Game of Thrones Walkthrough Part 71 – Alester – Crossroads, Part 3

Helping Gawen
If you have sided with Gawen, he will work to bring you up to speed on matters. Alester will be able to question him to find out what Harlton told him or ask why he was being tortured. Asking after the torture will bring things immediately to the next part, to find 2 things for Gawen. First, something to ease his pain; Second, something to cover his face.

Objective: “Find a way to heal Gawen and a Helm he can wear so that he can move about the Castle unnoticed.”

Head South and go straight to Maester Martin. Here, you can talk with Martin about Sarwyck's Maester, Harwyn. You can either force the issue of getting ointment or talking with him through it all to get it. However Alester gets it, he now has the Ointment that Gawen needs. Head to the West now and after the Main Entrance, head to the West once more. Turn to the North when you reach the entrance to the dungeon and then turn an immediate left to reach the Armory. Listen to the guards then head over by the fire and collect the helm that is sitting there. Now head back to the Cellar and turn over both items to Gawen.

Once that is done, Alester can ask after what has happened or focus on just getting away from the Harlton Estate. Asking after what has happened reveals the truth behind the Lord Sarwyck's demise. It was not Gawen but Harlton that had poisoned their Father. Apparently he had been consorting some with Jon Arryn and Harlton was worried about how much had been revealed. If Alester wants to listen to more, he will learn more about what happened that fateful night. It also reveals much of Harlton's plan to hang Gawen to dry for the murder of his own father. Alester can listen to more and find out what Gawen learned in the Dungeon after that. Alester can also ask after who the prisoner is or just say it is madness. For taking all the dialogue options Alester will earn the trait “Dogged Investigator”, which gives an extra skill point each level.

After all this and the lengthy option on the conversation, Alester can participate in the side quest, “Maggot in the Apple.”

Head into the dining hall and Alester can talk some with Shorei. She alludes to having a troubled night. For now, head for the Dungeons on the opposite side of the Castle. Approach and Gawen will be somewhat reluctant to enter (and neither of you have the keys). He will mention that Alesander is the lead here and you need to get the keys from him.

Tricking Alesander
Just talk with Alesander directly from the prison door. Talk with him some and you will notice the option to use Shorei to trick him. To progress forward, Alester needs to implicate Shorei. Take this option and lead him to the Cellar. He will take some time, but he will appear in the cellar. There you will fight him and his friend. If Alester attempts to avoid violence, then he and Gwen fight Alesander in Light Armor and his friend in Heavy Armor. If you avoid diplomacy, Gawen stabs Alesander straight out and the Brothers only have 1 opponent in Heavy Armor to deal with.

Poisoning Alesander
Alester should remember that when he got the helm the guards talking of Shorei. Head back to the Dining Hall where you will find Shorei. Talking with her presents the option for her to poison the guards. Talk with her and Alester will have the option to either get the poison for her or have her go to get it herself. Opt to have Alester get it, to avoid some suspicion, from Maester Martin. Talk to him about poisons and take the longer route to avoid any slips. See what Martin can show Alester to get Heart's Bane. Taking the other, just asking outright for a poison yields Milk of the Poppy. Both are effective for what is to come next.

Return to Shorei with the poison in tow. Talk with her and she will poison the guards for you. After that, Alester can either have her flee the castle or just let her get by on her own now. That choice is yours.

With the guards dead, head into the Armory, which Alester is now in front of. Loot the one body there to get the keys to the Castlewood Dungeon.