Dwarves of Dumathoin - side quest BG: Siege of Dragonspear Guide
Warning - Finishing this quest is not required for the main task, but as it is so complex, we decided to prepare a separate page in our guide. Try to take this quest at the earliest opportunity, as it allows you to gain much experience and valuable items.
To unlock the described quest, you have to get through to the eastern part of Coast Way Crossing, and locate the entrance to the Dwarven Dig Site (M7,4). You will meet Daran Highhammer, who should be engaged in killing zombies. Help him clear the place of zombies, and then talk to him. You will hear a story about dwarven excavations and the problems with monsters. After the conversation, go into the cave. Dwarven clerics can be found in the first corridor (M7,8). You have to help them eliminate the zombies. After the successful battle, talk with Brother Deepvein, and embark on the search for Gurn Coldhearth.
A scrutinous exploration of the excavation site is not required for this quest, but you can take a look at the abandoned camp in the northern part of the cave (M7,10). A giant, Semahl, is there, and you can help him get rid of the undead. After the victorious battle, you can talk with him, and send him to clerics( alternatively you can decide for attacking and killing the giant) Your target is the eastern pass (M7,12), which leads to the Repository of Undeath.
Begin to carefully study the dungeon. Don't rush the subsequent chambers, as numerous groups of undead dwell in them. Additionally, the team members can activate traps by accident. The current target is a hall with pillars located in the eastern part of the dungeon (M7,17). You will pass a room with a undead tank along the way (M7,14) and a big hall with few traps. Watch yourself, there is a Bronze Sentry(a strong enemy) in the neighboring hall. Keep the weaker party members away from him, as they can die quickly.
After reaching the hall with pillars, you have to defeat new monsters (start with magic-wielding Imbued Wights). Your next task is to solve a riddle, involving the examination of the columns in the correct order. The upper screenshot show the correct order - (counting from the left side) third pillar, first pillar, fourth pillar, second pillar. If you have done it correctly, southern door will open (M7,18). If you made a mistake, a group of monsters will spawn, and you will have an another battle on your hands. Now you can proceed to the most important chamber in the dungeon, the summoning room (M7,20). Before you enter it, get rid of the subsequent undead.
After getting close enough to the summoning room, a cut-scene will appear, in which we learn that Gurn Coldhearth has changed into a powerful lich. DO NOT ENTER the hall, return to the Dwarven dig site, to the dwarven clerics. Talk with Brother Deepvein and explain the whole situation to him. You can express a selfless willingness to deal with the lich, or demand a payment of 1000 gold for defeating Coldhearth. No matter your decision, you will receive a special jewel, called The Secret Revealed, which can be used to weaken the lich. Don't forget to put the item onto active bar of one of your party members. Return to the vicinity of the summoning room. Consider saving the game, as you will be left with an important decision in a moment, and you may have to face a powerful enemy.
Enter the summoning room, where a conversation with Gurn Coldhearth will begin. You can approach the situation in two ways, each variant is described below.
Variant 1: Eliminating Gurn Coldhearth
First variant involves provoking Gurn Coldhearth to combat. After the beginning of the fight, use The Secret Revealed on the lich. It will deprive the lich of additional protection, and expedite attacking him. Nevertheless, Coldhearth is still a powerful enemy, so watch for your party and use the best attacks to efficiently engage the enemy.
Lich is only temporarily defeated, so try to quickly perform all further steps before he returns to life. Check the lich's remnants, and take Ancient Key, and then use it to open the northern door. Reach the phylactery room (M7,21) and investigate the box marked on the screenshot above, because it contains Coldhearth Phylactery.
The next step is the room with an active portal, which is localized in the western part of the dungeon (M7,23). In order to reach it, you have to move through the previous rooms and the main hall (M7,22). In the meantime, Gurn could have returned to life, and if so, try to defeat him again. Although, remember that The Secret Revealed only contains three charges, so don't use them all prematurely.
After reaching the portal room, defeat the fiery salamanders, and interact with the portal, destroying the phylactery and Gurn in progress. You will receive a lot of gold and experience as a reward. Additionally, you can return to Brother Deepvein, and tell him of the victory. You will receive gold and/or Helmet or a Greater Restoration scroll.
Variant 2: Bringing five amulets to Gurn Coldhearth
The second variant involves using the meeting with Gurn Coldhearth to gain a precious artifact. During the conversation, you have to tell him that you are only concerned with getting rich off the whole situation. The lich will ask the hero to get rid of the remaining dwarves in the vicinity, and to bring him their amulets, promising an item of great power. Return to Dwarven dig site, and firstly, investigate the southern monsters' den (M7,9). After killing the beasts, check the remnants and take the first Amulet of the Keeper of Secrets Under the Mountain.
Gaining the four remaining amulets is a bit harder, because you have to kill all dwarven clerics and Brother Deepvein (additionally, Semahl if you brought him to that place). After you finish the job, check every corpse and take four next amulets.
After gathering all the amulets, return to Gurn. The reward for the task is a unique Dread Hammer +2.