This happened to me recently and I wondered whether anyone else had encountered the same problem.

When you first arrive in the Underdark from Spellhold, you invariably hit the Duergar encampment (with the traders). They mention a story about a wizard caught in a battle who gets imprisioned. Predicatably, I bought some Freedom scrolls and cast one to release him.

On speaking to the wizard (whose name I forget) he asks you to get his book from the gnomish(?) village in the north east of that map. He then makes some strange statement about entertaining himself with some Earth Elementals whilst he's waiting for you.

So, I get curious about this remark and follow him to the Earth Elemental portal bit - BEFORE I go to get the book. I see him battling away with an elemental, looking a bit the worse for wear.

Assuming that he'll be fine as he's an NPC, I decide to leave him to it and go and get the book for him. Next thing I know, he gets completely shredded by the elemental and wizard gibs are flying through the caverns.

W00t?

Has anyone completed this mini quest properly? Do you get anything worthwhile? I thought it was a bit stupid that the programmers allowed that NPC to die. My main worry is if he's vital to later plot advancement in any way . . . .

the quest is not vital for the rest of the game but don't you have any save games I think you should get the book without following the wizard (I did it this way)

SPOILER
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you get some cool items + 20000 xp per character if you complete the quest. watch this: http://www.tgeweb.com/ironworks/bald...hapter05.shtml

Thanks!

1. You can get more XP during this quest - visit the places with the portals yourself (without the mage) first :D .
2. Be greedy when it comes to your reward :D .
Prepare yourself well in both cases. The mage can cast 2 Time Stops.