Escape from the Drow City of Ust Natha

Escape from the Drow City of Ust Natha

Your journey through the Underdark culminates in the treacherous Drow city of Ust Natha. To escape this subterranean prison and reclaim your freedom, you must navigate the labyrinthine politics of the Drow, undertake perilous missions for their Matron Mother, and ultimately find a way back to the surface. This section provides a comprehensive guide to surviving and escaping Ust Natha, offering actionable advice, detailed mission breakdowns, and strategies for dealing with its myriad dangers.

Initial Arrival and Integration

Upon your arrival, you will be disguised as Drow and brought before Matron Mother Ardulace in the Matron Mother's House (located in the central-north part of the city). Your primary goal is to gain her trust to facilitate your escape. This means playing along, accepting her missions, and proving your worth to the Drow society, however distasteful it may be.

• Dialogue Choices: Always be respectful and subservient to Matron Mother Ardulace. Avoid any dialogue options that express defiance or suspicion. Your goal is to appear as a loyal servant.
• Initial Equipment: You will be given Drow equipment. While powerful, remember that these items will disintegrate upon exposure to sunlight. Keep your original gear safe in your inventory for when you eventually escape.

Navigating Drow Politics and Key NPCs

Ust Natha is a viper's nest of intrigue and backstabbing. Understanding who to trust (and, more importantly, who not to) is crucial for survival. Your main contact will be Solaufein, a male Drow who initially acts as your handler. He is a key figure in your escape plan.

• Solaufein: He is your reluctant ally. Always follow his instructions and maintain a good relationship with him. He will guide you through the initial missions and eventually aid in your escape.
• Phaere: A manipulative priestess and daughter of Matron Mother Ardulace. She will attempt to use you for her own schemes. Be cautious and play her game, but never fully commit to her against Solaufein or the Matron Mother unless absolutely necessary for your immediate survival.
• Korgan Bloodaxe (if in party): Korgan will appreciate the Drow's brutal efficiency and might even enjoy the atmosphere.
• Viconia DeVir (if in party): Viconia will be right at home and can offer unique insights into Drow culture and politics. Her presence can sometimes open up unique dialogue options or make certain interactions easier.

Matron Mother's Missions: Earning Trust

Matron Mother Ardulace will assign you a series of dangerous tasks to test your loyalty and skill. Completing these is paramount to your escape.

Mission 1: The Svirfneblin Patrol

Objective: Eliminate a patrol of Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin) who have been encroaching on Drow territory.

• Location: The Western Tunnels, accessible from the western edge of Ust Natha.
• Enemies: Several Svirfneblin Warriors and Svirfneblin Fighters. They are not overly powerful but can be annoying with their stealth and traps.
• Strategy:
  • Bring a character with high FT or DI to disarm their numerous traps.
  • Focus fire on one gnome at a time to reduce their numbers quickly.
  • Report back to Solaufein after completing the mission.
• Reward: Experience and increased standing with Solaufein.

Mission 2: The Kuo-Toa Threat

Objective: Investigate and deal with a growing Kuo-Toa presence in the Underdark. This mission involves retrieving a specific item.

• Location: The Kuo-Toa Caves, accessible from the southern part of Ust Natha.
• Enemies: Kuo-Toa, Kuo-Toa Priests, and Kuo-Toa Monitors. These amphibious creatures are resistant to electricity and can cast spells.
• Specific Task: You need to retrieve the Kuo-Toa's Heart from their leader, a powerful Kuo-Toa Monitor.
• Strategy:
  • Equip party members with blunt weapons, as Kuo-Toa are vulnerable to them.
  • Prioritize taking down Kuo-Toa Priests first, as their spells can be disruptive.
  • Be prepared for large groups. Area-of-effect spells like Fireball or Cloudkill can be effective.
  • The Kuo-Toa Monitor is a tough melee opponent. Use protective spells on your tanks and focus damage.
• Reward: Experience, Drow reputation, and progress towards the next mission.

Mission 3: Retrieving the Dragon Eggs

Objective: Retrieve the eggs of a captive Silver Dragon, Adalon, from a group of Mind Flayers.

• Location: The Mind Flayer City, accessible from the eastern tunnels of Ust Natha. This is one of the most challenging areas in the Underdark.
• Enemies: Mind Flayers, Ulitharid, and Brain Golems. Mind Flayers are extremely dangerous due to their psionic attacks that can instantly kill or stun party members.
• Specific Task: You must infiltrate the Mind Flayer city, defeat the Elder Brain, and retrieve Adalon's eggs.
• Strategy:
  • Mind Flayer Weakness: They are highly vulnerable to blunt damage. Equip your warriors with maces, flails, and hammers.
  • Protection: Cast Chaotic Commands on your entire party to protect against their psionic stun. Protection from Evil and Magic Resistance spells are also highly recommended.
  • Focus Fire: Target Mind Flayers one at a time and eliminate them quickly. Their ability to extract brains is a one-hit kill.
  • Elder Brain: The Elder Brain is protected by several Mind Flayers and Brain Golems. Clear the surrounding enemies first. The Elder Brain itself is a stationary target but has powerful psionic attacks. Use ranged attacks and powerful single-target spells.
  • Adalon's Request: Upon retrieving the eggs, you will encounter Adalon. She will reveal the Drow's deception and ask you to return her eggs to her, promising to aid your escape. This is a critical choice. Agree to help her.
• Reward: Experience, valuable items from the Mind Flayer city, and the promise of Adalon's aid.

The Betrayal and Escape

After completing the Dragon Egg mission, you will return to Ust Natha. Solaufein will reveal the Matron Mother's true intentions: she plans to sacrifice you to Lolth. This is your cue to act.

1. Return to Solaufein: He will instruct you to meet him at a specific location to prepare for the escape.
2. Confrontation with Phaere: Phaere will attempt to manipulate you one last time, asking you to betray Solaufein. Do not agree.
3. The Ritual: Matron Mother Ardulace will begin the ritual to sacrifice you. This is where Adalon intervenes.
4. The Battle: A major battle will erupt between Adalon (in her true form) and the Drow forces, including Matron Mother Ardulace and her priestesses.
5. Focus Targets: Prioritize eliminating the Drow priestesses, especially Matron Mother Ardulace, as they can cast powerful spells and heal their allies. Adalon will assist you, but you must hold your own.
6. Escape: Once the Drow forces are defeated, Adalon will open a portal to the surface. Step through it to finally escape the Underdark.

Common Pitfalls and Missables

• Trusting Phaere: While you must play along with her, fully committing to her schemes can lead to complications or even a premature end to your escape plan.
• Ignoring Solaufein: He is your most reliable ally in Ust Natha. Disobeying him can lead to severe consequences.
• Losing Drow Disguise: Engaging in overt acts of rebellion or attacking Drow citizens before the final escape will cause your disguise to fail, leading to an immediate hostile response from the entire city.
• Missing Adalon's Request: If you fail to agree to return Adalon's eggs, you will lose her aid, making the final escape battle significantly harder or even impossible.
• Underestimating Mind Flayers: These creatures are a significant threat. Going into their city unprepared will result in a swift party wipe.

By following this guide, you will successfully navigate the dangers of Ust Natha, complete the Matron Mother's treacherous missions, and ultimately escape the Underdark to continue your epic journey in Baldur's Gate II.