Ust Natha

Navigate Ust Natha in Shadows of Doubt with our comprehensive walkthrough. Discover merchants, challenging fights, valuable loot, and crucial quest steps.

The starting platform in Ust Natha functions as the city's marketplace. Upon arrival, you'll witness a drow killing a duergar slave, followed by the slave's mother disintegrating him. This highlights the harsh realities of drow society.

There are three merchants on the platform. The first offers scrolls, the second sells armor and weapons like the recommended Firetooth +3 (for daggers), Spear of Withering +4, and the Sentinel +4 medium shield. The third merchant sells potions, including Potions of Master Thievery for discounts, and miscellaneous items such as the recommended Rod of Smiting. If you imported from Siege of Dragonspear, this merchant also sells the Belt of the Skillful Blade. A merchant on the platform above sells pets, but they cannot be taken out of the city and will eventually turn hostile; it's advised to save your money.

On the way to meet Solaufein, you'll pass a tavern. While resting is not advised due to a timer, you can engage in fights for XP and loot by speaking to Sondal, who offers duels against other drow.

You will witness Lasaonar, a drow, defeat four others in combat. You can then challenge him. He has high AC, regenerates, and hits hard. Haste your best fighter to defeat him. Upon sufficient damage, he yields, granting 30000 XP and his Blade of Searing +3. Afterward, Chalinthra, a high-level Cleric, will challenge you. She uses Regeneration, Sanctuary, and Heal, making her difficult to defeat. Her defeat yields 12000 XP.

Asking Sondal about further challenges leads to a mage-on-mage duel. These can be bugged, but returning later may fix it. There are three battles against increasingly powerful mages, yielding 6000 XP, 8000 XP, and 11000 XP respectively. The Staff of the Magi can simplify these fights.

Szordrin, across from the tavern, offers monster battles with cash rewards. The arena gate closes quickly. Battles include an Umber Hulk (4000 XP, 250 GP), a Nabassu Demon (16000 XP, 500 GP), a Sahuagin Prince (2000 XP, 750 GP), and a Beholder (14000 XP, 1000 GP).

East of the tavern is the Male Fighters Society. Passing the Female Fighters Society, you'll see a non-drow fleeing, followed by a Drow Leader asking if you've seen her. This is a flavor encounter; answer as you wish. Continue to meet Solaufein.

Solaufein, after expressing his low opinion of you, instructs you to meet a handmaiden in the Ust Natha Bazaar for your first assignment. Searching niches on a nearby building reveals a pair of cursed magical bracers (Bracers of Binding); leave them be.

Return to the bazaar and find Imrae. If your PC is male, avoid speaking to her directly to prevent being insulted.

Imrae informs you that a matron mother requires your services. Solaufein explains that the matron mother's daughter has been captured by Mind Flayers, and you must intercept them before they reach their city.

You can rest at the tavern before returning to the Underdark by speaking to the Drow Bartender on a northern platform. When ready, head towards the entrance to the Eastern Tunnels in the southeast Underdark. Shortly past the bridge to Ust Natha, you'll encounter a hostile party led by an Ogre named Boz.

Prioritize N'ashtar the Mage. The Cleric Chandrilla uses Blade Barrier, so target her with ranged attacks. Boz drops the powerful halberd Dragon's Breath +4, and N'ashtar drops a Scroll of Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting. After defeating them, cast Chaotic Commands on your frontline, proceed to the Eastern Tunnels, spread out your party, and speak to Solaufein.

Solaufein will summon three Mind Flayers and three Umber Hulks from the Astral Plane. A Death Spell can be effective due to the enemies being grouped. Besides combat XP, you'll receive 20000 XP for the rescue. Phaere, the matron mother's daughter, shows little gratitude.

Phaere returns to Ust Natha on her own. Solaufein directs you to meet him and Imrae at the entrance. Upon returning to Ust Natha, they await you. Imrae tasks you and Solaufein with meeting Phaere in the tavern within a day.

Note: Failing to meet time limits can result in quest failure and the city turning hostile. The provided times are usually sufficient for other activities.

Head to the tavern after Imrae and Solaufein depart. A duergar slave will approach you.

The slave reveals that its master, the Aboleth in the large fish tank, wishes to speak with you. Refusing will cause the city to turn hostile, so comply for now. Speak to the Aboleth, who requests you kill a drow priestess named Qilue and retrieve her brain. The alternative is for the Aboleth to expose your true identity to the city.

Choosing the option "So you contend to hold me in service..." allows you to call the Aboleth's bluff by threatening to expose it in return. However, the reward...