Guild Wars 2 – Thwart the Nightmare Court at Joy's End

“Make the Nightmare Court feel unwelcome by setting fire to brambles. Search Nightmare Bulbs for prisoners.”

Head into Zinder Slope via the Wychmire Swamp or the Watchful Source Waypoint. Near either you will find Diantha. Talk with her to learn what she is planning to do about the Nightmare Court:

Diantha: “The Nightmare Courtiers in Karston Chambers have been kidnapping skritt and subjecting them to torture and mind control. It is no wonder they call their home Joy's End.”
Hero: I'll help uproot the Nightmare Court. Anything I should know before heading in?”
Diantha: “They have corrupted Sylvan Hounds and Jungle Wurms to their sway,so be careful where you travel. And be on the lookout for bulbs as they sometimes hide their prisoners in them. But I wonder ...”
Hero: “Go on.”
Diantha: “I want to send a message that they are unwelcome here. If we set fire to dry brambles on their grounds, they will understand that. Just do not ignite something that would harm a prisoner.”
Hero: “I'll see that they get the message.”

Head to the South of Diantha, up the nearby slope in the cavernous area. There you will find where you can do whatever you can to make the Nightmare Court feel unwelcome. The first, and most apparent, part of this is going at the Nightmare Hounds that run freely throughout the area. They are not a hard fight, even as a group of 3. Killing them will work to quickly fill up your progress bar. Once you make it deeper in you will find a lot more Jungle Wurms to fight. These also count toward the renown quest so take them on when you can

As you get deeper into the area another option will open up. The first one is setting fire to brambles. This will call out a Nightmare Courtier who is Lvl. 16 and will immediately attack you. Mixed with a Nightmare Hound that can be a somewhat difficulty fight for casters but most others will not have as much trouble overall.

The final thing you can do in this area is work on releasing prisoners. It does not take too long and does not seem to trigger anything. Look around for the bright bulbs. Interact with them to release the Skritt that is likely hidden inside.

When you have completed the quest you will get the letter, “Barbs and Thorns” with 98 copper:
“The presence of the Nightmare Court stings me like a toxic thorn. As I watched you work so diligently to weaken their dreadful camp at Joy's End, I felt some of that poison subside. Thank you for helping us on our hunt – Diantha”

Return to Diantha after this as she offers a number of Karma Items now:
Dried Seed Pod: 175 Karma
Accessory: +6 Toughness, Lvl. 16

Amulet of Thorns: 280 Karma
Accessory: +10 Power, Lvl. 16

Wyld Hunt Training Short Bow: 210 Karma
Short Bow, Weapon Strength: 188 – 208, +20 Toughness, Lvl. 16

Wyld Hunt Training Bow: 210 Karma
Longbow, Weapon Damage: 191 – 225, +20 Condition Damage, Lvl. 16

Training Scale Helm: 175 Karma
Heavy Armor, Defense: 18, +5 Vitality, Lvl. 16

Training Mantle: 175 Karma
Light Armor, Defense: 11, +5 Condition Damage, Lvl. 16

Training Mask: 175 Karma
Medium Armor, Defense: 15, +5 Condition Damage, Lvl. 16

Dried Seed Pod: 350 Karma
Accessory: +7 Toughness, Lvl. 16

Amulet of Thorns: 560 Karma
Accessory: +11 Power, Lvl. 16

Wyld Hunt Training Short Bow of Force: 210 Karma
Short Bow, Weapon Strength: 205 – 226, +22 Toughness, Minor Sigil of Force (+1% Damage), Lvl. 16

Wyld Hunt Training Bow: 210 Karma
Longbow, Weapon Damage: 208 – 244, +22 Condition Damage, Minor Sigil of Force (+1% Damage), Lvl. 16

Training Scale Helm: 350 Karma
Heavy Armor, Defense: 20, +5 Vitality, Minor Rune of the Grove (1: +10 Healing, 2: 10% Protection Duration), Lvl. 16

Training Mantle: 350 Karma
Light Armor, Defense: 12, +5 Condition Damage, Minor Rune of the Grove (1: +10 Healing, 2: 10% Protection Duration), Lvl. 16

Training Mask: 350 Karma
Medium Armor, Defense: 16, +5 Condition Damage, Minor Rune of the Grove (1: +10 Healing, 2: 10% Protection Duration), Lvl. 16