emmrich: Well, it would be more akin to being etherically attenuated than crushed. Bellara: It won't come to that! We've got a plan.
Option: We'll solve it together. Rook: We've got you and Emmrich, the rest of the team. We'll figure it out. Bellara: Oh! We already have a plan.
Option: What's the plan? Rook: How do we fix it? Bellara: We figured that out! Mostly.
Emmrich: Bellara's tracked down an artifact we can use to repair the astrolabe. Rook: Tell me where. Bellara: Professor Emmrich found this magic... thread from it that leads to one of the floating islands. Rook: How do you two even know this artifact exists? Bellara: A receptacle in the main hall came to life when the astrolabe malfunctioned. Bellara: I've seen them in Arlathan. Inserting the right artifact will make repairs. Emmrich: Yes. All of which we determined before you clambered up the astrolabe. Bellara: I had to double check! Rook: Okay. We need to get to the island with the artifact to fix all this. Emmrich: It's on one of the floating islands. You'll need help reaching it. Spirit help.
Next, Lucanis, Manfred and Spite take part in the conversation.
Side note. This is just my guess, but I think some of Lucanis' lines in this quest differed depending on whether the player had completed the Inner Demons or not.
Lucanis: You want Spite to help? Emmrich: We require both of you, Lucanis. Lucanis: Never! Lucanis: Emmrich. Unlike Manfred, Spite does not love doing what he's told. Emmrich: Perhaps, but Spite grows so much more aware when he works with you, Lucanis. Lucanis: Or you could send Manfred. Emmrich: Unsupervised? Bellara: Hmm. Manfred could probably find a path to the island for Rook. Manfred: (Excited hiss.)
Option: Why doesn't Emmrich do this? Rook: Can't you find this spirit path, Emmrich? Emmrich: Certainly, butā Rook: But you and Bellara have to stay here and stop the roof from collapsing? Emmrich: We have a few days before anything really bad happens. But it's safer.
Option: I'll take Manfred. Rook: You ready to go Manfred? Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Emmrich: Oh, if he must. Don't let him out of your sight!
Option: I'll take Spite. Rook: You up for this Spite? Lucanis: No. Lucanis (Spite): (Inhales.) Smells like... fear. Sweat. And frustration. Lucanis: (Deep groaning.) Lucanis: (Sighs.) I'llāwe'll be outside.
Rook: What's this artifact I'm after look like? Emmrich: Same shape as the astrolabe, but much smaller. The path to it should start near Harding's room. Emmrich: Bring it to the main hall once you've found it. We'll ensure the Lighthouse is warded again.
Journal note The Lighthouse is normally shielded from the raw magic of the Fade, but something has gone wrong. The team must repair the ancient devices keeping their headquarters safe and hidden, before the wards fail and chaos envelops them.
Companions in the library: - Why's it so cold all of a sudden? - I'm cold now too. Why can't I see my breath? - See the astrolabe up there? It normally keeps the Lighthouse steady, but something's amiss. - Magic, probably. Not my specialty this time.
- Bellara and Emmrich will fix it. - Speaking of which, where was Manfred going in such a hurry?
- Bellara and that death mage said they'd fix things. - Hey, was Lucanis arguing with Spite when he passed by us?
Rook: Manfred must already be outside. Rook: Lucanis must already be outside with Spite.
In the courtyard.
Rook: Can you help turn on this portal to the island, Manfred? Manfred: (Happy hiss.) Rook: Thanks!
Rook: Spite? Can you activate this portal to the island? Lucanis (Spite): Finally! Lucanis (Spite): Rook. Needs me. Everyone. Needs me. Lucanis: Ignore him.
The full picture is unknown, only some details. Rook moved between the islands around the Lighthouse, for this Manfred or Spite held the portal for them. Unlike Spite, Manfred needed to be directed to the waypoint.
Lucanis has some raw animations in the files when he's in Spite mode holding the portal for Rook.
Rook: Think you can help find a path to it? Manfred: (Curious hiss.)
Lucanis (Spite): It's here. The path. I will take it. Lucanis (Spite): Move!
(Thunderous rumble.)
Manfred: (Frightened hiss.) Rook (Mourn Watch): We both grew up in the Necropolis, Manfred. We can handle whatever that was. Rook: I don't know what that was either, Manfred. Let's keep going. Manfred: (Happy hiss.)
Rook: Spite? Lucanis (Spite): (Angry snarl.) Close. Lucanis: Let's keep moving. Lucanis (Spite): Faster!
The path to the artifact is blocked by a barrier that can be lowed by wisps.
Rook: A barrier?
Manfred: (Concerned hiss.) Rook: Maybe it's part of the Lighthouse's defenses.
Lucanis: I see it. That barrier could be the Lighthouse defending itself.
Rook: We'll need a wisp here.
Rook (Mourn Watch): Manfred? Would you do the honors? Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Rook (Mourn Watch): Thanks Manfred. And hail the eyes of the dead. Manfred: (Very excited hiss.)
Rook: Where do we get a wisp? Rook: Unless you can call one up Manfredāwait. Can you? Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Rook: It worked! Thanks Manfred. Manfred: (Pleased hiss.)
Rook: They won't answer. Lucanis: They will. Lucanis: Call. Lucanis (Spite): COME. OUT. OR I. WILL FIND YOU! Rook: That worked? Lucanis (Spite): Curiosity. Is predictable.
Rook: That has to be the artifact Emmrich needs. Manfred: (Excited hiss.) Lucanis (Spite): Trash. Stinks of magic. Mine. Is better.
On the way back.
Rook: Wait here, Manfred. And don't wander off, Emmrich would kill me. Manfred: (Happy hiss.)
Lucanis: We'll wait here and make sure the path doesn't strand you.
Suddenly the gods cut off the path that leads Rook to the spirit companion.
Elgar'nan: At last. The Dread Wolf's little soldiers. Rook: Elgar'nan? Ghilan'nain: We have scryed you out by the blood of my dragon on your hands. Ghilan'nain: Solas erected veils of secrecy around his old lair. We've had such difficulty finding it.
Rook: That was the gods!
Rook: Manfred? I'm trapped up here! Can you help? Manfred: (Concerned hiss.)
Rook: They trapped me here! Lucanis: We'll find you a way down!
Manfred: (Loud hiss.) Rook: A path. Good work Manfred! Meet me below. Manfred: (Tired hiss.)
Lucanis (Spite): Do. What. I. Say! Lucanis (Spite): Now! Rook: I see the path! I'll meet you two down below! Lucanis (Spite): (Panting.) Go. Now.
Lucanis: Is that the gods? Are they closer?
Rook: It's just voices. They aren't here yet! Elgar'nan: Oh, but we shall be soon.
Rook: We have to hide the Lighthouse. I need to get this artifact to Emmrich!
Rook (Mourn Watch): I'll get us around this. Stay here Manfred. Watcher's orders. Manfred: (Obedient hiss.)
Rook: Sit tight, Manfred. I'll get us around this. Manfred: (Consoled hiss.)
Rook: Done! Come on Manfred. Manfred: (Happy hiss.)
Lucanis (Spite): (Inhales.) Wrong. Wrong. Wrong! Lucanis (Spite): Stench. Of pride! Old. And stale! Lucanis: Calm down. Rook: I'll get us past this. Spite, just concentrate on making this path exist.
Elgar'nan: You thought we wouldn't notice you harrying our forces. Elgar'nan: But I assure you: I see all. Rook: Get... get out of my head! Elgar'nan: It would be wisdom to simply submit. To obey. Ghilan'nain: We will make far better use of this place, and yourselves, than Solas ever could. Elgar'nan: And learning what the Dread Wolf has told you all. Rook: We don't answer to you! Ghilan'nain: They resist. We are not close enough to Solas's lair. Elgar'nan: Distance will be of little consequence, after we visit Arlathan.
Rook returns to the Lighthouse. Manfred and Lucanis falling over with tiredness.
Manfred: (Unhappy hiss.) Rook: Manfred? Rook: You all right? Maybe Emmrich should look you over. Manfred: (Sad hiss.) Rook (Mourn Watch): The local astral instability must have overtaxed you when you channeled the path. Rook: You're not used to channeling this much magic for spell-casting. Rook: I've got to get to the main hall. Emmrich will help you after.
Lucanis: Do you have theāugh! Rook: Lucanis? Rook: You two okay? Lucanis: Spite wore us both out to make that path. Rook: Did doing all this magic... hurt you? Lucanis: It doesn't matter. Get to the main hall.
Ghilan'nain: The Fade is clouded. Obscured. Ghilan'nain: We must find these mortals. Elgar'nan: I am keen to explore Fen'Harel's vaunted refuge. Ghilan'nain: We can reshape it. Repurpose it. And the mortals within.
Companions in the library: - Does anyone else... hrm. Thought I heard a voice. - Is that the gods? - Are the gods here? Right now? - They're saying stuff... in my head? - If Emmrich doesn't fix that astrolabeādamn it. I can hear them! - Don't listen. Block them out! - The gods are trying to bring the Lighthouse down on our heads! - They won't get the chance. This is our home now!
Ghilan'nain: My finest work. An Archdemon like no other. Planned for, nurtured, improved. Ghilan'nain: Slain by mortals. Elgar'nan: When we free the blight, you will raise a thousand Archdemons as your host.
Ghilan'nain: Dark. Shifting. The Dread Wolf's lair hides his underlings. Ghilan'nain: Everywhere sounds different now. Ghilan'nain: The blight calls as well. It will take great effort to unleash it all from the Fade.
Rook: Here's the artifact! Emmrich: Just in time! Place it into the receptacle.
In the game, Rook fixes the astrolabe by activating the device. But during malfunction this was only 50% of success. Restoring the Lighthouse's defenses also required manipulation by Emmrich and Bellara.
Companions in the library: - Were the gods almost here? - They're gone right? - They're gone! - I can't believe the gods were so close to finding us. - Hey. Glad you made it safely. - I don't feel them anymore. But Rook's got to tell us what happened.
Rook: I'll fill everyone in.
Lucanis: I'll make coffee.
Team sofa conversation or in the kitchen dunno.
Davrin: Glad to see the Lighthouse is once again our home sweet home. Emmrich: The artifact that fixed the astrolabe is a miniaturized suppressing element. It negates Fade energy! Emmrich: Including the gods' magic. We are hidden from their scrying. Rook: Thanks to you and Bellara.
Bellara: Professor, about that artifact... Emmrich: It's safe to remove, if you'd like to study it. Bellara: By seal and light. By the indwelling flame. (Magic crackling.) Bellara: The spellwork was straightforward, but I sense quite a few interlocking mechanisms inside. Bellara: I've never seen anything like it.
Rook: Harding. Harding: But it's all over, Rook. Right?
Option: It mostly worked out. Rook: If Manfred hadn't been here, and Bellara didn't know about that artifact, and Emmrich hadn't fixed it... Rook: If we didn't have Spite, if Bellara hadn't found that artifact, if Emmrich hadn't repaired the astrolabe... Harding: I know right? How are we even going to sleep tonight? Rook: Count your victories.
Option: They came so close. Rook: This was too close. Can't believe the damn gods were nearly on top of us. Rook: But even with no warning, we slipped away. Harding: Bet they're angry they failed. Rook: They'll be mad. Good.
Option: But we still beat them. Rook: We're still here. And only a little scared. Come on, that's something! Harding: All right, the gods aren't infallible. Rook: Damn right they're not.
Rook: And Manfred. Is he all right? Emmrich: Exhausted. But he'll recover. Emmrich: I'm afraid I won't be of much help, however, until I reknit his corporeal tethering. Neve: That sounds calmer. Good work, Fred. Manfred: (Tired hiss.)
Rook: And Spite and Lucanis. How are you two doing? Lucanis: Fine. We're fine. Neve: That's a lot better. Thanks Lucanis. And Spite. Lucanis (Spite): Mine! I am. The stronger one! I... (Tired growl.)
Lucanis: Spite... may have overdone it. I can barely keep my eyes open. I think he needs a nap. Lucanis (Spite): No! Sleep! Is weakā(Yawns.)
Harding: What's our next move? Rook: Elgar'nan confirmed the gods want something in Arlathan. The Veil Jumpers might know more. Harding: We actually got a message from them, before all this. Morrigan wants to meet. Didn't say why. Rook: Okay. We'll ask the Veil Jumpers about the gods, and pay Morrigan a visit.
Journal note: When the Lighthouse lost its magical protection, little did the team realize the cause of this breakdown was the elven gods attempting to track down Solas' old lair. With help from the others, Emmrich restored the wards and hid the Lighthouse again from the gods with an old, elven artifact. Bellara took the artifact for study, noting it had strange, magic-nullifying properties that could be very useful indeed.
There's an alternative post-malfunction convo. The speakers aren't fully identified.
Bellara: The suppression element is... doing what it does. Really well! Emmrich: Direct nullification of the Fade energy that powers it. Ingenious. Rook: The Lighthouse is stable? We're sure the gods are out? Emmrich: Thanks to your taming the device, yes. The gods are blind to us. Bellara: So we're safe here. Rook: Good, good. Just one question, then.
Option: Everyone ready to hit back? Rook: They probably think we're reeling, like they got us afraid of them. I say we get moving.
Option: What unbelievable assholes. Rook: Anyone else as pissed as I am? They go where they want like they own it, like they're.... Bellara: Like they're gods? Rook: No, they're assholes just... fucking up our house! I want a plan that hits back.
Option: Can we use it to attack them? Rook: Can you get it small enough to shove up a god's ass? Asking for a friend. Emmrich: We can study the suppression device. But the gods are moving now.
The rest of the party talk: - See? They try to scare us, and instead, consensus. I want a plan. - And me. - Lick our wounds later. Get to business. - Right. We need a plan. What do we know? - The voices we heard. I don't think they knew we could hear them. - Elgar'nan may intend a mass sacrifice. - To do what? - Then Elgar'nan's got plans for a ritual. He said he wanted "magical fodder." - "From the dust of our empire." That's got to mean elves. - Like the Wardens said. Guessing he's not planning anything good with them. - This is tricky. Elves need to know the threat. - Even if they know, they might try to get involved anyway. - We've got a useful tool here, and we'll study it. But we can't let them take people now. - Are they taking people, or are people joining them? The Venatori did. - We've seen what they really are. Our "gods." More than once. - So we know where they'll be, and we've got some idea about their plan. - This may be our chance to take down Ghilan'nain. We'll talk to the Veil Jumpers and figure out what's going on in Arlathan. - And if the gods are already there? Gathering "fodder." - We warn them, but with care. - Well, looks like we're going to Arlathan. - Whatever happens, let's be careful. We can't afford to miss anything. - We need to move fast. - Doesn't matter. We stop it. - Time to visit Arlathan.
And it seems that the Music Room and The Wolf's Den could only be explored after the malfunction quest.
The release version didn't include these Rooks' lines from there: - I'm glad we got that fixed. - A piano? I wonder who played. - Wow. - A hideaway inside a hideaway. - Solas must've spent a lot of time here.
