Guild Wars 2 – Ashes of the Past

This is the final mission in the Unknown Parents background for Humans. You have gone to meet Mehid and Salia at your parent's last known residence. Head to the South of the Delanian Waypoint into the Dark Wound Defile. Along the Western side of the defile you will find the entrance into the instance.

Head forward to the pair who are waiting nearby. Approach them to begin the conversation:
Hero: “Is this the place? I'm eager to get started.”
Exemplar Mehid: “It is. Watch your step, through. When we scouted around earlier, it looked like someone or something may have moved in.”
Exemplar Salia: “Countess asked us not to say more than necessary, as this is technically a royal matter, but I think you deserve what trust we can give you. Your parents were spies for the last King of Kyrta, Jennah's father. They helped track and destroy White Mantle cells, saving many lives in the process.”
Hero: “And this was their house?”
Mehid: “Yes. The last message on file from your parents states that they feared White Mantle cultists had discovered their secret. They were planning to flee.”
Salia: “The Shining Blade lost contact with them after that. Either they fled to safety, or ...”
Hero: “Either way, I have to know. Let's go inside. If there are clues to be found, we'll find them here.”

Head to the South along the road. The Exemplars will comment on how there are signs of Ettins around but there are no Ettins present. While they have 2 heads, Ettins are not exceptionally bright. You will be attacked by 4 lvl. 18 Ettins. They put up a solid fight so be ready for it.

After the Ettins, revive anyone who needs it and continue to the South. Turn to the East when you can and head into the derelict building that is up the slope from you. As you approach the building , expect to be attacked by 2 Cave Spiders, both lvl. 19. After that, inside the building there will be at least 8 Cave Spider Hatchlings to be dealt with. Kill them quickly. Just after you finish with them, another pair of Cave Spiders will attack you.

Head over the hill inside the cave behind the house. 4 spiders will descend and attack your party. Defeat them and wait out your cooldown timers. If you go sooner, you might regret it as there is a big fight just ahead.

As you head over to the North again, you will find yourself facing a lvl. 21 Champion Cave Spider Broodmother. She comes at you hard and loves to immoblize whoever she can. Use ranged attacks or just close the gap between you and her quickly. With that resolved, just pound away on her. When she gets to half health, she will retreat to the ceiling. From there she will unleash 8 Cave Spider Hatchlings, all lvl. 19. Now you have all of those to fight in addition to her. The good news is they Hatchlings drop like flies. The bad news remains there are a lot of them. It does make it easier to recovering from getting downed as they drop with very little effort. Still, take them as you fight the Broodmother.

When she finally goes down, head over to the Family Graveyard that you find in the very back of the cave. Examine each of the stones in turn.
Gravestone on the left:“The name on this headstone has been obscured by time and the elements, but the epitaph is legible.”
Hero: “Examine the headstone.”
Gravestone: “The inscription reads: 'Three joys gave his life meaning: his wife, his country, and above all, his child. May the gods bless and protect our beloved 'Hero's Name.''”
Hero: “Say a prayer.”

Gravestone on the right: “The name on this headstone has been obscured by time and the elements, but the epitaph is legible.”
Hero: “Examine the headstone.”
Gravestone: “The inscription reads: 'Cherished wife, Devoted Mother, Loyal Servant of Kryta. 'Our life's labor was to make a better world for the children to live in. may our beloved 'Hero's Name' find it so.'”
Hero: “Say a prayer.”

After you read the second inscription and say the prayer it is time for another cutscene:
Mehid: “It seems the White Mantle found your parents after all. I'm so sorry.”
Hero: “I'd always hoped my parents were still out there, waiting to find me. That's … um … a hard dream to give up. But at least now I know.”
Salia: “They gave their lives to defend Kyrta against one of its oldest, greatest enemies. I'm sure they'd be proud of you.”
Hero: “These gravestones, though … Who placed them?”
Salia: “Friends, perhaps? Fellow agents? We may never know. IT was like the same people of rescued you and took you to safety in Divinty's Reach.”
Hero: “I want to thank you both for find this place, and for telling me as much as you could. All my life I've wonder … and now I finally have peace.”
Mehid: “My friend, this was never just another mission. Helping you has been our pleasure, believe me.”
Salia: “We'll meet again. I'm sure of it. Until then, stay safe.”

With the conversation over, you will receive a letter from Queen Jennah:
“Hero of Shaemoor,

“By the Will and Command of Queen Jennah of Kryta, you are hereby formally summoned to attend to the royal presence. Make all haste to her throne room in Divinity's Reach, and you will be welcomed there. Until next we meet again, may the Six Gods watch over you in all things – Countess Anise”

Close the letter to complete this storyline. Claim your reward and leave the instance.