Duchess In Distress | Act III and further - side quests Dragon's Dogma Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
In short: A quest in which you rescue the Duchess of the Blighted Manse (the castle north of Gran Soren). The quest becomes active after completing Reward and Responsibility (but before talking to Dragonforged in Deny Salvation). You can receive it outside the castle from Mirabelle. She'll give you a special armor which will allow you to enter the keep.
Difficulty level: Hard/medium. During the escape from the castle there'll be a lot of enemies to break through (you'll be alone part of the way).
Go to The Blighted Manse. Leave by the west gate and head north.
Before approaching the guards, equip the armor set from Mirabelle (Royal Guard Armor). The guard will take your character for another recruit.
Inside, climb the winding stairs. Open the cell and free the woman.
Escort Aelinore to the exit, killing guards. When you go down the wide staircase, the woman will suggest escaping using a secret passage, and will open the gate.
Go down to the basement. Here you'll sometimes have to grab Aelinore and jump over small crevices (sadly, the Duchess can't jump over them herself).
You'll be constantly attacked by thugs. Don't worry about Aelinore - it would seem she has unlimited stamina. In further parts of the basement, your Pawns will return.
Eventually, you'll reach the exit, where Mirabelle and her trusted men are waiting.