The Rats of the Gauntlet of Shar
Within the treacherous Gauntlet of Shar, encountered in Act 2, players will find numerous rats. These are not mere vermin but are intrinsically linked to the orthon Yurgir and his infernal contract with Raphael. Understanding and interacting with these rats offers an alternative path to resolving Yurgir's quest.
Significance and Interaction
To uncover the rats' secret, the player character must be able to Speak with Animals. One specific rat, usually found near Yurgir's ambush location or by following a trail of them, can be engaged in dialogue. Through this conversation, it is revealed that the rats collectively represent the consciousness of a Dark Justiciar named Lyrthindor.
Lyrthindor was the final target Yurgir needed to eliminate to fulfill his contract. To escape death, Lyrthindor fragmented his soul into the bodies of countless rats, effectively hiding from the orthon and trapping Yurgir in the Gauntlet.
Resolving Yurgir's Contract via the Rats
Players have a choice in how to deal with Yurgir. One option involves the rats:
- Locate Lyrthindor's last hiding spot: After speaking to the lead rat, you can discover a ritual site. This often involves finding a book, "One Becomes Many," and interacting with a broken effigy near a chasm.
- Summon Lyrthindor: By reading the verses from the book or piecing together the clues, you can provoke Lyrthindor to reveal himself.
- Confront Lyrthindor: Lyrthindor will manifest, first as a collection of rats and then, if provoked into combat, as a powerful spectral Justiciar. Defeating Lyrthindor means his soul is finally dealt with.
Outcomes of Dealing with Lyrthindor
Choosing to help Yurgir by eliminating Lyrthindor (the rats) has specific consequences:
- Yurgir's Contract Fulfilled: With Lyrthindor gone, Yurgir's contract with Raphael is completed. He will be freed from his service in the Gauntlet.
- Yurgir's Alliance: A grateful Yurgir may become a potential ally later in the game, particularly if you are also working with Raphael or can persuade him.
- Raphael's Reaction: Raphael will be pleased that the contract is resolved, though his primary goal was Yurgir's continued suffering or demise. Freeing Yurgir this way is an acceptable, if less direct, outcome for him.
Alternatively, players can choose to fight Yurgir directly or trick him into killing himself and his minions, thereby bypassing the need to deal with Lyrthindor. However, engaging with the rats provides additional lore and a unique resolution to this part of the Gauntlet of Shar.
