Ust Natha

Upon arrival, you'll find the starting platform acts as the city's marketplace. Witness a drow killing a duergar slave, followed by the slave's mother disintegrating the body.

Visit the three merchants on the platform: one sells scrolls, another offers armor and weapons including the recommended Firetooth +3 (for dagger users), Spear of Withering +4, and Sentinel +4 medium shield. The third sells potions, such as Potions of Master Thievery for discounts, miscellaneous items, and the recommended Rod of Smiting. If imported from Siege of Dragonspear, the Belt of the Skillful Blade is also available. A merchant on the platform above sells pets that cannot be taken out of the city and will eventually turn hostile; it is advised to save your money.

On your way to meet Solaufein, you will pass a tavern. While resting is not advised due to a time limit (a (timer) is a mechanic that restricts the time you have to complete a task), you can engage in combat for experience points (XP) and loot. Speak to Sondal to fight other drow.

Witness Lasaonar slaughter four drow. You can challenge him; he has high Armor Class (AC) (a measure of how difficult you are to hit), regenerates, and hits hard. Haste your best fighter to engage him. Upon dealing sufficient damage, he will yield, granting 30000XP and his Blade of Searing +3.

After Lasaonar yields, Chalinthra, a high-level Cleric (a type of spellcaster), will challenge you for her house's honor. She uses Regeneration and Sanctuary/Heal, making her a difficult opponent. Her defeat yields 12000XP.

Ask Sondal about further challenges to initiate mage-on-mage duels. These may be bugged, causing the game to hang (a state where the game stops responding); returning later may fix this. There are three battles against increasingly powerful mages, awarding 6000XP, 8000XP, and 11000XP respectively. The Staff of the Magi makes these easier.

Szordrin, across from the tavern, offers battles against monsters with cash rewards. You can bring your entire party, but the arena gate closes quickly. Battles include an Umber Hulk (4000XP, 250 Gold Pieces (G)), a Nabassu Demon (16000XP, 500G), a Sahuagin Prince (2000XP, 750G), and a Beholder (14000XP, 1000G).

Leave the tavern and head east towards the Male Fighters Society. Passing the Female Fighters Society, you'll see a non-drow fleeing, followed by a Drow Leader asking if you saw her. This is a flavor encounter; answer as you wish.

Continue to meet Solaufein. After he expresses his low opinion of you, he will direct you to a handmaiden in the Ust Natha Bazaar for your first assignment. Search niches on a nearby building; one contains cursed Bracers of Binding, which should be left where they are.

Return to the bazaar and find Imrae. If your player character (PC) (the character you control) is male, avoid speaking to her directly to prevent being insulted.

Imrae will inform you that a matron mother requires your services. Solaufein will explain that the matron mother's daughter has been captured by Mind Flayers (a type of monster), and you must intercept them before they reach their city.

You may rest at the tavern before returning to the Underdark by speaking to the Drow Bartender on a platform in the north. When ready, proceed towards the entrance to the Eastern Tunnels in the southeast Underdark. Shortly past the bridge to Ust Natha, you will encounter a hostile party led by an Ogre named Boz.

Prioritize eliminating N'ashtar the Mage. The Cleric Chandrilla uses Blade Barrier, so target her with missile attacks. Boz drops the powerful halberd Dragon's Breath +4, and N'ashtar drops a Scroll of Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting. After defeating them, cast Chaotic Commands on your frontline, proceed to the Eastern Tunnels, spread out your party members, and speak to Solaufein.

Solaufein will summon three Mind Flayers and three Umber Hulks from the Astral Plane (another dimension). A Death Spell can simplify this encounter due to the enemies being grouped together. Besides combat XP, you will earn 20000XP for the rescue. Phaere, the daughter, does not seem particularly grateful.

Phaere will return to Ust Natha on her own. Solaufein will instruct you to meet him at the entrance. Return to Ust Natha to find him and Imrae waiting. Imrae will order you and Solaufein to meet Phaere in the tavern within a day.

Warning: When given a time limit, failing to adhere to it will result in quest failure and the city becoming hostile. The time limits are generally sufficient to allow for other activities.

Proceed to the tavern after Imrae and Solaufein depart. A duergar slave will approach you.

The slave informs you that its master, the Aboleth (a powerful aquatic creature) in the large fish tank, wishes to speak with you. Refusing will cause the slave to denounce you, turning the city hostile. Agree to speak with the Aboleth.

The Aboleth will request a service: kill a drow priestess named Qilue and retrieve her brain. The alternative is for the Aboleth to reveal your true identity to the city.

If you choose the option "So you contend to hold me in service...", you can call the Aboleth's bluff by threatening to expose it as well.