The rats encountered within the Gauntlet of Shar are more than mere vermin; they are integral to a specific questline and offer unique interaction opportunities, primarily linked to the fate of the orthon, Yurgir.
Understanding the Rat Presence
The numerous rats found in the Gauntlet of Shar are, in fact, the collective consciousness of Lyrthindor, the last remaining Dark Justiciar that Yurgir is hunting to fulfill his contract with Raphael. These rats embody the fragmented mind and memories of this individual, transformed as a means of hiding from Yurgir.
Key points regarding their nature:
- They are not ordinary rats; they are sentient due to being Lyrthindor.
- Interacting with them, typically via the "Speak with Animals" spell or potion, is crucial to understanding their plight and progressing related quests.
- Their primary location of interest is near the base of the large Shar statue and around Yurgir's ambush site.
Interacting with the Rats and Lyrthindor
Engaging with the rats requires the ability to communicate with animals. Once this is active, speaking to any of the rats can initiate a dialogue that reveals their true nature and connection to Yurgir's contract.
Dialogue and choices typically involve:
- Learning about Lyrthindor's history and how he became the rats.
- Discovering a ritual site (a bed of bones) where Lyrthindor's essence is concentrated.
- Deciding whether to help Lyrthindor, help Yurgir, or attempt to manipulate the situation for personal gain.
You may need to follow a specific rat or a trail of rats to a certain location where Lyrthindor can be fully confronted or his story pieced together. This often involves a small puzzle or observation to find the "lead" rat or the ritual spot.
Resolving the Rat Situation
There are several paths to resolving the situation involving Lyrthindor (the rats) and Yurgir:
Option 1: Assisting Yurgir
This involves siding with Yurgir to fulfill his contract. You will need to eliminate Lyrthindor.
- This usually culminates in a confrontation where Lyrthindor manifests from the rat swarm, often at his ritual site.
- Defeating Lyrthindor (who may appear as a swarm or a shadowy figure made of rats) will satisfy Yurgir's hunt.
Option 2: Assisting Lyrthindor (the Rats)
This path involves helping Lyrthindor break free from his predicament or outsmarting Yurgir.
- One common way is to convince Yurgir to break his own contract by finding a loophole, often through dialogue and persuasion checks, related to the song he was forced to hear.
- Alternatively, you might persuade Lyrthindor to fight Yurgir, potentially with your aid.
- Siding with Lyrthindor typically leads to a confrontation with Yurgir.
Option 3: Deception or Alternative Solutions
It's possible to navigate the situation through clever dialogue, tricking Yurgir or Lyrthindor, or finding specific information that alters the terms of engagement. For instance, you can convince Yurgir to kill himself, his Merregons, and his Displacer Beast to break the contract.
Strategic Combat Notes
If combat ensues, either against Lyrthindor's rat form or Yurgir:
- Against Rat Swarms/Lyrthindor: Area of Effect (AoE) spells are highly effective against numerous, low-health targets. Spells like Fireball, Cloud of Daggers, or Spirit Guardians excel.
- Against Yurgir: He is a formidable opponent with invisibility, powerful ranged attacks, and minions. Focus on dispelling his invisibility, controlling his minions, and exploiting any elemental weaknesses he might have. Good positioning is key due to his explosive attacks.
The resolution of the "gauntlet of shar rats" significantly impacts Yurgir's fate and can influence Raphael's storyline and potential alliances. Careful consideration of dialogue choices and subsequent actions is advised.
